Author: Imran

Contradicting Obama’s claim that Mitchell will speak “to all the major parties involved,” the state department proclaims that “Mitchell will not have contact with Hamas”: Obama Voices Hope for Mideast Peace in Talk With Al-Arabiya TV (Washington Post) 600 prisoners are packed into Bagram prison, which is described as “tougher and more spartan” than Guantanamo……

BBC and Sky claim airing an appeal for the victims of Israel’s offensive in Gaza is incompatible with their ability to provide balanced and objective reporting: Britain’s BBC, Sky Refuse to Air Gaza Charity Appeal (Reuters) Tony Benn to BBC “If You Wont Broadcast The Gaza Appeal Then I Will Myself” (YouTube) The Israeli occupation…

It seems Obama does not plan to reverse course on all of Bush’s policies … 2 U.S. Airstrikes Offer a Concrete Sign of Obama’s Pakistan Policy (Washington Post) …Meanwhile, a call for justice remains strong for those denied habeas corpus at Guantanamo: Obama’s Guantanamo Decision has Repercussions in Afghanistan, Pakistan (LA Times) They won’t say…

Almost 1,000 refugees were set loose in international water on boats with no engines and little food and water: Thailand Accused of Mistreating Muslim Refugees (Christian Science Monitor) With thousands left devastated by the indiscriminate nature of the Israeli attack… No Home to Return to in Gaza (Washington Post) … yet another turf war emerges:…

Will President Obama continue to support Israel with the same “blank-check policy” of the Bush administration? As Constraints on Gaza Ease, New Reports of Misery (Washington Post) As Taliban forces continue to enjoy a high level of autonomy… Taliban Fill NATO’s Big Gaps in Afghan South (NY Times) …they cite the failures of Bush and…

Of the nearly 800 prisoners detained at Guantanamo, only 3 were ever put on trial and convicted: Judge Suspends Guantanamo Case at Obama’s Request (Washington Post) In a move analysts believe to correspond with the inauguration of President Obama… Israel Completes Gaza Troop Withdrawal (Reuters) …However, Israel might not avoid responsibility for the illegal tactics…

In the aftermath, 1,300 Palestinian dead, 1/3 were children, and a thousand are left wounded and homeless… Gaza Cease-Fire Lets Palestinians Cautiously Recover Bodies (LA Times) … yet, the chances of charging Israel with war crimes remains slim: Israel Fends Off Censure Over Gaza Civilian Deaths (Reuters) …while the war’s impact on Fath’s chronic factionlism…

Hamas responds to Israel’s cease fire terms (“If they [Hamas] stop firing, we will consider leaving Gaza at a time that is suitable to us” – Olmert) … Israelis Announce Cease-Fire In Gaza (Washington Post) … with one on its own (Israel has one week to pull out of the Gaza strip and must open…

Analysts believe the IDF is involved in a “furious drive” to coordinate last-minute attacks on Hamas… Israel’s Last Surge Before a Gaza Cease-Fire? (Christian Science Monitor) …Meanwhile, Bashar al-Assad declares the Arab initiative for peace with Israel is now “dead”: Syria: ‘Cut all Ties With Israel’ (Al Jazeera) In response to the West’s inability to…

Tons of relief supplies burn as Israel claims the attack with “what appeared to be phosphorus shells” was a “grave mistake”: Israel Hits UN Refugee Agency in Gaza (Guardian) “Labor and Kadima’s position is a declaration of war on Israel’s Arab citizens”: Israel Bans Arab Parties from Running in Upcoming Elections (Haaretz) Validating the Bush…