Today's security news and views from the global press and the blogosphere
Por Madrid11.netToday on M11.net: Wars of “religion” It's too easy, and too dangerous, to think religion can explain modern conflicts, says Manali Desai.
Though modern conflicts are often framed in religious terms, Manali Desai argues that "religion" is an essentially useless category in understanding what drives groups against each other. It has become fashionable to refer to the global cultural and political struggles of the present as wars of religion. The trend extends beyond the post-9/11 obsession with Islamic fundamentalism, although interest in Islam is critical to this new sensibility. Multiculturalism in the UK, with its policy of separate but equal religious communities, is also responsible for elevating the political import of faith. Similarly, the sectarian strife between Shia and Sunni in Iraq is framed frequently as a timeless and eternal conflict. Read more here.
16 February, 2007
www.madrid11.net
CIA agents demanded in rendition trial An Italian judge has ordered the trial of 26 Americans and seven Italians over the 2003 abduction of Osama Mustafa Hassan, an Egyptian cleric who was subsequently tortured in Egypt. This is the first case related to the policy of "extraordinary rendition" to be brought to trial. The author Michael Otterman believes the policy of extraordinary rendition is "coming apart at the seems". Militant denials in Madrid
Suspected Madrid bomber Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed has condemned the 2004 bombings unconditionally. Ahmed denies any involvement with Islamic militant groups, even as prosecutors accuse of him of master-minding the attacks, and an Italian court last year ruled that he was indeed linked to Islamist militant organisation. Conservative American commentator Tammy Bruce has little sympathy for Ahmed.
Nato: defence and offence President George W. Bush acknowledged the precarious security situation in Afghanistan, admitting that despite "substantial progress" in the country since 2001, NATO forces required more troops and resources to fight the resurgent Taliban and al-Qaida elements in the country. Nato officials insist that the expansion of the US' missile defence shield program into eastern Europe is not targeted at Russia. Moscow was furious after both Poland and the Czech Republic agreed to host US missile defence installations in moves the Kremlin feels were blatantly oriented against Russia. The Fourth Rail blog believes that NATO's Operation Kryptonite has been launched to head off a Taliban spring offensive.
British fairness to the rescue?
Britain has offered to play a larger role in bringing ongoing civil strife in Sri Lanka to an end. UK officials have offered to meet with representatives of the Tamil Tigers, the rebel organisation it has outlawed as a "terrorist group". In the past, Norwegian officials have taken the lead international role in mediating the dispute, but many sectors of Sri Lankan opinion have grown disappointed with Oslo's efforts. Global Geopolitics Crisis Monitor follows developments in Sri Lanka in detail.
"Sovereignty" to be respected in central Africa? The leaders of Sudan, the Central African Republic and Chad have agreed to "not support fighters" attacking each other's countries. Sudan has been blamed for allowing internal violence and instability to leak across its borders into neighbouring Chad and, subsequently, into CAR. Chad's foreign minister earlier dismissed diplomacy with Sudan as "useless". The Asparagus blog sees a mess of hotspots in the region.
Japan place sanctions on Iran Japanese officials announced today that they have placed trade sanctions on Iran in an effort to slow its nuclear development programme. Japan has banned all exports to and imports from Iran of nuclear-related materials until Tehran suspends its nuclear enrichment plans. The Next Century Foundation hopes to secure a resolution of the crisis with Iran through peaceful negotiations and compromise.
Mauritanian plane hijacked Mauritanian plane was hijacked by a Moroccan man from the disputed region of Western Sahara, who demanded to be flown to France. Pilots refused due to lack of fuel, redirecting the plane to the Canary Islands, where the man was arrested. The Sahara-Occidental blog calls for the liberation of Western Saharafrom Moroccan rule.
Malaysia bans books on religion, sex and racial riots. Rights groups have protested the Malaysian government's decision to ban 56 books, ranging from topics of religion and sex to race and ethnic violence. Banned books include titles by the popular scholar Karen Armstrong, as well as academic works on recent ethnic and race riots in the country. Sex and racial
violence remain taboo subjects in Malaysia.
Double-edged diplomacy in Turkey. Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Turkey today to press Turkish leaders on confronting Iran. Olmert will also have to listen to the urgings of Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who will ask for the easing of restrictions in on Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
Suspected Madrid bomber Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed has condemned the 2004 bombings unconditionally. Ahmed denies any involvement with Islamic militant groups, even as prosecutors accuse of him of master-minding the attacks, and an Italian court last year ruled that he was indeed linked to Islamist militant organisation. Conservative American commentator Tammy Bruce has little sympathy for Ahmed.
Nato: defence and offence President George W. Bush acknowledged the precarious security situation in Afghanistan, admitting that despite "substantial progress" in the country since 2001, NATO forces required more troops and resources to fight the resurgent Taliban and al-Qaida elements in the country. Nato officials insist that the expansion of the US' missile defence shield program into eastern Europe is not targeted at Russia. Moscow was furious after both Poland and the Czech Republic agreed to host US missile defence installations in moves the Kremlin feels were blatantly oriented against Russia. The Fourth Rail blog believes that NATO's Operation Kryptonite has been launched to head off a Taliban spring offensive.
British fairness to the rescue?
Britain has offered to play a larger role in bringing ongoing civil strife in Sri Lanka to an end. UK officials have offered to meet with representatives of the Tamil Tigers, the rebel organisation it has outlawed as a "terrorist group". In the past, Norwegian officials have taken the lead international role in mediating the dispute, but many sectors of Sri Lankan opinion have grown disappointed with Oslo's efforts. Global Geopolitics Crisis Monitor follows developments in Sri Lanka in detail.
"Sovereignty" to be respected in central Africa? The leaders of Sudan, the Central African Republic and Chad have agreed to "not support fighters" attacking each other's countries. Sudan has been blamed for allowing internal violence and instability to leak across its borders into neighbouring Chad and, subsequently, into CAR. Chad's foreign minister earlier dismissed diplomacy with Sudan as "useless". The Asparagus blog sees a mess of hotspots in the region.
Japan place sanctions on Iran Japanese officials announced today that they have placed trade sanctions on Iran in an effort to slow its nuclear development programme. Japan has banned all exports to and imports from Iran of nuclear-related materials until Tehran suspends its nuclear enrichment plans. The Next Century Foundation hopes to secure a resolution of the crisis with Iran through peaceful negotiations and compromise.
Mauritanian plane hijacked Mauritanian plane was hijacked by a Moroccan man from the disputed region of Western Sahara, who demanded to be flown to France. Pilots refused due to lack of fuel, redirecting the plane to the Canary Islands, where the man was arrested. The Sahara-Occidental blog calls for the liberation of Western Saharafrom Moroccan rule.
Malaysia bans books on religion, sex and racial riots. Rights groups have protested the Malaysian government's decision to ban 56 books, ranging from topics of religion and sex to race and ethnic violence. Banned books include titles by the popular scholar Karen Armstrong, as well as academic works on recent ethnic and race riots in the country. Sex and racial
violence remain taboo subjects in Malaysia.
Double-edged diplomacy in Turkey. Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Turkey today to press Turkish leaders on confronting Iran. Olmert will also have to listen to the urgings of Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who will ask for the easing of restrictions in on Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
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