News and Analysis (8/3/07)

Evidence, which may be underreported in some cases, continues to show the surge is failing on both military and political fronts:

• In Iraq, Death Tolls Often in Dispute (Christian Science Monitor)
• Iraq Violence: Monitoring the Surge (BBC News)
• Iraqi Progress ‘Disappoints’ US (BBC News)
• Al-Qaeda ‘Parade’ in Baquba (Adnkronos International)

Leader of opposition party freed by Pakistan’s Supreme Court, leading to speculation that exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif may return Pakistan:

• Pakistani Opposition Leader to Be Freed (Associated Press/Washington Post)

Secretary Rice claims Bush administration still supports democracy in the Middle East while defending her failure to engage the Hamas government:

• Rice Backs Appointed Palestinian Premier and Mideast Democracy (New York Times)

Alejandro

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