Reports have been swirling around for the past several days that the United States has been holding high-level but discreet talks with Iran even as the Obama Administration has publicly dismissed rumors of any official efforts to improve relations. Now, Iran too is...
Afghans Protest After US Raid Kills Civilians
Hundreds of Afghan protesters took to the streets Sunday in protest over a US raid they said led to the deaths of at least two civilians, the latest in a string to US raids which have killed a large number of innocent civilians. During the US raid in the Ghazni...
ElBaradei: Israel Violated International Law in 2007 Attack on Syria
In an interview with Newsweek magazine, IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei was asked why he didn't condemn Syria and North Korea for "building a nuclear reactor" - referring to the alleged gas-graphite reactor some claim was being constructed along the Euphrates River. The...
Obama: Substantial Number of Iraqi Troops Will Be Home in Another Year
In an interview today on NBC, President Barack Obama was asked whether a "substantial number" of troops would be home in time for next year's Super Bowl (to be held on February 7, 2010). Obama replied "Yes. We are going to roll out in a very formal fashion what our...
At Least 43 Civilians Killed in Latest Swat Valley Clashes
The Pakistani military continued its offensive into the restive Swat Valley today, and one official reported that at least 43 civilians were killed in the crossfire between soldiers and the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants which have taken over much of the...
Renditions May Expand Under Obama’s Watch
While President Barack Obama reversed a number of the Bush Administration's anti-terror excesses, the controversial tactic known as extraordinary rendition, the extralegal kidnapping and transportation of detainees, remains conspicuously legal. Only a cursory effort...
Israel Bombs Central Gaza as Olmert Vows ‘Disproportionate’ Response
Israeli warplanes bombed a Hamas security base in central Gaza tonight along with attacks on two other sites along the Egyptian border. The hits centered around Hamas targets as the group attempts to put the finishing touches on its Egypt-brokered ceasefire with the...
Maliki, Allies Gain in Iraqi Elections
Early (and unofficial) projections show Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and allies gaining at the expense of the rival Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council. If this holds though the final count, which will not be available until likely late in the week, it will...
Israeli Envoy: Attack on Gaza a ‘Preintroduction’ to Attack on Iran
After ordering a cameraman to turn off his camera, Israeli Ambassador to Australia Yuval Rotem engaged in a very frank discussion about the recent Israeli war in the Gaza Strip, calling it "a preintroduction" to an attack on Iran that Israel apparently expects within...
Islamist Sheikh Is New Somali President
During a session held in Djibouti the Somali parliament has decided on Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as the new president of Somalia. Ahmed will replace Abdullahi Yusuf, who was ousted last month under the threat of US sanctions. Ahmed has a colorful history: a geography...