i've added more links to the right. the whiskey bar is another one of those sites that i have been reading (and occasionally citing) so i really should add it to the list. juan cole's informed comment is a more recent discovery (thanks to riverbend). juan is a history prof. specializing in the mid-east at the university of michigan. in the two days since i found out about him i already find that i turn to his site on a regular basis for information about the region
UPDATE: yet even more! i just discovered see why and its on the list now too. go stick your eyeballs ther