Month: January 2009

“Erdogan says his reproach “you know very well how to kill” was aimed “not against the Israeli people or Jews but against the Israeli administration”: Turkish PM Returns to Hero’s Welcome After Gaza Row (Reuters) While the Obama administration weighs its opinions in dealing with Iran… Writings Offer Look at Administration Debate on Iran (Washington…

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military arm of Fatah, claimed responsibility for an attack from Gaza that led to an Israel response killing at least nine: Israeli Raid Injures Gaza Children (Al Jazeera) Violence surrounding the elections as been relatively calm compared to the chaos preceding the 2005 elections… Tens of Thousands Vote Early in Iraq…

In harmony with Obama’s emphasis on a revival of diplomacy with the Muslim world, Secretary Gates believes only limited goals can be reached militarily in Afghanistan: Gates Predicts ‘Slog’ in Afghanistan (Washington Post) Israel’s system of controlling humanitarian aid across the Gaza border frustrates aid officials and volunteers … At a Border Crossing, Drivers and…

Contradicting Obama’s claim that Mitchell will speak “to all the major parties involved,” the state department proclaims that “Mitchell will not have contact with Hamas”: Obama Voices Hope for Mideast Peace in Talk With Al-Arabiya TV (Washington Post) 600 prisoners are packed into Bagram prison, which is described as “tougher and more spartan” than Guantanamo……

BBC and Sky claim airing an appeal for the victims of Israel’s offensive in Gaza is incompatible with their ability to provide balanced and objective reporting: Britain’s BBC, Sky Refuse to Air Gaza Charity Appeal (Reuters) Tony Benn to BBC “If You Wont Broadcast The Gaza Appeal Then I Will Myself” (YouTube) The Israeli occupation…

It seems Obama does not plan to reverse course on all of Bush’s policies … 2 U.S. Airstrikes Offer a Concrete Sign of Obama’s Pakistan Policy (Washington Post) …Meanwhile, a call for justice remains strong for those denied habeas corpus at Guantanamo: Obama’s Guantanamo Decision has Repercussions in Afghanistan, Pakistan (LA Times) They won’t say…

Almost 1,000 refugees were set loose in international water on boats with no engines and little food and water: Thailand Accused of Mistreating Muslim Refugees (Christian Science Monitor) With thousands left devastated by the indiscriminate nature of the Israeli attack… No Home to Return to in Gaza (Washington Post) … yet another turf war emerges:…

Will President Obama continue to support Israel with the same “blank-check policy” of the Bush administration? As Constraints on Gaza Ease, New Reports of Misery (Washington Post) As Taliban forces continue to enjoy a high level of autonomy… Taliban Fill NATO’s Big Gaps in Afghan South (NY Times) …they cite the failures of Bush and…