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President Obama's Department of Justice will uphold the states secret defense used by Bush to prevent a lawsuit by five individuals who claim to have been tortured abroad under the controversial “extraordinary rendition” program. The states secret privilege, developed by the Supreme Court in  1953, entitles the US government to block all evidence from ever […]

Among the several tacks that Obama and Co. are taking on climate change, one very critical one is in international relations.  The State Department has named its envoy on climate change, Todd Stern, and the Secretary of State is heading to Asia next week for extensive meetings in Japan, Indonesia, Korea and China.  Secretary Clinton […]

Yemen to Release About 170 al-Qaida Suspects Yemeni officials say they are releasing about 170 detainees with suspected ties to al-Qaida, two weeks after al-Qaida said it would use Yemen as its base of operations for the Arabian peninsula. India minister says “sincerity” needed to fight terror India and Bangladesh discussed on Monday setting up […]

Do you know someone who has truly been the change in children’s lives in your community, or around the globe? Now is the time to see that their hard work and dedication is honored by nominating them for a World of Children Award. Nomination categories include an award especially for youth under the age of […]

The Hamas-affiliated Palestinian Information Center (PIC) issued a report today alleging that a Hamas fighter died in the custody of Fatah security forces in the West Bank as a result of wounds suffered during torture. Citing a ‘local’ source  the PIC states that the individual, Muhammad Al-Haj, was being interrogated at the preventative security detention […]

Change is what the Obama campaign was advertising.  They won and I, for my part, am not complaining about false advertising.  I’ve been raving here (and here, and here, among other places) about how the new administration is really rolling up its sleeves and getting down to cases on climate change, renewables, the green economy, […]

The Better World Campaignm which is the sister organization of the United Nations Foundation, is looking for your input. For ten years now the UN Foundation, has worked to support the United Nations, by connecting people, ideas and resources in an effort to solve some of the most difficult global issues. Under the UN Foundation, a […]

The Children’s blog is looking for kids views on today’s issues and human rights, such as; peace, war, poverty, education, etc. If you are a teacher or parent, or even a child or teen, and would like to share your children’s views on current events then please e-mail Cassandra at [email protected] Sample questions and topics […]

In a recent post on terrorism and extremism in Pakistan, I noted a Pakistani diplomat had claimed India's evidence of Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai attack was fabricated, and the Pakistani government had issued a report concluding the government was not involved in planning the attack, nor was the attack planned on Pakistani territory. Perhaps […]

Lebanon’s two major opposition parties, Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), recently celebrated the third anniversary of their 2006 memorandum of understanding. This agreement brought together two seemingly disparate constituencies – one Shia and the other predominantly Christian – in what was commonly seen as a partnership of mere of political convenience. However, Al-Manar […]

The Jerusalem Post describes the Center for Security & International Studies’ report, drafted by Anthony Cordesman, here. The report concludes Israel used lawful force in pursuit of legitimate military ends, but expresses skepticism that Israel will achieve any lasting strategic benefit.

Xenophobe and racist Dutch MP Geert Wilders is at it again.   Wilders leads the right-wing Freedom Party. Last year he released a controversial film that slams the Koran.  At the time, Ernst Hirsch Ballin, the Dutch Minister of Justice, said Wilders had the right to make the film. Today, the story changes. His tirades against […]