News and Analysis (12/24/07)

The outsourcing of security missions to both private mercenaries and Sunni militants inthe US-led occupation in Iraq lead to dire consequences:

• Warnings Unheeded On Guards In Iraq (Washington Post)

• Sunni Fighters Need Political Role (Associated Press/Washington Post)

Without accountability and controls, military aid to Pakistan intended to fight Al-Qaeda is siphoned off to prop up Musharraf’s regime and purchase weapons systems to counter India:

• U.S. Officials See Waste in Pakistan Aid (New York Times)

Strong bureaucratic influence, a culture of extreme secrecy, and a strong desire to protect its own explain many of the reasons behind the CIA’s destruction of its torture tapes:

• Wagons Circled at CIA Over Tapes’ Demise (Los Angeles Times)

Alejandro

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