News and Analysis (3/1-2/08)

New York Times’ editorial opposes Bush’s possible veto of a bill governing interrogations according to the Army Field Manual:

• Horrifying and Unnecessary (New York Times)

Palestinians suffer their bloodiest day in eight years, as 61 are killed, at least half of them civilians, leading to suspension of faltering peace talks:

• Palestinians’ Bloodiest Day, Israel Kills 61 In Gaza (Reuters/Wiredisptach)

• Abbas Breaks Contact With Israel (BBC News)

If approved by the courts, lawsuits against telecoms may finally reveal “scope and methods” of the warrantless wiretaps:

• Bush Moves to Shield Telecommunications Firms (Washington Post)

As Ahmedinejad blasts State Department-listed terrorist organization MEK during his Iraq visit, investigative reporter Gareth Porter finds the MEK and/or Israel is the source of the “smoking gun” laptop used to condemn Iran’s nuclear program…

• Iranian President Arrives In Iraq (Los Angeles Times)

• Iran Nuke Laptop Data Came from Terror Group (Antiwar.com)

…meanwhile Iranian non-Muslim leaders blame US enticements and domestic economic woes that affect all Iranians for the mass exodus of its minority communities:

• U.S. Zeal for Iran’s Non-Muslims Faulted (Washington Post)

Internationally renown economist Joseph Stiglitz says the final tally of the Iraq war may run in excess of $5 billion:

• Economist Stiglitz Says Iraq War Costs May Reach $5 Trillion (Bloomberg)

Alejandro

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