In The News

In Turkey, a History Lesson in Peace

Seyla Benhabib November 18, 2003
Escaping from the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century, many Sephardic Jews sought refuge in Turkey, founding a community that has survived for 500 years. The relations between the Jewish people and their Muslim hosts – from the Ottoman Empire to the secularized state – have been traditionally cordial and friendly, argues author Seyla Benhabib. But the recent bombings of two synagogues in...

Terrorists Have No Right to Speak for Arabs, Muslims

November 17, 2003
The bombings at two synagogues in Istanbul brought more condemnation to Arabs and Muslims, says this editorial in Lebanon's Daily Star. With such senseless carnage carried out in the name of Islam, the paper laments, the world will increasingly believe that violence is the favored form of expression by the Arab and Islamic worlds. Every reasonable Arab and Muslim should shout out their...

Turkey Says Foreign Terrorists May Be Behind Suicide Blasts

Craig S. Smith November 17, 2003
Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, a little-known group with ties to Al Qaeda, is taking responsibility for Sunday's coordinated bombings of two Jewish synagogues in Istanbul. The group has also claimed responsibility for the bombings of the UN headquarters in Iraq in August and of the Baghdad hotel used by the Iraqi Governing Council in October. Neither of the past claims has been substantiated...

US Agrees to International Control of Its Troops in Iraq

Leonard Doyle November 17, 2003
After much international and domestic criticism, it appears that the White House is ready to give up some direct control in Iraq. This article in the Independent reports that the during US President George W. Bush's visit to the UK the world should expect to hear that Washington is willing to allow international control of American troops in Iraq. While the details have not yet been...

Seoul in Dilemma Over Iraq Troops

Seo Hyun-jin November 15, 2003
With the original goal of helping the United States to reconstruct Iraq, South Korea sent 675 army engineers and medics there over the summer. But now, citing security concerns, South Korea will most likely not meet a US request for 5,000 combat troops to help stabilize the country. Some Korean officials are worried that their country's reluctance to commit more troops in Iraq may damage the...

Appreciating Resistance

Gihan Shahine November 14, 2003
As Iraqi resistance to US occupation becomes more intense and more deadly, people in Egypt are applauding the attempts of their fellow Arabs to oust the American invaders, says this report in Egypt's Al-Ahram Weekly. People have also become increasingly angry towards America's support of Israel. "Killing an American soldier has become synonymous with killing an Israeli soldier,...

Surprise Word on Nuclear Gains by North Korea and Iran

David E. Sanger November 12, 2003
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued reports stating that North Korea and Iran are both further along in the development of nuclear weapons than what was previously known or expected. Iran's program particularly has surprised experts, as its efforts to enrich uranium and to separate plutonium have been well-hidden for 18 years. The general consensus remains that North...