Month: May 2007

Federal prosecutors’ tactics against Padilla backfire as their key witness, paints a “less menacing” portrait of events and facts relevant to the case: At Padilla Terror Trial, a Witness’s Surprise Effect (Christian Science Monitor) Profitable in this life and the Hereafter: A look at socially responsible investing in accordance with Islamic ethical norms A Market…

Antiwar.com columnist Scott Horton defends Ron Paul’s analysis that 9/11 was “blowback” and takes Rudy Guiliani to task for twisting it as “blaming America”: For Those Interested in Facts: They Hate Our Foreign Policy (Antiwar.com) Religious vigilantes from notorious mosque becoming bolder in Pakistan, abducting four policemen in order to release four detained members of…

In spite of secularists’ backlash, Turkey’s ruling Islamic-oriented party’s grassroots strategies and successful economic policies will likely give it an electoral edge in July: Turkish Party Builds Base on Social Work (Los Angeles Times) Rather than negotiating with the unity government, Israel reveals its divide-and-conquer strategy, allowing 500 US-trained Fatah troops to continue to fight…

Ambassador level talks to focus on Iraq… Iranian, U.S. Officials Meet in Iraq on May 28 (Reuters) …but Nobel Peace Prize Winner says “the arrest of people like Esfandiari is ‘not a very good starting point for negotiations between the two countries:’” Iran Said To Deny Legal Access To Imprisoned Scholar (Washington Post) Watchdog group…

Former number 2 man at Justice reveals how the present AG was willing to “coerce a man in intensive care … to grant .. approval” for an unconstitutional NSA domestic spy program: Gonzales Hospital Episode Detailed (Washington Post) Mr. Comey’s Tale (Washington Post) Report finds the Department of Homeland Security’s big brother database is illegal,…

Doctor files lawsuit after being manhandled by security guard over performing prayer ritual:   Doctor Alleges Assault During Islamic Ritual (Washington Post)  Government Transparency Watch: Guantánamo detainees file lawsuit against secretiveness and double jeopardy practices of Military Tribunals and White House removes important passage from government privacy watchdog report   Guantánamo Detainees’ Suit Challenges Fairness of Military’s…

Jose Padilla’ case, set to begin Monday, raises questions of whether or not his trial will be conducted publicly in court like any other, especially in light of “unusual” rule barring reporters from asking Federal lawyers questions under certain circumstances, limiting the media’s watchdog role:   A First Look at US Case Against Padilla (Christian…

Diplomatic opening emerges between Tehran and Washington, both will meet in Baghdad to discuss Iraqi, regional security: Iran Will Hold Talks With U.S. on Iraq (Reuters/New York Times) International, regional politics destroying long-standing interfaith harmony between Muslims and Christians in Ethiopia: Ethiopians Fear for Their Interfaith Oasis (Washington Post) Iraqi PM Al-Maliki staves off walkout…

Slim majority of Iraqi parliamentarians, cutting across sectarian lines, signed a draft bill capping current levels of US-led occupation forces and requiring a timetable for withdrawal: Iraqi Lawmakers Back Bill on U.S. Withdrawal (Washington Post) Musharraf’s big brother measures against Pakistan’s judiciary and press freedom are met strong resistance: Karachi Braced for Judge Protests (BBC…

Court declares military trial of Muslim Brotherhood illegal, but will Mubarak listen? Detainee Transfer is Ruled Illegal (LA Times) Could facing a corrupt unelected regime unite two archrivals in Bangladesh? Bangladeshi Exile Plan Backfires (Christian Science Monitor) Lawlessness in Gaza forces Hamas and Fatah to begin joint security operations: Rival Groups Join Forces in Gaza…