Author: Alejandro

Turkish Parliament most likely to vote in first Islamic-oriented president since the founding of the secular republic: Turkish Parliament to Select President (Associated Press) Saudi Arabia completes massive preemptory crackdown on alleged terrorists plotting attacks on “‘public figures, oil facilities, refineries … and military zones’”: Saudis Arrest 172 in Alleged Terror Plot (Associated Press) High…

In the wake of publicized abuses and appointment of new Undersecretary of Intelligence, Department of Defense announces end to obscure and intrusive domestic intelligence program:     Pentagon to End Talon Data-Gathering Program (Washington Post)  Extremist secular nationalism and the interference of the secular military establishment foment religious intolerance toward faith-based activism and religious minorities in Turkey: …

Syrian democracy and human rights reform advocate Anwar al-Bunni is arrested by government security forces for spreading “hostile information”: Syria Jails Human Rights Activist (BBC News) Despite condemnations and allegations of fraud, intimidation and other forms of abuse from European Union and Nigerian electoral watchdog NGO, Umaru Yar’Adua is named victor of elections: Nigeria Election…

Efforts to enact security sector reforms to combat lawlessness and internal fighting among Palestinians suffer set back as the Interior Minister submits his resignation: Palestinian Minister ‘Resigns’ (Al-Jazeera) Somalis many challenges to fleeing for safety: Some can’t leave the country, others brave the deadly sea route trying to escape to Yemen and others still who…

While lead Presidential candidates and Nigeria’s head monitoring organization call for new elections, the apathetic Syrian “electorate” openly voice openly voice “their lack of interest in the polls”: Nigerian Candidates Reject Poll (BBC News) Syrians Unmoved by Chance to Vote (BBC News) Prime Minister Maliki and prominent Sunni parliamentarian Adnan Al-Dulaimi reject sectarian wall built…

Thursday’s deadly bombings demonstrate that without fast and smart political action from the Iraqi government, the ‘surge’ is a failure and the bodies will continue to pile up: Iraq Falling Behind on ‘Benchmarks’ (Christian Science Monitor) “Are we in the West Bank?” – Abu Qusay, Baghdad resident In Baghdad, U.S. Troops Build Wall to Curb…

Pentagon releases redacted transcript of statement by captured militant, in which he asserts he was tortured causing him to make false confessions about himself and have physical problems, such as seizures: Militant Tells Guantanamo Tribunal he was Tortured by CIA (Agence France Presse) Saudis agree to waive the interest on the interest-free loans and “failed…

Nigeria’s national elections already marred by violence and accusations of ballot manipulation become more complicated as popular banned candidate is finally cleared to run – 5 days before elections: Nigerian Court Overturns Ban on Accused Candidate (Washington Post) Voluntary pullout of Sadrists from Iraqi government could fill ministries based on merit, but also poses potential…

Washington Post columnist Robert Novak and the Daily Star Lebanon’s editorial examine Arab nations’ olive branch extended to the Israelis, and the consequences of the latter’s rejection of it: Olive Branch From Hamas (Washington Post) What are Arabs to make of Israel’s persistent refusal to make peace? (Daily Star Lebanon) Admissions at American universities in…