The State Department released last night a new official position on the anti-racism Durban II conference that previously singled-out Israel leading to boycotts from numerous countries including the United States, Israel, and Canada. The new position states that multiple improvements in the draft outcome document for the conference occurred, including removal of references to one […]
ON Saturday, March 11, a convoy of 10 double-cabin four-wheel drive pick-up trucks loaded with Taliban armed with every description of portable weapons — Kalashnikovs, rocket launchers, heavy machine guns — drove from Daggar the headquarters of Buner district to the villages of Sohawa and Dagai in Buner. It entered Swabi district at Jhanda village, […]
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari approved a controversial Sharia regulation for the Malakand division of the North West Frontier Province on Monday after the National Assembly asked for what seemed to be a clear concession to Taliban militants of the Swat valley to implement a peace deal between them and the provincial government. The president […]
Egyptian authorities have arrested a group of 49 people accused of plotting attacks on it’s soil. The suspects are alleged to be part of the Lebanese Shiite resistance movement Hizballah. The group’s alleged leader, Sami Shihab, was confirmed as a being a Hizballah operative by Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in a speech last friday. “Brother […]
A colleague here at FPA brought to my attention last week proposed legislation in the US congress regarding Afghanistan-Pakistan duty-free areas that looks like it may have promise. The legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Chris Van Hollen, would open up segments of Afghan-Pakistan territory to be free trade or duty-free zones. In other words, certain products […]
A recent interview with Hamas leader Khalid Meshal denotes a potentially change in posture by the terror group. While the organization continues to imprison abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, launches rockets into southern Israel, and plans additional terror strikes, perhaps Western pressure and legitimacy vis-a-vis President Obama’s approach could force Hamas to moderate its stance. […]
Terrorists are carrying out attacks inside Pakistan with incredible ease and stunning accuracy. Taliban are seizing more and more territory everyday. The sense of security and protection in the country is long gone. Everyone in Pakistan is nervous, and nobody knows how and when, if ever, life will become stable or normal. Not only are […]
In a somewhat rare state-sponsored rally, over 8,000 students gathered in Beijing’s Olympic Park last Saturday to show their commitment to environmental protection. The event launched the newest phase of the “Green Long March,” an ongoing effort to bring youth together and initiate a grassroots-esque environmental conservation movement nationwide. Working with the Communist Youth League’s […]
Every interaction with Israelis this week began and ended identically, with a smile and a warm exchange of “Chag sameach,” happy holiday. Israelis, secular and religious, heralded the opportunity to vacation to the southern resort-town of Eilat, spend a few nights with the family in a cabin in the Galilee, or at least picnic with […]
ISLAMABAD: Differences over India’s enhanced role in Afghanistan led to the drift in strategic relations between Pakistan and the United States that caught public eye after prickly Foreign Minister Qureshi pointed towards a trust deficit between the two allies and asked the senior partner for a fair treatment based on mutual trust and respect. Background […]
In sad news for both Russia and Tajikistan, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports that at least 300 labor migrants from Tajikistan’s Sughd Province have died in Russia since January 1, 2008. More than half were killed by nationalist skinheads while the rest, about 140, died in accidents or from natural causes. Many deaths are not investigated […]
The holiday spirit engulfed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, with both sides expressing eagerness for peace. A telephone call between new Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas was described as ‘warm.’ Even Netanyahu, regarded as a hawkish right-winger whose commitment to a two-state solution remains questionable, informed Abbas that he would […]
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