With the recent 2007 NIE deflating some tensions between Iran and the US and rising inflation, Supreme Leader Khamanei has largely withdrawn support for President Ahmadinejad’s policies:
- A President’s Defender Keeps His Distance (New York Times)
Although US-backed Sunni groups continue to increase their influence, questions remain over loyalties; meanwhile Iraq’s main nationalist militant group, the Islamic Army of Iraq, rejects any cooperation with US military forces:
- Main Sunni Group Vows No Deal With U.S. (AFP/Military.com)
- New Leaders Of Sunnis Make Gains In Influence (Washington Post)
A former key regional Taliban commander who switched sides to NATO/Afghan forces becomes governor of the volatile Helmand province; while bribes are used again to free a high-ranking Taliban leader for a third time:
- Ex-Taleban Chief Named Governor (BBC News)
- ‘Bribes’ Free Top Taleban Leader (BBC News)
Seeking to improve its chances of entering the EU, Turkey sends a bill to its parliament reforming law criminalizing “insulting Turkishnessâ€:
- Turkey To Change Free Speech Law (Al-Jazeera International)
A coalition of groups call on Indonesia’s attorney general to protect the heterodox Ahmadiyya movement’s right to religious freedom…
- Attorney General Asked to Defend Religious Freedom at Home (The Jakarta Post)
… while other civil society organizations question the legality of allowing officials convicted of corruption in the past to run an upcoming regional election:
- Convicted KPUD Members Raise No Eyebrows in Election (The Jakarta Post)
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