Ali Gharib and Jim Lobe

Glimmer of Hope on Eve of New Iran Nuclear Talks

While expectations for any major breakthroughs in the latest round of talks between Iran and the major powers are virtually nonexistent, the two-day meeting that begins Friday in Istanbul could help ease growing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The most realistic hope among those who favor enhanced efforts to engage Tehran is that Iran and … Continue reading “Glimmer of Hope on Eve of New Iran Nuclear Talks”

Media Eyeless in Gaza at Key Moment

Consumed by coverage of the Nov. 4 presidential election, US mainstream media ignored a key Israeli military attack on a Hamas target that some Palestinians claim marked the effective end of the ceasefire between the two sides and set the stage for the current round of bloodletting. While the major US news wire Associated Press … Continue reading “Media Eyeless in Gaza at Key Moment”

Pakistani Soldiers’ Killings Likely to Raise Tensions

The killings Tuesday night by US warplanes of 11 Pakistani paramilitary soldiers at or near a checkpoint along the Afghan border is virtually certain to add to growing tensions between Washington and Islamabad at a critical moment in relations between both countries. While the precise circumstances of the incident remain unclear, reports from Pakistan that … Continue reading “Pakistani Soldiers’ Killings Likely to Raise Tensions”