News and Analysis (3/20/07)

The Middle East is facing a enormous problem of dealing with the massive influx of Iraqi refugees: 

• Foreign Refuge Often Eludes Young Iraqi Men (Christian Science Monitor) 
• World ‘Ignoring Iraqi Refugees’ (BBC News) 

Not being able to rely on the international security forces, villagers learn to speak softly and carry a big stick in order to persuade would-be Taliban attackers to let their children go to school: 

• Afghan Villagers Stand Guard to Protect Schools (Christian Science Monitor) 

Columnist Helena Cobban provides a brief overview of the major secular and religious political trends within Arab countries: 

• The Political Ideas Competing for Support in the Arab World (Christian Science Monitor) 

President Musharraf’s popularity and power slide further as more judges quit to protest the sacking of Pakistan’s Chief Justice, but he will not declare a state of emergency or delay elections – at least not yet: 

• Seven Pakistani Judges Quit Over Chief Justice’s Suspension (Los Angeles Times) 

• Pakistani Ruler Won’t Delay Elections (Associated Press) 

Meanwhile, Pakistan is not the only country dealing with troubles concerning the rule of law: 

• New E-Mail Gives Details on Attorney Dismissals (New York Times) 

• Congress to Delve Into Improper FBI Spying (Associated Press) 

• Detainee Says He Was Abused While in U.S. Custody (New York Times) 

The Christian Science Monitor reviews two books on the multi-faceted and dynamic nature of American Muslim communities: 

• To Be Muslim and American: Two Books Examine How (Christian Science Monitor)

  

Alejandro

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