Month: December 2007

Updated at 12:02 a.m. EST, Dec. 21, 2007A U.S. soldier is among the dead in a suicide bombing that killed over a dozen Iraqis in Diyala province. Another bomb in Baghdad injured almost 30 people as well as killing three others. Overall, at least 53 Iraqis were killed and another 51 were wounded throughout Iraq. … Continue reading “Thursday: 1 US Soldier, 53 Iraqis Killed; 51 Iraqis Wounded”

Another chapter of the Kosovo crisis was closed on December 19, when the UN Security Council accepted the report of the "troika" that negotiations between Serbia and the Albanian separatists in its occupied province of Kosovo had failed. As predicted, the U.S. and its EU allies moved to proceed along the lines of the Ahtisaari … Continue reading “The Die is Cast”

As human right lawyers sought to block US government efforts to stop a lawsuit against a Boeing subsidiary accused of flying detainees to "black sites" where they were tortured, a legal advocacy group published the first testimony of a victim of the Central Intelligence Agency’s "enhanced interrogation" program. In the first-ever report of its kind, … Continue reading “‘Black Site’ Survivor Relates Horrific Tale”

BAGHDAD – In a country with no security and no jobs, just about anyone can work as a policeman. "To survive in Iraq under US occupation, there are only two jobs; police and garbage collection," Baghdad journalist Mohammad al-Dulaymi told IPS. "Unemployment is leading many Iraqis to join the security forces despite the risk involved." … Continue reading “Looking to Security from Paper Police”

Demands by US politicians and policymakers that Pakistan cooperate more closely with Washington in its "war on terror" fail to take account of both the Pakistani military’s strategic priorities and its incompetence, particularly in conducting counter-insurgency operations, according to a new study by an influential regional specialist. The study, "Pakistan – Conflicted Ally in the … Continue reading “US Stuck With Reluctant, Inept Partner in Terror War”

with Emily Blout Last night, Congress dealt a severe blow to the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. By re-appropriating the infamous Iran “Democracy” Fund, Congress showed blatant disregard for the well being and the wishes of Iranian pro-democracy activists. The $60 million awarded Tuesday as part of the giant FY08 appropriations package is a … Continue reading “Denying Iran’s Democrats”

Updated at 10:45 p.m. EST, Dec. 19, 2007Despite a very slow newsday, at least 57 Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in the latest reported violence. Meanwhile, Iraqi Muslims are observing the Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. This year, the Iraqi government extended the official … Continue reading “Wednesday: 57 Iraqis Killed, 12 Wounded”

PRAGUE – A report by U.S. intelligence services minimizing the Iranian threat has meant another embarrassment for Czech politicians supportive of U.S. plans to set up a radar base in Central-Eastern Europe. The radar system – which Washington claims will protect the West from missile attacks by "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea … Continue reading “NIE Bolsters Czech Opposition to US Radar Base”

As Karen Hughes, the close confidante of President George W. Bush, gives up her mission to improve the U.S. image abroad – amid decidedly mixed reviews of her performance – her replacement is already facing criticism for his support of the Iraq war and a number of alleged ethical lapses. Hughes, a key adviser to … Continue reading “Bush’s New Spin Master
a Lame Duck?”

BAGHDAD – Women are being killed by militia groups in southern Iraq for not conforming to strict Islamic ways, the police say. And increased threats from militia groups are driving many women away from their homes. Basra police chief Gen. Jalil Hannoon has told reporters and Arab TV channels that at least 40 women have … Continue reading “‘Bad’ Women Raped and Killed in Southern Iraq”