News and Analysis (7/10/09)

Insurgency may soon become secondary issue in stabilizing Iraq:

• Kurds Defy Baghdad, Laying Claim to Land and Oil (NY Times)

“Unlike the Tibetans, Uighurs do not benefit from a well-defined U.S. policy supporting their political rights, autonomy and cultural identity”…

• The Right Way To Help the Uighurs (Washington Post)

…Meanwhile, the streets were relatively quiet for Jumu’ah prayer:

• Uighurs Defy Urumqi Mosque Closure (Al Jazeera)

In a ridiculous manipulation of language and rhetoric, Netanyahu compares the removal of illegal settlements to ethnic cleansing despite Palestinian ownership of as much as 32% of the settlement land:

• Netanyahu Turns to Nazi Language (Guardian)

A growing concern over Khamenei’s attempts to consolidate a power transition to his son:

• Is Khamenei’s Son Leading Iran Crackdowns? (Christian Science Monitor)

Speaking to the quality of Afghani democracy…

• Karzai Victory May Trigger Afghan Violence, US Commander Warns (Guardian)

…However, empowering women remains a key tenant in reconstructing Afghanistan:

• An Afghan Feminism (Washington Post)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant