Month: February 2010

The U.S. led forces hedge on their apology as Afghan Interior Minister claims the the civilians killed were hostages of the Taliban: Afghanistan War: Taliban Hiding Behind Civilians in Marjah (Christian Science Monitor) Accusations of Mossad involvement in the assassination are boosted by the discovery: Dubai Assassins Stole Identities of Six UK Citizens (Guardian) Commissioner…

As Iran and the US continue their war of words… Iran Accuses U.S. of Deceit in the Persian Gulf Region (NY Times) Iran Moving Toward Military Dictatorship, Clinton Says (LA Times) … Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Al-Faisal believes sanctions will not  solve the short-term threat and any effort to remove nuclear weapons from the Middle…

Hanniyyah proposes to counter the militants who threaten to impose their oppressive interpretation of Islam on Gaza and reignite violence across the region with “discussions and meetings”… Muslim Firebrands Challenge Hamas Rule in Gaza (AP / Washington Post) … Meanwhile, PA president Abbas finally attempts to deal with a particularly lurid case of corruption involving…

Compared the final years of the Bush Administration, Obama’s policy favors kills over captures: Under Obama, More Targeted Killings Than Captures in Counterterrorism Efforts (Washington Post) An ambiguous Pakistani law that states the president has the right to appoint justices to the Supreme Court, but must consult with the chief justice has sparked another power…

Threats against protesters make unclear the degree to which the overwhelming pro-government presence reflects popular support of the regime: Iran Opposition Protests Fizzle in Face of Overwhelming Security (Christian Science Monitor) Ahmadinejad claims, and White House spokesman Robert Gates denies, the capability of producing medical grade uranium … Ahmadinejad Makes Nuclear Claims, Stifles Protests on…

Maliki’s use of the military in a political dispute does not bode well for the coming elections: Leader Faulted on Using Army in Iraqi Politics (NY Times) “At stake is who are the true heirs of Iran’s revolution and its first promises of ‘Independence, freedom, [and] Islamic Republic’”: Iran Braces for Demonstration Showdown: Will the…

Attorney General Holder decision to send Khadr, who was 15 when captured, to a military tribunal has gone largely unnoticed: Former Boy Soldier, Youngest Guantanamo Detainee, Heads Toward Military Tribunal (Washington Post) What can we learn from Sun Tzu about America’s techniques to win wars in Afghanistan and Iraq: Sun Tzu and America’s Way of…

“Rather than reflecting a major change in the country’s nuclear capabilities, Mr. Leyne says the announcements are most likely Mr. Ahmadinejad politicking before anti-government protests begin this Thursday on the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Republic”: Iran’s Plan for 10 New Nuclear Fuel Plants ‘Laughably Ambitious’ (Christian Science Monitor) Divisions emerge in the best strategy…