“Hamas committed a very serious mistake preventing our members from Gaza from coming here,” said Nabil Shaath, a senior Fatah official and former foreign minister. “It destroyed a lot of goodwill for Hamas in Palestinian public opinion”:

• Abbas’s Party Holds Convention (Washington Post)

“If they wanted to build new illegal settlements without kicking out Palestinians in the area they could do so. The targeting of Sheikh Jarrah and other areas is actually a process of ethnic purification:

• Taking Over Jerusalem (Guardian)

The US officially recognizes Ahmadinejad as president of Iran, which more closely resembles a police state everyday:

• Ahmadinejad Sworn in as Riot Police Quell Protest (LA Times)

Despite subtle differences from the past, distinguishing themselves from an invading military force and an embedded local security force proves difficult:

• Neighbors by Day, Soldiers by Night in Afghanistan (NY Times)

Pressured by a 17% unemployment rate and a large state deficit, residents of a Michigan town may provide the outlet necessary for the closure of Guantanamo:

• Detainees Could Be Boon for Mich. Town (Washington Post)

Competition and lack  of tourism have all but destroyed the traditional trade of Coppersmith in Iraq:

• Glory Days Are Over at Iraq Copper Market (LA Times)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant