Month: March 2010

Israel’s OECD Bid Poses Problems for Members

An exclusive club of the world’s most developed countries is poised to admit Israel as a member even though, a confidential internal document indicates, doing so will amount to endorsing Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories. Israel has been told that its accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is … Continue reading “Israel’s OECD Bid Poses Problems for Members”

ACLU Ad Challenges Military Commissions

Civil libertarians hit back hard Sunday at reports indicating that the Barack Obama administration is about to cave in to pressure from Congress and local groups in New York City and is not only considering transferring the cases of suspected terrorists to another federal court, but even moving them to the military commission system. The … Continue reading “ACLU Ad Challenges Military Commissions”

The Trial of Azzam the American

Author’s note: It now looks like the subject of this column, the “top al-Qaeda commander” arrested in Pakistan, is not Adam Gadahn: CBS News is reporting that the original story was “false.” Instead, the man arrested has been tentatively identified as Abu Yahya Mujahdeen al-Adam – also an American, this time from Pennsylvania, who is … Continue reading “The Trial of Azzam the American”

Mullen Wary of Israeli Attack on Iran

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, came home with sweaty palms from his mid-February visit to Israel. He has been worrying aloud that Israel will mousetrap the U.S. into war with Iran. This is of particular concern because Mullen has had considerable experience in putting the brakes on such Israeli plans … Continue reading “Mullen Wary of Israeli Attack on Iran”

Sunday: 55 Iraqis Killed, 157 Wounded

Updated at 9:46 p.m. EST, March 7, 2010 As predicted Iraq suffered a barrage attacks during the election day, particularly in Baghdad where scores of blasts were heard across the city. At least 54 Iraqis were killed and 140 more were wounded. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates claimed he saw very little election-related violence, but the reports coming from Iraq itself indicate otherwise. Meanwhile, U.S. President Obama congratulated Iraqis on their national vote.

Saturday: 4 Iraqis, 4 Iranians Killed; 20 Iraqis, 34 Iranians Wounded

Only two successful attacks were reported on election eve; however, one was not only significant, it also harmed pilgrims visiting from Iran. At least three Iraqis and four Iranians were killed. Another 17 Iraqis and 37 Iranians were wounded. Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Ayad al-Samarrai, warned of years of conflict if the new government is not seen as just and does not work to solve discrimination.

Senate Debates Indefinite Detentions

Civil liberties advocates and U.S. constitutional law scholars lost no time in condemning proposed legislation introduced in the Senate Thursday that would hand the government the power to indefinitely detain terrorism suspects without charge and to conduct trials through military commissions only. Typical was the response from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which said … Continue reading “Senate Debates Indefinite Detentions”

Palestinian Homes on ‘David’s Garden’ Spared for Now

SILWAN, East Jerusalem – Outside the Bedouin-style protest tent in the heart of this Palestinian neighborhood, the anger is palpable, but controlled. Muhammad (surname undisclosed) turns to an Israeli TV reporter: "Would you agree to have your neighbor’s house moved on top of yours just because they knock his house down so as to build … Continue reading “Palestinian Homes on ‘David’s Garden’ Spared for Now”