Author: Imran

Saudi attempts to spread Wahhabism across Yemen have backfired, marking the first time Saudi forces have engaged in a conflict without allies: Saudi Arabia Goes to War (Guardian) War games are meant to deter an Israeli attack, but France and Russia lose patience over the delayed formal response to negotiations … Iran Stages War Games,…

As illegal settlers get water free while the owners of the aquifer must pay … Fight for Survival in the West Bank (Altheos) … a rocket that caused no damage or casualties is Israel’s excuse to injure seven: Palestinians Hurt in Gaza Raid (Al Jazeera) In the increasingly regional conflict, analysts fear the displaced will…

The new approach targets Karzai’s cabinet members and provincial governors in an effort to more effective reach out to the people of Afghanistan… A Softer Approach to Karzai (Washington Post) … but the US presence protects Afghanistan “from the need to take responsibility for the fight against the Taliban”: To Succeed in Afghanistan, We Must…

It seems some Americans are unclear on the difference between revenge and justice served in an open court: Obama and Holder Defend Plans to Try Sept. 11 Suspects (LA Times) The University will challenge Saudi social norms by permitting women to dress as they choose, allowing men and women working, studying and socializing together, and…

Will the US exasperation over Israel illegal acts prompt substantive action? US ‘Dismay’ at Israel Over Gilo Plan (Guardian) Signs of a fragile government or a democracy at work? Iraqi Vice President Vetoes Election Law (NY Times) Kurdish Legislators Threaten Boycott of Iraq Election (NY Times) Analysts fear the attack is not an isolated incident…

“If this office had the responsibility to gather information, do investigation, and do prosecutions, probably we would be in a much better position in terms of fighting corruption” – Osmani: The Man Leading Afghanistan’s Anti-Corruption Fight (Christian Science Monitor) Iran continues to punish those who wished to engage in political activism: Iran Poll Protest Trials…

Detainees will still be denied access to lawyers but will be assigned a U.S. military “personal representative” and informed within 14 days in detention why they are being held: U.S. Gives Tour of New Afghan Detention Center (Washington Post) For Netanyahu, Palestinian move is yet another excuse to renege on the peace process: Israel Rejects…

While there is no way to implement a “clean break” from Bush-era policies, Obama’s “harder path [of] democratic justice … is imperfect, but it is always better”… A Trial That Should Restore Faith in US Justice (Guardian) … Yet, questions loom as we approach Obama’s self imposed one year deadline to close Guantanamo: Remaining Detainees…

“For two decades, the Alavi Foundation’s affairs have been directed by various Iranian officials, including Iranian ambassadors to the United Nations, in violation of a series of American laws” -  U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara: Feds Move to Seize 4 Mosques, Tower Linked to Iran (AP / Washington Post) Obama finally takes the first step towards…

As Israel forcibly deports a bound and blindfolded 21-yr.-old Gazan girl for the “crime” of going to school in the West Bank … Fragmenting Palestinian Land (Guardian) Abbas calls “on Hamas to join forces in the Palestinian national endeavor and to accept an Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal with Fatah”: At Arafat Memorial, Abbas Pushes Independence Fight…