Month: January 2011

As Tunisia forms a new unity government, self-immolations in Egypt and Cairo echo the trigger event that has “deeply shaken one of the Middle East’s most repressive regimes, forcing the president that ruled Tunisia for 23 years to step down“: Man Sets Himself on Fire in Cairo Protest (BBC) The chief of Mossad,  which  “has…

“The government says that 23 people have died during the protests, but rights groups say there have been at least 35 to 50 deaths. Mr. Ben Ali has called the protesters terrorists”: Tunisia Protesters Defy Curfew in Capital (Christian Science Monitor) The accused policeman will be tried in the controversial “state security courts”: Egypt Charges…

“‘Factions agreed to recommit to the national understanding to stop rocket firing,’ as long as Israel stops its air strikes and other attacks, one official said” … Gaza Militants Say to Halt Rocket Fire at Israel (Reuters) … but Israeli restraint is unlikely as long as the United States continues its “slavish subservience to Israel,…

The Tucson killings, as well as … countless other ‘senseless’ acts of political violence, show that homicidal maniacs emerge from all kinds of political riptides and psychological hells”: Tucson Should Make Rep. King Rethink Muslim Probe (Washington Post) Returning as a political figure a year earlier than expected Sadr calls “for a share of oil…

The planned troop draw down will be easier if we have more troops to draw down from: U.S. to Send 1,400 Extra Troops to Afghanistan (Reuters) “[H]is supervising officer had written to the Punjab home department saying he should be removed from VIP detail”: Salmaan Taseer Bodyguard’s Supervisor Warned of Extremist Views (Guardian) “I liked…

Taking a leaf from Jews who use their bodies to protect Palestinian homes from Israeli bulldozers: Egypt Muslims to Act as “Human Shields” at Coptic Christmas Eve Mass (Ahmramonline) The governor’s residence “has been the scene of angry street protests in recent weeks against [his] call to repeal blasphemy laws that order death for anyone…

Israel kills a woman protesting a three year delay in compliance with a court order to restore Palestinians’ access to their farmland: Palestinian Woman Dies After Tear-gassing (Washington Post) Allegations of al-Qaeda involvement don’t wash away Egypt’s humiliation at the violence against the Copts: Alexandria Church Bomb: Egypt Police on High Alert (BBC) Egypt Arrests…