Iraq – U.S. military adopts new role in Iraq
U.S. military adopts new role in Iraq Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates praised U.S. troops who fought in Iraq, but declined to say whether he thought the war’s ambiguous outcome was worth the cost in American money and lives. “I think that it really requires a historian’s perspective in terms of what happens here in [...]
Turkey – stanbul and the baroque — the bountiful Balyans – Today’s Zaman
stanbul and the baroque — the bountiful Balyans – Today’s ZamanFar fewer people ever hear about the Balyans, however, even though this family of Turkish-Armenian architects left their fingerprints all over the 19th-century city, reversing the old Ottoman style in which the
Istanbul springs to festive life after Ramadan sunset – Everett [...]
Middle East News – Imam Says Politics Has Stoked Controversy Over Center
Imam Says Politics Has Stoked Controversy Over Center Commenting on the Islamic center controversy, Feisal Abdul Rauf said he was intent on eliminating the notion that Islam can be equated with extremism.
World Briefing | Middle East: Bahrain: Opposition Leader Charged With Trying to Overthrow Government [...]
Iraq – ‘Time to turn the page’ as Obama ends Iraq combat
‘Time to turn the page’ as Obama ends Iraq combat President Barack Obama has declared an end to US combat in Iraq, calling on its people to chart their own destiny as Americans turn to combating Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and rebuilding their own battered nation.
Iraq civilian deaths dip as U.S. combat mission ends The [...]
Middle East News – Who are Hamas?
Who are Hamas? Hamas, the main Islamist movement in the Palestinian territories, was born soon after the previous intifada erupted in 1987.
Iraqi Security Forces arrest al-Qaeda member in northern Iraq BAGHDAD, IRAQ : Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) arrested on Tuesday one alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) member and [...]
Lebanon Crisis Monitor – US seeks Israeli peace talks with Syria, Lebanon
US seeks Israeli peace talks with Syria, Lebanon The United States is pushing for peace talks between Israel, Syria and Lebanon as the Israelis prepare to resume direct negotiations with the Palestinians this week.
Lebanese army rescues two Polish kidnapped tourists: report The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on Tuesday rescued two unnamed Polish tourists after [...]
Lebanon Crisis Monitor – Two Polish tourists briefly held in Lebanon – army
Two Polish tourists briefly held in Lebanon – army Source: Reuters BEIRUT, Aug 31 (Reuters) – Two Polish tourists were briefly kidnapped in Lebanon’s Beqaa valley on Tuesday but were freed after security forces opened fire on their captors at a checkpoint, killing …
Lebanese army says 2 Polish tourists kidnapped, but quickly freed BEIRUT [...]
Iraq – Al-Maliki marks U.S. end to Iraq combat mission in national address
Al-Maliki marks U.S. end to Iraq combat mission in national address Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki proclaimed Iraq as “sovereign and independent” during a national address Tuesday to mark the official end of the U.S. combat mission in his country.
Leader Says Iraq Independent as U.S. Ends Combat Iraq s prime minister said [...]
Iran News – Iran Distances Itself from Bruni-Sarkozy Insult- Iran Calls French First Lady a Prostitute
Iran Distances Itself from Bruni-Sarkozy Insult- Iran Calls French First Lady a Prostitute TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has sought to distance itself from harsh remarks by a hard-line newspaper, which called France’s first lady a “prostitute” for condemning the stoning sentence against an Iranian woman convicted of adultery.
Iran paper: Bruni should die after stoning [...]
Middle East News – Crackdown in Bahrain Hints of End to Reforms
Crackdown in Bahrain Hints of End to Reforms The country appears to be reconsidering its decade-long flirtation with reform following a rash of police detentions.
World Briefing | Middle East: Bahrain: No Reporting on Activists Bahrain s public prosecutor has banned [...]
