THE WEEKLY WIRE

ط§ظ„ط³ط¨طھ ظ ظ© - ظ†ظˆظپظ…ط¨ط± - ظ¢ظ ظ¢ظ¤ ظ ظ¤:ظ ظ، ظ…ط³ط§ط،ظ‹

THE WEEKLY WIRE

ظ…طظ…ط¯ ط§ظ„ط¨ط§ط±ظˆط¯ظ‰ أ‌أ 2009-10-19

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On Wednesday (10/14), the House passed <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdALhzsBweKSFKZLrapAFeLKafLRz7rgpa9_zH6YY_T-bQ1egFii9SVArJT5uuXltokB0V5208weozKbw8D8PWNd6t5TxhFUVa--s-oFk98njjF5ID5AXo2WgcWmBu2pVQpUPJRLG8LxbRM4O3N0jQVpeJh3buH7kk=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.R. 1327</a>, authorizing state and local governments to divest from companies who do business with Iran's energy sector. The bill passed in a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcI6UrYV4lQBbbXY79U50Y95oZZno32A9LIEgGaCMv6o7lPFy4vxJxJPc5tMyJl2zsHkjzOiS8lD1GOK7YCTEh1_YNgH1eUnwRmUv6SMVLIgz0ogESz0Qcjs-KPfaUSOsg-68GeFIn5VA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">414-6</a> roll call vote, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. 
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Also on Wednesday (10/14), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced resolution <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdL7AK60rfADmyjs1Q1u1G-sdhNHxZWTDj3pCkpe1mnQhHaPJzEE86z08vf33IYIVgDPDv2GBZeYkIhwpCjv_C2WPk1gm9K3S2IJE2hUS8yeEJhdpVOSAuGL4aK6VICnA0lr5He9CL4dx2nzMzF56unUdmtXY174vg=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.Res. 833</a> "honoring the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan" and commemorating the 10th anniversary of King Abdullah II's ascension to the throne.
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On Thursday (10/15), Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) introduced <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcUB2cx1vKbMeoVg69UPlkP048__Rl5sfXBLZjvCvZvran0tnj-XkUoOu7aL36KRHj5INExRWOv3kwr8pA4FfEkQUy3x9Qyh97K6jWnKya9d-ip6s9QSdHKD0BeqdIfgT76VCwXco2PRKDQhDyuo1-XBDN4YQ3dR-M=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.R. 3832</a>, which would place additional sanctions on refined petroleum imports to Iran and would require the Secretary of Defense to develop plans for military action against Iran's nuclear program. 
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Also on Thursday (10/15), Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) introduced, with two co-sponsors, a resolution (<a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRecvVmEX9Zd_xue4Z_TH_dRdJDVKy3P9CWSxg5f4BHyHHFjXzamXFvzOFFct_7O8rkD6GFEsemp5ceIOJ60J7q0gjfbobhK2mPbmYHcKVpoMpJ5e1Mk991jPmDGQTbqY_SXRVnapjtoYi0OYYJX4mJu5o__RTvgAzA=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.Res. 840</a>) condemning violations of religious freedom in the Middle East. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
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Also on Thursday (10/15), the President signed the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfH8hEVJeJSpPMnBqwxUpyHddjPbvEKugV5eLsVEdH78Z9-_s0GLefs-ZE2ovR_JLUxvAq56EcSc9g9v9mAGRedCGiy-AO6XHA4LZVhS9PSuETeMgAZK8FacYXTnYJoT8-eFYHEZDRqoMu7W2tkUemLq98zBGelKhk=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009</a>, granting $7.5 billion in aid to Pakistan over the next five years, with certain conditions that attempt to assert the preeminence of Pakistan's civilian government over its military. The bill was known informally as the Kerry-Lugar Bill, after its two Senate co-sponsors.
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Congressional Hearings
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On Thursday (10/15), the House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing, "Afghanistan Policy at the Crossroads."  Witnesses included Steve Coll, President of the New America Foundation, J. Alexander Thier, Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan Programs at the United States Institute of Peace, and Frederick W. Kagan, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.  A full transcript will be available <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdnQEsYrkrD15KWy-PfDYbd_cVje9tsRGTONfpotaEMveGeyhJXZvW62B1wmI_xM30e74lXtNEuoapV4PgfFP8E1BiyC8hWJZcqb-y9xTN6pB10hJ2tUKZSTog_CTN_n4113tnI5t7NZFQf9nj9HSDqGWJT_Q1V5cY=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on the committee's website</a>.  Chairman Berman (D-CA) gave <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRffIf06QkMvhdjGoqhZWonoIh5uNrRZcVSd-PbkjIYgvNGe8wkmnQi-cN_d7O0-Rw2iH5Ncbx-nkhNz4LGcVrp2mxOJgzALKBkou6Nfuo_eiVSyYe8DEhhn7WLTTSgQPXw_7AvZ-Qn_53J7r6ykfqMO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">opening remarks</a> at the outset of the hearing.  

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Also on Thursday (10/15), the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing, "U.S. International Broadcasting into War Zones: Iraq and Afghanistan."  Witnesses included <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRd9mwt55Olod-8MdtvwqFMNd8nppGYEaKP3mldVvP-Iv_yny2GXzIEBTbkt17bf8L7qLBs3uBTcGfRfyo1RScbsCe78TdwTrl8tVa1bea-og4RhEkggoEvwaiDmC0Mg5243OtWmQj5Dynz1j3xC0goqjgdXEdClMCphRlm9UdqNAg==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joaquin Blaya</a>, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdSBqCY2eQCTKhZHTuylTw6dx2jGkIELVdkJwbI8cFBuXVd6wm_Lli6WS0d-wx4ron9upf51TOqfpx3MphXc0Zi4xFwzA9qhDnyKPjrIow3RP7sJkBMShBq7NdBwo2fHH8BaRbV0G2HWPtzrS3k-VY7bub0cP6UfxyEmxY1DHfpMA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">D. Jeffrey Hirschberg</a>, and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReIdoRQcGNuicOqiUIg1CtOsQoVrzSpEAj2ViTFDCIutnd524X9NIB3RNkl1sLVyq2x4w1IhVEYzpB4S5boVJ7srd14g-8LMppVJWlfQvpXr9ONn8Sfqm3IHsqEwmgVPZTFnHnGvpc6UaKbaN8DbABENxXYXILn5YKqsoNBtr_WLw==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steven J. Simmons</a>, all of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. 
 

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From Washington
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U.S. Mission Facing Deep Challenges in Afghanistan: The head of the UN mission to Afghanistan admitted there had been "<a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRffubRgA0uFVI6jwfNSEEL2ympAFJ6cuNpYFNIe3lAnoJucrkqVFACt0kcHaM04Im_PCwNnMi6Vrgd09Q6zppLRue-_5Oa8J6nuDUHifZwUcTS1p8bhiGpoSJJ-7cM-vvvIJPLFP2W4ilMlwuM-jK2F0AQK7jUc0w7TPRnfdvv2HIbflNs-qLfoZCYTtP8jLpTnjEoXyDnfoQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">widespread fraud</a>" in the Afghan elections, and an Afghan member of the Electoral Complaints Commission <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcA-rb-o1ewKMST9a7WWWK8nu85hxIxPGhGN3zAIbKPomYkHD27hvDPHV8SspuJljJltytD9BWuJ0G_okB5nyLjnUPsuDTtWgIIp2d4ViiAmcz_I3mvfqn9w_FH1HyCkEsGAoMRVeNjdDpnULoc-q85KoRxi1MfHvF5Cy_tv_UzrA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">resigned</a> in protest of the international members of the Commission. Problems with the Afghan government led <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfstV2FRClvyO8JVQesdN72HLOmpi8eBsPhAMoZgBiTiiyvgyZNlGcJJw8gXynpUfekPGcVpyhv98iXsB8clT4zNK7iTo_SehEosmdom_AAYiIJmQYLQiz-K8tgwHR4JDtsKytaDGfXo2PdA1K1MmJXJm8GGAvcR-S5T-Cmr1Ozopq1cpLO9gWl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">some</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRe8uxRWl9-7wDLzI6wvm3SWg3g2Aze0HzwW1y_cksKouIKs_TXwAac0AtGbrXg3nneFjmWp8zt1jfSzOUB3XVsawVp9ZOxJVpC96cvOVqELLKVfKjVugIqNm8UxrDHB7Q2ATpMBoeRSK7gWoTH8SRTaX9oy53rTHTTis21oPVfJ1-RqKDOB0fgj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">question</a> whether the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdBLzWwnFYagqkxRzIe7o1nyjU60vLxapJzeGpZ_GPfXzo7RIBU4kqoXLTqtPwcaC3X_xWDlJMFH5X5bvF7S9FY7z4OJ9OAzGy1nfOgO8mnFm9RYBKemnh8afbbvJIjJuZH2r5adkvZHj4ZPj49u8RLjatxOSdbJMAuSPsIEF8uTzExzRwjbp0BYhnxVIfafDw=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American mission</a> can <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfWaTwmev3_bxTxnV8o0r44gYkXWy94eH4Kbg1ADCRDZXvdkQxyARR8-kDoBdM8XqBmYgiDdafeNpu0IVmvRrXtdxY43dIuaRXUUw4Q5gxjpejns5adMTCGzLyw_V8mENheSP-Qvimm8SQg_0ynoFhmUZ-o4mxZGF_bVsfTtxV771EuI6KqHYBr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">succeed</a>, if it has <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfqN_U-JnIOc8-UvwdodbiW_c0EmK2pPWoni_sMCn9SWs28RQVEDTvTBmGtJtiFRU9p2NM_iQ6n4FS4TLv4AoerQv7ZacbFiceZ-WNpvufrEQ602Q1MZ-5n4C1TEcbm7utuEuYK8T8JQplk34-q3i9JU5_4z7YI-DVeNCJGgO10lpFAbRyC6I8GN9GeKEa_cDcOD0ZYUcVxomNfz17GxOt7N7Bc1mnQ1l5E-A3DPgXu-w==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">not yet</a> already <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRebsSsYB0F7nYYd74SgUBtufDxNlUdlA4kK7iulU64-DttVqPXAPYsu4J4EUiG-ojEfuFtD50QXxhgctjG-4_eCsgRppNbyHI9SvVOE9s40Rj6Pvyv3F7yB9THMPjOlvXRApsWs2_jxufbx0GcCF3UwHC0Jiso9eGS8ftB7ihA1EOWoat0NlYheOJhL-JVCQNM=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">failed</a>, though others said America <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRc2GjA8EwrrYcYQUDB6B9_SoVjWyhXtr_mfxKw6vunID72e4InuZwLI6XqPsKNhwSFEsHZi5cHIcYV-efrGriXcanE0-nc7GAXFJvxIkhEBikqkGU0eJIJZSsroEr08EJMMaSpU1aX1NjNY-Nil1ujWKvSdb5XOwAWs29wT9VYY-sILPvriKa43z4UzrcCZ5-8=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">does not need</a> a legitimate Afghan <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcP87XPBZxV0_qDyWtpKIPOAkEYPjKp6HiyeIHXycb2Uo_EeW0Qfsw5PwHE1SMWbyXPufe0essJveXVxAiZFVYXhi9hIzn8OrUAIfvQ07lUZsg1fZLbSRGt5QUmtPG_MRBrLpOym4HDVChsO1G6xOwOFQZ21V84NHuLz4HbLnmh4NEZMXYZqqEPBcY4ZsD4bvzg6e3Y50mDEQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">government</a> to achieve its <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRepIn4Gwlb91vny7UJwjwKDdcVIvxSjn1KRJtTecMEKXcFsV-6vC0wkxXTEBAGTvBOlZnPNxCc7vJkpN49N7WET6DssWJ1-7I5anLsdYR1BGsL1ew-Wbegya7qqX4UeBmjQh2lvUgAGSOlgiKTN-aUqzpEdc-uoVNGRU1gwEOqdAzJ3wHEEUkFFOZu0IqNNyv4hOamu9c0NmY5a5XmxnYDotmAkSQuyonivUxnzqCyzgw==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">goals</a>. Several members of Congress suggested <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRd6Yu-W8cKJ2CbRpTkw2PnJDxvoYRT4xJl2FHVZwsyP3BsPTkWH-vBOaI954lMhBpDk6twbz9FNCGJD-alWk0_7s-0MBAJRN7X0MUrcSvJ67Vw5d86nZeal4oMDNyuahtGY9KZxI03L2EKx2OogwjVhQZ1twQ4QPgT39_6zYtP2KRYYiMSJAXRr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">alternative strategies</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcrUF2JpZXOYOySNNGfMb2L3cttA9-y0Yw20KTf77MVdkxJL-IVWfCCc0arTNgSVHBEi9tezQM7HToqs9t7ni0m4WFczQRcFpQd3688AqgSh8j0nvJlvGXmHmROC_irqpzYzlRHrHySHL8XouXrN0jLqtNSW00n95ap0kO1llgpsK5lUSycx-Cxsg1Ma642rJDozdLg-MqTFKUZvjZnEeeVYMxf9psxWws=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">empower</a> the Afghan government, while Gen. McChrystal's <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReL92ec-TSNgTk-3Qp6EZXzOGB24NsqKLLT9GK95d2gotP1wVMrPduGfUrhNn-iqomki_1PD7QaeALVPgT3MZ7tXyrwZEDj0a02yPNXauNTvD8M_S8aTNHZhLxs7BTzWaQIIwu1FxPCDECrcUPVecHpRA3nZRbEq4Z2C-4f7V7V4M8J5XNAtVjdML7sC4w6wQk=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">request</a> for <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfn4R6Vog6WgSliG5w3whqJGnrZt5A6wjQhhFgN1sB77jzDGD2Bfq0uWI9Xns5yAOfxsIpwOVZvS_2BQgZRl8Zy1C5YcIrKmax_o7mcVqqRE0KtETp_nGVc7h2oDbwcqySgl66qdeqnX86R9DDnvQlCSJO1sXVbBRGicz5Bv6wHdg==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">more troops</a> and what to do with <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRczINx1KvMbR0ni7_6AyR34IFWHIqFUK7wAkdnsig-6trpI0S671FZpOOW_ACQdOKcCS0do5euOt4AODJyNMxaw0guAwTICR5tZrN49kfcSRfhLjVx0BgRJs6UFjufipKsuYoAic1poNb-1-O5xY1aB0_JXuheJA_nUgcUG3IwkTYjE0NRA_egpoo4UIK9mWOXojW27KlyLBWpsc6IyDTjzN6gZeEpubU3BdqoBOJmkIkhCO5cjhWx2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Taliban</a> were also <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReYAfCHfJ-Lrufzhg4GgdmVjl6a53oRJsn0HOReGfuK1D1ogZHhTDV8fTBIS24UMbDFByL8tgOaLP-eUKIk0hhkpbcG1hMGJF4cQ8-DF0FOyH0jK0Glf0iseRaPob3uGYYriA9TDzGWiPo5YxxJf37dpkCNqcrxIXSRSj5mE0KKIOBs9UOvt0i2QyEJ0vvMLKjIWvLlNK6e29dGODESuNfvfmF07S8Vo4DoUFR15IEHTrUtKjg7Xyra" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">considered</a>.
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Confronting Iran: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfcZeOIcHqFC-KcIHTeJGa7-LSEAjf6uwT692At8OBME9kKCHI787QOKIZbY3G2vy1c5VxfBw-Rolv342egxodIJjDCwxdyY_EnruNH_GLlQPMOtHcf0h_i_9a-vLjgIXdaL1IjSPOQTQLjH6FScdWfqp9PiXwntCfmfg0VDL8oZsWJEJ2kBLt3jq9MkmM4oRxrwQY_gqWU-g==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">failed</a> to reach an <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdG0c6aVu16U3Y_pBxGk56HZFBLLX1eCkAN2zRtOZQ-YZdE4jJUiQgo3b_8GIX04o0MIsOulqHKEdKF8rpAcEq1UcZpdRBjU7KOA8jhxGKFAzbn2Xk8Vz6xbpJdzI1qtv0BSaccJxLHP0dNqlIFbb6L" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">agreement</a> with <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdoT7StVHY18oOQaxPlCvvQDTl7y4E_-zat0-QHtpqrCIirecmSVvgLIFlxFf6pmZXgtg3eBwaDTe3F4FZ55O_oEAhmuymc6ZMAsuYaJAatEM-_L2sN1YQo85wH3Xj6JC-5ukL1KEEkHipF8TasrY0_joTxjg51-TYE1BxkiiAGtQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Russia</a> about imposing economic <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRe_pSRGej8axbeEReSGBGRBYrC403jN90C1NnII8fIjZyzBz4XsXZrIUthwFASoWBrFsC8Sik1JqgCjYGohTjCquu12I1QtRvrOidDNnEdJ1HIw8F93sV1hdpjgHAMJ_ZS_CvdKV4wPpsHC8puK31PyTJgn4ZlqQgCtnUJBPWb3Wg==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sanctions</a> on Iran over its <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdsgxAmaU1iuhL367HNxBfH9vrVHv7bE75zDeP-xvVFisLLIWaPAPohwFq5pRqAZGT2TIAMZQk4_cy8BD0KvZO8Mq2vbvwGjMqbvz9WfRj5yV4XM-8tF6SrYCmehOlD6Ip62tcisqNaEVnAlPeZjzCRSskiaA1uo3NtH6eyx2zAspkH2HX6NXVkH9ymvChQXFK6euL0fUt7Eg==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nuclear program</a>. Clinton claimed the administration is not yet <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdHcrrgt6xTWImfnjvwbLVLAqdtrPnVA0ufE5HdX5Wfs2teu_tvjvJCXNy9dgTNmot9AcVO-bwOXUlea_BARZn_8IC8IcAqEhBCrEsE68_2N0_uxvdSA6xpzCfH0l4hVlEHT5c4uRJ1_FnAiOuXITvxkdKW763VKQZbv3JLffsPvtfzovsZeXLP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">decided</a> on increasing <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRc8PJyeyr2NG1zuKdUyxAzWwrSSX89v8EZpBr-dEyiJK1WIdTYYdOvbqXKO3xc6RJnaaidIvWuJrHeCaq99yZlO0Jw4lcdYHPEk4fHSZOdC0KxOHyTN7sak1JqhNYVdbykgMEItAZ3M9w==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sanctions</a> on Iran, though <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRef5oNeawXS4cDOaFiyR191_ucBtEapry44xyEFE02aRakOygbL8otImG4ANO6vBbROp0ZfRjDhSwOLgLIf7b_kzmxsdjruDj3hgQblbuca7ARkZSZOh6DgXuF5IgWNXe9BhNVmf-PvFyR4JLnP6PlRfnAD9nGVJMS2vP5YPe0v0fcPmciMixuwOs4JHs3j6GnCq4uaEylOC-QmSpcovGb5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">some see</a> that posture as giving Iran <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRctCHMwxQ5VpPNWLvkNkzLpeDi0BcWCAeGlIYGjpA3e37YKcmExqZMgpj7VsPvGoT75LghQQJKfV-6qz3Aqid5cyfaX8qmk8OjVGQZ6HNJaGaqQVbxVjbS3pCsaVZml5h-eQr4XL0RrAEUusqDbpDqtuiQ3dJg5jXJIOfuq-AYzdA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a blank check</a>. Others <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfnLHhoV276AeQo17TJkFbjPihB2oA46qdsuwuSVeKkmAXp-lyjGZDkS8mLhoF7ES0j8qrVoZmJSxS_pSGQk40Ymv62rwjAuuqN-bfd2VrT9IrA7auXjVBLTF-S9OW7rgP5DrnUv1xUYf9iQT1fIXMnNc7xOcQuGK9-91cpTMmMnVigmif-GpZam2_-5PU_3WQxVy1cur0pNA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">think</a> <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRft235_gLShOHsjnlctMneROHWYO8H6dRjdEsse8DH67YgTu0Hx8fwVP_2K-I2vYOWSL5Wc6U7X1m2jxkpufYz-qGOtq6JZuDjUsOKqPsLWZQ8K4IypuexUMmyPlVcCKR8BskwU0fQbuMcaSvIP90r-J4Y-diYCzpRyo8VerzIuLuLSgkwxOusMKmulK2-2t6c=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sanctions</a> will <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdx2gMYNU37_EfER3Us6zpuQQOgD71z9ZtPUMgpzMEXXb8dueR8Glr0wScDnfb7XRWynVHMdtQPEdQWZT9iL8MGn4v70cQX13QOO-pRt8LCIzOILyARHCceOshXDBjXOHF1ynTOwujH5JTchbLKXjKUid__EAa43MZ31BZ6NMexnxODcdMXxUQ3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hurt</a> the Iranian Green Movement, rather than the regime. Howard Berman, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, described sanctions as a last resort, but scheduled a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdVe5_ZVeQfDuLlRCV8Rp67yiSS1siIEZdoYkxPo0yYd-EwpHMESR-bdoNm7Y0tlu1wDlrT8pERE8JH30wNbBKzM5g2nswLmuYFHOYOk27iJKES9or8eSri_7oXJJfFSEhVGc7yeWiOMih1cZ3PNQetchltwh8IdqsKBSyC6yxyEt4rS2eBMqntAabZNbP0mnBaVxeZWQzZkCJeorgZlegflhJDms4hQdg=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mark-up</a> of the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act for Wednesday, October 28. The Iranian parliament has already <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRf5g3YuhGxYz3aREafMSvpV7QA-H1PTHP0aqujPs8Kvm7xEyA-CIwBiae6I5cbT-KMwYVHKlKn4mttDocB9mZ5KTn98OMWAX1_aU7IC2v-FH04NVX9_QEfeUhK-5pCnJqmqGlbIac0Oyyuh2Eb24RDGdmf1xJedE1H__0u07sWf4g==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">agreed to reduce</a> energy and food subsidies, perhaps in a bid to blame the U.S. for Iran's economic woes. The idea of a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReGZVqcHODILB9IbunYhXp7-4JMHs-ATkts9611vS_qG74BkT4RcrUw7XiOHfda1YthbBuW-eC4vRJo2Trh-uBGWVNVl98xPS4rDHEmHc2OHKn4W-s02G6FcCmv8afjH9wCwqeDzUTrxCM8xk3s50Rr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">military attack</a> on Iran also <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdXBt4DbeI-OXXjVri8sVz0vA3GntULBnAICoxJgx8G931koKn9PEVZPBzVXhNOcEa3jG3tlJ3UzyNwJiOyWOrb2CkyNeo7157jt0_rhTzUjEzT2HJWnIZZjr-Rj62Gbo2B6j0fzx4k0w==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">continued</a> to have <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfdOIOTb73uNcqeaA_h8wEMFz2Y43moAyDGtGG2GE8IwqgwomKCD042mbnCAkrYASH8qB0r0D9b4YO-lUr4EZAjGQLI7mFOjBMZTEb2O-Vempem6Jukus1oMluRWB3UUQZEZ7-YxVuPltcJLp1nHNmDZt037eE70xI=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">support from some quarters</a>, as did calls for <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRd1uuoruDSNyXEnCZZIfXR8MKd1ErpIrBKMpcZM0c1T6EATwEjKQNoLSkrQrskxA7bRbK1d6UxXP-Axo7ueLvXjnZyUNQ4JamvswL9ILzVhZFnyPXl-u7inKl6ofuRfaSCE0q5hCFhfiIJiRSeEUbuKzGxctg4pMUfNtf7SX46kL5cPxrEIfoQw6UEyOdGmqnc=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">regime change</a>. The next stage of talks takes place today, as Iranian, American, French, and Russian technical experts <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRc-z2JrFNL4VEa9-OpBcYMW5bEXoz5ePCkSkoitvg1uvESXdIClCVtkeTp4DleLgmd9a6eCGq3GFmI7zea2OGuqOetThxRuA3clRM-putThGlEEAW4CKhFeDWlLCub3mNe_L8Gzdqcm60MhO11NK4Aaz3_RT8PPnSiLwoZobPMA1He1MgF4VWC-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">meet at the IAEA office</a> in Vienna.
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Debate over New Pakistani Aid Package: A rash of recent <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRctUIGLuA19RtLTQj_T7O4v7ogmZeQBLd3oJNHGgYPZuRXD0TFu6aZktQdCH_fYrasCfdkm1uOrfBeCWhF7YcCILRC406STqfp81flf1VoUy1liKh5jyPL-F2VdECDpCBsRpqqbfE2uxYCrTuAyOsYB_4cD7Z5873o=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">terrorist attacks</a> may have contributed to President Obama's decision to sign the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfH8hEVJeJSpPMnBqwxUpyHddjPbvEKugV5eLsVEdH78Z9-_s0GLefs-ZE2ovR_JLUxvAq56EcSc9g9v9mAGRedCGiy-AO6XHA4LZVhS9PSuETeMgAZK8FacYXTnYJoT8-eFYHEZDRqoMu7W2tkUemLq98zBGelKhk=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kerry-Lugar Bill</a> providing aid to Pakistan. The bill has met with <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfJ5pyHNjIoOY_PqwRen1GF3mDqp7MjJJ1IGsIGWe2_mGIN3FIi65CSZVcWBcE_OlUe3ENAkmboG_S1_0nc6c7QwhyqMpB9xVX-Rb1PYZEhisca6MLjnBnZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">criticism</a> both in Pakistan and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcK1F7n1LSy8Bu80ZOEZ-DgoZmj1V2aywRCIQvsXp0Eo6eH8dRCcWQzlnwmqw6L74laUPLGKjAbTMiMqALUhRPeYedshVpGqoY2srnlIIpmlRDky0kJniB66ZZEeIV7WPXTdmhJdHrgHdMQUgPLbjiu7M7jKd_QDSj5kF7leIkSFOu70dNNi10PRXmuKv46vT6UZy47NzEjWtP0g1Y9ZkUhGyzGNMFq_u5jl0DcdJZ_rYfPnv-3VUOE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">in the U.S.</a> as some see conditions in the bill as an affront to Pakistani <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRerd1FeNSn4IaD_ptmoGQrz12S5Ic6RDtIfjJ5ZDR34t5e61qTu7uBAgIsQJFfoMto3y-OrgM8bCOp34ndvnhHreNhiGCfwpevE-64fmudcXtq10qzG3nICdC45dF_6iaJpZ9xttzZif83sRyUT--3j" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sovereignty</a> and others as a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcfrQt0I3s4QVS-F7Tv_FHx_fskhm3zyBhnY3zQmPiaNePgqGAu-P-DM6W6i1BVGmwpfJJGh6OyDxaApVSyfER5XjX-MDqD9n2FrM8m3Wms1ql5r9ykTkPiCnro0apzxLca26qiJhp6BfHzbEOiDHPVsAV53hr8bEI=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hindrance</a> to counter-insurgency goals. Some thought the bill was aimed at reducing the domestic <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRd8U60nVntUEYb7o3HJNmUBNcZ4f-PgtoVU00LLg3WyqvCwpOndqSMcwLqzIddGP1p5KZnAnhPwObiTLZhtCt1u8-RpGptsTqKUVeEoRFAfCe5JNv0GT4SnhAqCmnp7xZrVV9O-XXaWbZsIVRetOJyLpGv0msfcyV_0SHoos4pXWiovsvYUShrAH9Pm0nSVbiJVWe4F0_-Z3I1tGJm2qXO0Ck1zns1oDKD8PjZmCD4MmA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">influence</a> of the Pakistani <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRey6_5K67rhw9YimVahHlKEFiTCbmrfmnfHaI1pWMjFRc4FobLkVCMHMj4H5VYPOeYOZYR0SJMfRDxQuRhxS_YXiK7XOOfNBUGZwSwO5vjgoQ7N4scP0fvSYernbdZgbUMvGnl3PdgMNw==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">army</a>. Senator Kerry (D-MA) and Chairman Berman (D-CA) <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdt2iEiL7uLrsT3dmoaW_Kles2Mkc7k1VZ7rVZbHb3DF27ULT0U-J4KCxyF6Wi334faRdNq15g_oM8mTkRUsOPYDEjZYXg-Pz3ZS-FQLQwlglAyY0YxhSZg0cQndZhzW-3qLOSJb0Wkqqfn18l4omv_kKMe9aEtKCuFJh13OOst5FdZOhqrR2jP39m0iPrOc-HtkJwUEGaRchSj4f6tfJnXUbWL-HwZrDVmR_l3S2OzMD6p4XXWjfCznT6fMEt0uci7KrYBMt-zrQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">responded</a> to these charges, though some <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcZYd48BZxH9__ulmO4U7N3cYYfm920cW2R2SCP1DDb0aXVpija7DieioxmPbLtbNfnlOUKTL6VhAOkvqrkfibE9XosGile5Fn_C2-Nw70L9DcepFD0ITVPVgXVNhi0MSU6sI8o8qH9fLQUgGYnlu7fR3pgNp8pZO0RtrFO49KP0pzVjFOWEhLay4yrw-XtwuE=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">doubt</a> that Pakistanis were convinced. 
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Middle East Reacts to Nobel Decision: The Nobel Prize Committee's decision to award the Peace Prize to Barack Obama was received with <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcDKnZHaOhHMf73FKlUfXWxHUU97dd-MyVGuy3R4IjAA3ZIHSosDrWlqIcyWOztd6pFpBdGNQ_XtU_ySRFgW7uWUF-RtKp1K9TkhEkC6bBCWQFCtZXR76S2iE4_QGwsJ2g5209A4UckjnS7YT4uP4NmPxA2ixdxDnAFVwGNM_CcnCCKCZwEhysLMY1NyFRKaotDREB00i4wpA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">surprise</a> in the Middle East. Some <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcTslqJODsUCTAWwbNblwyVOvdW85HYpPpIdR-xy9_4JEAI--mGu9FLOrC5WYjnlhIHuZBjqjMVplSJDd_d3_r0z2Ol0W-jVev_4UOISWMHbFXXV29lTV9ApOF6UFrgFN_7ecvqPGZtwbm5XnAWRLsuvYgAy2CdfgaG35UtNoFmA7jY4duRvy45WKBK8ifPaKHWzVdpsVjpxw==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">leaders</a> congratulated the president, while others expressed doubts about his record. The Iranian blogosphere was <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdz74jOkGMpg5wxKsOE0CJYj_sdZumty1XoBnJ3c4lL8M5gKBK4c-ALANNH5huhqz_SfNqKlS3RMhk9D87fKpjH92GpXPyB64y5xlX09MeaNwNWYRtDClnHm56aDFJaDfkE30NOICVkzaCBseY-cPzNM7DgBOB_Pw3au3HXcy2dvmzldWWnYtz1uM4l1LM9G1-jc_UWBXQaytu3MzF6XqDFTKcV2tvVbdH8VeDHzy7Xiq3T2w1Eo34n" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">particularly critical</a>, with many saying a Green Movement leader like Mehdi Karroubi should have received the prize. Iranian Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi warned Obama of the "<a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdg3-1-ZtZ66wdfgM-tV7bFTnUkBfOXDo9uyjldfm-kuUR43jujVyuLIbajfsiKji-z6J7z2VeYAXFiLOCvIYO8TYVZlDGdPrf35dKA-XdrD8KW8uok-P8DLy1j14o5PSb2MAK2qT0a5eVtjV9TAo5xZZE-mEtOGPNKk8sJ-1LL_JeCzjtDC4t4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">huge responsibility</a>" that comes with the prize.
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Jeffrey Fleishman of the LA Times <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfymh-TGMAC_N9QmoPH6zAkXf1SdT5yoISfv2f_G-bLThsv2ahkkuNU383vnUMypp-9MFbspZYBS73cQaDxD-boORxWnAuE4n8oqbIHw4zB1ivNOd4WL4Ib0jv2LnHn0tgILzQF6EJoFrA6MDqdntGB0K3zCuUQfJW-6Q_Ti8-GJ9D3OMTYZcRXDFYjYGj1v5kZyZf_Sf1GC0p4BjkUz1z8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">examines the implications</a> for the U.S. of various succession scenarios in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah look increasingly frail. He fears that Iran and Syria would move to exploit new leadership, but also believes the new leaders would face increasing dissent at home.
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From the Middle East
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Campaigning Begins for Tunisian 'Election': Tunisia kicked off its official campaign season last weekend. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali - in power for the past 22 years - <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdi1m9nRsygHEyb5WNipKpUvh7CDJ2_5YmFAUflu73INrBm9uM_jz1DOW0tYQ3skK4J240oWQszTqG1o5fO-ydTHjNSqiKpmtsKahskPsjBKEscTAUKGmFHRSuSwxm7dmqHc4oNWI8M3vv_hqfLT-j_wg2D8VoBEPQCRMqPRMN3JC-ov_D6y3wA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">launched his bid</a> for a fifth term promising jobs and democracy, while the Interior Ministry <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRe-zbakRZ2RcDPfrdISGj-iiCJ_gNP_uUC2EXbi8hCfUzffuFuJ_z1aqlR8qGtYa-mMxOUxh-KrN57NxyvJsXg67V4u2tuIEwlYv1F1-421TOMwYxemXZVu_sutuL8R8GdRgk-FF3XK-Kx4ZEsjvqvwZ1cWg7L2eb9tiFI1eki53rou7_iy5Fk8QEAYtBDRV9c9P8eXqsVYQA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">seized</a> the party newspaper of one of his opponents. Tunisia's <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfe6a53G3LcOeLEQIW0Sy6BTl8hYBWh8bJqHC9ibrm_zAEzjXPfQCeqyoht7V6FzERNk0yxqwDcuGkHkD3I-6RwF8iNRhoHefabRkJfofi_RzfVQ-tAIgm1nLgYAybda1HZO4VL4fw5whsGzS25rzOQZuYzwgWIN4A=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">political system</a> assures that Ben Ali will <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdSpo3VxlfrK7XvpsjBx_ngTmws1teyuVpJ7CY2fOpj1J5kNeGXVuk2zC9WPG5yiaLsipVrfU8XltDJ0mW1kASLxMrExzmHZHM7kQp8paarwK5swTKmG6Cq9HK1ZgXxr_w2-4pVLqi77Hd9eJ1mKd0mXU9fmuldwhc=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">once again</a> receive 95-99% of the vote, observers said. 
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Violence and "_blank">claims</a> that protestors were raped, an announcement that Karroubi <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdaz7_oDuYuVR_ZzaSLvz97rxyV14LeTFHj3R6BuB9uMrgbnuPbEqtBO_c_eNySyCD1AEdGMvot1Hp_x1-HhTE5v9a0eurqBZMML9ADORUGW2Nug5z4T3fYkONUW2ZK9zqpvmGi0tSKhWGoBiuMnX4qaF9hY2-UNGkiZhc9MqudlfUXw-TQXtVX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">welcomed</a>. The Iranian judiciary also sentenced three <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRerIxXQoU9Gg0YmAKdF1LnfELxdy0JRtSYA3wAKiyqeU6cXXKAf4cRXjcF1tGIhpWDovKH77cQT4C9yOoRFQT5Gj7E3VGdN4AsCZtbIXryEOXGWQ8ag31brhIifQth-8MWpmWZlRCIFVyAxYRtqXJUrWYysVn8HNsaB1RezMqmKbfFSU5JDlZkoH7nCONNO8vw=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dissidents</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRegdZ3rbesDnfz-VwC0h1gnrqvRRYTOoeI_HgxpKipqn8J-lEvuBrcxdeA8-E52k3H7T-rcnTs0I5yT9C0fobR2k9tHhn4BtBmshFFmRlm17ql1gORXJ23VMXrkJxCE3q05vVTcjvaVpZKZhqLYyIwawHyV6bOwjU_qJF7Fju9TE3f2MLHTQ3AAYaBtZ1Sbn7SyPUEy-EOtjcDuHCbWSuJAE96qHZyM6Is=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">death</a>. The <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdrV37aErz3UfX2Noswg3WvJgljeLJHaC7BDhST8uGOFCcR1G3Bd2yev80B-V8YR368vNB6fY1y8WYeSPTilFwYOG9WuXer3NJjKuifVLbzaO6k15QNIQUKDLSFvIMHVczKDD1_3PEZGzr43Axmi21jO3hRBKz1NmaQNEMP4bFREPW1bOzUasx0E4STXmIFzNz98S5g8PHjf6A7aQ9W_Y_QBY8VE0k2K2g=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Green Movement</a> and other Iranians are <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRd0GwvXopLgdMs7s06VIBFXqKPFpgWhd9JHQjioTnwLuqRNQnffoF9nIRvG0LHPUGQwc8SgfzBiEwmZFc5VvoZB_yfVchzfqDS-adHzPaBeIId9Q6eAS8WF7YN-51W2BsDcIxuJx0gOm7fvaFpmrk2ItbYkhZ1llNGkV8GlDwS9Qqy0pK7gWpo127JM7tsyP8rRq4bS1LqdSnHiiWzVo-1_jGLPVlPHBOe4RziwnGXu4Q==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">divided</a> on President Obama's engagement with the regime, given its abuses, but former President Mohammad Khatami wrote on <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdaoN1S2XGt7FLl3eofs9mI9R-iWGY5ip2PD-fffoE0Q1OJIpAucwTCLrcxId-2ANNF0K3vj17BPIv2nrWG5VIuiEcbiAYjLwiEVG4vrJQWJeSON1W2-TPa78Y2AegANoywCbKyY7ZHuF7jrZE_RrnO3BJKdn4poY0f9oiFGg_fHdI5sPxf8ztYrOZKBHOs40Y2V0TyfaivIT8Mhi7BCwpW4dpUYSKUkYuma67Hv7VRI3feQIDBxfUn9nZ5i6HNHy2kavyjsDas5q_ud_kPJf7v23gq0UOCKMpusYLersAIF6H91w_a6HTp4zt03RoI-94=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">his website</a> that the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRezbjhEhGPQCCjl7A9e61jMk7nbgxy_KzAL7zsGJSava5C-SYy9H26sGDS6IZ1B9QbbE_HNsGjK0U2ADxE7dW8Mg67dJDim4qDuhNbOx_GMdSNV0ThfhT9VVoysbLrEi4spTKVa_w9XqLSDlqzD9wht_QDotJsnsg4=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">protestors</a> will not be deterred, as Karroubi and others <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRc8uAaqCQKKQKaHmsMz6cCAAhBWnFoX3xO9DYk2UZlUNHGnKW2VCIr3xBR3ysEVirKTpqlKmGUCx3xRsvsLEpAgMBbKIk6stAoSpOKJYhw-0UpOFhK8JX9pNrPlxUjo-h9CG3_9h_BQ45iK9NVTxHm08VxJ5as6Y5J-dnPE7hMYZqDOu4v7nkRJ6IGI5eXGKxmQpMk7bZgGmQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">demanded</a> time on television to explain their accusations. The daughter of a close aide to President Ahmadinejad <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRczHMQ8TGUZz4o5tlcxQFrxHakH909WHbhvy7qgi5jVybAXDPuoIFknas5ds4M7U2mVv7zFOn_Sf9uCAeV9sVTpcBbLRRgYv8yQTsyPbB6F8dSABmf9_0ecjOySiY_17-K_habBOfnfDw==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">applied for asylum</a> while screening her anti-torture movie in Germany.
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Afghanistan Headed for Run-Off? The increasingly likely prospect of a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReNaluJM7y46YGc9FlGc5dlAUGtO8pCVX_6_U8iGXJVcLzUTc86wGSNKOwSqRz1YEeGCaS5DL5rg5cRPHp62Ky_EiMX0U24Pme0xMbYzFgmZyQX-kp2ZE_Xtb0l83U0wrnFEvQYkCAWFy8FB3XDacRCyw_tPw7nvvmsiaJPyLI8UxSS4TeM32C3Yr92VhCVxw9Q4kGqT8GtGA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">run-off election</a> in Afghanistan led some to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRc4c6alFEfaAOil96wlriei7hKjFtD1PJS5NwD0mpjvRoydTr4hIsNy9bkWbB7n_9j31hjdxWlO5uL5brBnJwNkjk8MsVKy5np48XFOo7-7wltmm37OutHlBtalNHb2xfTc0ELQSZaejjtLDj38yhqtVrdCCzVhy8dNVQR6wXXLQA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">worry</a> about a repeat of the problems with the last election. Some still <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReqG-cjz9O5h9Z7XQxtGYIledc59Fs7v-uCTm5BT8WFh3jEOVCdoi2kASvsshTaumscCj1GrqcvpQd638-gDDYkaVl3otltLmvoR7yzOz4pDpnGRzdRGT3zBcqeT9-vXzDp45B0vLQYo66MbV6CaPO7uhrkbxIfl8k=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">contend</a> a power-sharing agreement would be a better solution, while others see a run-off as <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReG2QgeYgT97o_Mz8UJEXXnrlN6r1namlVVz1yEa9hOpeEyF7pQ-30rdfppqmk4FREwB3he9PtaliDRpvV2N00gAielvQ-cxp2LiTkOQSZV24yeZKraJ68OZoFwz891lY4nzrYCvMoL0QiJZq6UWAyQpXglvzTZ-kqOXKfwOQ1cZ_ZHv7VkSiQ4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">essential</a> to hopes for establishing the legitimacy of the Afghan government.
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Parliament Misses a Deadline in Iraq: The Iraqi parliament <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRejdLXOA6Jjq2gXhbvHmdf3Y-RQtWmVED_AkiDFKVlu3zA63jFk3tQAR5QXVzPxlwiedeGYQwddzVA8okWUZ7zMvAS2y6bzhcTFDAMdlWKyNyHZ4vCyeSivD_phtRA7JWWONTZHX4qqcAqIV8MX2Yfl2d-8UbWpqGQ=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">failed</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdQMTZlXhj1TJEYx7sSfzYBdoOyCM9WpeC3fh4WAfa42gAb9uUmRnIn6xvl8fr1lM4VFdnKArAb5v6f7btPb34KwQFrCg8O17aaxwPZJIPUeuWyEc7oaF3NPxik8ab62Lw4xCAeXGfc6cXgJ5dA9M2V" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">decide</a> whether election lists will be <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRea57NCwlE_zzkmrLQNuzn6AvWrhZ1RhQVxWf7KdiiqeAfrjgQ07YYEO6eDE5abvoduXI5F4_jppSLPYWrBr_vwVFVeTsKAl-B1UpguAdkYSweXQpCGL8KIdEhoa2GUKUjahpUqX7l5tKsflqg8h5XCFc2xD8WZB_k=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">open or closed</a>, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdQMTZlXhj1TJEYx7sSfzYBdoOyCM9WpeC3fh4WAfa42gAb9uUmRnIn6xvl8fr1lM4VFdnKArAb5v6f7btPb34KwQFrCg8O17aaxwPZJIPUeuWyEc7oaF3NPxik8ab62Lw4xCAeXGfc6cXgJ5dA9M2V" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">casting doubt</a> on the elections scheduled for January. Some Iraqi politicians are seeking support <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcKhRYe7_OaMUkrLYVujHh90-sOkrE6N4jstyUEheLMYepprKST4RQmJBu_0YhBRGEerwVF1PNdsBUyEvdUVN0UH_J5HbJxMgxdf9W-y2gCRFhOfZZvOjrd-ZqlLdWdoPBB6WcHkYO5yNc_TL0tLpvVP2bLrqzZKKeJCwM14AAeyjZWVb_-f6sa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">in Iran</a>, as observers <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReB0v2UhE6dUWfYbhbkGIvx3M-zh3_17b1CFB_1Solb2UKZXL1gSAE-MCoD2swBV8sKKTy9HqkPE6jGjzJ0jTVdt5AoC3_GiKN3jvVyjWlJN2kSgofHBv1PvKs48CKFHM8WH99gOqhb8U4DspgP1Y4Bz15XOm5g4FCwkDon5xT5wZL1DPx6XL3r" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">warn</a> that successful elections are vital. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfgq8Pieh2BaeAuXZeXl52cyhWwHo87BEBZWfqdTP5MmMsTNX_X8fOJ4Kj3vIp2yKQtaQKkcW7HNZeujQX069J_ZoHUUrhkoq9zz2x0c3_Jq75t1rWhXUhReA8c0RkuHNE_yozWwCO-7CWJuoPrxJZEbHLPC_g9RGv83nelAzzgJEEA1DOr0ybv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shut down</a> a university associated with his political rivals. Parliament did approve a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdY6DLEGkLXyFNRMTqsby7KkimxQH0-K4t_PiJ4TwQ-0v-_jYtra6CjMkNUFGx9-aFo-xaW8qkg49zrWcCDPJqQBdSSKRb2IpPrHNoJBHakay_krDxSTePJX4zVMMi82pUhDDEHCNTLq6Aj4M5zHQCuBOojyIT-PGJPHeQ3CJduA7fSk5cx7CFzO43kp3QW-xa3ellGioiqGQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">draft budget</a> for 2010.
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And Deadline Looming in Palestine: There may be a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfjGcvq_eQ6zyIJadw-odeMUfUipVI3L7Gy5n0bHeIVn6ZIZdgCpOpEgSdph8EldwPsL0CXO6Td0Oj3aeiO21Akgq38almt3q8pMTJZ5ORaz2dSszaZDkyZopKeYYPweCoWwMxZn-cS_A==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">deadline</a> approaching for Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's plan to produce a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReF-_Bav4VTZSxKC8XX_dC82NDabw16D5aioIXqGOYCQAq1eofV46KYfkKK5nF-8bbRgjhpreXNItneBgai5eKeBe9XemU_B7aVJY7RRXPbtaoT8Gz1TqgCegRsxtkmW9xr106Gl2R_YJZAS9Rwg9N6AHNMo5gR7QCbvUHByzjQR5j4VjE1wALtXi9mBikbDKMZH57gUNZJu0xrh66EsLHBaEGEAq-et-39ToO83gDdfA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unity agreement</a> between Fatah and Hamas, but President Mahmoud Abbas' <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfr0hQ5n2Y0yttHF-5GvMgcqTd8br4t1vsbjOIie64W6wXhvKx1HUTqVzJF0ed-C-NWD2rfFXY7jP_johbYFqZejbzT6DZrYBxiR_bOQL_Ri1OZpzc5Wr7_vCdGCYRFtidWML4nQU7Xhtym733-LgR45hWEHZybegSXV_PrM4coME9pQ8T87H4l" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">initial decision</a> not to pursue the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReS6O1ejFqGxnI7e_yjPXn_0h2xy09ZdMqHWZnpSgfR29op8_GG6XWGoV1UFhLVJK3vgHjXmGH7NyfXnMjJRLGvnM-IqzC2n6kaGcNt6cczOv4DewMLx9NPf8QvoXaUkEcp1KxQgEVLeQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goldstone Report</a> may have fostered even greater <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcGZbSeBVSddr-NAFs0v7a-QscHVMeJ3MXcdjS49kZCBuFq2X_CKyyq517DXo2tqp2Hk5OErC8YiosMjAxsk3OLgCtMbz6fMFFa_0xxTWESj6aQ9notqz6Z-aLaeszkizEbv9-bdWitkWyfiTK4PyLvG0CrPco7D-a_wtW1Ywvf7DA7V_4DYXDY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">divisions</a>. Egyptian officials have <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReTepaT8wqwyNiHqObst-TysbMESc429o2uLR5sr5UOyPRF2jimI4qYPQT-ehi_isu8Dr-pLF307xvN42YOBdHGufG6wFkLTHxOEJm2Y3edIeFv0Ddwpy96otZbHM7wDooMOEV3ebP4KbqeEYSVI8mdAwZBG0xFsxo=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">delayed</a> the signing of an agreement due to Hamas' new <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcwK2jFV9cLDkIajkgXslUjbg7psA4hcQ-SKmXEy4aBJYWRl0NlqX3L06vv2PferPpIE6uGdOkwLNGHZ8_NibJyjL4aYEjKEFYlscMReNZ0d8gdbM6USkzhmZ-zK1-N2-SrpiVCLkGuFwIWmSaUjDFseuoUrzzlU3ppb51HOKCH5p2KthA50h0WdG26Zrqsc1E=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">demands</a>. President Abbas said he will hold <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRc79uO6_XX7oN2tgIhGFEZluymJiWNtoIz-j39Lu9sxClTSE8FUY6MchZqDCKSOjkx42CNV_-0rp15UWcbPVQO6lBEEvtD979kZjNR2W9ww8CRig3Fedk0Cqli7I6yzSjck_MvGPzag54sTmJnK2QEqKyqfHeYZUS0=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">elections</a> in January if Hamas does not sign the document.
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Regional Powers Still Pushing for Cabinet Deal in Lebanon: Syrian President Bashar Assad and Saudi King Abdullah <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcx2AaaaGJFYVAO6uZDHMSPzHnrlxJXAQl1-b7q6n1p2vW_Hj2lKzBAsgMQPOTM3Gw3iU0N1m5nx7xbNBQ705g5zbREbwBt_bCZ7uXauz9H3rUF4_LjNOuvSvNVKtyoj4RzVn7SPYXUVkiX2WV15fEKnyc4QNb54v0=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">put pressure</a> on Lebanon's parliament to form a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfZFvMTNbcHioiF_yxkocXyYmjLxK3_N0krPU4fEdWECJNjFSjXJnAkIhdqOpUCxzmYBFPe8LIFCIpeoNhyRCdT1kXBXpeejj01QBiY_yygrjwg4cKJMKeW5RjH3-EZDUwgqLSxPOl32kSHUERh_7K4zxKWBp7kO3NdTPb8nENgQdPLGDyNt9w63v0mCw18HQE=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unity cabinet</a>. Meanwhile, an <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdFckrEKn3BA5QaY9hztv5Kvsk6NOSD4zvbXTDBkqvX5SRvl28XtklGDUY1SNecPC3nahTpNB03RZWqE__ujS7kKNNyX2vQGi07dC-yc8rPQrdxs4-b2upxoraHPsE6yQoS83ocF_Ys1V_ZV9DGlKxgJQNvfw-OaJZCcf1_ELgWrYj_SDy7R0gruEIYy7jTQNoJEqpUFqweMFyqOzFn195GahFtWP2WHo6adqj_zAsgQA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unexplained explosion</a> at the house of a Hezbollah member led to speculation about the existence of illegal weapons in southern Lebanon. Turkey's recent <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRd0DOWTOzmg3vz7Vn3gg11vAx0g3wxkfzzPTroNbqLEjCDZQB_cGkKLm9M7nINXc95DvAJxisWOpmghVDcFzfVZfJk35Ya9viW_BzciN0fSiOmXzJIlHA-wCZg4cD2qsuP0kabRBK55gfxktmZ4COhfb_hdeVlQVPYJ4R8sjBzPWMjZd9SDZftE-0RGC7OIo5EMa4O9W3WmUlykVSiDEP171-HuDTAeY8cjX5hIrm1LwMmeBAr__ZDF_lYskoKzNJ-yAMIBoAp9rPHBWJMoyKVZTXGhLHAfpnR_Xa_UbPe7MqV0fp-tiRk4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">diplomatic agreement</a> with Syria and protests against conditions in Gaza led some to believe it is seeking a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcKLYfBBSA5K3DJcD6M1V9mU_lR5f4sJJlS0nwHXaARoSdHSRwYh0AwBD1c8JS-hb9KjEpVIC9NPRwRCI8vEoomKjq6V_CRK3-lCROuCtYst9ccHiCcT_4R267UvfQhqVe7d69eS_JB04tn1s0W-8QE6-cPfob5bTg1R_RtW2JRQa5kk4BKpUDc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">leadership role</a> in the Middle East.
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Egyptian Opposition Active: The Egyptian al-Wafd party continued to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcahVrLtXBIXnvF9XSqUSsqaur0h_rUhnKKgsI4MslvJOxCqGkp4icu8XKQJ5Ws54lS9bxSG3wLpi_dDHrNg10nUakP-DBjjDHdV5B6Snuj2QIZG_5_ZEo_" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">encourage</a> Mohamed El-Baradei to run for president in 2011. <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRc8Md1uLs0UvC9v24cSHjZb327HuOgzz3M_is3Qo5Zu1gDK_IvCdkY2gsW_28rwUxrnOtttWNETCSwY-nGZc_7VKOuc89BYLbroTnr34vnUAm4h33k0OTZ7-O2KcyL9H52QddhNUzdyRakCXK8ko3uw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Opposition</a> groups <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRcIYcBL163BhXWIllKIyNSQKfOZ_58PWAcXiB8xkJGgmOryAxj2cKHjQisUm69MUB5EO_PhCjtmag3zukeQmGHX2RPS2_fFhV6dYfNA7-z5_hTcywqS8AA4eK_TJ4hB0zCsy68WS1tiun2RiOV_RUoP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">spoke out</a> against the possible <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdeOcgEzgS2oN1Us0nnvsd-0RIBTCaxEpTmWytiEUT8PchPtPuzdAMaAyn5GEyXYNFJhd0I3Uq1TNDM-yGoJZnosCDrcTZ9Vxoe6QjFaqmX2Am7ZIXt1OtN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">inheritance</a> of the presidency by Gamal Mubarak, though some <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfdniaNSj0jyzKBVaruqpUjfuAyzsoJ8y2jMx5MkKBp23msInAsm2bTQ3p97E0DJXfaAb1vgZbPZtDcgoWk7pWlppP50rvNOfOoarmVNIHHzzw3VyXGTC9xrizE5Ze1l0-70k9uGV7Md0eELYfv0_7D5cWvu05ZDzFn7SVOZRbZEKC59ckpNC-vY3XHhNvvjdZ9cFQYzzehIQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">acknowledge</a> that their tactics seem likely to fail.  Meanwhile, Hamas accused the Egyptian government of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRegP1ZQDSn4sW07GNWQ7YmP0UxXaTWeT9X8fQ_C_0SaF3rpn1MK4fbm-N6DGhN5yMPCn4tDioeziujYvjVo03UWQXQS1--eVWhfAMv1AsQdNBKA23jKzC8TJ2b3woL6rtUy2wy6cyWFCA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">torturing</a> its spokesman to death - charges the Egyptians <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfPXxjJDaRP28AkMOdHNswLZzmTC1_1AXDFi7mCAy5Mc_y0QyMAoxd_uRVRPYK4Ev0sJqPKcp0qqV-Mosej7D8L_YCiDBQSlOw6-pytF40kY8N3J5ANOQFpARBowBWSfF3YDk3RnXec474GST6JnOmM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">denied</a> - and Freedom House announced it would send a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRf8M3fF6H2qyhJDXC7xW4Ood-TzEREUZoj-5PT1-W9CBhFLWokt_mod73gK3d7WtvnkchhJITvtNCn_tTjbEcwp-S123aMyZBFZElh5n33GLQUn0pGnB8sVSUfXWBNcX1-g0Qy29nwku2k1QwGLV3oUBzJLOpQbfPc=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">delegation</a> to Egypt.
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Progressive Islamic Leaders Targeted: Conservative Sheikh Saad Al Shethry <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRedPkODX8lDrRZWb8XtNxY9C8Gx0Rf_ebfeSVpMein6HHGZpEteeXfz_2w0xyJMC1Bvlmx4Y-YDmWhAUnvs-FNTusSZ5IGp8M-O7_L6YPJxB7CLmzjwWBX-YS8k8sn86mF_IwH95NOPOCMPnwZahsSLfNJhRilaHoWfYjj9uivq3axAMBp_eXeb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">resigned</a> from an influential Saudi council after being criticized by a journalist for his comments condemning the new King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, where male and female students are mixed. Also, the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdLP_6krEIPS2sVjq43PUUu6-RnNhtmH_de7xPQ87AtFzVNdhSXauN5k4DMndJT9VN9Jm99R86E8fI98Wv3n6dE8LtrVrDAK3P2WMe6U2WgeQ9_5DEmCK62Sm5vAFJvw19mxSA_Rx13lzPyme3HiAB4lKh79A19Mj_q9QqIYTx6BE5iJUuI5IlsKCuEqle0lfa9vHhvgkw9KfnnMMkjVyew" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">progressive</a> Grand Imam of Al Azhar University in Cairo is the subject of a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdNBaCd4jGhswpdQMxlQSCBq4BfcQX1LTRXiaGLGhshIryLtT-0PkFn2WOE96w44Xzm6-IDaSfBcXO0G0pSdBy6ksItTlrq9m363Zf_7BvI7neqlNE0JKBLlGbFmjr2GaqgSy-Q2zrQcXmTPHEJ0NZQyULWhOUPhTw=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lawsuit</a> over the recently imposed ban on face veils at the school. 
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Divisions Spurring More Conflict in Yemen: Agreements were made to open up <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRccF2yAinNAWDVmMM9O5WK4DOZiciyYcahW7xJU2s8JhCVqV5mXPZ5X81aJ1Es3aRmidVuECnw8dd-cOzuuJ-va9jsr392RrIh00AXZj94OZkcHvw9gV-LDWCBWKSOiy33ij6BXqotKLfwD1-ZTn6M3IKFhpCsoApBUM6TGbIJlEWY4USxxG-vhFMu0YPAA8QIPRztbJluH5w==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">humanitarian corridors</a> in northern Yemen to help refugees from <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRebgwPVxluQjY-4FjCda1fgMP2vL2nVLpvdIXI6k2ZnuXzzI9vtoppgWNyijAlybiuHvBCgx4DYQ_3gqjZPizj8byqTOc6rHDi62Pf6NF94wpmu-qfpRPFK-Sd4YWbkuQYramf3CS0E4bxxs5REb1qwCXBVMuzazUouuEBZ7Lfuc_LHqTStdAHs9kdkDC18tOBdotDd0ADOsA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">recent fighting</a>. The <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRe8HY84g_Ktd7ora1qcn5hDNSJaa0JPm6Xq9Fo-hN6Nw8DmOBpvOzPce2cN285g25VVV0Yf8VAZ0CUHZ9fWBbMtCdejA3TtReSefNScO-c8Yn3h_YwSZNZlJd492KQxJtc_1Kdkh781Yigk0O0sWyMl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">causes</a> and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReKqth-M4FIxY3VOXUk-cAlNxutaiNicITSlzs7qqIGJmml31gNOmpGwmpLsZ7KlImmx5aoO7WupUimwFY9sPeVNaFzUxPDtnF7fK4zHgfs-w-yBLRxxBcOI2hkqCh0If8UDs5wwbm9QRiigntjdIJQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">implications</a> of the fighting are still <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRekCmjJxmUlX3VVWxhQ6uN_e4P_C-3LpY5-MDctFT8Z80LcS4JkN-WOJK8couUDihNuO4l3OB47lA_M8GJYdL5KZl711Z-Pt6whe_BGuA7b1TrwEpEAvouLgnCZIKHwh7-06s9zQkTRonRFgXFLu-PY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unclear</a>, though the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gReznhTrpWx6LOlu8I69q1QdrN4N_HYZ7HWPEoqycRTS_OM7LWWxTBAOrW7Yukcry43e_8iUxG9-ziNycJ9MF_8LTot6im9_Pw4a4HzLYCkuSJY2EpMVsxIwcqVLpmZz_13SmrlYn8z2pu57qO5e1LTJC1c4-vndeVs=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">divisions</a> in the country are obvious.
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The Maghreb Lagging Behind Sub-Saharan Africa? The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's latest <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRfs-BTErhMKwsZ8baIKi9hrMrU5RNMb2YEAePGw3b8IK_92pbkp6Pnz_PBiig2Ljv3VZzC4ig1hUVy6-D0w7e9Bd9_G3yYz6Q25Dg3N2jeIHHwg7FTgvh-OGJIAXE3p6J3ntsmNSSRfEXMdIUDQhLRfR5d7NL15v-40ByAFFRzRTY-IJGOLjfVS1D5P66SRGNs=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">index of governance</a> rates the Arab countries of North Africa as considerably less democratic and less free than most countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.
<div> </div>
Also Worth Reading
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In an interesting essay on CNN's website, Cynthia Schneider and Nadia Oweidat argue that moderate voices in the Arab world are being <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRdgmoAFkxO2-KMEw0Vg2QWsUhGsYRLnXd7nnlSAh0e8N9VT0iLggyl1ISafNOdWpJ2GcJ9sOVzV6mN66pIvXozUnDxVLfi_ntesLBg6zFkYjRFJnYIthAnrXJzYcIuwNLMlZ4W7xOCWd8fMR0YI5jt2JBbsYb9hp7kFWBYeTraFI8u9PtiOqPiY9RICZFHVrV-BDN1A0FFAuA9NAcqHpxUfQWptLfCx_P4=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shut out</a> of public discourse by censors. Moderate Islam already exists in the contemporary Arab world, but it has been silenced to the point where more radical voices dominate the conversation. 
 

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In Case You Missed It
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On Wednesday (10/14), The John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies hosted a lecture by Francis Fukuyama, the director of the International Development Program, on "The Origins of Accountable Government." The event was the final of a series of discussions entitled "Getting to Denmark: Where the State, Rule of Law and Accountable Government Come From."  To view POMED's notes from the lecture, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRe_WBvucUkYo6gkrBGhTppN4nUs9kxI_oCUwHOP8NcE6-ELdBnEGcXAvLt-5HpT92EMFq-0z_FVh_R2N165VxtMY-QGVTGfIqDXJWXr5EhCXKodFv3HhrAbpyKrJwNFIatEuvfaCZPc1SjfXww0x9BWX95rd3mAx0ST41U_oNmcGUVttkwT3qN4tviFoi8Ab3zNfaIIrRD604D2Q1AVh_ElACxe8Izo5wY=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Also on Wednesday (10/14), the Cato Institute hosted a book forum on John C. Hulsman's book To Begin the World Over Again: Lawrence of Arabia from Damascus to Baghdad. Hulsman is the Alfred von Oppenheim Scholar in Residence at the German Council on Foreign Relations. The two other panelists were Daniel Serwer, vice president of the Centers of Innovation at the United States Institute of Peace, and Christopher Preble, director of Foreign Policy Studies at the Cato Institute. Cato's Justin Logan moderated.  For POMED's notes from the discussion, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102772100641&s=3668&e=001UcJsIl81gRediY---LgPIhU_7awOmIVfC7__NbTGk-Dt2InKW-ZX9wXrb8N_lf6ojao03FsN7RYUDXpANd2X_Z1p-TGYNyVrerRDmd80xIMWsIFOy8G_QXsTNRByYcsWY_oggHQJW7p8PnUoT4yqVi13dEVoZqrxnFo5_kKywxmzC63oLay9cVir2BtGpfaZ9shEoKItMwA=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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طھط§ط±ظٹط® ط§ظ„ط§ظ†ط¶ظ…ط§ظ…	:	2006-09-28
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