Seth Jones attempts to show how we got here. "In the Graveyard of Empires" echoes some of Mr. Obama's campaign themes. "The United States," Mr. Jones writes, faulting President Bush's policy after 2003, "shifted resources and attention to Iraq and allowed the Taliban, al Qaeda and other insurgent groups to rebuild in Afghanistan and Pakistan." He does not go on to prove this claim, but his narrative lays bare the hard choices that American policymakers have faced -- from the collapse of the Taliban two months after 9/11 right up until today.
Video: Taliban execute Swat tribal leader
Pir Samiullah was one of the few tribal leaders to put up significant resistance to Mullah Fazlullah and Ibn Amin. He and his lieutenants were brutally murdered and mutilated while the Pakistani Army stood by.
Despite this support from Republicans who want to ensure that the United States does not desert Iraq or Afghanistan before the job is done, recent comments by Obama administration officials indicate that the administration’s approach may not continue to be so worthy of praise.
US releases five Iranian detainees in Iraq
The US military, which has long accused Iran of funding and equipping Shia insurgents in Iraq, had arrested the five at an office in the Kurdish city on January 11, 2007.
Iran refuses to back down 'one step' in nuclear row
Iran will not back down "even one step" over its nuclear work, a senior adviser to the country's top authority said in remarks published on Thursday, making clear Tehran's continued defiance in a row with the West.
Shiite clerical establishment supports Khamenei
While a handful of marginal clerics and religious groups dispute the official result of Iran's recent presidential election, the Shiite clerical establishment as a whole currently supports Iran's top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Although this support has been demonstrated through silence, the fact that most Shiite clerics have not intervened in the public debate over the election or the government's use of force against protesters has been particularly effective in strengthening Khamenei's position.
Egypt nabs Palestinian-led terror cell 'plotting Suez attacks'
Egyptian authorities have arrested 25 al-Qaida-linked terrorists on suspicion of plotting attacks on oil pipelines and ships crossing the Suez Canal.
Egypt arrests cell over Suez terror plot
The ministry said the new cell is headed by a Palestinian and includes 24 Egyptians, mostly engineers and technicians, and it had contacts with militants in the Gaza Strip as well.
EU retracts statement on settlements
An EU official's statement earlier this week that settlements are strangling the Palestinian economy and costing the EU taxpayers money by fostering PA dependency on European aid does not reflect the opinion of the European Commission and was not issued with Brussels' approval, Israel's envoy to the EU was told Wednesday.
US, Israel settlement deal emerging
According to senior government officials, under this type of solution, Israel would declare a moratorium of a few months on the settlement issue, possibly half a year, while the US would give Israel a green light to complete a still-to-be-determined number of housing units in the settlements that are in advanced stages of construction.
Palestinians reject Netanyahu's 'economic peace' plan
According to a senior political source, all contacts on economic issues with Palestinian officials are carried out through the Quartet's special envoy, Tony Blair. Even though the former British prime minister is pressing the Palestinians to meet with the Israelis, he has been unsuccessful.
More and more Mideast affairs researchers are today willing to respond to the question about whether the Palestinians want a state with a “no.” Some of them offer a hesitant “no,” while others offer a resounding “no.”
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