Month: March 2009

Accused of partiality, but really targeted for expanding the scope of the discussion of Middle East policies, Chas Freeman Slams “Israel Lobby” (Huffington Post) The release of the defendants’ statements seems to contradict Obama’s order to halt all proceedings of military commissions: Military Judge’s Release of Pleading by 9/11 Defendants Draws Criticism (Washington Post) Anti…

While admitting the protections Al-Arian expected may not have been explicitly outlined, the Judge is thinks “the integrity of the Justice Department” is more important: Judge Suspects Feds Duped Defense in Al-Arian Case (AP / San Francisco Chronicle) The senior vice president for security defends the bank’s policy of sending those not bare-headed to a…

One woman announces her candidacy for the presidency, another sets herself on fire, and a third echoes the woman who interrupted Umar ibn Khattab in the mosque by interrupting President Karzai’s speech to hand him a grievance letter: Grim Struggle Continues for Women in Afghanistan (Washington Post) Bashir releases the opposition leader detained for urging…

A former Afghani PM says “to negotiate with the Taliban would be “very appreciated” by the Afghan people” … US Open to Afghan Taliban Talks (Al Jazeera) … as U.S. forces are stymied by the challenge of striking a balance between suspicion and sensitivity: U.S. Troops Face a Tangle Of Goals in Afghanistan (Washington Post)…

Supplying the troop surge in Afghanistan remains one of the most difficult tasks: Afghan Supply Chain a Weak Point (Washington Post) Bashir plans to expel of dozens of foreign aid groups for allegedly assisting the ICC to build their case: Sudan President Says He’ll Fight War Crimes Charges (LA Times) Taliban use Swat area truce…

Many African leaders see a double standard, comparing Darfur with the “illegal invasion of Iraq, where thousands of civilians have been killed and the country has been effectively destroyed” … War Crimes Warrant for Bashir Risks Sparking Unrest in Sudan (Christian Science Monitor) … Meanwhile, the ruling could impact those suffering in Darfur the most:…

But, like the United States, Sudan doesn’t recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC: International Court Issues Warrant for Sudanese President (Washington Post) Emphasizing the US inability or unwillingness to condemn Israeli plunder, Clinton refers to the Israeli plan to level 88 Palestinian homes as merely “unhelpful” to the peace process: Clinton Says She Pressed for…

Bush Administration repudiated at least ten of its anti-liberty legal opinions, most confirmed in a memo dated “five days before Obama’s inauguration”: Post-9/11 Memos Show More Bush-Era Legal Errors (Washington Post) Raising over $4 billion in aid, many donors seek political progress before releasing funds, citing fears of perpetuating the endless cycle of deconstruction and…