Three US Predator drones attacked a building in the Kurram Agency of Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) today, killing at least 31 people. The site was reportedly being used by the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the militant faction with whom the Pakistani government has recently been coming to terms in the Swat Valley. A [...]
In an interview with Fareed Zakaria aired on CNN today, Afghan President Hamid Karzai lashed out at his critics in the US and Britain, saying he had expected “better judgment” from the Obama Administration and expressing hope that “as they settle down, and as they learn more, we’ll see better judgment.” Karzai accused the US [...]
The Israeli cabinet may be presented with the terms of a Gaza ceasefire as soon as Wednesday, but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says that the ceasefire will not mean the opening of border crossings into the strip, which Israel has kept closed to all but the bare minimum of humanitarian supplies for several months. “We [...]
With the third largest number of seats in last week’s Israeli election, Yisrael Beiteinu head Avigdor Lieberman has emerged as something of a kingmaker. While his endorsement is no guarantee of a coalition, it seems unlikely either Kadima or Likud would be able to form a government without him. Its no surprise then that the [...]
As President Asif Ali Zardari warned CBS that the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were trying to take over Pakistan, his government was putting the finishing touches on a deal that may end the ongoing fight in the Swat Valley, and will also place the NWFP division of Malakand under Islamic law. Pakistani forces have been [...]
As part of a ceasefire deal negotiated between the government and the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Swat Valley, Pakistani officials say that sharia will be imposed in Malakand, which constitutes a large portion of the nation’s Northwest Frontier Province. The deal is expected to be formally announced sometime tomorrow, but provincial officials say they [...]
Israeli Foreign Minister and Kadima Party leader Tzipi Livni has “no intention of being in a unity government headed by” Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a note she passed to outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting. Yet Kadima MP Avi Dichter does see a unity government as a possibility, [...]
A US drone launched two missiles at a large house in South Waziristan this morning, killing at least 30 and wounding seven others. A Pakistani intelligence official is quoted as saying more people are believed to be buried under the rubble. At least 50 people were in the house at the time of the attacks, [...]
Brand recognition is usually a good thing. Unless you’re Blackwater Worldwide, that is. The military contractor who’s name has become synonymous with some of the ugliest chapters in the war in Iraq has decided that it would be best to change its name. Henceforth, they shall be known as Xe (pronounced “zee”). So from now [...]
Likud officials are reporting that the party is willing to meet two of Avigdor Lieberman‘s major demands for his Yisrael Beiteinu party to endorse them in the next government: easing the legal requirements for conversion to Judaism and allowing civil unions for those unable to meet the stringent requirements for religious marriage in the nation. [...]
