Middle East expert Juan Cole provides his excellent news round-up on developments in Iraq, as well as his analysis of the release of the British sailors from Iranian capture:
- 70 Killed in Iraq, Diplomacy of Iran May be Legacy of British Sailor Hostage Crisis (Informed Comment)
…while other experts see the political drama of the 15 British sailors as a demonstration of Iran’s sophisticated ability to flex its diplomatic muscles:
- Might Iran Deal on Nukes, Too? (Christian Science Monitor)
Washington Post columnist Dan Froomkin gives his analysis of the bi-partisan congressional delegation in the Middle East and Vice-President Cheney’s ‘delusions’ about Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaida:
- Cheney Sticks to His Delusions (Washington Post)
Trial of 50 Moroccan Islamist militants may be evidence of Al-Qaida’s extended reach into North Africa:
- Is Al Qaeda’s Influence Spreading to Morocco? (Christian Science Monitor)
“We’re not here to fight the Taliban… we’re here to make them irrelevant.†– Dutch commander, Col. Hans van Griensven
- Dutch Soldiers Stress Restraint in Afghanistan (New York Times)
Heavy-handed tactics by government and Ethiopian forces kill scores of civilians and lead to complaints and investigations by local human rights groups and European diplomats:
- Somali Battles Bring Charges of War Crimes (New York Times)
“US threats against Iran are no longer regarded by the Iranians and Syrians as just saber-rattling, and it’s only natural that they prepare themselves,” – Amal Saad-Ghorayeb
- Syria, Hizbullah, Iran Prepare in Case of War (Christian Science Monitor)
Two-day conference in Indonesia stressing sectarian reconciliation and Muslim unity in Iraq and around the world concludes:
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- Clerics End Bogor Meet with Pledge of Unity (The Jakarta Post)
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