News and Analysis (10/19/06)

Ashqar attributes his prosecution to the administration’s desire to coerce him into indicting Palestinians:

• Palestinian Puzzle: A Business Professor in Springfield Goes on Trial Today On U.S. Charges of Supporting Hamas. He Strongly Denies It. (Washington Post)

Volley in a campaign against violence directed at civilians:

• Muslim Scholars Write the Pope – and Everyone Else (Christian Science Monitor)

Know thyself; the beginning of wisdom:

• Hamas Official: Is Violence Palestinian “Disease?” (Reuters)

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got …

• U.S.: 22 Pct. More Attacks in Ramadan: U.S. Says Attacks During Ramadan Are Up 22 Percent and Baghdad Drive Has Not Met Expectations (abc news)

… General Caldwell compares the situation in Iraq to the Tet offensive of Vietnam:

• General Urges New Strategy for Baghdad (NY Times)

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