News and Analysis (11/24/08)

Two shot dead with about 20 wounded as Indian forces opened fire against the “stone-throwing” demonstrators boycotting the elections:

• Protesters Shot in Indian-Kashmir (Al Jazeera)

The expiration of the UN security agreement leaves Iraq’s oil wealth and other assets at risk for seizure to satisfy billions of dollars in legal claims against Saddam Hussein’s regime:

• Iraqi Foes of Security Deal Seek to Shield Assets (NY Times)

A victim reports “how gunmen apparently working for Iraq’s Interior Ministry kidnapped her, beat and raped her; of how they discarded her on a Baghdad sidewalk”:

• Rape’s Vast Toll in Iraq War Remains Largely Ignored (Christian Science Monitor)

Pioneers of Saudi Arabia’s first all-girl rock band illustrate the changes in Jidda, the kingdom’s most cosmopolitan city:

• As Taboos Ease, Saudi Girl Group Dares to Rock (NY Times)

“In some ways, we are seeing a return to traditional Iraqi political culture, where authority is centralized in the person of the leader in Baghdad,” said an anonymous US official:

• Iraq’s Nouri Maliki May Gain Power with U.S. Security Agreement (LA Times)

At a conference intended to curb violence in Iraq, US receives little support in the criticism of Syria:

• U.S. Alone Critical of Syria at Iraq Conference (Reuters / Washington Post)

“Finding troops will not be easy unless there is a significant drawdown in Iraq”:

• Marines Drafting Plan to Send More Troops to Afghanistan (LA Times)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant