Former militia leaders charged with war crimes
Two former leaders of a pro-government militia were charged with war crimes by Sierra Leone’s United Nations-backed Special Court on Thursday, though the men were acquitted of more serious charges of crimes against humanity.
To receive our daily security briefings, click hereRed Cross withdraws from Ogaden region
Swiss-based humanitarian agency, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has withdrawn its staff from Ethiopia’s restive Ogaden region, following a government order. Addis Ababa last week gave the agency seven days’ notice to leave, accusing the ICRC of consorting with rebel factions, an accusation which the agency denies.
Israel to discuss “fundamental issues” with Abbas
The United States has pledged $80m to President Mahmoud Abbas for reforming the Palestinian security services, with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice declaring after Thursday’s meeting with the leader that Israel is ready to discuss “fundamental issues” on creating a Palestinian state.
The massive US military deal with Arab states and Israel will benefit domestic friends and overseas adversaries, writes Paul Rogers on openDemocracy.
An illusive compromise in Turkey
In a parliament now home to 22 members of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), alongside 70 members of the right-wing Nationalist Action Party (MHP), finding a common ground on security policy vis-à-vis the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) “could put the ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party) in a tricky situation”, notes EurasiaNet.
Sunni Arab bloc resigns from Iraqi cabinet
Iraq’s Sunni Arab bloc has resigned from Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s cabinet. The move severely impacts upon the administration’s credentials as a national unity coalition, not to mention stalling any steps toward reconciliation. Rafaa al-Issawi, a leading member of the Iraqi Consensus Front, said that the decision was partly a response to the bloc’s lack of say on security issues.
US and British officials are pushing for extending the UN mandate in Iraq for a further year, as well as authorising the body to facilitate “regional dialogue, including on issues of border security, energy and refugees”.
A wave of bombings engulfed Baghdad on Wednesday, killing at least 76 people.
In a war beset by murky battle lines, the “snapshots” emerging from the Coalition counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq “can seem particularly contradictory”, notes The New York Times.
Pakistan: on the edge of a precipice?
Tension continues to mount in Pakistan, where fears of a civil war are in ascendance. “The country hasn’t had a crisis of this magnitude since the 1970s when East Pakistan split off and became Bangladesh”, notes Stephen Cohen of the Brookings Institution. “But in this case it’s an Islamist movement that wants to transform the country from within”.
The violent aftermath of the Lal Masjid siege in Islamabad is clarifying Pakistan's political battle-lines, says Irfan Husain on openDemocracy.
South Koreans to meet with Taliban
South Korean diplomats are purportedly scheduled to meet with the Taliban “for face-to-face talks to look for ways and solutions to free the South Korean nationals”.
The Taliban are not organised enough to issue calls for fresh reinforcements for its spring offensive in Afghanistan, remarks Maulana Sami ul-Haq, the ‘Father of the Taliban’. “They are living in caves. They lack proper communication and logistics systems, and that is why they do not want new recruits”. Read the full interview at Global Terrorism Analysis.
The seductions of militant Islamist rhetoric on the net need to be met by an appeal to reason founded in learned Islamic and democratic ideas, says Johnny Ryan on openDemocracy.
Separatists clash with security forces in Thailand
Ten people, including two soldiers, have been killed amid clashes between national security forces and separatist fighters in the Yala province of Thailand.
