January 29

Lee Smith: The Hitler test

The editors of magazines and newspapers have a responsibility as gatekeepers of polite society. It turns out the gatekeepers haven’t been vigilant. We live in a culture where the social taboo against anti-black racism is so fierce that violating the taboo means certain expulsion from polite company. But the very reverse process is taking place when it comes to anti-Semitism: The taboo is being rapidly eroded, and those who ought to confront it are enabling it.

. . . No doubt there are some in the Jewish community who would prefer that I—who, like Wright, am not Jewish—stay out of what they perceive to be essentially an intramural debate. Tough luck. This is not just about the Jews. Anti-Semitic ideas and language corrode our entire social fabric. It is my business. And there is something wrong with anyone, especially those who are not Jewish, who thinks this isn’t their problem as well.

'West implanted Israel into ME to control oil'

“Why did they install the Zionist regime (Israel)? To gain control over oil, as well as the popular and revolutionary uprisings in the Middle East,” Iranian news agency Press TV quoted Ahmadinejad as saying during a speech at a youth conference in Tehran.

Iran moving closer to stage where it will be too late to destroy nuclear facilities, Israel warns

"We are determined to prevent Iran from turning nuclear," he told the World Economic Forum in Davos. "And even the American president and opinion leaders have said that no option should be removed from the table.

"It seems to us to be urgent, because the Iranians are deliberately drifting into what we call an immunity zone where practically no surgical operation could block them."

Hamid Karzai plans Taliban talks in Saudi Arabia

Disclosure of the plan to open a separate channel comes amid continuing Afghan distrust of the Qatar initiative which several in Mr Karzai's inner circle believe is an attempt to reach a secret deal behind their backs.

Syria kills dozens in bombardment of border town

Rankous, a mountain town of 25,000 people, 19 miles north of Damascus, has been under tank bombardment since Wednesday, when it was besieged by several thousand troops led by the elite Fourth Division, under the command of President Bashar al-Assad's brother Maher, they said.

Arab League halts Syria monitoring mission

"Given the critical deterioration of the situation in Syria and the continued use of violence ... it has been decided to immediately stop the work of the Arab League's mission to Syria pending presentation of the issue to the league's council," the statement said.

The Free Syrian Army bleeds the Assad regime

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) is now engaged in combat in at least six of the country's fourteen governorates, inflicting greater losses on regime personnel and equipment than at any time since its involvement in the uprising began. Both its ranks and its popular support are growing, and its forces have the types of weapons they need for the kind of warfare they are conducting. Although it does not yet threaten the regime's survival, the militia has at least temporarily forced government troops out of some areas, including near the capital. In short, the FSA is helping to drive the process that will ultimately bring down the regime, and the international community should assist it in doing so.

This Week in History: Assad flattens Hama

In the early hours of February 3, 1982, a call to launch an uprising went out among Sunni rebels as thousands of government troops descended on the western Syrian city of Hama. The military offensive, ordered by then-Syrian president Hafez Assad, came after at least a decade of guerrilla and terror attacks against the regime, and two years after a nearly successful assassination attempt against the president. Tens of thousands of Syrians would be killed by the end of the month.

Egypt Islamists seek more gains in upper house polls

The Muslim Brotherhood, which was banned during his rule, won 47 percent of lower house seats, far more than any other party, and a low turnout on Sunday was blamed by some voters on the feeling that the upper house vote now mattered little.

Clashes erupt in Cairo during anti-army protest

Hundreds of Egyptian protesters demanding an immediate end to military rule clashed on Sunday with rivals in civilian clothes outside central Cairo's state media building, the same place where 25 people were killed in a demonstration in October.

Turkey may provide Hamas with $300 million in annual aid

Turkey may provide Hamas with $300 million in annual aid, Turkish sources report. The aid would take place of Iranian funding, which has been significantly reduced.

Meshal: Hamas won't tolerate Israeli schemes to turn Jordan into Palestinian homeland

Hamas chief Khaled Meshal on Sunday made his first official visit to Jordan since the kingdom expelled him more than a decade ago and after talks with King Abdullah insisted that Jordan will not be a substitute homeland for the Palestinians.

"We are happy with this new good start ... We are keen on building strong ties with Jordan and on its security, stability and interests," AFP quotes Meshal as saying in a statement after the meeting.

Khaled Abu Toameh: Mashaal in Amman: No Palestinian state in Jordan

"Jordan belongs to the Jordanians and Palestine to the Palestinians," Mashaal said in a message aimed at reassuring King Abdullah that Hamas does not challenge his monarchy.

Hamas leader visits Jordan for first time in 13 years

The leader of Hamas travelled to Jordan on his first official visit since he was expelled 13 years ago to meet with King Abdullah, amid persistent reports that the group is seeking to remove its long-term base from Damascus.

Hamas chief’s visit to Jordan marks culmination of Arab Spring aftermath

More than a reversal in state policy, the return of Hamas’ politburo chief to Amman marks the culmination of a year of regional and geopolitical shifts stretching from Rabat to Riyadh with lasting implications on Jordan’s position in the post-Arab Spring Middle East, according to analysts.

Since its appointment in October of last year, the Awn Khasawneh government has prioritised improving ties with Hamas, which have been “limited” since the 1999 expulsion of the movement’s leaders from Amman, a decision Khasawneh has referred to on numerous occasions as a “political and constitutional” mistake.

'Hamas denies it is quitting Syria HQ'

"Hamas has not taken any decision to leave Syria, and we are still there," Barhoum told AFP, adding that the visible movement of Hamas officials out of Syria is related to inter-Palestinian political reconciliation.

Israel Police shut down Hamas-linked institutions in East Jerusalem

The police shut down both a soccer club and a charity organization for a period of 30 days, under orders from Israel Police Chief. Israel has closed down 10 different institutions in East Jerusalem in the past year for connections with terrorist organizations, particularly Hamas.

Netanyahu: Prospects of progress in Mideast peace talks 'not good'

"As things stand now, according to what happened over the past few days - when the Palestinians refused even to discuss Israel's security needs with us - the signs are not particularly good," he told his cabinet in public remarks.

Abbas: Israel to blame for failed peace talks in Jordan

Abbas made the comments to reporters in Ramallah on Saturday after a meeting with visiting Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore. He claimed that during talks mediated by Jordan in recent weeks, Israel had presented an unclear position on security matters and on the question of borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state. Palestinian sources said Israel's border proposal would have prevented the establishment a Palestinian state.