Author: Imran

With four coups since 1960, the arrests indicate that civilian rule has deepened enough to challenge the military for ultimate authority in Turkey: Turkey Coup Plot: 12 Officers Charged as Government Takes on Military (Christian Science Monitor) Records “show that Afghan passengers took more than $180 million to Dubai during a two-month period starting in…

A law that makes it illegal for American groups to give lawful advice to terrorist groups on how to pursue peaceful means to ending conflict” is not just unconstitutional; it’s stupid: Supreme Court Weighs Free Speech Against Aid to Terrorists (Washington Post) As Obama pushes for increased European commitment, does withdrawal of the first NATO…

Examining the legality of the CIA’s decision to destroy videotapes of harsh interrogation methods, which included wall-slamming and waterboarding: Destroying C.I.A. Tapes Wasn’t Opposed, Memos Say (NY Times) Unimpressed by promises of government services not provided by the Taliban, locals counter the Taliban didn’t bother them, while “Your government drops bombs on us;” two years…

Marja is much less important than Kandahar, but McChrystal needs a win soon to shore up domestic support for the war and “to show Afghans that U.S. forces and the Afghan government can protect them from the Taliban” … Battle for Marja Not Only Militarily Significant (Washington Post) … But actions contradict promises, leaving at…

Like Christians who turned to home schooling, Muslims are attracted by the higher educational standards, the integration of religious education, and the avoiding the drawbacks of government and Islamic schools: Muslims Turning to Home Schooling in Increasing Numbers (Washington Post) A repeat of the lethal aftermath of the boycott if the first post-Saddam election would…

“Details are emerging that Pakistan feared losing influence within peace overtures between the United States and the Afghan Taliban:” Pakistan Arrests More Afghan Taliban. Why the About-Face? (Christian Science Monitor) New details emerge illustrating the scope of Iran’s nuclear quest: IAEA Fears Iran Working on Warhead (Al Jazeera) Pork-free Quick burger outlets are now the…

Nahro Massoud, a Hamas security official, was detained and interrogated over his involvement in the murder of al-Mabhouh Hamas Official Accused of Helping Mossad Hit Squad (Guardian) “This is inexplicable. Pakistan has destroyed its own credentials as a mediator between Taliban and Americans….’ — Rustam Shah Mohmand, former Pakistani ambassador to Kabul: Why Arrest of…

The U.S. led forces hedge on their apology as Afghan Interior Minister claims the the civilians killed were hostages of the Taliban: Afghanistan War: Taliban Hiding Behind Civilians in Marjah (Christian Science Monitor) Accusations of Mossad involvement in the assassination are boosted by the discovery: Dubai Assassins Stole Identities of Six UK Citizens (Guardian) Commissioner…

As Iran and the US continue their war of words… Iran Accuses U.S. of Deceit in the Persian Gulf Region (NY Times) Iran Moving Toward Military Dictatorship, Clinton Says (LA Times) … Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Al-Faisal believes sanctions will not  solve the short-term threat and any effort to remove nuclear weapons from the Middle…

Hanniyyah proposes to counter the militants who threaten to impose their oppressive interpretation of Islam on Gaza and reignite violence across the region with “discussions and meetings”… Muslim Firebrands Challenge Hamas Rule in Gaza (AP / Washington Post) … Meanwhile, PA president Abbas finally attempts to deal with a particularly lurid case of corruption involving…