New and Analysis (12/14/13)

“The US government has been lying for years about Robert Levinson, a man kidnapped in Iran after being sent there as part of a rogue CIA operation. Some media have been playing along”:

• Levinson, Iran, the CIA, and Lies (Christian Science Monitor)

We can believe that Gen. Sisi aspires to be a dictator in the same class as Time’s 1938 (Adolf Hitler) or 1939 (Joseph Stalin) “Man of of the year” choices, but he’s got a long way to go:

• Egyptian Army Chief’s Supporters Furious over Time Magazine ‘Snub’ (Guardian)

Here are sources on the history of the Christian-Muslim violence in the Central African Republic and the latest developments:

• Religious Violence in CAR Plagues ‘Most Abandoned People on Earth’  (CNN)
• African Union to Boost Central African Republic Force (BBC)
• Central African Republic: Thousands Seek Refuge with French Troops (Christian Science Monitor)
• Popular Support Falling for French CAR Military Operation: Poll (Reuters)

“The wave of violence will further worry observers already concerned by the prospect of chaos in the unstable south Asian state ahead of elections in early January”:

• Abdul Quader Mollah Execution Leads to Violence in Bangladesh (Guardian)

“Demonstrators gathered on Friday despite heavy rains and unprecedented low temperatures to support dozens of students arrested by authorities in recent weeks. Some of them made a four-finger hand gesture used to remember the violent breakup of an Islamist sit-in by security forces in mid-August that left hundreds dead”:

• Egypt’s Security Forces Disperse Islamist Protests (AP / Salon)

“While much of the public has supported tough security measures against the group, societal norms in the majority-Muslim country may cause some to chafe at action against women and girls, even those protesting against the revered army”:

• Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Turns to Its Sisters (Daily Star)

It reflects “the extent to which the Islamic Front alliance [IF] has eclipsed the more moderate Free Syrian Army brigades – which Western and Arab powers tried in vain to build into a force able to topple President Bashar al-Assad. The talks could also decide the future direction of the [IF], which is engaged in a standoff with yet more” extreme al-Qaida linked forces:

• Syrian Islamist Rebels to Meet U.S. Officials: Opposition Sources (Reuters)

Americans “threaten” to withdraw from Afghanistan, but Karzai will believe that when he sees it:

• Karzai: American Threat of Full Troop Withdrawal Is ‘Brinkmanship’ (Guardian)

“The Iran-Pakistan pipeline is designed to help Pakistan overcome its mushrooming energy needs. Pakistanis experience frequent blackouts” but the “U.S. has opposed the project but leaders of both Iran and Pakistan have vowed to implement what they refer to as the ‘peace pipeline’”:

• Iran Cancels Pakistan Gas Pipeline Loan (AP / abc News)

ImadadDean