Monday, January 31, 2011

Arrest of American Accused of Shooting Two Pakistani Robbers Fuels New Islamist Protests

The arrest of an American citizen accused of shooting dead two Pakistanis has been seized upon by Islamists and others critical of their country’s ties with the United States, triggering mass demonstrations by protestors angered by rumors that the man may be freed. Read

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Waiting in the Wings?

In a bid to galvanize Egypt’s anti-government revolt, opposition parties are pressing reformer Mohamed ElBaradei to assume the helm of a transitional movement – and the Muslim Brotherhood reportedly is supporting him, too. Read

Friday, January 28, 2011

Iranian Media Hail Egypt ‘Revolution’

Media in the Arab world are generally reporting cautiously on the protests rocking Egypt following the shakeup in Tunisia, but those in Iran are giving the turmoil prominent, almost gleeful, coverage. Read

Thursday, January 27, 2011

U.S. Ties With Vietnam Strengthen Despite Communist Nation’s Crackdown on Dissidents

The lengthy prison term given to a Vietnamese democracy campaigner Wednesday is the second incident in three weeks to raise questions about the communist government’s commitment to democratic reform and free expression. Read

Obama Administration Cautiously Shifts Its Stance on Egypt’s Upheaval

Signaling a slight shift in its public approach to the unrest in Egypt, the Obama administration has begun to gently prod President Hosni Mubarak’s autocratic government, a longstanding U.S. ally, towards reform. Read

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Ban Ki-Moon and U.N. Human Rights Council Face Critical Scrutiny

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday tried to shore up his human rights credentials, amid growing criticism of both his own approach towards promoting rights as well as the workings of the U.N.’s top human rights body. Read

Egyptian Protests Look Set to Spread After Violent Clashes

Protest organizers in Egypt called early Wednesday for a two-day national strike after a day of sometimes violent demonstrations described by observers as the most significant popular challenge to the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Read

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Hezbollah ‘Coup’ Poses New Challenges for U.S., U.N.

Two months after Israel’s top military officer warned of a potential Hezbollah “coup” in Lebanon, the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Shi’ite militia is poised to take de facto control of the government in Beirut, without having fired a shot. Read

Monday, January 24, 2011

Leaked Negotiation Papers Undermine Palestinian Maneuvering at U.N.

A Palestinian Authority plan to push for a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity was dramatically upstaged Sunday by the embarrassing leak of secret P.A. negotiating records. Read

Republican-Controlled Congressional Committee Targets United Nations

Two years after they promoted and hailed the incoming Obama administration’s steps to revitalize the U.S. relationship with the United Nations, engagement advocates are on the defensive this week as the new Republican majority in the House Foreign Affairs Committee turns a spotlight on the world body. Read