News and Analysis (3/12/10)

Besides playing a critical role in the early development of Iraqi democracy, the elections will have a regional impact affecting foreign relations across the Middle East:

• Arab Neighbors Cast a Wary Eye on Iraq Election Results (Christian Science Monitor)

“With their ranks blotted by bribery, theft, extortion, drug-running and defections to the Taliban, the police stand in stark contrast to the Afghan National Army, which U.S. officials said is well-respected”…

• Program Aims to Rebuild Afghan Police Force, Repair its Image (Washington Post)

… Meanwhile, the US strategy to promote tribal leadership against the Taliban becomes proves to be more complicated than initially presented:

• Afghan Tribal Rivalries Bedevil a U.S. Plan (Al Jazeera)

Proof that Israeli law is concerned with race, not religious persuasion:

• Egg Donor and Recipient Must be of Same Religion, You-Know-Where (Mondoweiss)

Anticipating protests, Israeli policy preempts any attempt to demonstrate against their oppressive rule:

• Israel Seals Off Occupied West Bank (Al Jazeera)

Though there are less than 100 Al Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan, others are skeptical:

• Some U.S. Officials see a Growing Taliban-Al Qaeda Rift (LA Times)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant