Attack complicates new sanctions on Iran By Barbara Slavin WASHINGTON – Israel’s lethal confrontation with pro-Palestinian activists in the Mediterranean is complicating United States strategy toward Iran and undermining the likelihood of a solid sanctions victory at the United Nations. US officials sought on Tuesday to separate the two issues and said they are still actively pursuing a fourth round of punitive measures against Iran in the UN Security Council. “We intend to continue to move ahead a resolution in New York focused squarely on the reality – that Iran has thus far been unwilling to engage with the international … Continue reading Nethanyahu complicates new sanctions on Iran

By Aunohita Mojumdar KABUL – The three-day peace jirga (council) that began on Wednesday is being projected by the international community – at least officially – as a critical moment in Afghanistan’s history. The Taliban, it seems, also gave the event priority, launching a three-man suicide squad armed with rockets at the opening ceremony. Two blasts and sporadic gunfire were heard in the air-conditioned tent as Karzai delivered his opening address, while a third took place just 200 meters from the venue. “Sit down, nothing will happen,” said the Aghan president. “I have become used to this. Even my three-year-old … Continue reading Afghans talk, Taliban shoot

By Simon Thurlow Until Monday morning, the Mavi Marmara (Blue Marmara) had an undistinguished, if industrious, career. Relentlessly plying Istanbul’s passenger routes, the ship carried hundreds of thousands of commuters and holidaymakers through the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. It is doubtful whether any of those passengers would have remembered her name; they were certainly not aware that they were on board one of a very select group of sea-going vessels that have permanently altered world politics. The list includes the HMS Victory, the Bismarck, the General Belgrano – and now the Mavi Marmara. Nearing the end of her … Continue reading Israel founders in international waters

Train terror puts India’s Maoists on defensive By Sudha Ramachandran BANGALORE – Despite a string of successful attacks in recent weeks, India’s Maoists are on the defensive. A horrific train crash, which they are believed to have triggered, has evoked widespread condemnation, including from those who the government describes as “Maoist sympathizers”. Public outrage over the high casualties – about 148 people were killed and over 200 injured – seems to have prompted the Maoists to distance themselves from the attack. Early on Friday morning, the Mumbai-bound Jnaneshwari Express derailed at Jhagram in West Bengal‘s West Midnapore district, a Maoist … Continue reading India’s Maoists on defensive

Syed Saleem Shahzad ISLAMABAD – Over the past few years the Palestinian issue, which has seen the rise of the fundamentalist Hamas in Gaza, has in many respects been downgraded from an international conflict into a complex local issue. Israel’s deadly attack on Monday on an unarmed Turkish aid ship trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza has overnight changed this, sparking protest rallies across the Muslim world. Even the biggest facilitator of the Gaza siege, Israel’s ally Egypt, reacting to the protests, opened the Rafah border crossing into Gaza. The incident has also turned the spotlight on the … Continue reading Israeli strike echoes in Pakistan

Too many French willing to fit the xenophobic cliche A survey confirming the casual racism of many French people highlights how mainstream prejudice is in the country Nabila Ramdani guardian.co.uk, Jean-Marie Le Pen is often portrayed as a plain speaking representative of the still beating heart of provincial France. Photograph: Stephane Danna/AFP/Getty ImagesThose who perpetuate Gallic cliches about moody waiters, femmes fatales, and bolshie trade unionists will be delighted by the results of a new survey highlighting the enduringly xenophobic nature of the French. According to the influential research institute BVA, one in seven admits to being “at least a … Continue reading French willing to fit the xenophobic cliche?

A muted response to minority killings by Sana Saleem dawn.com Incomprehensible. That is the only word I can use to express my feelings about the indifference of people, the authorities, and the media towards the attacks against the Ahmadi community in Lahore on Friday. Attacks that were carried out in broad daylight, killing over 90 people and injuring many others. Attacks that turned into a hostage situation with over 1500 people at risk of being killed or fatally injured. I am disappointed that there is no one to protest and lament the killings, especially since the Ahmadi community seems to … Continue reading Are Ahmadis better Pakistanis than Mullahs?

By Irfan Husain dawn.com Protesters hold Palestinian and Turkish flags during a rally to denouncing Israel’s attack on an aid ship bound for Gaza. – AP Photo For Israel, the tectonic plates shifted on Monday when its ham-fisted attempt to prevent the Freedom Flotilla from reaching Gaza blew up in its face. The fallout from its lethal commando raid on the Mavi Marmara is still spreading around the world as it scrambles to escape the consequences of a public relations disaster of the first magnitude. Judging from the enormous negative coverage the incident is receiving here in the UK and … Continue reading Turkey holds Israel to account

By Nasir Jamal and Shakeel Ahmed dawn.com “Most analyses have acknowledged the presence of strong sympathies for Jihadi and sectarian elements in south Punjab,” anIslamabad-based security analyst said. — Photo by Reuters Provinces Shahbaz assails police, security agencies Shahbaz assails police, security agencies LAHORE: The Shahbaz Sharif government appears to be reluctant to take action against the banned sectarian and Jihadi organisations operating in Punjab in spite of evidence that these may have been involved in many terrorist attacks in the province recently and may have strong links with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Sharif government’s unwillingness to deal with … Continue reading Punjab ignoring CID report on terror groups

Book Review: Europe in another light –By Dr Amjad Parvez Nai Aalami Taaqat By Ansar Mahmood Bhatti Akaas Publishers Islamabad; Pp 372 When we look at the original composition of the European Union (EU), it comprised Germany, France, Luxemburg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Ireland and Greece. In 2004, the additions were Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus. In 2007, Romania and Bulgaria were added. The candidate countries are Turkey, Croatia and Macedonia. Ansar Mahmood Bhatti has written a book titled, Nai Aalami Taaqat, which comprises his articles written … Continue reading Nai Aalami Taaqat