Minaret of Freedom Weblog

Highlighting the state of individual rights in Iraq, a terrorism suspect can be detained with “no visitors, no lawyers, no sun” for months:

• Arrests Deepen Iraqi Sunnis’ Bitterness (NY Times)

Under the pretext of exempting them from the prevailing Hanafi law, the government will  force the Shia to abide by one particular interpretation of their flexible legal system …

• Top Cleric Rejects Changes to Afghan Shi’ite Law (Reuters / Washington Post)

…while some Afghanis say Obama’s words and actions are “mixed signals” about the U.S. commitment to democracy and human rights:

• Is the US selling out to the Taliban? (Guardian)

Election mishaps will further encourage political instability in Afghanistan and may even compromise the current constitution:

• Allies Ponder How to Plan Elections in Afghanistan (NY Times)

Fear of foreign soft power is their excuse for suppressing free speech:

• Iran Alleges Foreign-Funded Plot to Undermine Government (LA Times)

The report is sketchy, but capital needs seem to be the incentive as

• Iran Plans Privatizing Oil Refineries (Tehran Times / PressTV)

The drone attacks are also compromising Britain’s image:

• Sadiq Khan Says US Foreign Policy on Pakistan is Damaging Britain (Guardian)

Built on virtual slave labor, excessive debt, “rent-seeking” from  foreigners, “company store” policies, and environmental recklessness, Dubai is no free-market utopia:

• The Dark Side of Dubai (Independent)

As the new administration overturns one  Bush era policy …

• CIA Chief Leon Panetta Orders Closure of Secret Rendition Sites (Guardian)

…Meanwhile, Obama perpetuates another, “supplemental funding,” to obtain $83.4 billion for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan:

• Obama Seeks Quick Approval of More Money for Overseas Military Operations (NY Times)

“For every militant killed by a U.S. Predator drone, [one young man] says, 10 more will join the insurgent cause”:

• A Short Fuse in Pakistan (Washington Post)

US General admits to reading the Qur’an in his efforts to reach out to the local Afghani populations…

• Top US General Meets Tribes Ahead of Afghan Surge (AP / Washington Post

… However, simply avoiding the slaughtering of civilians wouldn’t hurt:

• US Apologises Over Afghan Deaths (Al Jazeera)

A cool response to Iran’s developing capabilities may indicate progress in Iran/US relations:

• Iran Touts Nuclear Technology Gains (LA Times)

While Indonesian Muslims revere Islam in their personal life, Islamist parties are anticipated to lose votes due to backlash against past local victories and co-option of their positions by mainstream parties:

• Indonesia Holds Fast To Secular Politics (Washington Post)

Obama’s plan for Afghanistan hinges on the US’s ability to break the cycle of corruption:

• Corruption Undercuts U.S. Hope for Afghan Police (NY Times)

MEK members argue their cooperation in disarming entitles them to remain in the communities they built:

• Invited by Saddam: Iranian Opposition Members Refuse to Leave Iraq Outpost (Christian Science Monitor)

Iranian government continues to oppress journalist, academics under the guise of espionage:

• Iran Charges Imprisoned Journalist with Spying (LA Times)

… meanwhile, under the guise of investigating whether Hezbollah authorized a 49-person cell to carry out attack from within Egypt,

• Egypt Arrests ‘Hezbollah Agents’ (Al Jazeera)

Another critical step towards restoring diplomatic with Iran:

• U.S. to Join Iran Talks Over Nuclear Program (NY Times)

Israel’s attempt to create a militarized atmosphere hinders the reconciliation effort between the Iran and the US:

• Netanyahu and Threat of Bombing Iran – the Bluff That Never Stops Giving? (Huffington Post)

Chief justice Chaudhry defends the rule of law, demanding the victimized woman appear in court to testify:

• Pakistan’s Chief Justice Assails Attorney General Over Taliban Flogging (NY Times)

In his surprise trip to Baghdad, Obama emphasizes the need for differences to be resolved through “political accommodations” and “constitutional means and legal means”:

• Obama Cautions Iraqis on Future (Washington Post)

Goldstone promises to uphold the integrity of the investigation by looking at “all violations of international humanitarian law before, during and after the Israeli assault”:

• Judge Named to Lead Gaza Inquiry is Known for Fairness (LA Times)

Eight Palestinians injured when armed Israeli settlers initiated violence in the West Bank:

• Settlers Attack West Bank Village (Al Jazeera)

With much of the economic improvements tied to international aid, promoting entrepreneurship must be a top priority in stabilizing Afghanistan:

• For Afghan Craftsmen, a Welcome Upswing After Years of Struggle (Washington Post)

Al-Zeidi’s lawyers praise the decision as sign of the “independence and the integrity of the Iraqi judiciary system”:

• Iraqi Shoe-Thrower’s Jail Term Cut (Al Jazeera)

According to his public defender, “to deport him based solely on the same grounds for which he was acquitted”:

• Youssef Megahed Faces New Battle After Seizure by Immigration Officials (St. Petersburg Times)

Reminiscent of the “Red Scare,” Obama has greatly exaggerated the size, influence, and threat of al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan …

• Obama’s Domino Theory (Znet)

… Perhaps ending America’s ignorance towards Islam is the answer to the al-Qaida threat:

• Most in Poll Back Outreach to Muslims (Washington Post)

If Iran wishes to adhere to the principles of Islam and the Qu’ran, an open dialogue for peace must be established with the US…

• A Stark Question for Iran: What Would the Prophet Do? (Christian Science Monitor)

… but as Mousavi promises to curb the “morality police” and promote freedom of speech, he does not mention any changes in foreign policy:

• Ahmadinejad Rival Calls For Increased Freedoms (Washington Post)

Rising violence threatens to complicate US exit as Iraq incorporates the Sunni “Sons of Iraq” into national government:

• Iraq: Still Too Many Unknown Unknowns (Guardian)

Incident highlights the continuation of home demolishing despite being ruled an ineffective policy by a Israeli military commission:

• Israeli police kill Palestinian (Al Jazeera)

Yet another example of walking a fine line:

• How Barack Obama Refrained from Using the ‘g’ Word in Turkey (Guardian)

With the US approval rating in Turkey plummeted from 52% to 12% during the Bush administration, Obama takes the first steps towards improving the US image:

• Hope, Criticism Greet Obama in Turkey (Washington Post)

Many in Pakistan view fighting the insurgency as an American cause and India as the top security threat:

• Time Is Short as U.S. Presses a Reluctant Pakistan (NY Times)

Francois Nicoullaud reminds us that “only rational behavior by the west has any chance of eliciting a rational response from Iran”…

• Reasoning with Iran (Guardian)

…Meanwhile, justice remains stalled for Saberi:

• Parents of U.S. Journalist Jailed in Iran Can Visit Her (Washington Post)

Iraqi foreign minster Zebari promises to provide “substantial support” to Palestinians while refusing to exploit their circumstances for “political bargaining or score settling”:

• Palestinians Are Focus in Abbas Visit to Baghdad (NY Times)

Are these studies indicators that the US plans to engage in conflict with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas in the near future?

• Short ’06 Lebanon War Stokes Pentagon Debate (Washington Post)

After coming within two votes of conviction (as if in a real-life topical update of “Twelve Angry Men”):

• Megahed Found Not Guilty on Federal Explosives Charges (ABC News)

As Obama further embeds US forces in Afghanistan, Europe seems quietly to seek withdrawal from the area:

• Europeans Offer Few New Troops for Afghanistan (NY Times)

Although “senior U.S. officials have privately mocked and publicly rejected the British decision”,

• Britain Says U.S. Doesn’t Object to Efforts to Engage Hezbollah (LA Times)

Perhaps the study can resolve the discrepancy between  Palestinian (926 civilians killed) and the IDF’s report (295):

• UN Appoints Gaza War Investigator (Al Jazeera)

Can Obama translate his Turkish popularity into improvements in relations with the Muslim Community as a whole?

• Admirers, Hopeful of Change, Await U.S. President in Turkey (Washington Post)

Critics now say the young woman punished without witnesses or evidence on allegations of adultery may have actually been beaten ” refusing to marry a Taliban commander”:

• Video of Taliban Flogging Girl Stirs Anger in Pakistan (LA Times)

Karzai has ordered a review of the new law which poses a seemingly simple question, does the law expand or contract women’s rights?

• Afghan Law on Women Brings Societal Conflict Onto World Stage (Washington Post)

As false accusations and mistrust continue to deteriorate Sunni Shi’a relations…

• Sunni Paramilitary Leader Released from Iraq Jail (LA Times)

… it is becoming even more apparent money was the only cohesive factor in their alliance:

• U.S. Aircraft Opens Fire on Sons of Iraq Members (Washington Post)

“In any normal country, he [Lieberman] would not have been nominated at all with such suspicions, but in Israel everything is possible” – Gideon Levy of  Haaretz:

• Israeli FM Questioned Over Graft (Al Jazeera)

Mirroring the Supreme Court decision on Guantanamo prisoners, Judge Bates upholds the right of habeas corpus at Bagram:

• 3 Detained in Afghanistan Can Take Challenges to U.S. Court (Washington Post)

Although Europeans  remain unwilling to increase troop levels, they are quick to agree with the US strategy on Afghanistan, including offering a Guantanamo detainee asylum in France:

• Obama Pushes for More European Involvement in Afghanistan (Washington Post)

Facing a difficult reconciliation process, Nabil Shaath views the talks as “neither a failure nor a success”:

• Palestinian Unity Talks Suspended (Al Jazeera)

Opponents say the law “could legalize marital rape and prohibit women from leaving the home without the permission of their husbands, while proponents claim the law is an advance over the civil law that would give women greater right to divorce”:

• Law for Afghan Shi’ites Stirs Anger and Concern (Reuters / Washington Post)

Any government seriously looking to establish peace between Israel and Palestine should not include Avigdor Lieberman:

• Israeli Minister Dismisses Peace Effort (NY Times)

Additional aid may be interpreted by the Pakistanis as bribery and the deciding factor for cooperation with the US:

• Sen. Carl Levin Questions Pakistan Aid Plan (LA Times)

The plan to buy off alliances seemed flawless until oil prices collapsed:

• Iraq Disbands Sunni Militia That Helped Defeat Insurgents (Guardian)

The corruption in Bangladesh is just a small portion of the estimated $1 trillion in kickbacks to corrupt government officials worldwide …

• Bangladesh Fights Rampant Corporate Corruption (Christian Science Monitor)

… meanwhile the Muslim world’s diplomatic community in the U.S. has its own problems managing its landmark mosque in Washington:

• Alleged Money Scam Roils Islamic Center (Washington Post)

Iranian officials deny any contact with US officials during the meeting …

• Clinton Says US Met with Iran Delegate (Christian Science Monitor)

… but the emerging strategy to incorporate a reconciliation process for Taliban fighters, uphold rule of law and curb corruption seem promising:

• Clinton Backs Talks with Taliban (Al Jazeera)

There is little substance to Netanyahu’s words as he failed to even mention a completely autonomous Palestinian state …

• Israel’s Netanyahu Vows to Seek Peace with Arabs (AP / Washington Post)

… Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Lieberman calls the promise for a two state solution at the Annapolis conference “invalid”:

• Israeli FM Dismisses Annapolis Deal (Al Jazeera)

Fears of a rising insurgency loom as the US  prepares to withdraw from Iraq:

• Iraqi Militants Show New Boldness (NY Times)

Bashir remains defiant of the ICC, traveling to his fifth foreign count since the arrest warrant was issue:

• Bashir in S Arabia Despite Warrant (Al Jazeera)