News and Analysis (11/15/07)

After intense outcry from Muslim and civil libertarian groups as well as facing practical obstacles, Los Angeles Police Department scraps its program to “map” Muslim communities in the city:

• LAPD’s Muslim Mapping Plan Killed (Los Angeles Times)

Although Musharraf pledges to step down as head of the army at the end of November, his martial rule has put at risk“…the constitution, the independence of the judiciary, a demoralized army and bureaucracy, a collapsing economy and [forced] acute polarization between the army and the political parties and civil society.”

• Musharraf Pledges To Quit Army Post (Adnkronos International)
• Musharraf Takes Pakistan to the Brink (BBC News)

In spite of ongoing saber rattling with Iran over its nuclear program, the Bush administration says it will not allow even parts of its latest national intelligence estimate to be declassified and open to public scrutiny:

• Iran Threat Assessment Won’t Be Released, Intelligence Chief Says (CNN)

Fifteen Iraqi lawyers plea with Bush administration that you can’t establish the rule of law by building prisons while you ignore judges:

• No Good at Nation-Building (Washington Post)

Alejandro

Alejandro Beutel is program assistant for the Minaret of Freedom Institute with expertise in religious freedom, democratization and security issues.