Author: Alejandro

Emotions and tensions run high in Lebanon and 14th Lebanese politician since Rafiq Hariri’s death was successfully assassinated: Murdered MP’s Political Comrades Vow Revenge (Adnkronos International) Egyptian society and how it applies Islam to everyday life, on one hand undergoes rapid changes as more couples seek a legal temporary marriage, but adjust at a much…

In response to tit-for-tat attacks between Israelis and Gazan Palestinians, Israel has collectively punished the entire strip first by choking off trade and now declaring it an “enemy entity” and cutting off its fuel and power supplies, meanwhile some analysts speculate that the recent attack in Syria was a dry run for later possible operations…

New York Times editorial finds that although Bush’s likely pick for the next Attorney General is being billed as a “consensus” candidate, there are some important questions that need to be answered concerning his commitment to preserving liberties while fighting terrorism: Considering Mr. Mukasey (New York Times) U.N. human rights high commissioner says European Muslims…

Bush gives nod at retired federal judge Michael B. Mukasey for the Attorney General slot, with many liberals and conservatives saying that in spite of his strong conservatism he is likely to be a strong consensus candidate who adheres to the rule of law: Bush to Name Ex-Judge as Successor to Gonzales (New York Times)…

Political and security stability in Iraq unravel further as 30 members leave the parliamentary ruling government and Al-Qaeda goes on new terrorism offensive killing dozens in three coordinated suicide bombings, while the US is deadlocked in Congress: Sadr Group Quits Iraq Ruling Bloc (BBC News) Iraq Suffers Triple Bomb Attacks (Al-Jazeera) Accord on Iraq War…

Using more tricks to undermine its opposition, the government says it will not deter exiled former PM Bhutto from returning, but also says that she will have to face old corruption charges when she gets back, meanwhile more security turmoil rocks Pakistan as at least 60 people have died in clashes with the Taliban: Bhutto…

Surge military and political strategies are thrown into further chaos as prominent anti-Qaeda tribal ally is killed and agreement among Iraq’s major political and ethnic groups of the oil law is falling apart: Bomb Kills Sunni Sheik Working With U.S. in Iraq (Associated Press/New York Times) Compromise on Oil Law in Iraq Seems to Be…

As intelligence chiefs prepare to engage themselves in a protracted legal battle to prevent full disclosure of Guantanamo detainees information, news agencies have already received some transcripts of detainees’ records, further detailing a grim picture of religious and medical abuses: Guantanamo Detainees Tell of Abuses (Associated Press) Officials Cite Danger in Revealing Detainee Data (New…

Muslim evangelist Amr Khaled touches the lives of many youth around the world by speaking to them on their terms with a soft, direct and understandable message: Islam’s Up-to-Date Televangelist (Washington Post) “Naturally, in any religious government, if there is more pressure, it does not make people more religious,” – Mohammad Ali Abtahi former Vice…

Shortly after arriving back in Pakistan, former PM Nawaz Sharif is arrested and re-exiled to Saudi Arabia, however this latest incident is typical a long tradition of military interference in civilian politics: Pakistan Deports Sharif On Return (Al-Jazeera International) 3 Centers Of Influence Maneuver In Pakistan (Washington Post) Latest poll shows that religious, racial and…