February 28th

The Fading Jihadists ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by David Ignatius - (Opinion) February 28, 2008 - 4:38pm Politicians who talk about the terrorism threat -- and it's already clear that this will be a polarizing issue in the 2008 campaign -- should be required to read a new book by a former CIA officer named Marc Sageman. It stands what you think you know about terrorism on its head and helps you see the topic in a different light. » Read more

Obama Rebuffs Challenges On His Israel Stance ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Jonathan Weisman - February 28, 2008 - 4:38pm Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is engaged in a concerted effort to reassure Jewish leaders in the face of an increasingly aggressive Republican campaign to question his tolerance and his commitment to supporting Israel. In a typical attack, the Tennessee Republican Party, under the headline "Anti-Semites for Obama," said Monday that it was joining "a growing chorus of Americans concerned about the future of the nation of Israel, the only stable democracy in the Middle East, if Sen. Barack Hussein Obama is elected president of the United States." » Read more

February 27th

A Poll That Disproves Western Myths About Muslims ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Rami Khouri - February 27, 2008 - 6:52pm Every few years a book is published that has the potential to change perceptions of millions of people, and, by doing so, perhaps to change policies of governments for the better. I believe that just such a book is the one that will be published in a few weeks titled: "Who Speaks for Islam," by John L. Esposito of Georgetown University and Dalia Mogahed of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. » Read more

Israeli Army Accused Of Turning A Blind Eye ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Sydney Morning Herald by Ed Oloughlin - February 27, 2008 - 6:51pm AN ISRAELI rights group yesterday claimed there was a "culture of impunity" in the Israeli security forces after the army decided not to order a disciplinary investigation into the killing of 21 Palestinian civilians in November 2006. The dead men, women and children included at least 13 members of the Athamneh family, among them a one-year-old girl. Another 35 people were injured as a dozen 155-mm heavy artillery shells struck the north Gaza town of Beit Hanoun. » Read more

Drifting Further From The Path Of Common Sense, Realism And Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times by Hasan Abu Nimah - (Opinion) February 27, 2008 - 6:50pm Israel seems to be concerned by the slow pace of the peace negotiations jump-started by the US-sponsored meeting in Annapolis last November. Months have passed since that “historic” gathering was concluded, and yet there is no sign of any movement. Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert continue to meet regularly, but only “like two old men at the doctor’s office who meet up to chat before returning home to their afternoon nap”, as a Haaretz columnist recently put it. » Read more

Mideast: Gaza Border In Political Limbo ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS) by Khaled Moussa Al-omrani, Adam Morrow - February 27, 2008 - 6:49pm One month after throngs of Palestinians flooded into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula from the Gaza Strip, the flashpoint Rafah border crossing remains tightly shut. But according to some opposition figures, the breach -- viewed by many as a victory for Palestinian resistance faction Hamas -- signalled the need for new border protocols consistent with shifting political realities. » Read more

Officials: Egypt Boosts Border Troops To Double Agreed Number ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters February 27, 2008 - 6:48pm Egypt has discreetly boosted the number of troops deployed along the border with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, beyond those set in a 30-year-old peace accord with Israel, Israeli officials said Tuesday. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said reinforcements started arriving after Hamas Islamists in Gaza blasted open the Egyptian border at Rafah on Jan. 23 in defiance of an Israeli-led blockade of the coastal territory. » Read more

Un Report Calls Palestinian Terrorism Result Of Occupation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Bradley S. Klapper - February 27, 2008 - 6:46pm A report commissioned by the United Nations says Palestinian terrorism is the inevitable result of Israeli occupation, an assertion that Israel rejected yesterday as inflammatory. more stories like this The report, posted on the UN Human Rights Council's website, says that while Palestinian terrorist acts are deplorable, "they must be understood as being a painful but inevitable consequence of colonialism, apartheid, or occupation." The report accuses the Jewish state of acts and policies consistent with all three. » Read more

Most Muslims 'desire Democracy' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News February 27, 2008 - 6:45pm The largest survey to date of Muslims worldwide suggests the vast majority want Western democracy and freedoms, but do not want them to be imposed. The poll by Gallup of more than 50,000 Muslims in 35 nations found most wanted the West to instead focus on changing its negative view of Muslims and Islam. The huge survey began following the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US. The overwhelming majority of those asked condemned them and subsequent attacks, citing religious reasons. » Read more

Towards True Dialogue ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Khaleej Times by Madeleine K. Albright - (Opinion) February 27, 2008 - 6:44pm Doha - To act wisely, we need to know as much as possible about others and also about ourselves; one path to such knowledge is dialogue. In that quest, we convene this year at a moment of great anticipation. Arab-Israeli peace talks have recommenced. In Iraq, signs of hope are visible amid ongoing strife. And in November, the United States will choose a new president. » Read more