News and Analysis (1/8/07)

War of words between two US regional allies strengthens the Taliban:

• Pakistan needs to do more on Taliban, U.N. says (Reuters)

With Saddam dead, court finds no need to try him on charges of massacring Kurds:

• Court Drops Kurd Charges Against Saddam (ABC News)

Electoral protest in Bangladesh’s fragile democracy turns violent:

• Bangladeshi Police Clash With Protesters (ABC News)

Iraqi Health Ministry contradicts earlier report – 23,000, not 16,000:

• War’s Toll on Iraqis Put at 22,950 in ’06: Statistics From Health Ministry Official Show Tripling of Civilian, Police Deaths (Washington Post)

Economic woes and lack of political freedom causes “brain-drain” in Iran:

• Huge Cost of Iranian Brain Drain (BBC)

Allegations of “defaming Islam” leads to controversy over press freedom in Morocco:

• Morocco Journalists go on Trial (BBC)

Turkish writer uses his position as a guest editor of a popular Turkish daily to highlight the persecution of dissenting intellectuals:

• Turkish Writer Attacks Oppression (BBC)

Israeli settlements violate Palestinian property rights and Israeli law:

• Israel Doubts on Settlements Legality (BBC)

Alejandro

Alejandro Beutel is program assistant for the Minaret of Freedom Institute with expertise in religious freedom, democratization and security issues.