Slim majority of Iraqi parliamentarians, cutting across sectarian lines, signed a draft bill capping current levels of US-led occupation forces and requiring a timetable for withdrawal:
- Iraqi Lawmakers Back Bill on U.S. Withdrawal (Washington Post)
Musharraf’s big brother measures against Pakistan’s judiciary and press freedom are met strong resistance:
- Karachi Braced for Judge Protests (BBC News)
- Pakistan: Publisher Challenges Musharraf Over Press Freedom (Adnkronos International)
In an op-ed to the New York Times Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora argues for taking the Arab peace initiative to Israel seriously:
- Give the Arab Peace Initiative a Chance (New York Times)
Arguing that “Ms. Esfandiari is no enemy of Iran,” a Washington Post editorial speculates that some Iranian political actors are sacrificing Iran’s national interest for internal political advantage:
- Wrong Move in Iran: Arresting an Iranian American scholar is no way to win the world’s respect (Washington Post)
As a result of the breakdown of law and order in Gaza, Palestinians are saying that certain splinter groups are becoming inspired by Al-Qaeda-like ideology to commit violence against other Palestinians:
- Al Qaeda Tactics Expand in Gaza (Christian Science Monitor)
