News and Analysis (1/7/09)

Given how poorly they were treated, it should come as no surprise:

• Many Ex-Detainees Said to Be Engaged in Terror (NY Times)

“What we need is a strategy that is politically and not militarily driven…. If we do not take these civilian components of the transition strategy as seriously as the military component, then we will fail.” — Iranian Panel Calls Official in Charge of Prison ‘the Main Culprit’ in Detainee Deaths

• U.N. Envoy Eide Warns U.S., Allies Not to Ignore Civilian Goals in Afghanistan (Washington Post)

Dead Egyptian and fifteen injured Palestinians “signals growing frustration among Palestinians with Egypt‘s attempt to seal the border with an underground steel wall”:

• Egyptian Guard Dies in Clashes Over Gaza Aid Convoy (Guardian)

Opposition leaders believe Mortazavi is a scape-goat for party-wide atrocities:

• Iranian Panel Calls Official in Charge of Prison ‘the Main Culprit’ in Detainee Deaths (NY Times)

Rights groups call it a groundbreaking decision against an apartheid policy, while right-wing Israelis argue the decision is tantamount to playing “Russian Roulette”:

• Israel Court Stirs Fierce Debate with Highway 443 Ruling (Christian Science Monitor)

Bashir’s senior advisor has warned an all out conflict will ensue unless key issues of the north-south border, nationality, the sharing of oil wealth and foreign debts of $30 billion are settled:

• Spectre of War Threatens Human Disaster in Sudan, Aid Groups Warn (Guardian)

Diplomacy begins to take root between the former enemies:

• Iran and Iraq to Hold Border Talks (Al Jazeera)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant