Britain Cracks Down on 'Preachers of Hate,' Detains Ten for Deportation

August 11, 2005 --

'Al-Qaeda Cleric' Among Ten Detained For Deportation

Britain's promised crackdown on the "preachers of hate" began this morning as ten foreign nationals were detained, including Abu Qatada, described as al-Qaeda's spiritual ambassador in Europe. (The Times)

Q&A: What Next For the Detainees (The Times)

Cleric Bakri Arrested In Beirut

British-based radical Islamic preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed has been arrested in Lebanon. (BBC)

IAEA Drafts Iran Nuclear Reaction

The UN nuclear agency holds a last day of crisis talks following Iran's resumption of nuclear activities. (BBC)

Terrorist Watch Lists Could Be Part of Gun-Buying Record Checks

Several measures before Congress would change the way in which federal authorities use terrorist watch lists when doing background checks on potential gun buyers. (Congressional Quarterly)

Britain Signs Deportation Deal with Jordan

Jordan signed a deal with Britain yesterday that enables British courts to deport Jordanians who incite or condone acts of terrorism in preaching or writing. Under the agreement, Jordan would have to guarantee a deportee would not be tortured or otherwise mistreated at home and would not face the death penalty. (Reuters)

Pakistan Questions Alleged Al Qaeda Operative
Pakistani security officials shifted an alleged al-Qaeda operative to Islamabad Wednesday for questioning, four days after his arrest in the central city of Faisalabad, an intelligence official said. (Expatica)

Foreign Madrasa Students Start Leaving Pakistan

Two Nepalese religious students left Pakistan yesterday, the first of more than 1,400 foreigners set to be deported in a government drive to curb extremism at the nation's Islamic schools. (AP)

Afghan Villagers Say U.S. Airstrike Killed Civilians

Villagers in southern Afghanistan said Thursday that U.S. airstrikes during operations against militants this week killed civilians and wounded others, including an infant. A U.S. service member was killed in the east — the sixth American fatality in a week. (AP)

U.S. Missions Reopen, but Caution Remains

The United States reopened its three diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia but warned Americans there to stay vigilant. (LA Times)

Turkey Charges Man over Ship Plot

A Turkish court has brought charges against a Syrian suspected of planning to blow up Israeli cruise ships. (BBC)

Gunmen Kill at Least Six in Iraq

Insurgent attacks continued today as Iraqis attempted to write a constitution that is scheduled to be complete by Monday. (AP)

Political Unrest Mounts in Iraq

Baghdad's mayor decries his ouster, and rioters in the south protest their leadership. A bombing in the capital and other violence kill at least 21. (LA Times)

Early Pullout Unlikely In Iraq

Military official says withdrawal at least a year off. (Washington Post)

Iraqi Arabs Flock to Kurdish North for Jobs, Safety

Each morning before dawn, hundreds of Arabs from southern Iraq gather near a mosque in this northern Kurdish city hoping to find work on one of scores of construction sites dotting the landscape. (Reuters)

Despite Crushing Costs, Iraqi Cabinet Lets Big Subsidies Stand

A proposal by Iraq's finance minister to reduce the enormous fuel and food subsidies that consume roughly a third of the government's budget and largely crush economic growth has been rejected by the cabinet after a recent similar move in Yemen set off fatal riots there. (NY Times)

What's Wrong With Throwing Out People Who Incite Violence?

So Tony Blair is a Nazi. Or worse, he is a petty dictator who wants to scrap all the liberties and laws the Brits have accrued over the centuries. Why is the man who just won a national election being called such names? Well, he simply said, "enough is enough." It is high time he said it and acted on it. (Arab News)

No End in Sight in Iraq

We're stuck in a murderous quagmire without even the suggestion of an end in sight. (NY Times)

What Mideast Reform Will Require

As Monday's deadline approaches for drafting the constitution for the new government of Iraq, more than the future of that war-torn country is at stake. (Washington Post)

If Cindy and Akbar Could Meet

The US mother who lost a son in Iraq and a jailed pro-democracy Iranian dissident might find a common ground. (CS Monitor)

Doublespeak on Nuke Power

The only thing certain about the confrontation from here on is that there is going to be a lot of hypocrisy and doublespeak from all participants. This therefore is the moment to grab some basics to help cut through the coming posture-striking and rhetoric. (Arab News)

A New Approach Is Needed In Talks With Iran Over Its Nuclear Program

Now that Iran has resumed its nuclear activities, it is worth assessing the shortcomings of the European Union's approach in its negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program. (The Daily Star)