News and Analysis (5/30/08)

Israel uses gunfire and teargas on protestors against the siege, while U.S. caves to Israeli interference on scholarship students:

• Israel Uses Gunfire to Repel Hamas Border Rally (Reuters)
• U.S. Withdraws Fulbright Grants to Gaza (NY Times)

U.S., Russia, Pakistan, India, China and Israel reject ban on weapon used by last when it dropped one million of the bomblets on Lebanon:

• Global Cluster-bomb Ban Draws Moral Line in the Sand (Christian Science Monitor)

U.S. stands by the National Intelligence Estimate despite conservative critics’ allegations rooted in what might be rather than what is known:

• No early Iran nuclear estimate update: U.S. official (Reuters)

Could talking to al-Qaeda be as productive as talking to the I.R.A.?

• Britain Should Talk to Al Qaeda, Says N. Ireland’s Top Cop (Christian Science Monitor)

A bloody reminder that depicting Iraqi fractiousness as essentially sectarian is a dangerous mistake:

• In Iraq, Suicide Bombing Kills 16 (LA Times)

Back and forth between pro-U.S. coalition and Taliban continues:

• Afghan Town Recaptured by Security Forces (Reuters)

George W. Bush Sends encouragement to Musharraf as he fends off rumors of his pending resignation:

• Musharraf Flays Rumor Mongers for Sowing Strife (Reuters)

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