Month: January 2007

They give themselves two weeks to resolve the remaining issues: Abbas and Hamas Rival Hold Talks, Differences Remain (AFP) Iraq denies asking Syria to ban political opposition, only groups bearing arms against them: Iraq’s Talabani calls for Syria-U.S. Talks (Reuters) Blackhawk down: 24 U.S. Service Members Killed In Iraq (Washington Post) A Canadian and three…

Nasrullah challenges constitutionality of present government: Lebanon Opposition to Call General Strike (Reuters) Erdogan condemns assassination as an “attack on freedom of thought:” Prominent Turkish-Armenian Journalist Shot Dead in Istanbul (AFP) In America the Constitution is explicit that the allocation of tax revenues is in the hands of the legislature (and primarily the lower house…

Somali President begins crack down on opposition: Somali Parliament Strips Speaker’s Power (Washington Post) A bill before Congress proposes to, finally, establish an appeals process for the “Terrorist Watch List:” Democrats Set Homeland Security Changes (Washington Post) Maliki’s new tone: is he just talking the talk? Iraqi Premier Pledges Firm Hand with Militants (LA Time)…

Bush’s surge strategy may prove to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back by creating unrest in southern Iraq and further disrupting the oil sector: Analysis: Bush’s ‘Surge’ on Iraq’s Oil (UPI) Egyptian government allows violent sectarian television programming to be aired for its own political benefit: Why is Egypt Airing Insurgent TV from…

Not again… Outrage from Iraqi Sunnis, global community over “undignified” execution: Questions Raised by Iraq Hangings (BBC) Morocco’s political manipulation of Islam is no laughing matter… Journalists in Morocco Convicted and Fined for Insulting Islam (Associated Press) …unlike Canada whose democracy and civil liberties allow Muslims and non-Muslims to have a sense humor: ‘Little Mosque’…

Egyptians say torture tapes are fabricated; will the trial be public? ·        Egypt Releases Al Jazeera Reporter On Bail-Sources (Reuters) The Palestinian president is consistent; he also rejects Hamas’s temporary peace proposal: ·        Abbas Rejects Temporary Mideast Peace Deal (AFP) Kurds accuse U.S. of trying to harm their relations with Iran; the incident embarrasses the…

Security chief has close ties to Washington and is given free passage by Israel: · Hamas Rallies Supporters Against Fatah Strongman (Reuters) Negroponte claims the al-Qaida’s operational and network relationships are getting stronger: · Pakistan Rejects Claims Al-Qaeda Strengthening on Its Soil (AFP) Gates says Iraq can avoid unwanted additional troops by meeting “military, political,…

“[T]he most dangerous foreign policy blunder since Vietnam…”—Senator Chuck Hagel.(R-NE) ·        Barrage of Criticism for Bush Iraq Plan (AFP) ·        In Baghdad, Concerns About a Violent Year: Some Iraqis Question the Bush ‘Surge’ and the Ability of Maliki to Rein in Militias (Christian Science Monitor) ·        Poll: Most Americans Opposed to Bush’s Iraq Plan (Washington…