Asia

Israel gauges fallout from Iran strike

Credit: Asia Times: By Victor Kotsev Amid the ever-growing diplomatic noise and military buildup in the Persian Gulf, a key issue has received insufficient attention: the dual problem of possible radioactive contamination and civilian casualties resulting from an operation against Iran. Strikes on nuclear facilities carry enormous stigma; those directed […]

Four Arab worlds will meet in Baghdad

By Rami G. Khouri The Daily Star Lebanon I have been following the deliberations of Arab summit meetings for my entire adult life, and still remain dubious about the value of such gatherings. The summit taking place this week in Baghdad seems no different – but the Arab world itself […]

Jordan PM to head delegation to Arab Summit

AMMAN/BAGHDAD — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh will head the Jordanian delegation to the 23rd Arab Summit, which opened in Baghdad on Tuesday. The delegation includes ministers of industry and trade and foreign affairs Sami Gammoh and Nasser Judeh, respectively, Jordan’s Ambassador to Egypt and […]

Ex-Palawan Governor ordered arrested for muder

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—A judge on Tuesday ordered the arrest of former Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes, his mayor-brother and a former provincial administrator in connection with last year’s killing of environmentalist-broadcaster Gerardo “Doc Gerry” Ortega here. Reyes was charged with murder, along with Mayor Mario Reyes of Coron town in […]

Israel’s conscience

Ha’aretz: Ha’aretz has long had a reputation as Israel’s most distinguished newspaper, read by the economic, political, and intellectual elites. It’s language and the lack of a sensationalist front page are among the factors that make it the secular Hebrew language daily with the smallest circulation. It is also the […]

Taliban’s peace options limited

Credit: Asia Times: By Brian M Downing Over the past 10 years, the Taliban have recovered from their ouster and established a presence in half of Afghanistan’s districts, where they have become a de facto government in many of them. The Afghan government is frail and unwilling to reform. The […]