Month: November 2008

Sadrists opposing the security agreement, “demanded that a draft bill regulating the adoption of treaties with foreign nations be adopted ahead of the debate on the security agreement”: Iraqi Parliament’s Debate on US Pact Disrupted (AP Washington Post) Previously ignored by US foreign policy, the residual Israeli occupation of Lebanon is an important factor in…

In an appeal opposed by both parties, France imposes its secular values over both Muslim tradition and the right of contract in what one lawyer calls a “forced marriage:” French Court Overturns Muslim Marriage Annulment (AP / Washington Post) Despite accusations of over $13 billion lost to “fraud, embezzlement, theft and waste by Iraqi government…

Obama renews his commitment to closing Guantanamo without elaborating on fate of the detainees: Obama Vows to Close Guantanamo (Al Jazeera) A serious compromise of safety, interpreters are considered highly sought targets by insurgents: Mask Ban Upsets Iraqis Hired as U.S. Interpreters (Washington Post) Residents turn to local entrepreneurship in response to violence across Baghdad:…

US agrees to troop withdraw by 2011, unconditioned by “circumstances on the ground”: Iraqi Cabinet Approves Security Pact With U.S. (Washington Post) Pakistan set to receive $7.6 billion bailout at an interest rate between 3.51 to 4.51 per cent: IMF ‘Agrees’ Pakistan Rescue Deal (Al Jazeera) Aid to Ahmadinejad hosted “a ceremony where women in…

After a “bloodless capture” of Elasha Biyaha, militants look to capture capital and topple the weak transitional government: Islamists Continue Advance Through Somalia (NY Times) But did he have a straight face when he said agreeing to keep American troops in Iraq “is important for Iraq to ban and stop foreign influence and interference”?… Iraqi…

“‘People who put on a mask of friendship, but with the objective of betrayal, and who enter from the angle of negotiations without preconditions, are more dangerous,’ Hossein Taeb, deputy commander”: Facing Obama, Iran Suddenly Hedges on Talks (Washington Post) Taha offers religious advice across rival Fatah and Hamas factions and remains committed to open…

Supplies for 750,000 needy Palestinians can last only 48 hours: UN Says Gaza Running Out of Food (Al Jazeera) Sunni and Shi’ite neighborhoods reunited by Iraqi government’s decision to reopen bridge: Long-Closed Baghdad Bridge Reopens (Washington Post) Having expelled Al-Qaeda a year ago, Dulaim illustrates the difficulty in maintaining sovereignty: Iraqi Town Defies Al Qaeda…

“The Pakistani military, they say, has threatened to bomb their villages if they do not battle the Taliban:” For Pakistan’s Tribesmen, A Difficult, Deadly Choice (Washington Post) Although mistrust remains, payment on Monday reflects the final step in Sons of Iraq transition to the national army: Iraq’s Sunni fighters Leave U.S. Payroll (LA Times) “The…

Recently declassified document authorized nearly a dozen raids around the world: Secret Order Lets U.S. Raid Al Qaeda in Many Countries (NY Times) “‘Tension-creating’ foreign policy has ‘scared off foreign investment and inflicted heavy damage’ on the economy”: Iran Economists Denounce Ahmadinejad’s Policies (LA Times) The ballot includes a man on trial for arms trafficking…

Detention power used in the Marri case is called “unconstitutional and dangerous, raising the possibility that the government could one day snatch anyone off the street, even a political opponent, and lock him up without a trial:” High Court May Consider Legality of Detention (Washington Post) Although an unusually quick public response, US stopped short…