Arab cartoons have been following the development of the conflict between Russia and Georgia, focusing on the political relations between Russia and the U.S. as well.
Most Arab cartoons identify Georgia as a victim of Russia, which is often portrayed as an angry bear, and blame, at the same time, the West for the Georgian crisis.
The following are examples of these cartoons:
Russia-Georgia Conflict
The cartoon says: "The Opening of the Olympic Games... and of War Games…"
On torch: "Ossetia"
On bombs in torch: "Russia" and "Georgia"
Al-Watan (Qatar), August 9, 2008
Cartoonist: Eley Saba
On the big bear on the left: "Putin"
On the bear on the right: "Medvedev"
On the hedgehog: "Georgia"
Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), August 15, 2008
Cartoonist: Hasan Blebel
The cartoon says:
On the soldier: "Russia"
On the sign: "Georgia"
On the bottom: "Russia Begins its Retreat from Georgian Territory"
Al-Jarida (Kuwait), August 17, 2008
Cartoonist: Stavro
The cartoon says:
On the arm eaten by the bear: "Georgia"
Al-Watan (Qatar), August 15, 2008
Cartoonist: Eley Saleba
The cartoon says: "Russia-Georgia"
Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), August 18, 2008
Cartoonist: Hasan Blebel
The cartoon says: "In the Caucasus…"
Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), August 13, 2008
Cartoonist: Hasan Blebel
The cartoon says:
On the small flag: "Georgia"
On the soldier's shoulder: "Russia"
Al-Hayat (London-based, Saudi-owned), August 13, 2008
Cartoonist: Habeeb Haddad
Akhbar Al-Arab (UAE), August 11, 2008
Cartoonist: 'Aamer Al-Zo'abi
The West Did Not Help Georgia
The cartoon says: "Georgia Awaits Western Intervention"
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London-based, Saudi-owned) August 13, 2008
Cartoonist: Amjad Rasmi
The cartoon says:
On the bear: "Russia"
On the man: "Georgia"
On the hand: "West"
A- Madin (Saudi Arabia), August 24, 2008
Cartoonist: Alaa Allaqeta
The cartoon says: Wordplay on the name "Georgia"
The victim cries out for help to "George [Bush]"
Al-Nadwah (Saudi Arabia), August 13, 2008
Cartoonist: Adel Saead
The cartoon says:
On the hat of the man on the right: "Russia"
On the slapped kid: "Georgia"
On the kid hiding behind Russia: "South Ossetia"
The hand slapping: "Traaaaakh"
America says: "Aaakh"
Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), August 12, 2008
Cartoonist: Jehad Awartany
On the Russia-Georgia Ceasefire
The cartoon says:
On sleeve of arm signing agreement: "Georgia"
On bloodstained bear paw: "Russia"
On the document: "Articles of the Ceasefire"
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London-based, Saudi-owned), August 17, 2008
Cartoonist: Amjad Rasmi
The cartoon says:
On the hat: "Russia"
Soldier: "Withdraw!"
On the bleeding corpse: "Georgia"
Al-Watan (Qatar), August 20, 2008
Cartoonist: Eley Saba
Georgia as Iraq
The cartoon says:
On the road sign: "Iraq"
Al-Watan (Qatar), August 15, 2008
Cartoonist: Eley Saleba
Cold War
The cartoon says:
On the tank: "Russia"
On the sign on the left: "America"
On the sign on the right: "Georgia"
Akhbar Al-Arab (UAE), August 16, 2008
Cartoonist: Amer Al Zohbi
The cartoon says:
On the bear: "Russia"
Al-Ghad (Jordan), August 21, 2008
Cartoon: Emad Hajaj
The cartoon says: "The Cold War is Back"
Akhbar Al-Arab (UAE). August 17, 2008
Cartoonist: 'Aamer Al-Zo'abi
The cartoon says: "Cold War"
Tishreen (Syria), August 21, 2008
Cartoonist: Dijwar
The cartoon says: "The Cold War"
Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), August 23, 2008
Cartoonist: Hasan Blebel
The cartoon says:
On the bear: "Russia"
On the missile: "The [U.S.] Missile Shield"
Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), August 18, 2008
Cartoonist: Jehad Awartany
The cartoon says: "The Return of the Cold War"
Al-Arab Al-Yawm (Jordan), August 22, 2008
Cartoonist: Naser Jafery
The cartoon says: "Poland: The 'Deployment' of the Missile Shield"
Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), August 19, 2008
Cartoonist: Hasan Blebel
Russia Knocking at the Door of Syria
The cartoon says:
On the bear: "Russia"
On the door: "Syria"
On the sign behind the door: "Lebanon"
Al-Balad (Lebanon), August 23, 2008
Cartoonist: Stavro
Russia and the NATO
The cartoon says: "Are you a new member of NATO?"
On the man's hat: "Georgia"
Al-Khaleej (UAE), August 19, 2008
Cartoonist: Ali Kalel
The cartoon says: "Russia"
Al-Khaleej (UAE), August 14, 2008
Cartoonist: Ali Kalel
The cartoon says:
On the man: "Russia"
On the baby: "Georgia"
On the Soldier: "NATO"
Oman newspaper (Oman), August 18, 2008
Putin
The cartoon says:
On Putin: "Putin"
On the medal: "Georgia"
On Medvedev: "Medvedev"
Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), August 13, 2008
Cartoonist: Jehad Awartany
The cartoon says:
On the right: "The U.S. support to Georgia"
On the sign:
Al-Watan (Qatar), August 13, 2008
Cartoonist: Eley Saleba
The cartoon says:
On Putin: "Putin"
On the tank: "The NATO"
Al-Dustour (Jordan), August 14, 2008
Cartoonist: Jalal Alrefaie
The cartoon says:
On the lamp: "Russia"
Al-Ghad (Jordan), August 15, 2008
Cartoonist: Emad Hajaj
The cartoon says: "Putin"
Al-Hayat (London-based, Saudi-owned), August 20, 2008
Cartoonist: Habeeb Haddad
*A. Mahjar Barducci is a research fellow at MEMRI.
