"A civil war is coming"

'The grouping of Sunni tribal sheiks in the once al-Qaeda–infested western province turned against the insurgents and sided with the U.S. military, providing the model for what became a nationwide campaign known as the Sahwa. But that model is in trouble. "The Sahwa has been infiltrated by al-Qaeda," he says somberly. "A civil war is coming."

If it happens, this time the lines in the sand will more likely be between Sunnis. Iraq's minority Sunnis have become increasingly split between those like Sheik Hamid, who are now allied with the Shi'ite-led government, and Sunnis who are against it.'

Shia Jurisprudence?

'Worse than the Taliban' - new law rolls back rights for Afghan women

'The Afghan constitution allows for Shias, who are thought to represent about 10% of the population, to have a separate family law based on traditional Shia jurisprudence.

..."There were lots of things that we wanted to change, but they didn't want to discuss it because Karzai wants to please the Shia before the election.'

Traditional Shia jurisprudence allows a man to rape his wife? This is becoming law in Afghanistan in the year 2009??

Blast walls removed from market; market bombed

Iraq car bombing kills 26 in Baghdad

"Blast walls had recently been removed from the outdoor market in a Shiite area of the capital. The Iraqi government is removing the barriers, seen as a symbol of U.S. control and sectarian violence."

What is the solution to this madness?

Egyptian–Israeli Peace Treaty 30 Years Old

The peace treaty between Egypt and Israel is 30 years old. That is amazing. I remember the reaction in Baghdad when Sadat was assassinated for signing that treaty: celebratory gunfire. At the time (I was 13) I did not understand.

Iran wins hanging contest

Iran had the highest rate of execution in 2008. Congratulations, Mahmoud and Ayatollahs. KSA was a close 2nd - maybe 2009? Iraq was 5th, behind Libya. The number of worldwide executions doubled last year from 2007. Thanks Molly and As'ad for the links.

Executing justice
Mar 24th 2009
From Economist.com

Where the death penalty was used most last year

AT LEAST 2,390 people were executed in 25 countries last year, according to a report published on Tuesday March 24th by Amnesty International, a human-rights group. China carried out at least 1,718 executions, 72% of the global total—the actual number (as in many other countries) is believed to be much higher. But if the populations of the 15 countries that carry out the most executions are taken into account, Iran and Saudi Arabia emerge as more zealous employers of capital punishment than China.

AFP

Iraqi govt still cannot provide basic services

'The report questioned the government's ability to provide critical services to its people, noting that the United States has spent about 87 percent, or about $9.5 billion, of the nearly $11 billion it allocated for reconstruction in the oil, electricity and water sectors since 2003. By comparison, Iraq -- which has a $47 billion budget surplus -- has spent about 12 percent, or $2 billion, of the more than $17 billion it allocated for those sectors over the same period.

"According to U.S. officials," it said, "Iraqi managers lack the skill level and authority to create plans and buy the materials necessary to sustain projects in the energy and water sectors." Despite both U.S. and Iraqi expenditures, the report said, electricity supply in 2008 met only 52 percent of demand and "many Iraqis are without water" or do not have access to a safe supply.'

60 Minutes Exposes the Injustice in Palestine

On American TV! Finally. I've always loved 60 Minutes. I watched it with my dad almost every Sunday evening between 1975 and 1980.

What will Israel do with the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza? If Israel's goal is to annex the West Bank, the Palestinians who live on the West Bank must become Israeli citizens. This will not happen because then Israel would no longer be a Jewish state. Does Israel hope they will leave? Many Palestinians in the West Bank are refugees from 48 and 67, and the descendants of refugees.

Thanks tgia for the heads up. Why does America support this injustice? Watch the clip below and watch Part 2 here.