News and Analysis (10/5/08)

As Mullah Omar offers a cease fire in exchange for a withdrawal of foreign forces,”NATO commanders and diplomats” say negotiations with the Taliban “will ultimately be needed to bring an end to the conflict:”

• British Commander Says War in Afghanistan Cannot be Won (Reuters)

Since the U.S. invasion, Afghani heroin export has soared to 95% of the world supply, and the Taliban aren’t the only benficiaries of the windfall:

• Reports Link Karzai’s Brother to Afghan Heroin Trade (NY Times)

The author of The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf explains that the “central blessing of Islam to women is that it affirms their spiritual equality with men:”

• Spare Me the Sermon On Muslim Women (Washington Post)

“Every day of delay is one more day our clients are in prison without a hearing”–Attorney Matthew J. MacLean:

• Despite Ruling, Detainee Cases Facing Delays (NY Times)
• Uighur Detainees May Be Released to U.S.: Chinese Muslims Held at Guantanamo Aren’t Considered Enemy Combatants (Washington Post)

Turkish President and PM call “off state trips abroad so they could discuss their response to the attack:”

• Turkey Presses Iraqis After Attack by Rebels (Washington Post)

Over “2.5 million Iraqis have fled, and the exodus continues:”

•  Iraq too Dangerous for Many Professionals (LA Times)

Itself an example of artificial stimulus, Dubai is also vulnerable to the credit crunch:

• Boomtown Feels Effects of a Global Crisis (NY Times)

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