The dangers for the region and the world of the continued radicalization of Arab youth via the US presence in Iraq were demonstrated this week when Saudi authorities broke up a plot to attack Saudi petroleum facilities. Given current high prices, any such attack would have the potential for driving them even higher, with deleterious […]
Archives for November 2007
Elbaradei: An Attack on Iran would Guarantee that it Gets Nukes
The USG Open Source Center translates an interview in an Argentinian newspaper with International Atomic Energy Agency head, Mohamed Elbaradei, on how to deal with the Iranian nuclear research program. He cautions that a direct military attack would almost guarantee that Iran develops an atomic bomb. ‘Argentina: IAEA Head Warns Against Using Force Against Iran“Exclusive” […]
McCain blames Rise of Hitler on Ron Paul Not Invading and Occupying other Countries Branded ‘Isolationism’
In a new low of despicable looniness, at the Republican debate in St. Petersburg, John McCain equated those Americans who want to stop militarily occupying Iraq with Hitler-enablers. He actually said that, saying that it was ‘isolationism’ of a sort that allowed Hitler to come to power. It gives a person a certain amount of […]
13 Wounded, including 7 US Troops, in Baquba Bombing Biden says Surge Success ‘a Fantasy’ Da’wa splits, Some eye Jaafari as Leader
7 US troops were wounded along with 5 Iraqi civilians when a female suicide bomber detonated her payload in Baquba. The attack took place on Tuesday but was not announced until Wednesday. Senator Joe Biden says that the idea that the US troop escalation or ‘surge’ is “working” in Iraq is a “fantasy” because there […]
Sadrists Demonstrate Sistani calls for an End to Sunni-Shiite violence Agreement of Principles is Criticized
Thousands of Sadrists demonstrated in downtown Baghdad for a second day on Tuesday, complaining about their marginalization and the high-handed policies of PM Nuri al-Maliki. Al-Hayat reports in Arabic that the Sadr Movement and the Sunni Iraqi Accord Front both rejected the ‘memorandum of understanding’ between the US and Iraq signed by PM Nuri al-Maliki […]
Pakistani Press on Sharif’s Return
The USG Open Source Center rounds up the Urdu press in Pakistan on the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Urdu Press Roundup on Prevailing Political Situation After Sharif’s ReturnPakistan — OSC SummaryWednesday, November 28, 2007 The following is a roundup of excerpts from editorials and an article on the political situation after the […]
Al-Maliki Negotiates a Treaty with US Kurds Defiant on Oil Deals
The government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is negotiating a formal bilateral treaty with the United States. The question is whether the agreement will be submitted to parliament for ratification, and whether al-Maliki will be able to get a majority of parliamentarians to vote for it if so. Much of the work of the […]
Dulaim: Al-Maliki is trying to Marginalize Sunnis
The USG Open Source Center translates an interview in the Iraqi newspaper Ilaf with Adnan Dulaimi, a leader of the Iraqi Accord Front (Sunni fundamentalist, called in Arabic Tawafuq), the major Sunni Arab party in Parliament, with 44 seats out of 275. The IAF has withdrawn from the al-Maliki ‘national unity’ government. Excerpt: ‘Dr Adnan […]
Bush’s Middle East Unravels Further
Bush’s achievements in the Middle East were supposed to have been the ‘Cedar Revolution’ in Lebanon and the removal of Syria troops; holding fair elections in Palestine in January of 2006; and a deal to have Gen. Pervez Musharraf cohabit politically with Benazir Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People’s Party. As of this weekend, Lebanon […]