Minaret of Freedom Weblog

Olmert vows to continue warfare until “all goals are achieved” claiming, “Israel has restrained for years and given plenty of chances for a calm”:

• Israel Rejects Gaza Ceasefire (Guardian)

We say Obama’s apologetic for Israel is worse than silence:

• Obama’s Gaza Silence Condemned (Al Jazeera)

Israeli action polarizes Muslim communities, challenging alliances and further hindering the ultimate goal of peace:

• Moderate Arab States Feel Popular Anger (NY Times)
• The Already-Strained Hamas-Egypt Relationship Sours (LA Times)

Spokesman for the most frequent violator of international law states, “Israel would never have done anything against international law, that is inconceivable” in defending ramming of a boat carrying a former Congresswoman:

• Israeli Vessel Hits Gaza-Bound Boat (Al Jazeera)
• Cynthia McKinney: Boat Attacked By Israeli Forces (Huffington Post)
  

US military finally held to the American judicial standard, requiring arrest warrants on suspects:

• New Rules in Iraq Add Police Work to Troops’ Jobs (NY Times)

Innocent continue to suffer with hospitals increasingly understaffed and under-supplied:

• Hospital in Gaza City Engulfed by Suffering (Washington Post)

Mostafa Hosni offers a modern, pragmatic interpretation of Islam compatible with Western culture:

• Imam for a New Generation (LA Times)

Two years of the interim military government has come to an end [disclosure: Shaikh Hasina’s daughter serves on the Minaret of Freedom Institute’s board of directors]:

• Hasina (and Democracy) Return to Bangladesh (Christian Science Monitor)

With children among the victims, Israel defends its “kill them all” policy with the argument that “everything is connected and everything supports terrorism against Israel,” ignoring the fact that “the original, legal owners of the Israeli land on which Hamas rockets are detonating live in Gaza,” and boasting the bloodshed is only the first of “several stages”:

• Family Mourns 5 Daughters as Civilian Death Toll Mounts (Washington Post)
• Israel Rejects Truce, Presses on With Gaza Strikes (Washington Post)
• Robert Fisk: Why Bombing Ashkelon Is the Most Tragic Irony (The Independent)
• On Fourth Day of Gaza Battle, No End in Sight (NY Times)

Twenty Israelis killed by Palestinian rockets in 8 years and over 350 Palestinians killed in four days; “Yes, Israel deserves security. But these bloodbaths will not bring it:”

• Robert Fisk: Leaders Lie, Civilians Die, and Lessons of History Are Ignored (The Independent)
• Israeli Strikes in Gaza Risk Political Win for Hamas (Christian Science Monitor)

Israel’s closest Muslim ally will no longer mediate:

• Turkey Ends Israel-Syria Peace Effort over Gaza (AFP / ME Times)

As moderate Islamists prepare to combat al-Shabab, a group designated terrorist by the U.S.:

• President of Somalia Steps Down amid Pressure (Washington Post)

As supplies to U.S. and NATO forces are suspended, the U.S. agrees to an Afghani plan that may revive the local militias:

• Eight Die in Pakistan Offensive Against Militants in the Khyber Pass (Christian Science Monitor)
• U.S. Backs Plan for Engaging Afghan Tribes (Reuters)

Will a paranoid attempt to control Muslim NGOs create extremism where it has failed to take root until now?

• Why Al Qaeda Isn’t Gaining a Foothold in Cambodia (Christian Science Monitor)

Humanitarian crisis rapidly deteriorating:

• Food and Medical Supplies Grow Scarce in the Gaza Strip (Washington Post)

Rather than his promise for change, Obama’s policy quickly resembling that of the Bush Administration:

• Obama Defers to Bush, for Now, on Gaza Crisis (NY Times)

Israeli strategy hopes to avoid empowering Hamas in the way they empowered Hezbollah in 2006 (we have our doubts) …

• Israel Has Learned From Its Failure in Lebanon (LA Times)

… but may have opened the door for militants outside Palestine to call for volunteers to defend Gaza:

• Iran Hardliners Register Volunteers to Fight Israel (Reuters)
• Afghan Taliban Urge Muslims to Rise up Over Gaza Raids (Reuters)

More twisted than Scorcese’s “The Departed,” the “War on Drugs” comes into conflict with the “War on Terrorism” (and informant on terrorists goes to jail for dealing drugs):

• Tangled U.S. Objectives Bring Down Spy Firm (Washington Post)

Critics cite trial timing as political spectacle to build support for al-Maliki’s coalition government:

• Ex-Hussein Officials and Others Go on Trial Over Execution of Thousands (NY Times)

The unIslamic practice of female circumcision remains widespread among Kurds (but not Iraqi Arabs), affecting more than 60% of women in Northern Iraq:

• For Kurdish Girls, a Painful Ancient Ritual (Washington Post)

Entrepreneurship thrives with best selling model “Bye Bye Bush”:

• Shoes Flung at Bush Flying From Shelves (Christian Science Monitor)

Israel claims that it has learned from its 2006 disaster in Lebanon, but I suspect that any lessons it learned were tactical rather than ethical. Today I was interviewed by Radio Free Europe on the crisis in Gaza. The interview centered on three basic questions: the nature of the American reaction, whether the Israeli attacks will make things more difficult for the incoming Obama administration, and what the impact of Mahmoud Abbas’s reaction will be.

The reaction of the American government to Israel’s latest aggression was disappointing, but all too typical. Calling the winners of the last Palestinian election “thugs” places the U.S. administration in the position of (1) demonstrating a continuing contempt for democracy even as it professes to be aim at establishing it in the Middle East, (2) continuing to demonstrate an indifference to the apartheid nature of the Israeli occupation of Palestine in general and brutality of the seige on Gaza that provoked the Palestinian rocket fire the spokesman’s phrase was intended to condemn, and (3) demonstrating a complete indifference to the principle of proportionality that no doubt motivated condemnations of the Israeli attacks by others, including the U.N. Secretary General. Palestinian rocket fire provided the excuse for Israel’s violent rampage, but the rocket fIre killed one Israeli while the response has killed hundreds, making Napoleon’s creed of killing ten for one look like moderation, and Hamas’s creed of a life for a life look like pacifism in comparison.

The Obama administration is in for a hard time. The Palestinian-Zionist dispute is a chronically difficult issue that has now been put into crisis mode. Obama has tried to temper his enthusiastic support of Israel with notes of concern for the rights of Palestinians. During times of low violence this can be considered “diplomatic.” At a time of wholesale carnage it sounds hollow. He almost seemed to invite bloodshed with his recent comment, “If somebody was sending rockets into my house, where my two daughters sleep at night, I’m going to do everything in my power to stop that.” Really? That comment reminded of the comment an American truck driver made to me years ago upon learning that I was a Palestinian. “If somebody took half of my house, I’d [do everything in my power] to get it back.” Do American truck drivers understand the situation better than the incoming president?
During the ceasefire, the feud between Fatah and Hamas was a power struggle that one could hope could be resolved by negotiation — and some attempts nearly succeeded. But now that Abbas has thrown in his lot with the Israelis as they massacre Gazans, negotiation between them seems like a dream. One should negotiate with one’s enemy, but has anyone ever shared power with a quisling?

Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, Ph.D.
Minaret of Freedom Institute
www.minaret.org

Single day casualties match those during the first intifada; Israeli destruction includes a Mosque they describe as a “base for terrorist activities” …:

• Israeli Warplanes Pound Gaza (Washington Post)

…However, its “excessive use of force” is not likely to have positive consequences for Israel …

• Arabs Throughout Middle East Protest Israel Airstrikes on Gaza (LA Times)

… even though the U.S., in an echo of its response to the 2006 Israeli slaughter in Lebanon, solely blames Hamas:

• US Blames Hamas ‘Thugs’ for Deaths (Al Jazeera)

Taliban assert governmental authority imposing taxes, conscription, governors and courts:

• As Taliban Nears Kabul, Shadow Gov’t Takes Hold (Washington Post)

“Anytime in Pakistan where more people blame you rather than India for the country’s problems, you are in deep, deep trouble” — Bruce Reidel, Obama transition team “terrorism adviser:”

• Behind Analyst’s Cool Demeanor, Deep Anxiety Over American Policy (NY Times)

Should children in war situations be protected or prosecuted? Human rights advicates say juveniles in Guantanamo are not “accorded the protections promised by treaties the U.S. signed:”

• A Child Soldier or Just a Child? (LA Times)

Viagra latest bargaining chip used to build alliances:

• Little Blue Pills Among the Ways CIA Wins Friends in Afghanistan (Washington Post)

Escapees are suspected of having al-Qaeda links amid escalating violence, a PM’s cancellation of a trip to Iran, and political turmoil:

• Iraq Militants Escape Jail, at Least 14 Dead (Reuters)
• Iraqi Prime Minister Cancels Iran Trip; Attack in Mosul Kills U.S. Soldier (Washington Post)
• Iraq Unsettled by Political Power Plays (NY Times)

“[E]ven as it opens the border to allow much-needed supplies into Gaza,”

• Report: Israel Set to Launch ‘Limited Operation’ in Gaza (Christian Science Monitor)

The “first significant outburst of sectarian violence since the peace pact was signed” leaves Abyei “smoldering:”

• Sudan’s Tug of War Over City Puts Treaty at Risk (NY Times)

Japan, which “has not engaged in combat since” WWII may “soon follow suit” in the battle against piracy:

• Chinese Ships Head to Somalia (Reuters)

A self-proclaimed “modern” Muslim pronounces chastity before marriage as “shameful:”

• A Private Feud Turns Into a National Issue: France Overrules Muslim Couple’s Annulment (Washington Post)

The mobilization against India is “expected to frustrate the United States:”

• Pakistan Moves Troops Away from Afghan Border (NY Times)

PA deference to Israel brings a 2% growth rate due to tourism …

• Calm brings record tourism to Bethlehem (Christian Science Monitor)
• Bethlehem Enjoys A Festive Christmas (Washington Post)

… while Gaza resistance is met with more death:

• Gaza Strike Dims Truce Hopes  (al-Jazeera)
• Egypt Says Israel-Gaza Truce Unlikely with Escalation (Reuters)

Nato’s war on drugs is unpopular and may be illegal:

• NATO Commanders in Afghanistan Wary of Antidrug Effort (Christian Science Monitor)

Although Ahmadinejad names no names in his denunciation of “bullying, ill-tempered and expansionist powers” the “Israeli ambassador to Britain condemned the speech as a ‘bogus message of goodwill:'”

• Iran Leader’s Christmas Broadcast Denounced (Washington Post)

Resistance without guns or bombs:

• Young Kashmiris Step Away from Militancy (Christian Science Monitor)

“No Afghan can bring himself to believe foreigners are in the country for anything but a nefarious reason.” — Edward Luttwak, a senior associate at CSISS:

• Promoting Peace with a Lighter Touch (Christian Science Monitor)

A parting shot from Bush that not only demonstrates a double standard in the treatment of Muslims and Jews, but insults both the Muslim and Christian victims of Charlie Winters’ violation of the Neutrality Act:

• Jailed for Aiding Israel, but Pardoned by Bush (Washington Post)

No sign of peace in Holy Land:

• Gaza Rocket Fire Intensifies (NY Times)
• Flare-up Dims Truce Hopes Along Israel-Gaza Border (Reuters)

Seeking a middle ground without corruption or extremism:

• Jordanian Students Rebel, Embracing Conservative Islam (NY Times)

President seeks a dignified departure after his attempt to fire thge prime minister backfires:

• Somali President Decides to Resign: Spokesman (Reuters)

American deputy commander says there are not enough police:

• Afghan and U.S. Officials Plan to Recruit Local Militias (NY Times)

A government spokesman claims “Overall the voting was peaceful and the turnout is considerably higher than in 2002 elections” despite sporadic

• Clashes Before Polls Close in Crucial Kashmir Vote (Reuters)

After fighting in an illegal war, some people would rather die than sell others on taking their place:

• 4 Recruiter Suicides Lead to Army Probe (AP / International Herald Tribune)

“It seems like these guys under normal circumstances weren’t going to do anything until a government informant initiates contact with them and incites them” — James Yee:

• Many Muslims Frustrated with Fort Dix Verdict (examiner.com)

An  “agreement between Hamas and the Islamic Jihad militant group to temporarily curb rocket attacks” may open the way for another cease fire with Israel:

• Hamas Offers to Study Fresh Gaza Truce with Israel (Reuters)

The U.S. called them al-Qaida linked militants who tried to shoot on U.S. forces, but “Afghan officials say the three killed were innocent Afghans:”

• Karzai Attends Memorial for 3 Killed in US Raid (Washington Post)

“I assume the new administration will have someone on a plane to Europe within minutes of Obama being sworn in” — Sarah E. Mendelson, director of the Human Rights and Security Initiative:

• European Countries May Take Detainees (Washington Post)

Controversy over the speaker’s insults had bogged down the resolution to allow non-American troops to stay in Iraq:

• Speaker of Iraqi Parliament Resigns (Reuters)
• Iraqi MPs Back Foreign Troop Deal (BBC)

With 30,000 more Americans scheduled for deployment and violence against foreign forces reaches its peak since the Taliban ouster …

• Taliban’s Omar rejects reports of peace formula (Reuters)

… but schoolgirls as well as foreign fighters are the targets of violence:

• In Afghanistan, Education Under Attack (Washington Post)

Police say “publishing statements, writing letters to international organizations and holding news conferences” are illegal activities, but human rights center officials say it is the shutdown that is illegal:

• Iran Shuts Down Rights Center (Washington Post)

Jamaat-ud-Dawa is defended as “saviour” by some Pakistani Hindus — but some demonstrators came to protest high prices:

• Hindus Rally for Muslim Charity (BBC News)

While Netanyahu calls for “active assault” on Hamas, Gideon Levy proposes “what most Israelis would consider a truly radical option: direct negotiations:”

• For Israel, the Gaza Question Resurfaces as Hostilities Resume (LA Times)

Iraqis hope for peaceful relations with the neighbor:

• At Iraqi Border Outpost, Signs of Improving Ties with Iran (Christian Science Monitor)
• Iraq Threatens to Expel Iranian Rebels (Washington Post)

Women flight attendants represent the growing freedom and opportunity available:

• Some Arab Women Find Freedom in the Skies (NY Times)

The U.S.-backed Ethiopian invasion to quash the diverse Islamic Courts movement has had a typical backlash effect, with the most radical Taliban-like forces coming to the fore:

• Somalis’ Choice: Join Islamists or Flee (Washington Post)

Officials downplay the implications of war associated with such a high alert:

• Pakistan Military on ‘Red Alert’ (Al Jazeera)