Month: March 2010

Armenian Genocide Vote Threatens US-Turkish Ties at Key Moment

Thursday’s vote by a Congressional committee condemning the deaths of up to 1.5 million Armenians during World War I as "genocide" is almost certain to complicate U.S. ties with Turkey, a long-time strategic ally and increasingly influential player in the Middle East and central and southwest Asia.The 23-22 vote by the Foreign Affairs Committee of … Continue reading “Armenian Genocide Vote Threatens US-Turkish Ties at Key Moment”

Friday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 9 Wounded

Updated at 8:15 p.m. EST, March 5, 2010 On the last day of legal campaigning, no significant violence took place; however, at least one Iraq child was killed and nine more were wounded in minor attacks. Clerics used the prayer day to urge Iraqis to vote. In the U.K., British Prime Minister Gordon Brown testified at an inquiry, saying the war in Iraq was justified but the United States failed to head warnings over post-war chaos.

US Seeks to Resume Training of Controversial Indonesian Military Unit

The administration of President Barack Obama hopes to resume U.S. training of an elite Indonesian military unit whose members have been convicted of gross human rights abuses in East Timor and elsewhere in the sprawling archipelago. The leadership of Indonesia’s controversial special forces division — the Komando Pasukan Khusus, or Kopassus — has been in … Continue reading “US Seeks to Resume Training of Controversial Indonesian Military Unit”

Thursday: 17 Iraqis Killed, 82 Wounded

Early voting began today, and so election-related attacks heightened. At least 17 Iraqis were killed and 82 more were wounded in poll violence across the country. Those who cannot vote on Sunday were encouraged to take advantage of today’s special polling. They include about 850,000 security personnel, prisoners and hospital patients.

Debate Over Military Action Against Iran Gains Steam

While the ongoing U.S. military "surge" in Afghanistan continues to capture the headlines, Iran’s nuclear program – and how best to deal with it – is rapidly emerging here as this year’s biggest foreign policy challenge. Although the administration of President Barack Obama remains hopeful that a combination of diplomacy and increasingly tougher sanctions will … Continue reading “Debate Over Military Action Against Iran Gains Steam”