Having offered $100,000 to each family of Iraqis who died and $30,000 to those wounded in an attempt to avoid a major loss in court …

• Iraqis Settle Lawsuits Over Blackwater Shootings (LA Times)

… the contractor formerly known as Blackwater now has legal troubles for charges connected with Afghan operations …

• Two Defense Contractors Indicted in Shooting of Afghans (Washington Post)

After killing ten demonstrators during Ashura, the regime dares to accuse protesters of crimes against Islam and threatens the death penalty…

• Iran’s Judiciary Takes a Military Colour (Guardian)

… even as former presidential candidate Karroubi is attacked by a pro-government Iranian faction:

• ‘Gun Attack’ on Iranian Politician (Al Jazeera)

Despite strong political opposition, Zardari managed to maintain control of Pakistan and avoid being ousted by new elections:

• Pakistan President Zardari’s Nine Political Lives (Christian Science Monitor)

“The reaction from the street will be very strong… The list we are in now is very strong, and it might get the biggest bloc in the parliament. . . . They are afraid, and they will try to weaken us.”

• Iraq Bars 15 Political Parties with Baathist Ties from Upcoming Elections (Washington Post)

Al-Shabab’s extortion demands provoke a humanitarian crisis:

• UN Suspends Food Aid to Southern Somalia (Christian Science Monitor)

Given how poorly they were treated, it should come as no surprise:

• Many Ex-Detainees Said to Be Engaged in Terror (NY Times)

“What we need is a strategy that is politically and not militarily driven…. If we do not take these civilian components of the transition strategy as seriously as the military component, then we will fail.” — Iranian Panel Calls Official in Charge of Prison ‘the Main Culprit’ in Detainee Deaths

• U.N. Envoy Eide Warns U.S., Allies Not to Ignore Civilian Goals in Afghanistan (Washington Post)

Dead Egyptian and fifteen injured Palestinians “signals growing frustration among Palestinians with Egypt‘s attempt to seal the border with an underground steel wall”:

• Egyptian Guard Dies in Clashes Over Gaza Aid Convoy (Guardian)

Opposition leaders believe Mortazavi is a scape-goat for party-wide atrocities:

• Iranian Panel Calls Official in Charge of Prison ‘the Main Culprit’ in Detainee Deaths (NY Times)

Rights groups call it a groundbreaking decision against an apartheid policy, while right-wing Israelis argue the decision is tantamount to playing “Russian Roulette”:

• Israel Court Stirs Fierce Debate with Highway 443 Ruling (Christian Science Monitor)

Bashir’s senior advisor has warned an all out conflict will ensue unless key issues of the north-south border, nationality, the sharing of oil wealth and foreign debts of $30 billion are settled:

• Spectre of War Threatens Human Disaster in Sudan, Aid Groups Warn (Guardian)

Diplomacy begins to take root between the former enemies:

• Iran and Iraq to Hold Border Talks (Al Jazeera)

Led by British MP George Galloway, protesters were denied entry into Gaza as Egyptian police threw stones and used water cannons to disperse the crowd …

• Egyptian Police Clash with Gaza Aid Convoy (Al Jazeera)

… Meanwhile, Israel scores the first killing of 2010 in an attack on the southern city of Khan Younis:

• Gaza Militant Killed in Israeli Air Strike (BBC News)

An argument for freedom of choice, “If you can get on an airplane wearing a face veil, you can go to class at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy wearing a face veil”:

• College Bans Certain Head Coverings (AP / NY Times)

“’It’s gotten to be like the old whack-a-mole game, where we’ve hit them here, but they’ve just popped right back up over there,’ -  Judith Yaphe, a former CIA Middle East analyst”:

• Yemen Sharpens Debate: Are Wars the Answer to Terrorism? (Christian Science Monitor)

With the sidelined Nasser al-Bahri’s declaration that Yemen’s rehabilitation efforts have not diminished his admiration for al-Qaeda …

• Former bin Laden Bodyguard is Among Ex-guerrillas in Yemen (Washington Post)

… Obama’s previous claim that closing Guantanamo would make US security safer is undermined by fear that that the Guantanamo experience may have prepped detainees to join or rejoin the re-assertive al-Qaeda:

• Return of Yemeni Detainees at Guantanamo Bay is Suspended (Washington Post)

Yar ‘Adua’s mysterious disappearance “has thrust the country into an immediate constitutional crisis”:

• After the Plane Bomber, Where in the World is Nigeria’s President? (Huffington Post)

Utilizing a “passive defense”, Iran has essentially eliminated the effectiveness of a conventional military attack and left its opponents guessing as to the extent of their nuclear program

• Iran Shielding Its Nuclear Efforts in Maze of Tunnels (NY Times)

The defendants’ arguments revolve around the idea they sought to “to help the helpless Muslims” and Jihad is distinct not terrorism:

• Va. Suspects in Pakistan Say Mission Was Jihad not Terrorism (Washington Post)

Symbolizing the Egyptian government’s increasing closeness to Israel, Mubarak blocked pro-Palestinian protesters on their way to Gaza at the same time Israelis were invited to Damanhur:

• The Iron Wall (Counterpunch)

“Profiling passengers on the basis of race and faith … would ultimately do the cause of security more harm than good. Systematically treating Muslim or non-white passengers less favorably will create a mood of anger that surely provides the best breeding ground for militant jihadism”:

• Catching Terrorists: Why Profiling is Not the Answer (Guardian)

Islam’s rejection of racial and ethnic discrimination is credited as a source of conversions:

• Six Visiting Central African Boxers to Embrace Islam (dawn.com)

Intelligence gathering will now shift focus onto information and concerns about the local attitudes, people and leaders:

• Intelligence Overhaul Ordered for Afghanistan (LA Times)

A policy focused exclusively on military aid fails to acknowledge the underlying problems of water shortage and poverty plaguing Yemen:

• In Yemen, Locals Worry About Obama Policy on Al Qaeda (Christian Science Monitor)

The refusal to freeze illegal settlements in East Jerusalem accommodates American Irving Moskowitz, who funds “Jewish settlers determined to cement Israel’s hold on the city” stalling any movement towards peace:

• Israel Presses Ahead on Settlements (Al Jazeera)

Trying suspected terrorists in military court would only serve to justify their cause; the US criminal justice system is more than adequate for Americans’ and suspects’ rights:

• Obama Aide Defends Trial for Suspect in Christmas Day Attempt to Bomb Plane (Washington Post)

An important step in reconciliation negotiations, Fatah officials confirmed the “dramatic change for the better” in prisoner treatment:

• Palestinians End Torture of Hamas Prisoners (AP/ NY Times)

In their prohibitionist zeal, “undemocratic parties and movements that don’t believe in the concept of human rights or personal freedoms” threaten the rights of non-Muslims:

• Crackdown on Alcohol Seen as Part of Conservative Moment in Iraq (Washington Post)

US and UK embassies remain closed for a second straight day as disagreements over the extent of the threats and how to fight terrorism emerge:

• Yemen Dismisses Al Qaeda Threat as ‘Exaggerated’ (LA Times)

Jordan denies its cooperation with CIA is tied to it’s peace accord signed with Israel and the $500 million in aid it receives annually:

• Jordan Emerges as Key CIA Counterterrorism Ally (Washington Post)

Calling the decision “unacceptable and unjust”, the Iraqi government will now help facilitate a lawsuit against Blackwater:

• Iraq Will Help Blackwater Victims Sue (Guardian)

The transparent attempt to abridge free speech by calling a television station “terrorist” is shameful to begin with; the Obama administration’s failure to prune al-Manar from the list when real terrorists like the Nigerian underwear bomber are slipping through the net is outrageous:

• The Israel Lobby’s War on Al Manar TV (Palestinian Chronicle)

With 70% of Karzai’s nominees rejected, Parliament points to “ethnicity or bribery or money” rather than merit or ability as the main critierion in Karzai’s selection:

• Afghan Lawmakers Reject Most of Karzai’s Cabinet Picks (Washington Post)

After missing the deadline imposed by the West, Iran risks a political standoff and US pressure for sanctions by imposing its own deadline:

• Iran Gives West One-Month ‘Ultimatum’ to Accept Nuclear Counterproposal (NY Times)

Trailer for the new movie “Erased Wiped Off the Map” makes visible the struggle of Gazans against the blockade and Israeli violence:

• ERASED Wiped Off the Map (Wiped Off the Map)

Having admitted its direct role in the bombings in Yemen, the U.S. now shuts its embassy in the expectation of “attacks on the US interests in the next month by al-Qaeda”:

• US and UK Shut Yemen Embassies (Al Jazeera)

“”When other countries violate international law [or commit] war crimes … [they] get punished…. Israel has become in the international community like a spoiled child…. It does what it wants….”: — Prince Saud al-Faisal

• Saudi Arabia Criticizes Israel Settlement Building (AP / Washington Post)

“In their zeal to bring charges against the defendants . . . the government used compelled statements to guide its charging decisions . . . and ultimately, to obtain the indictment in this case” – Judge Urbina:

• Judge Throws Out Blackwater Guards’ Charges in Iraqi Deaths (LA Times)

Egypt’s offer meets with a divided response from the gathered humanitarians:

• In reversal, Egypt Allows Some Foreign Activists to Enter Gaza (Christian Science Monitor)
• Cairo Meets the Movement, with Tears and Chaos and Exaltation (Mondoweiss)

Surge in Palestinian deaths in 2009 is totally due to the attack on Gaza …

• In Sharp Contrast with Gaza, Casualties Decline in West Bank (Washington Post)

… but the continuing theft of private Palestinian private property is widespread:

• Secret Israeli Database Reveals Full Extent of Illegal Settlement (Haaretz)

In the multifaith  holiday spirit, Mukhtedar Khan reminds us:

• A Jew as an Islamic Hero (Khaleej Times Online)
• Muhammad’s Promise to Christians (Washington Post On Faith)

In his most bold statement since losing the election in January, Mousavi proclaims “the election law should be changed … political prisoners should be freed”…

• Iran Opposition Leader Mousavi ‘Ready to Die’ for Reform (Guardian)

… Meanwhile, the Iranian government denies any role in the death of a protester who was run over by a truck:

• Video of Attack on Protester Is a Fake, Iranian Police Say (NY Times)

“Western military sources said that the dead were all part of an Afghan terrorist cell responsible for manufacturing improvised explosive devices”:

• Western Troops Accused of Executing 10 Afghan Civilians, Including Children (Timesonline)