As the US finally releases money withheld from the Palestinian government, an op-ed in the Washington Post argues that trying to isolate Hamas in the Gaza Strip while attempting to bolster economic, military and political support for Fatah in the West Bank is deeply flawed:Â
- U.S. Unfreezes Millions in Aid to Palestinians (New York Times)Â
- ‘West Bank First’: It Won’t Work (Washington Post)Â
Iraq shows why its on the Top 10 list on “2007 Failed States Index†as 75 people die in bomb attack on Shi’a mosque in central Baghdad in spite a massive 10,000-man anti-terrorism crackdown in the capital:Â
- Iraq Rises Up Failed States Index (BBC News)Â
- 75 killed by Bombing at Baghdad Mosque (Associated Press/LA Times)Â
Transitional government grants amnesty to all Islamist groups in hopes of coaxing them into national conciliation talks; Islamists “welcome†the gesture but refuse to enter discuss unless Ethiopia withdraws:Â
- Amnesty for Somalia’s Islamists (BBC News)Â
While stances and political appointees change or entrench themselves among government and opposition parties, experts on Pakistan find that support for democratic reform, not Musharraf’s authoritarianism is the best antidote to fighting extremism:Â
- Pakistan: Focus – U.S. Endorsement for Musharraf Triggers Party Jostling (Adnkronos International)Â
- Could Pakistan Fall to Extremists? (Christian Science Monitor)
