An executive order signed by President Barack Obama to close the Guantanamo Bay facility is expected within the year. A draft order of the proposal is already in circulation. This comes shortly after the new administration's suspension of military trials of 9/11 terror suspects held at the Cuban outpost. Logistical concerns remain about where those to be freed should be released. Yet more troublesome is the thorny issue of where the prisoners of the "war on terror" should be held, if not in the extra-jurisdictional detention centre. A further executive order is expected to ban abusive methods of interrogation, while a review of detention centre policy is also in the pipelines.
Disputed Gaza tunnels: fuel to a diminishing fire? Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.
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Israel has warned of a renewed military offensive if tunnels into Gaza are continued to be used for smuggling weapons into the strip. However, Palestinians claim that the closure of its borders by Israel means that the tunnels are the only viable means of passage for essential supplies of food and fuel to devastated Gaza. It is estimated that around 50,000 Gazans are homeless. The UN had forcefully added its voice to the worldwide reproach of Israeli action, especially after attacks on the UN compound. It called for the opening of all crossings to allow the entry of building materials and international aid to begin the process of reconstruction. The recent agreement says nothing about re-opening crossings, ensuring that it will be yet another point of contention.
Pakistani capture 7/7 bombing mastermind
Seven suspected al-Qaeda operatives have been captured near Peshawar in north-western Pakistan in a joint mission by Pakistani intelligence and the CIA. The raid is said to have foiled planned attacks on supply convoys for western forces in Afghanistan. Among those held is a senior Saudi al-Qaeda suspect, Zabiul Taifi, who is credited with the devising of the 7/7 bombings in London. The activity of Pakistani security services comes after the Mumbai attacks, which saw India demand that Pakistan make real efforts to go after terrorist groups on its own soil. Perhaps more persuasive than India has been Obama's suggestion that, if necessary, he will be willing to send US troops into the northwest of Pakistan to confront al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters - with or without Pakistani consent.
Apology for Armenia sparks forbearance and fury
An online petition launched by leading Turkish academics and intellectuals to apologize for the Great Armenian Catastrophe during World War I has been signed by over 27,000 people. While "genocide" is omitted from the cautiously constructed text, thousands are putting pen to paper to recognize the injustice of the Catastrophe and the insensitivity of its denial. While there may be widespread empathy, there has also been no shortage of criticism. The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, did not deem an apology necessary, which was seconded by senior army officials. There may even be legal troubles ahead if an Article 301 "insult to the Turkish nation" claim stands up to scrutiny. While elements of Turkish society have shown themselves to be above selective national amnesia, others have demonstrated enduring strains of intolerance. The issue of the Armenian "genocide" has opened a great rift in Turkey's democracy.
The civilian cost of the Tigers' struggle
Concerns that 250,000 civilians will potentially be caught in the cross-fire between the Tamil Tiger rebels and the government backed army in northern Sri Lanka were sadly realized today. The shelling of a makeshift hospital in the rebel-held Mullaitivu district led to the deaths of as many as fifty civilians, despite the recent designation of "safe zones" by the army to avert such an eventuality. The army hotly denies responsibility for the deaths. Government forces are closing in on the Tiger stronghold - an area to which UN workers have been denied safe passage by the rebels.
India denies link between Kashmir and wider security concerns
India has rejected UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband's suggested link between security in South Asia and the Kashmir dispute. His advice that a resolution to the Kashmir issue would help to dampen extremists' call to arms in the region and allow Pakistani authorities to focus their military efforts on the lawless north-western frontier was not well received by New Delhi. India advocated action against states sponsoring terrorism in a bid to encourage the international community to up the ante on Islamabad. This comes shortly after a second dossier of intelligence on the November Mumbai attacks was shared with the US and Indian allies, but not as yet with Pakistan.
