News and Analysis (4/11-12/09)

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)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant