News and Analysis (2/22/10)

Marja is much less important than Kandahar, but McChrystal needs a win soon to shore up domestic support for the war and “to show Afghans that U.S. forces and the Afghan government can protect them from the Taliban” …

• Battle for Marja Not Only Militarily Significant (Washington Post)

… But actions contradict promises, leaving at least 33 civilians dead and 12 injured …

• Afghan Ministers Voice Anger as Civilians Killed in Nato Airstrike (Guardian)

Barking orders in Hebrew, Israeli troops throw “concussion grenades and tear gas at the elderly, women, children, the priest doing the prayer, other town people and internationals”:

• Israeli Troops Attack a Sunday Mass and Moral Responsibility (Salem News)

Corruption at the top gives “capitalism” a bad name in Afghanistan:

• Kabul Bank’s Sherkhan Farnood Feeds Crony Capitalism in Afghanistan (Washington Post)

The new law will enable female lawyers “to represent women in marriage, divorce, custody and other family cases”:

• Saudi to Grant Women Court Access (Al Jazeera)

Fareed Zakaria argues for containment, not invasion:

• Why Iran’s Dictators Can Be Deterred (Washington Post)

Will Iraqis be able to maintain stability through the elections and as US troops withdraw in August in a former focal point for sectarian violence?

• A Model of Harmony Is Found in a Flashpoint City for Iraqi Sectarian Fighting (NY Times)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant