George Mason economics professor Tyler Cowen looks at the hidden opportunity costs of the Iraq war and argues the price tag is much more than the $1 trillion estimated by the Congressional Budget office:
- What Does Iraq Cost? Even More Than You Think. (Washington Post)
Bush’s personal liking of Musharraf for his supposed opposition to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have led to muted criticism of the general’s martial law and ongoing authoritarianism, meanwhile military forces are being dispatched to put down sectarian violence between Shi’as and Sunnis in northwest Pakistan, but a journalist argues that the Taliban has been “reconstituted into a force for mischief by … the government–of Pakistan, as a proxy fighting force to advance Pakistan’s long-cherished agenda: to control all or part of Afghanistan”:
- Musharraf Ties Pose Dilemma For Bush (Washington Post)
- Pakistan Military Mobilizing Forces to Quell Violence (Washington Post)
- A Mullah Dies, and War Comes Knocking (Washington Post)
Unlike its occupying power, the Iraqi government says that Iran has contributed to stability in the country by dissuading Sadrist militias from committing more violence:
- Iraq Credits Iran for Helping to Curb Attacks by Militias (New York Times)
Seeking to assuage international concerns over its nuclear program, Iran says it is willing to discuss having uranium for its power plants enriched in a neutral country such Switzerland:
- Iran Eyes Nuclear Options Abroad (BBC News)
The Jordanian State continues to gerrymander its electoral districts so it can marginalize Islamist and liberal secular opposition parties and keep pro-government parties in power:
- Jordanian Election Shows Limits Of Democracy (Reuters/New York Times)
Both the disbarred lawyer and rape victim plan to continue fighting a dubious Saudi legal verdict:
- Gang-Rape Victim Vows to Fight On (Arab News)
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