Sami Al-Arian and his defense team beat back government abuse of the grand jury system meant to coerce him into testifying against other Muslim organizations:
- Judge Drops Contempt Citation Against Al-Arian (New York Sun)
As a New York Times editorial demands Congress take stronger action on falsified Iraq intelligence, warrantless wiretapping, and torture, the House finally votes to pass a bill effectively banning torture:
- Notes From the Global War on Terror (New York Times)
- House Passes Bill to Ban CIA’s Use of Harsh Interrogation Tactics (Washington Post)
More stories of the follies of occupation: A British intelligence report finds evidence of Iraqi branch of Al-Qaeda involved in London/Glasgow attacks while Basra residents feel British troops liberated them from the tyranny of Saddam only to be put in the hands of criminal militias:
- British Inquiry of Failed Plots Points to Iraq’s Qaeda Group (New York Times)
- Basra’s New Era Brings New Fears (BBC News)
Iran analysts Vali Nasr and Ray Takeyh argue the latest NIE report undermines Ahmedinejad because Iranians can focus more on domestic problems of diminishing civil liberties and economic prosperity as threat of war with the US no longer looms:
- How Iran’s President is Being Undercut (Christian Science Monitor)
Musharraf seeks to end martial law tomorrow, but only after he disfigures the nation’s constitution so he won’t be dragged before a court:
- Musharraf to End Emergency Rule Saturday (Los Angeles Times)
