News and Analysis (3/7/07)

“It is a mix of tradition and modernity, Western-style democracy meets Somali-style politics….”

• The Other Somalia: An Island of Stability in a Sea of Armed Chaos (New York Times)

Newly established ‘special’ court system for Gitmo detainees operates with little transparency and deprives the defendants of a lawyer:

• Hearings for 14 Guantanamo Detainees to Be Held in Secret, Officials Say (Washington Post)

Congressional representative Keith Ellison uses his position to improve American public diplomacy and build bridges around the world:

• First Muslim Elected to Congress Will Share his Story with the World (McClatchy Newspapers)

Syrian isolation may come to an end by hashing out deals negotiated with Saudi Arabia and Lebanon:

• Syria Seeks to Gain from Regional Tumult (Christian Science Monitor)

Alejandro

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