Author: Imran

Threats of torture, disappearance, and execution to extort false confessions of wrongdoing and associations are among the charges against US officials in the lawsuit: U.S. Citizen Sues Over Treatment in ‘Rendition’ (Washington Post) Top executives authorized a $1 million payoff to Iraqi officials, an act that would have been illegal under American law: Blackwater Said…

As the prospects of successful negotiations with Israeli politicians looks bleak… As Netanyahu Meets Obama, Israel Ex-General Offers Hamas Talks (Christian Science Monitor) … Palestinians take matter into their own hands: Palestinians Break Israel’s Wall (Al Jazeera) Some analysts believe that Abbas abrupt resignation could quickly lead to the end of the Palestinian Authority: Future…

Compromising over Kirkuk, the state is set for the second national elections since the fall of Saddam Hussein: Iraq Passes Crucial Election Law (NY Times) As the investigation dwells on weak links to Al-Qaeda … Authorities Scrutinize Links Between Fort Hood Suspect, Imam Said to Back Al-Qaeda (Washington Post) … American Muslims struggle to place…

Touting literal interpretations of the Qur’an can be dangerous; natural selection may simply be the means by which al-Bari (the Evolver, one of the 99 names of God) created the diversity of life on earth: In Turkey, Fertile Ground for Creationism (Washington Post) “Though we weren’t directly threatened by the Taliban, all of the hardship…

As American Muslim organizations issue statements deploring the shooting incident at Ft. Hood, a complex but hazy picture of the perpetrator emerges: Suspect, Devout Muslim from Va., Wanted Army Discharge, Aunt Said (Washington Post) Will Abbas’ resignation provide the spark needed to push negotiations forward or further stall the process with Fatah searching for leadership?…

The nation that scoffs at Judge Goldstone’s findings of war crimes now defends itself against Syrian charges of official piracy by posing as a vigilante enforcer of International Law: Israel Seizes Weapons it Said Were Being Sent by Iran to Syria (Christian Science Monitor) For the first time in 30 years, opposition members disrupt anti-American…

“Whenever they [Americans] smile at the officials of the Islamic revolution … we notice that they are hiding a dagger behind their back… They have not changed their intentions.” – Khamenei… Iran’s Khamenei Rejects U.S. Outreach (Washington Post) … Meanwhile, Parliament hopes to trim a $30 billion dollar deficit by cutting subsidies for food, fuel,…

As Judge Goldstone refutes the Congressional Representatives’ attempt to discredit his report … Goldstone Sends Letter to Berman, Ros-Lehtinen Correcting FactualErrors in HR 867, Which Opposes UN Fact Finding Report on Gaza (Israel-Palestinenews) … Clinton exercises damage control, admitting the Israeli offer falls well short of being “unprecedented”: In Face of Arab Anger, Clinton Amends…

Though unwilling to “to risk more lives for an election with only one candidate,” US officials press for Abdullah’s role in the government … Afghan President Appears to Win by Default; U.S. Pushes to Cancel Runoff Vote (LA Times) … Meanwhile, the US mulls over strategies to back the politically weak Karzai: With Karzai, U.S.…

As business in Afghanistan comes to a screeching halt over the upcoming run off elections… As Kabul Awaits Runoff, ‘Everything has Stopped’ (Washington Post) … Abdullah pulls out of the Afghanistan election believing a “transparent election” is impossible” Karzai Rival Pulls Out of Runoff (Al Jazeera) While admitting that settlements are “Illegal and illegitimate,” the…