Month: July 2009

Tuesday: 18 Iraqis Killed, 27 Wounded

Updated at 7:05 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2009 At least 18 Iraqis were killed and 27 more were wounded the latest attacks. Dozens more were reported beaten at Camp Ashraf. The day was also marked by political developments: The Iraqi government failed to produce a security pact that would have allowed British troops to remain in the country. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates toured a southern Iraq base where top Iraqi commander, Gen. Ray Odierno accused Iran of meddling in upcoming Iraqi elections. Also, Turkey prefers asking Iraq to help stop the PKK rather than talk peace directly with the rebel group.

Israeli Wall Bound to Become an Issue Again

JERUSALEM – Beneath the towering eight-meter concrete slabs, an army jeep patrols the Israeli side of the "security wall" that cuts through Palestinian territory, dividing the occupied West Bank from Israel. Suddenly, a soccer ball flies over the wall and lands on the roof of the jeep. The soldiers kick it back. The ball comes … Continue reading “Israeli Wall Bound to Become an Issue Again”

Middle East Show of Farce

A July 17 article at the Guardian leads with “In preparation for a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, two Israeli missile-class warships have sailed through the Suez Canal 10 days after a submarine capable of launching a nuclear missile strike.” The fifth paragraph begins, “The deployment into the Red Sea, confirmed by Israeli officials, … Continue reading “Middle East Show of Farce”

Judge Slams Govt Over Afghan Detainee

A federal judge last week excoriated U.S. government lawyers for advocating the continued detention of a detainee at Guantanamo Bay after his "confession" was ruled inadmissible because it was extracted through torture. Calling the case "an outrage," U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle urged the lawyers to "let him out. Send him back to Afghanistan." … Continue reading “Judge Slams Govt Over Afghan Detainee”

Monday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 32 Wounded

Updated at 8:05 p.m. EDT, July 27, 2009 At least nine Iraqis were killed and 32 more were wounded in the latest attacks, while four U.S. soldiers were injured in a vehicular accident north of Kirkuk. A small amount of violence has followed the election in the Kurdish Autonomous Region, some of it apparently “celebratory.”