Author: Imran

After a “bloodless capture” of Elasha Biyaha, militants look to capture capital and topple the weak transitional government: Islamists Continue Advance Through Somalia (NY Times) But did he have a straight face when he said agreeing to keep American troops in Iraq “is important for Iraq to ban and stop foreign influence and interference”?… Iraqi…

“‘People who put on a mask of friendship, but with the objective of betrayal, and who enter from the angle of negotiations without preconditions, are more dangerous,’ Hossein Taeb, deputy commander”: Facing Obama, Iran Suddenly Hedges on Talks (Washington Post) Taha offers religious advice across rival Fatah and Hamas factions and remains committed to open…

Supplies for 750,000 needy Palestinians can last only 48 hours: UN Says Gaza Running Out of Food (Al Jazeera) Sunni and Shi’ite neighborhoods reunited by Iraqi government’s decision to reopen bridge: Long-Closed Baghdad Bridge Reopens (Washington Post) Having expelled Al-Qaeda a year ago, Dulaim illustrates the difficulty in maintaining sovereignty: Iraqi Town Defies Al Qaeda…

“The Pakistani military, they say, has threatened to bomb their villages if they do not battle the Taliban:” For Pakistan’s Tribesmen, A Difficult, Deadly Choice (Washington Post) Although mistrust remains, payment on Monday reflects the final step in Sons of Iraq transition to the national army: Iraq’s Sunni fighters Leave U.S. Payroll (LA Times) “The…

Recently declassified document authorized nearly a dozen raids around the world: Secret Order Lets U.S. Raid Al Qaeda in Many Countries (NY Times) “‘Tension-creating’ foreign policy has ‘scared off foreign investment and inflicted heavy damage’ on the economy”: Iran Economists Denounce Ahmadinejad’s Policies (LA Times) The ballot includes a man on trial for arms trafficking…

Detention power used in the Marri case is called “unconstitutional and dangerous, raising the possibility that the government could one day snatch anyone off the street, even a political opponent, and lock him up without a trial:” High Court May Consider Legality of Detention (Washington Post) Although an unusually quick public response, US stopped short…

Obama’s selection of pro-war enthusiast Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff grants power of presidential access to someone who once reportedly stabbed a steak knife into the table shouting “Dead! Dead! Dead!” while listing his political opponents: Forget the Honeymoon (Antiwar) In an unprecedented move, Ahmadinejad congratulates Obama, emphasizing the need for change in…

Informant’s character in question during court examination in the prosecution of alleged Fort Dix plot: Defense Lawyers Question Informant in Terror Case (Washington Post) Iranians have their doubts about Obama, noting that “Democrats … started the sanctions under President Clinton” … Iran Sends Mixed Signals on Obama Victory (LA Times) … in the meantime, Livni…

How will the election of Barack Hussein Obama shape foreign policy in the Middle East: Obama Win Sparks Global Conversation on Iraq and Afghanistan (Christian Science Monitor) Hamas retaliates after an Israeli air strike broke the truce agreed upon in June: Israeli Officials Report Rocket Barrage from Gaza (AP / Washington Post) Organizers use the…

The looming impeachment of an Iranian cabinet member sparks acts of bribery and a fist-fight: Scandal, Fistfight Erupt Over Impeachment Move in Iran (Washington Post) Despite lobbying for larger quotas, only six seats reserved for minorities: Iraqi Lawmakers OK Provincial Council Quotas for Minorities (LA Times) Circumstantial evidence indicates a local Afghan police chief and…