News and Analysis (5/9/08)

Lebanon once more teeters on the brink of a civil war as Hezbollah takes over pro-government sections of West Beirut:

• Hezbollah Seizes Beirut Districts (AFP/Lebanon Daily Star)

More Islamophobia at play in the US presidential elections:

• Pastor Who McCain Praised said America’s Historic Mission was to ‘Destroy’ Islam (Raw Story)

• Where did the Web Rumors About Obama Come From? (McClatchy)

Despite the initial waves made from the NY Times story about deliberate Iraq war disinformation, media outlets largely ignore it:

• ‘Deafening’ Silence On Analyst Story (Politico)

Pakistan voices strong opposition to Gen. Jay Hood, former head of Guantanamo Bay prison, being top US military envoy to Islamabad…

• Pakistan Opposes US Military Aide (BBC News)

…meanwhile, contradictory deals among various factions, with Asif Zardari at the center, led to general agreement of judge restoration, but not on their powers:

• What to do With Pakistan’s Judges (BBC News)

Saudi female b-ball players hit the court despite the cultural restrictions thrown at them:

• Underground Sport: Saudi Women Shed Veils To Play Basketball (Associated Press/Washington Post)

Maryland court rules that Islamic procedures for divorce are not legally valid in the US because they lack “due process”:

• Islamic Divorce Ruled Not Valid in Maryland (Washington Post)

Alejandro

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