Month: May 2008

Hezbollah’s recent tour de force in Beirut has helped reignite political talks in its favor… Hezbollah Emerges in Forefront of Power in Lebanon (Washington Post) …however, its victory comes at a very high price, as sectarian flames re-ignite with a new intensity: In Lebanon, Sectarian Tensions May Endure Even if Political Deal is Reached (Voice…

As Palestinians commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Nakba through marches, flying black balloons and other events… Palestinians Mark Day of ‘Catastrophe’ …Bin Laden seeks to exploit Palestinian suffering to benefit his criminal group… Bin Laden: Palestinian Cause Fuels War (Associated Press/Washington Post) …but US Muslims and Jews are not taking the bait, instead making…

Abducted Italian imam gives testimony over his experience of being kidnapped by the CIA and sent to Egypt for torture: Italian Trial of C.I.A. Operatives Begins With Torture Testimony (New York Times) Lebanese government officials rescind earlier moves that sparked recent violence, but deeper issues surrounding electoral reform, Hezbollah weaponry and a new president still…

As charges are dropped against alleged “20th hijacker” Mohammed al-Qahtani due to flawed evidence based on torture… Charges Against 9/11 Suspect Dropped (Washington Post) …commentators say the cases of al-Qahtani and suicide bomber Abdullah al-Ajmi show Gitmo’s torture regime is immoral, ineffective and counterproductive: “20th Hijacker” Blows Up Torture Argument (Philadelphia Daily News) The Survivors’…

Police crackdown on terrorist organization reveals thwarts a plot by “deep state” extremists “of creating an atmosphere of chaos and laying the groundwork for a coup by Turkey’s army”: Militants Imperil Stability in Turkey (The National) Nawaz Sharif’s supporters withdraw from the fledging coalition government due to persistent disagreements over restoring deposed judges: Pakistan Coalition…

More indefinite detentions and domestic spying continue to erode liberties and national security: Ex-Gitmo Suicide Bomber Fuels Pentagon Propaganda (Antiwar.com) Domestic Spying Far Outpaces Terrorism Prosecutions (Los Angeles Times) Pakistan experts say US should focus less on military solutions and shed ties to Musharraf to adapt to new changes in Islamabad’s policies: As Pakistan Changes,…

Gitmo’s parallel legal system comes under attack again after a military judge disqualifies a top Pentagon lawyer from further participation in the process due to pushing prosecutors “to use evidence under coercive interrogations”: Judge’s Guantánamo Ruling Bodes Ill for System (New York Times) Whistleblowers reveal a memo showing Scott Bloch, head of the Office of…

Lebanon once more teeters on the brink of a civil war as Hezbollah takes over pro-government sections of West Beirut: Hezbollah Seizes Beirut Districts (AFP/Lebanon Daily Star) More Islamophobia at play in the US presidential elections: Pastor Who McCain Praised said America’s Historic Mission was to ‘Destroy’ Islam (Raw Story) Where did the Web Rumors…

Former defense lawyer for ex-Gitmo prisoner alleges that the lack of a fair legal hearing and exposure to torture led to Abdallah Salih al-Ajmi to terrorism: Ex-Guantanamo Detainee Joined Iraq Suicide Attack (Washington Post) “Landmark ruling” in Malaysia upholds ethnic Chinese woman’s Qur’anic and Prophetic rights to leave Islam: Malaysian Woman Can Leave Islam (BBC…