Palestine Opinion: A Cry of Anguish over Vittorio Arrigoni

Vittorio Arrigoni was killed by Muslims.

I’m not talking about the animals who abducted and then killed him. I’m talking about the Muslims who for decades have turned a blind eye to such acts simply because they do not wish to deal with it. We, the people of the Islamic world, have decided that what is essentially our problem needs to be dealt with by others.

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US Journal: Preserving An Unblemished Jefferson at Monticello

At Monticello, some mention is made of the Jefferson conflict, namely that the man who proclaimed the self-evident truths of equal creation, the right to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness also found no difficulty in upholding the institution of slavery on his farm.

But that Jefferson conflict is left hanging in the air. No attempt is made to explain, let alone justify.

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Syria, Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog: The Army Moves In

1859 GMT: At least three people have died and fourteen have been wounded in shelling by pro-Gaddafi forces of the port of Misurata today. Large fires raged, and the shelling has also interrupted humanitarian aid efforts. A UN ship was supposed to dock there, unload food and medical supplies, and evacuate the most vulnerable refugees, but the ship has been unable to dock because of what many reporters are describing as "indiscriminate fire." 

1842 GMT: In Bahrain, Al Jazeera is reporting that more medical facilities, and perhaps several schools, have been raided by government security forces. More details when we have them...

1835 GMT: Protesters gathered in Banias, Syria today, and chanted anti-regime slogans. Sheikh Anas Airout, a local preacher, told the crowd, "Our demands are peaceful. If they kill us, our souls will rise from our graves and demand freedom." 

This video was reportedly taken there today.

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The Latest from Iran (26 April): The President's Right-Hand Man Launches a Newspaper?

1855 GMT: Where's Mahmoud? Khabar Online reports that President Ahmadinejad and the Cabinet have cancelled a trip to Qom scheduled for this week.

1815 GMT: The Battle Within. Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi, a senior advisor to the President, has denied reports of his resignation.

1702 GMT: Budget Watch. Parliament approved the 2011/12 budget by a vote of 149-61 today.

That would appear to be a breakthrough after months of stalemate; however, there were still signs of tension. The 149 "yes" votes were only just over half of the 290-member Majlis, as there were nine abstentions and 71 absences.

Some of those who were absent were pro-Ahmadinejad MPs. The reason for their protest is not yet clear.

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Syria Audio: Scott Lucas on the BBC "The State of the Regime"

Former diplomat Andrew Green and I appeared on BBC Radio's flagship radio program Today this morning to discuss the current situation in Syria, assessing in particular the importance of the Assad regime in the region and whether it is in danger of collapsing.

My take-away line, which I have used about the challenge to the regime in another country: "This is a marathon, not a sprint."

The discussion begins at the 2:53.55 mark.

Guantanamo WikiLeaks Feature: The Youngest Detainee

Video of Omar Khadr's interrogation at Guantanamo

Detainee continues to provide valuable information on his father's associates, and on non-governmental organizations that he worked with in supporting Al-Qaida, as well as other major facilitators of interest to the US. Detainee has also provided valuable information on the Derunta, Al-Farouq and Khalden training camps, indicating that the detainee has been to and likely trained at these locations; and he continues to provide valuable information on key Al -Qaida and Taliban members.

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Iran Cartoon of the Day: Khamenei and Ahmadinejad on a Precipice (Kowsar)

Nikahang Kowsar portrays the significance of the latest skirmishes between the Supreme Leader and the President:

Syria, Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog: The Army Moves In

For technical reasons, the LiveBlog has been moved to entry above....

Syria Video Special: Military Seizes Southern Town of Daraa

Claimed footage of the Syrian military, with tanks and thousands of troops, taking over Daraa this morning --- the southern town has been a centre of protests and clashes since the uprising began on 15 March:

Night: Mosques Call for Peace Amidst Gunfire and Flames

The Military Operations

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Guantanamo WikiLeaks Feature: From "Probable Al Qa'eda Member" to US Ally in Libya (Nordland/Shane)

For more than five years, Abu Sufian Ibrahim Ahmed Hamuda bin Qumu (see his Guantanamo detainee file) was a prisoner at the Guantánamo Bay prison, judged “a probable member of Al Qaeda” by the analysts there. They concluded in a newly disclosed 2005 assessment that his release would represent a “medium to high risk, as he is likely to pose a threat to the U.S., its interests and allies.”

Today, Mr. Qumu, 51, is a notable figure in the Libyan rebels’ fight to oust Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, reportedly a leader of a ragtag band of fighters known as the Darnah Brigade for his birthplace, this shabby port town of 100,000 people in northeast Libya. The former enemy and prisoner of the United States is now an ally of sorts, a remarkable turnabout resulting from shifting American policies rather than any obvious change in Mr. Qumu.

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