Limits on free expression in secular Turkey demonstrated by 15-month (suspended) jail sentence imposed on liberal Turkish academic Attila Yayla for allegedly “insulting Turkishnessâ€:
- Academic Sentenced Over Ataturk (BBC News)
Iranian officials claim that Cairo and Tehran are close to restoring full diplomatic ties with each other:
- Iran and Egypt ‘To Restore Ties’ (BBC News)
In the wake of the border crisis, Hamas gains leverage in negotiations with Fatah and “pierce[s] the consensus†at Annapolis that peace talks can move forward while isolating Hamas:
- Hamas Gains Edge As Border Crisis Eases (Christian Science Monitor)
Crucial Iraqi Sunni ally threatens to allow Al-Qaeda to return if a political deal isn’t struck allowing his men to be incorporated into the Iraqi army and police:
- ‘If There Is No Change In Three Months, There Will Be War Again’ (The Independent)
Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan lobbies the US to change its policies toward Pakistan, while Musharraf invokes stability among European leaders to continue to support him:
- Pakistanis Lobby U.S. Against February Elections (Christian Science Monitor)
- Musharraf Argues Case In Europe (Christian Science Monitor)
Stuck between catering to US interests and avoiding religious militants’ violence, Yemen treads a careful path of compromise to fight terrorist networks:
- Yemen’s Deals With Jihadists Unsettle the U.S. (New York Times)
Commentator Justin Raimondo analyzes the latest abuse of state secrets privilege, the “unprecedented gag order” on Sibel Edmonds’ allegations that our nuclear secrets are being stolen by a network of foreign intelligence middlemen who could sell them to rogue states or terrorists:
- None Dare Call It Treason (Antiwar.com)
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