Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "Unofficial political actions land some activists in jail, but many remain undeterred.
Well, if Bush is true to his words, we should invade Syria ASAP to help and support these Syrian people who will welcome us with open arms, and we can pay for the invasion with their oil, and it should be a Mission Accomplished event withing months. Gotta spread the democracy no matter what the cost to our own or our people. C'mon, Americans, let's you and him go fight in Syria for a really great and noble cause, the domino theory of democracy in the Middle East. What are you waiting for? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "Afghanistan's lower house of parliament rejects President Hamid Karzai's nominee for Supreme Court chief justice."
They must be saying, "Hey, this democracy stuff is cool, we can use democracy to prevent the West's democratic principles from ever being enforced by the courts. We like this democracy stuff." Kind of like Bush and the Congress in the U.S. over the NSA spying court case. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
New York Times: International News: "The demonstrators were intent on showing support for judges demanding independence from President Hosni Mubarak."
BBC: World: "One of the top al-Qaeda militants who escaped from prison in Yemen in February is reportedly recaptured."
Reuters: Top News: "The suspects said they were recruited by operatives from the Palestinian militant group's Damascus-based leadership.
Suspects? I thought terrorists were guilty until proven innocent. Isn't that what Guantanamo is all about? Suspects? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Independent: World News: "The Sudanese government said that it had accepted a peace plan prepared by the African Union."
Independent: World News: "Three explosions rocked Egypt's Sinai resort town of Dahab last night, leaving at least 23 people dead and 60 wounded"
BBC: World: "Clashes erupt between Muslims and Coptic Christians in Egypt after the funeral of a Copt killed in church."
CBS News: "Three knife-wielding men attacked worshippers in simultaneous attacks during Mass at three Coptic churches in the northern Mediterranean city of Alexandria. One person was killed, over a dozen were wounded, police said. The attackers fled."
Religions will continue to be the source of political strife in the world. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
New York Times: International News: "Steps toward democracy in the Middle East are slowing, blocked by legal maneuvers and official changes of heart."
Democracy must be installed from within, and cannot be installed from without. Democracy is a people's government, and they must be willing to die to create and hold onto it. That was never the case in Iraq. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Arabic News: Politics: "Islamic researcher and a human rights activist was sentenced on Sunday by Syria's State Security Court to five years imprisonment on charges of disseminating false information, inciting sectarian riots and forming a secret organization, a human rights activist said."
Damn right. Anyone in the U.S. who has tried to form a political organization to campaign issues at election time, knows from the mountain of IRS and FEC regulations that governments demand that organizations must be kept public. Government's greatest fear is secret associations of its citizens. Despite what the Constitution says about rights of assembly. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "The United Arab Emirates is preparing to allow labourers to form trade unions and pursue collective bargaining."
In this most western of Middle Eastern countries, this is still a very positive turn of events. Appears UAE didn't like the spotlight it got on its al-Queda connections and Taliban support of previous years. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CBS News: "An Afghan official says Abdul Rahman, arrested for converting to Christianity - a capital offense - has been released from jail. He still faces death threats from angry Muslims and his current whereabouts are a secret."
CBS News: "An Afghan court dismissed a case against a man who converted from Islam to Christianity because of a lack of evidence, and he will be released soon, an official said. The man faced a death sentence under Afghanistan's Islamic laws."
Outstanding. A great many people including President Bush sought this outcome, and they are all to be commended for the international pressure that resulted in this outcome. It is a small but significant victory in Afghanistan. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Arabic News: Politics: "For the first time in the history of Kuwait on Tuesday, a woman launched an election campaign before a mixed male and female audience in an unprecedented scene since the beginning of the democratic life in the country 44 years ago."
Arabic News: Politics: "Egypt's Prime minister Ahmed Nazif told BBC's Hard Talk that the Egyptians do not want politcial parties based on religion, race, or color, saying politics on these basis can have negative consequences to society."
Wisdom in politics. What a rarity! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Arabic News: Politics: "The Jordanian authorities banned the entry of scores of Palestinian families evacuating from Iraq, fleeing repression and violence."
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "The region is experiencing heightened sectarian tensions, expanding Islamic militancy, and high levels of anti-Western hostility.
Iraq is the war that keeps on giving, more conflict and more conflict and more conflict! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "Six people, including five security officers, are killed in a roadside blast in north-west Pakistan, police say."
Arabic News: Politics: "A New York Times (www.NYTimes.com) report said yesterday that "Exiled Syrian opposition leaders announced the creation of a united front on Friday to form a transitional government to bring about 'regime change' from President Bashar al-Assad to democracy.""
Arabic News: Politics: "Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said on Thursday Syria has cooperated with the international investigating into the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri."
Arabic News: Politics: "The US President George W. Bush on Saturday denounced any moves by Iran or Syria to interfere in Iraq's effort to build a democracy."
He can warn all he wants. But, he does not have the military manpower to back up such warnings. So, what does this say about American might? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Arabic News: Politics: "Syria on Friday brushed aside the US decision to sever links to the state-owned Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS)."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "A bomb set off by suspected Kurdish guerrillas killed three people and injured 18 Thursday in Turkey's Kurdish-dominated southeast, ..."
BBC: World: "Not much of the money pledged a year ago by donors has reached south Sudan, the United Nations admits."
Washington Post: Today's Highlights: "Despite recent alarm over Dubai firm's ports deal, U.S. trade deficit has been drawing a flood of oil wealth from Arab countries to American shores."
Looks like Middle Eastern countries are taking a lesson from the Chinese. Make America dependent upon their money, and how can the U.S. refuse them in the future? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "The Pakistani army says 19 more militants have been killed in clashes in the restive tribal area of North Waziristan."
CNN: World: "Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf ripped the president of neighboring Afghanistan on Sunday, telling CNN that Hamid Karzai is "totally oblivious of what is happening in his own country.""
How dare he talk about Bush's Afghan Man that way, after all the millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars Bush gave to Musharaaf? One has to ask why Musharaaf isn't concerned about biting the hand that feeds him. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
The Washington Times: World: "One of this Persian Gulf city's most pro-U.S. business leaders, he says he has been questioning his admiration for America since Dubai's bid to manage six U.S. ports ignited a firestorm in Washington."
I have just five words Dubai, "Money can't buy you love". Love is earned. Of late, the UAE has been sending all the right signals. But, like any solid relationship, trust takes time, and the passage of deeds respected. 45 days is simply not long enough!!! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Arabic News: Politics: ""Iran attaches special importance to its political, economic and cultural relations with Syria. The two sides have always desired to expand their relations," he said."
Arabic News: Politics: "Secular opposition groups in Syria on Tuesday rejected a US plan to allocate five million dollars to pro-reform activists."
BBC: World: "US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way to Egypt at the start of a five-day Middle East tour."
The problem here is that she speaks and negotiates with the leaders of these countries, but, its the hearts and minds of the people that need to be reached. And that is virtually impossible as long as new photos of American sponsored torture of Muslims, and defiance toward shutting down Guantanamo Bay, and rendition tactics continue to make headlines in the Middle Eastern press. Our administration shot itself in the foot and these actions continue to undermine Rice's efforts to placate Middle Eastern nations. She may negotiate deals with the heads of state, but, slowing or reversing Islamic distrust and hate for the US is not in the cards for the foreseeable future. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
Newsweek: World News: "From Gaza to Baghdad, the aim used to be to crush all extremists militarily. But now that Hamas is in government, weapons include money%u2014and fruit."
So, the Bush policy is: If you can't beat them into submission, put them on the American taxpayers welfare system? Why is it OK there, but, not here? Confusing, ain't it? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "Syria switches all of its government forex transactions to euros from dollars amid a long-running political stand-off with the US."
Reuters: Top News: "DAMASCUS (Reuters) - A year after the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, Syria is sending a defiant signal to the world by naming as vice-president a man who rarely shies away from verbal confrontation with the West.
CBS News: "After nearly two weeks of protests over European newspapers' cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, the rhetoric of Islamic leaders has intensified across the Muslim world."
CNN: World: "Israel wants Hamas to recognize its right to exist; Palestinians want an end to "Islamophobia" -- so said representatives of the two governments, sharing a panel at a Washington think tank."
BBC: World: "US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Iran and Syria are fuelling Muslim anger in the cartoon row."
Does she mean the political heads of state of these two nations are fueling it? Or, does she mean that members of their socieities are fueling the protests. The difference is huge. President Bush has little control over the hate talk that Democrats and Republicans sling back and forth at each other. Same would be true in Syria and Iran. Now, if the heads of state are upset over the cartoons and expressing their dismay, then by all means, take them to the U.N., slap on sanctions, and prepare for invasion, or better yet, just nuke 'em and make it a humane war. -- Yeah, right! -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CBS News: "Muslim protests over caricatures of Islam's Prophet Mohammed that appeared in European newspapers continued Monday, leaving one dead in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Lebanon apologized to Denmark after demonstrators torched its embassy in Beirut."
The Washington Times: World: "Rage against caricatures of Islam's revered prophet poured out across the Muslim world yesterday, with Muslims calling for executions, storming European buildings and setting European flags afire."
"The West is the Best" Jim Morrison of The Doors sang. But, it would appear today, it is only those in the West who still subscribe to that view. The West seems hell bent on making the rest of the world its enemy, and succeeding at an alarming rate. The arrogance and utter lack of education and sensitivity by Westerners toward Eastern cultures is finally taking its toll. It began after WWII and was revealed in a move called, The Ugly American starring Marlon Brando. And in a two steps forward, one step back fashion, the West has marched inexorably toward the use of its might to force the rest of the world to emulate it or war with it.
The decision to war with the West instead of emulate it, is one gaining currency in the Middle East and East, as a new cold war and arms race begins between the US and China and Iran defies the West to make good on its threat of submit or war. -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
BBC: World: "Syrians torch the Danish embassy to protest against the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad."
Arabic News: Politics: "The Daily Telegraph reported that "Newspapers across Europe yesterday defended what one editor called the 'right to blasphemy' by printing Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that have provoked fury in the Arab world.""
Freedom of speech will definitely not be a part of Middle Eastern democracies, which begs the question, can they be democracies without it? -- David R. Remer, PoliWatch.Org.
CNN: World: "The international storm over cartoon drawings of the Prophet Mohammad published in European media gathered pace across the Islamic world Thursday with angry demonstrations and threats to kidnap westerners."
New York Times: International News: "Afghanistan is expected to sign an agreement this week with donor countries that outlines an ambitious five-year plan for social, economic and political change."
BBC: World: "Following the death of Kuwait's long-standing ruler, Jonathan Fryer assesses the pressure from traditionalists for the country to undo recent reforms."
BBC: World: "Syria's military intelligence chief has his US assets frozen for allegedly backing terrorism in Lebanon and Iraq."
BBC: World: "Egypt agrees to free Sudanese women and children migrants among those violently arrested earlier this month."
CNN: World: "As expected, Iran said it would resume its nuclear research program Monday, according to a government spokesman."
BBC: World: "Former Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam says he wants to oust Assad through a popular uprising."
Arabic News: Politics: "A high ranking Syrian official said that Syria's President Bashar al-Assad will not respond to the request made by the chairman of the UN investigation committee into the murder of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, to meet with him."
CNN: World: "Iran's chief nuclear negotiator has rejected a Russian offer to produce nuclear fuel in its plants for Iran, the latest effort to resolve a diplomatic impasse over Tehran's nuclear program."
BBC: World: "Syria's ruling Baath party expels former vice-president Abdul Khalim Khaddam after an outspoken TV interview."
Arabic News: Politics: "Tehran's substitute Friday Prayers Leader Ahmad Khatami said today the Iranian nation will defend its inalienable nuclear rights to last drop of its blood."
Arabic News: Politics: "Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said today there can be no pre-conditions to Iran entering into nuclear talks with the European countries, adding that Iran's stand has been well defined, IRNA reported."
ABC News: Politics: "Hadley Hopes Iraq Vote Will Help Spread 'Ideology of Freedom'"
Reuters: Top News: "KABUL (Reuters) - Former warlords, ex-communists, Taliban defectors and women activists were sworn in on Monday as members of the first Afghan parliament in more than 30 years amid hopes of national reconciliation after decades of bloodshed."
Reuters: Top News: "ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Gulf Arab leaders will call on Iran to shun nuclear weapons to avoid more instability in the energy-rich region already affected by volatility in Iraq, a senior official said on Saturday."
CNN: World: "Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has described the Holocaust as "a myth" and suggested that Israel be moved to Europe, Canada or Alaska."
CNN: World: "The latest report from U.N. investigator Detlev Mehlis says investigators still believe that "top-ranked Syrian and Lebanese officials" were involved in the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri."
Toronto Star: World: "However much Syrians despise the bare-knuckle corruption that passes for national leadership, they will support their president, even if it means enduring UN sanctions. Mitch Potter reports."
Christian Science Monitor: All Stories: "President Ahmadinejad is proving too radical even for some Iranian conservatives."
CNN: World: "Iran will allow one of its fiercest critics, the United States, to bid on the construction of a nuclear plant, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Sunday in his weekly press briefing."
CBS News: "Iran's top nuclear official said Saturday that Tehran has no intention of abandoning its nuclear program, despite the U.S.-led international campaign for it to stop. Iran says the program is aimed at generating electricity."
USATODAY.com News - Top Stories: "Iran is closing in on production of nuclear weapons and even U.N. sanctions may not deter the aggressive government in Tehran, ..."
Toronto Star: World: "ZAGAZIG, Egypt %u2014 Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas as they fought to stop voters from reaching polling stations on the final day of Egypt's three-stage parliamentary elections today. Two people were killed."
BBC: World: "Iran's government has approved plans to build a second nuclear power plant, state media reports."
BBC: World: "Women in Saudi Arabia are taking part in an election, both as voters and as candidates, for the first time."
CNN: World: "Read full story for latest details."
Reuters: Top News: "BARCELONA (Reuters) - A mass stay-away by Arab leaders from the first Euro-Mediterranean summit on Sunday highlighted the difficulties of strengthening the European Union's decade-old partnership with its southern neighbors."
New York Times: International News: "Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said that the Bush administration should be tried on war crimes charges and that it had no right to question Iran's nuclear program."
New York Times: International News: "Police officers attacked an opposition demonstration in Azerbaijan's capital, beating and chasing away thousands of unarmed people."
Reuters: Top News: "RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Palestinians formally opened on Friday a border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt that will allow Gazans to travel abroad freely for the first time since Israel occupied the coastal territory in 1967."
BBC: World: "Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood group says it won 13 seats outright in the second stage of parliamentary elections."
BBC: World: "Iran starts processing uranium into a gas that can be enriched into nuclear bomb material, diplomats say."
Independent: World News: "The New York Times has published allegations that Iran is attempting to build a nuclear warhead. The claims come less than two weeks before a decision by the UN nuclear watchdog on whether to report Tehran to the Security Council over its suspected weapons programme."
The Washington Times: World: "Saudi Arabia has agreed to end all economic boycotts of Israel, allowing the World Trade Organization yesterday to admit the oil-rich kingdom as its 149th member, diplomats said."
Reuters: Top News: "MANAMA (Reuters) - A Middle East reform conference promoted by the United States ended in confusion on Saturday without a final declaration after Egypt tried to introduce language which Washington said would restrict aid groups."
World Press Review: Breaking News: "Islamic Republic News Agency, Government-owned news agency of Tehran, Iran"
CNN: World: "Read full story for latest details."
Independent: World News: "The extremist ideologues running Iran have sent out further aggressive messages to the West, by announcing they will begin processing a fresh batch of uranium and naming a novice to head its all-important oil ministry."
CNN: World: "Thousands of Iranians stage anti-Israel protests across the country and repeat calls by their ultraconservative president demanding the Jewish state's destruction. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- marching with the protesters -- signaled he stood by his remarks, even as Iranian officials tried to defuse the issue."
Reuters: Top News: "LONDON (Reuters) - Europe strongly condemned Iran's president on Thursday for saying Israel should be wiped out and said the call raised concerns about the aims of a country the West suspects is planning to build an atomic bomb."
Arabic News: Politics: "The Lebanese Druze leader and parliamentarian Walid Junblat rejected likely sanctions against Syria, over the involvement of some officials in the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, to cover the entire Syrian people, and considered that the common history between the Lebanese and Syrian people is stronger than "the handful of evils.""
The Washington Times: World: "Thousands of police manned barricades around Christian churches in Egypt's second largest city yesterday, a day after Muslim rioters attacked churches and shops, leaving four persons dead in the country's worst relig
