News and Analysis (5/28/07)

As the US and Iran directly talk to each other for the first time in more than 28 years, discussing security issues in Iraq, other nations are seeing the spillover effects of that country’s terrorism problems come into their territory:

• U.S., Iran Meet to Discuss Iraq Security (Washington Post)
• Militants Widen Reach as Terror Seeps Out of Iraq (New York Times)

Religious learning and culture takes another blow in Iraq as criminals kill one of the Muslim World’s leading calligraphers:

• Leading Muslim Calligrapher Shot (BBC News)

In Saudi Arabia, small but important changes take place as the state sets up domestic violence center and women begin to redefine what “dressing modestly” means in their country:

• Saudi Arabia: Women’s Abuse Centre to be Set Up (Adnkronos International)
• For Cloaked Saudi Women, Color Is the New Black (Washington Post)

Religious liberty under attack in Switzerland as xenophobes move to ban the display of minarets throughout the country:

• Swiss Move to Ban Minarets (BBC News)

Alejandro

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