> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Cheney on the march - URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/cheney-on-the-march/ - Published: 2007-07-16T16:07:29.000Z - Updated: 2019-02-14T22:56:43.000Z - Author: terrorism.openDemocracy Terrorism.opendemocracy - Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 19:37 **Cheney: threaten Iran** The internal debate in the White House over policy towards Iran has tilted in a more hawkish direction. While both Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Secretary of Defence Bob Gates support an intensified diplomatic offensive, Vice President Dick Cheney seems to have persuaded George W Bush that Tehran must be confronted with [**military threats**](http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2127115,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront&ref=opendemocracy.net). Cheney and Bush were displeased with analysis that suggested that the path of negotiations would take until 2009 to reach a definitive outcome. Both want to affect a change in Iran's nuclear stance before they step out of office in 18 months.To receive our daily security briefings, click [here](mailto:kanishk.tharoor@opendemocracy.net?subject=Subscribe&body=Please%20add%20me%20to%20the%20toD%20security%20briefing%20list.%20Thanks.). **Militants call off the Waziristan accord** Pashtun militants in the northwestern "tribal" areas of Pakistan have ended their involvement in a controversial pact signed with the Pakistani government in September 2006\. The Waziristan Accord allowed locals a degree of autonomy in the restive region in exchange for not harbouring foreign Islamist militants. Critics inside and outside Pakistan have argued that the Accord has since speeded the [**"Talibanisation"**](http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1109582474&ref=opendemocracy.net) of the northwest. In the aftermath of the bitter Lal Masjid dispute, militants in the northwest have stepped up [**attacks**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7A2E7525-CAAA-4A97-BD15-A1FA2AA10BDB.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) against Pakistani security forces in the region, marking the Islamabad's attempts to negotiate with the borderland fighters. Thousands have [**fled**](http://www.dawn.com/2007/07/16/rss.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net#16) the fighting. The United States has pledged to [**assist**](http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1109806198&ref=opendemocracy.net) Islamabad as much as possible in its fight against militants in the northwest. **Indo-Iranian-Pak Gas deal reached** Negotiators from Iran, Pakistan and India have finally reached agreement on the establishment of a gas pipeline through the three countries. The deal was held up over a dispute about pricing, which has since been resolved with the adoption of [**the price of natural gas in Japan**](http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Business/?id=1.0.1109739005&ref=opendemocracy.net) as a suitable yardstick. **Blasts rock oil city of Kirkuk** Two separate bomb blasts have killed at least 80 people and injured over 100 in the northern Iraqi city of [**Kirkuk**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D0571C5D-40CF-4BDE-A254-A0BD465AE2CB.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net). The strategically important city is claimed by a number of sectarian groups. US forces have launched a new operation, [**"Marne Avalance"**](http://www.dawn.com/2007/07/16/rss.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net#13), against al-Qaida affiliated militants in the farmland south of Baghdad, in a bid to stem the flow of weapons and supplies to fighters in the south of the city. **Australia defies bail order in keeping Haneef** After a magistrates court in Brisbane found no clear link between him and the failed bombings in London and Glasgow, Australian officials continue to keep Indian doctor [**Muhammad Haneef**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/46759671-C8D2-41A7-9CF9-39A10C062434.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) in detention despite the suspect having posted bail. Two men arrested on 2 July in connection with the failed bombings have been released [**without charge**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B3ABCC85-6A74-419E-9B6F-9AD2C115CE4E.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net). **NZ-Malay security pact** New Zealand and Malaysia have pledged to step up [counter-terrorism coordination](http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KLR275751.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net), as New Zealander Prime Minister Helen Clark visits Kuala Lumpur. **Santiago UK embassy blast** A small bomb exploded outside the [**British embassy**](http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16521424.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) in the Chilean capital Santiago. Minor damage was caused to the building, but no casualties were reported. **Nepal's Maoists gain political legitimacy** In a further step towards the [**political reconciliation**](http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL13380.htm?&%5Flite%5F=1&ref=opendemocracy.net) of the bitter civil war that claimed thousands of live in Nepal, the former rebel Maoists are now officially registered as a political party. **To close or not to close?** The [**Council on Foreign Relations**](http://feeds.cfr.org/%7Er/cfr%5Fmain/%7E3/133089066/should%5Fguantanamo%5Fbay%5Fbe%5Fclosed.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) website hosts a lively debate on the future of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. Sixteen inmates at Gitmo from Saudi Arabia have been [**returned**](http://www.dawn.com/2007/07/16/rss.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net#19) to the custody of Saudi officials. **UK security chief call for longer detentions** Lord West, the UK's new security minister, has called for an [**extension**](http://politics.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,2127410,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront&ref=opendemocracy.net) of the 28-day limit for holding terrorism suspects without charge. New prime minister Gordon Brown has pledged to revisit the issue in the autumn. **Ethiopia jails 35 opposition leaders for life** An Ethiopian court sentenced [**35 opposition politicians**](http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Ethiopia-Opposition.html?ex=1342238400&en=7b989f6d2f3f2de8&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&ref=opendemocracy.net) to life in prison and banned them from further involvement in political life after they were convicted for "inciting violence" in an effort to topple the government. **Humanitarian hawks?** The left-of centre *Nation* magazine critiques the [**unholy alliance**](http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/TheNationEdPicks/%7E3/133672313/hayden?ref=opendemocracy.net) between the US military and the academics at Harvard's Carr Centre for Human Rights.