Current Events Insights: March 2014

Monday 31 March 2014

The Turkish military fired back into Syria on Monday in retaliation
for mortar shells and a rocket from over the border that hit a mosque in
the town of Yayladagi, the provincial governor's office and local media
said.

Three
mortar rounds landed on Turkish soil, fired during fighting between the
Islamist rebels in Syria and forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar
Assad for control of the Armenian Christian village of Kasab, Turkey's
Dogan News Agency said.

Islamist
insurgents launched an offensive about ten days ago into Syria's
Latakia region on the Mediterranean coast, taking both the border
crossing and Kasab on the Syrian side.

Turkish military fires into Syria after rocket hits mosque - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

Q&A: Somalia PM's zero tolerance policy

Al Jazeera talks to Somalia's Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed about the ongoing war against al-Shabab.

Q&A: Somalia PM's zero tolerance policy - Features - Al Jazeera English

Kenya president's trial postponed to October

The International Criminal Court has again postponed the trial of
Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya's president, on charges that he orchestrated
violence following the country's 2007 election.

The court on Monday rescheduled the start of the trial to October 7,
saying the delay would give the Kenyan government more time to produce
evidence requested by prosecutors.

"The purpose of the adjournment is to provide the government of Kenya
with a further, time-limited opportunity to provide certain records,
which the prosecution had previously requested," the court said in a
statement.

Prosecutors accuse Kenyatta of having a hand in the wave of deadly
violence that followed the 2007 elections, in which 1,200 people died.

Kenya president's trial postponed to October - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Nairobi rocked by deadly explosions

At least six people have been killed and up to 25 injured after three bombs were thrown in a busy part of the predominantly-Somali area of Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

The blasts on Monday targeted roadside food stalls and restaurants in
the Eastleigh suburb of the city, known as "little Mogadishu" for its
large immigrant population.

Nairobi rocked by deadly explosions - Africa - Al Jazeera English

The End of The Arab League?

What the Organization Can Learn From the African Union

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/141077/michael-broening/the-end-of-the-arab-league?cid=soc-facebook-in-snapshots-the_end_of_the_arab_league_033114

UN court rules against Japan whaling

"Japan shall revoke any existant authorisation, permit or licence granted in relation to Jarpa II [research programme] and refrain from granting any further permits in pursuance to the programme," the International Court of Justice's Judge Peter Tomka said on Monday.

UN court rules against Japan whaling - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

Gaza tunnel closures add to economic crisis - Features - Al Jazeera English

Amid the growing crisis tensions are escalating between Gaza's armed factions and Israel. On March 12, Islamic Jihad fired in excess of 70 rockets at Israel following the assassination of three of its members in Rafah. Despite this incident, the ceasefire with Israel, overseen by Hamas with the consent of the various factions and in place since November 2012, appears to have held.

Gaza tunnel closures add to economic crisis - Features - Al Jazeera English

Q&A: Somalia PM's zero tolerance policy - Features - Al Jazeera English

Arab League leaders agree not to agree

Arab League leaders agree not to agree - Al Jazeera Blogs

Friday 28 March 2014

Philippines, Muslim rebels sign final peace deal to end conflict

The Philippines and its largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), on Thursday signed a final peace pact, ending about 45 years of conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people in the country's south.
The fight against Muslim separatists and Maoist guerrillas for almost five decades has stunted growth in resource-rich rural areas, besides scaring off potential investment in mines, plantations, energy and infrastructure.
Under the pact, Muslim rebels agreed to disband guerrilla forces, surrender weapons, and rebuild their communities while the government gives them self-rule with wider powers to control their economy and culture.
But potential threats to lasting peace remain, ranging from a small breakaway MILF faction to criminal gangs, Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda and feuding clans, all a reminder to potential investors that the region is volatile.
President Benigno Aquino and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who briefly put aside his own country's problems over a missing Malaysia Airlines jet to witness the event, smiled and clapped as peace panel leaders signed the autonomy deal.
"Let us exchange our bullets for ripening fruit, our cynicism for hope, our histories of sorrow for a future of harmony, peace, and prosperity," Aquino told a gathering of officials, diplomats, lawmakers and Muslim community members.
"I will not let peace be snatched from my people again."
The event marked the final chapter in stop-start negotiations that lasted 17 years.
Malaysia, which has facilitated the peace talks since 2001, pledged its continued support.
"Much work remains, and there will be setbacks along the way," Najib said. "But the commitment to peace - the commitment I see in this room today - must not waver.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-philippines-rebels-idUSBREA2Q1W220140327

Turkey court frees 45 Kurdish suspects in militant case

A Turkish court released 45 defendants, including journalists and political activists, accused of links to Kurdish militants on Thursday, a small step in the country's ongoing efforts to end a Kurdish insurgency.
Lawyers had demanded the release of the defendants, on trial for links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group, after changes to Turkey's anti-terrorism laws which reduced the maximum pre-trial detention period from 10 years to five years.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-turkey-kurds-idUSBREA2Q20920140327

Saudi Prince Muqrin named second-in-line to succeed king

Saudi Arabia's Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, a former intelligence chief in the conservative Islamic kingdom, has been appointed deputy crown prince, making it likely he will one day become king.
The appointment makes Muqrin, the youngest son of the kingdom's founder King Abdulaziz al-Saud, next in line to succeed King Abdullah in the world's top oil exporter and birthplace of Islam after his half-brother Crown Prince Salman.
"Prince Muqrin is granted allegiance as deputy crown prince, a crown prince if the position becomes vacant and to be given allegiance as king of the country if both the positions of crown prince and king become vacant at the same time," a royal court statement said.
The announcement gives more assurance to the kingdom's long-term succession process at a time when Riyadh sees itself as being an island of stability amid conflict and political turmoil across the Middle East.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-saudi-crownprince-idUSBREA2Q1O420140327

U.N. Security Council members condemn North Korea missile launch

Members of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday condemned North Korea's recent ballistic missile launch as a violation of U.N. resolutions and will continue discussions on an "appropriate response", the council president said.
The remarks to reporters were made by Luxembourg's U.N. Ambassador Sylvie Lucas, president of the 15-nation Security Council for the month of March, after a closed-door meeting on North Korea requested by the United States.
North Korea fired two medium-range Rodong ballistic missiles into the sea at 2:35 a.m. Japan and Korea time on Wednesday (1735 GMT Tuesday), Tokyo and Seoul said. It was Pyongyang's first launch of medium-range missiles since 2009.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-korea-north-un-idUSBREA2Q2E220140327

U.N. warns of increasing militant links between Iraq, Syria

The United Nations on Thursday warned about Islamist militant networks increasingly forging links across the border of Syria and Iraq, which is fueling sectarian tensions in a region that has suffered from years of bloodshed.
Violence in Iraq reached new highs in 2013, when nearly 8,000 civilians were killed. Its political elite remains deeply divided along sectarian lines, as it has been since after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq 11 years ago this month.
"The ongoing conflict in Syria has added a regional dimension to sectarian tensions and is affording terrorist networks the occasion to forge links across the border and expand their support base," U.N. special envoy to Iraq Nickolay Mladenov told the 15-nation Security Council.
He said that the combination of a divided leadership in Iraq, unresolved constitutional issues between communities and the growing militant threat coming from Syria have created a situation that is "fragile and explosive."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-iraq-un-idUSBREA2R02S20140328

Hungary opposed to economic sanctions against Russia: PM

Hungary is against the European Union imposing a round of economic sanctions on Russia over its intervention in Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orban was quoted as saying in an interview published on Friday.
The central European country of 10 million people relies on Russia for about 80 percent of its natural gas needs and recently signed a 10 billion euro deal with Moscow for Rosatom to expand Hungary's Paks nuclear plant, a major power generator.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-hungary-idUSBREA2R0CD20140328

Three killed in raid on militants in south Yemen

Two al Qaeda militants and a Yemeni soldier were killed on Friday in a raid by security forces on a residential building in the southern city of Dalea, local officials said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-yemen-qaeda-idUSBREA2R0EJ20140328

U.N. rights forum calls for use of armed drones to comply with law

The United Nations called on all states on Friday to ensure that the use of armed drones complies with international law, backing a proposal from Pakistan seen as taking aim at the United States.
A resolution presented by Pakistan on behalf of co-sponsors including Yemen and Switzerland did not single out any state. The United States is the biggest drone user in conflicts including those in Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Somalia.
"The purpose of this resolution is not to shame or name anyone, as we are against this approach," Pakistan's ambassador Zamir Akram told the U.N. Human Rights Council.
"It is about supporting a principle."
The United States prizes drones for their accuracy against al Qaeda and Taliban militants. Pakistan says they kill civilians and infringe its sovereignty.
"The United States is committed to ensuring that our actions, including those involving remotely piloted aircraft, are undertaken in accordance with all applicable domestic and international law and with the greatest possible transparency, consistent with our national security needs," Paula Schriefer, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, told the talks.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 27 states in favour to six against, with 14 abstentions at the 47-member Geneva forum. The United States, Britain and France voted against.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-un-rights-drones-idUSBREA2R0WW20140328

Ukraine expects first tranche of $3 billion from IMF aid package

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-ukraine-crisis-imf-tranche-idUSBREA2R0VG20140328

Brazil grows wary of Venezuela under Maduro, reduces support

The shift, while subtle, has deprived Maduro of some of the regional backing he wants at a time of food shortages, high inflation and political uncertainty in the OPEC nation.
Broadly speaking, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff remains an ally of Maduro. While Rousseff is more moderate, both are part of a generation of leftist Latin American presidents who grew up opposing pro-Washington governments and believe they are united by a mission to help the poor.
However, Rousseff has been increasingly disappointed by some of Maduro's actions and has reined in the more enthusiastic support that characterized Brazil-Venezuela relations under his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, according to two officials close to Rousseff's government.
Rousseff is worried the Venezuelan government's repression of recent street protests, and Maduro's refusal to hold genuine dialogue with opposition leaders, may make the political crisis worse over time, the officials said.
Worsening turmoil could, in turn, endanger the sizeable interests of Brazilian companies in Venezuela. They include conglomerate Odebrecht SA.
Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico reported this month that Venezuelan public-sector companies already owe Brazilian companies as much as $2.5 billion in debt.
"The path Maduro is on is full of risks," one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We've been trying to encourage him to change."
The shifting stance does not amount to increased support for the Venezuelan opposition, the officials emphasized, adding that Brazil's main goal is encouraging democracy and economic stability in the region.

The next day, foreign ministers from Unasur met instead and expressly refrained from supporting either side in the conflict. They condemned violence and expressed "condolences" to the victims, the Venezuelan people and, lastly, "the democratically elected government."
In contrast to a Unasur statement last April, it did not mention Maduro by name despite the insistence of some regional diplomats. It was also heavy on language calling for peace and respect for human rights, while urging "all political forces" to engage in dialogue.
Such nuances carry significant meaning for both sides of the political divide in Venezuela.
As Chavez did before him, Maduro has frequently sought regional support in times of trouble. Unasur's more favorable statement last April was key to shoring up his legitimacy at home following a disputed presidential election.
Governments in Mexico and Peru have also publicly urged Maduro to talk more with the opposition in recent weeks. Others, such as Argentina and Nicaragua, have supported him more unconditionally.
Brazil's economic size and its status as a role model for pragmatic leftist policies in Latin America give it significant influence. Henrique Capriles, the Venezuelan opposition's leading figure, has pointed to Brazil's ruling Workers Party as having the kind of policies he would embrace if elected, although his coalition includes more conservative elements.
Both sides are eager to curry Brazil's favor and the signals sent by Rousseff's government are closely watched in Venezuela.
Many in Venezuela's opposition have expressed anger that Rousseff has not explicitly condemned Maduro for recent violence which has left 36 dead. Casualties have included government supporters and opponents as well as security forces.
Some opposition blogs have noted that much of the tear gas fired by police is made in Brazil.
But Brazilian officials privately say they must walk a fine line, since more critical statements could draw comparisons with Washington - Venezuela's No. 1 enemy - and risk shutting off dialogue with Maduro altogether.
Rousseff also wants to have constructive ties with the opposition while signaling that neither she nor other regional leaders will tolerate an undemocratic effort to depose Maduro, such as a 2002 coup that briefly toppled Chavez.
Another factor behind Rousseff's shift is Brazil's election in October, when she will seek a second term. Her two main opponents are both running to her right, and have criticized her for not being tough enough on Maduro.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-brazil-venezuela-idUSBREA2R0ZP20140328

France apologies to Morocco after minister searched at Paris airport

France apologised to Morocco on Friday after the kingdom's foreign minister was searched while transiting at a Paris airport, the latest incident that has strained ties between Rabat and its former colonial ruler.
The two countries are already at odds over a row that erupted in February when French police tried to question the head of Rabat's intelligence service during a visit to Paris over accusations his agency was involved in torture.
The dispute prompted Morocco to suspend judicial cooperation with France and to summon the French ambassador.
According to various Moroccan media reports citing sources, Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar was asked to remove his shoes, vest and belt at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport as he transited from The Hague to Morocco earlier this week.
His personal effects and suitcase were also searched despite indicating his position and diplomatic passport.
Foreign Minister "Laurent Fabius called his Moroccan counterpart to apologize on behalf of the French authorities for the inconvenience he suffered," foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal told reporters.
"Errors were made at Charles de Gaulle airport. The minister immediately asked the relevant authorities at the Interior Ministry and airport that everything be done to strictly adhere to diplomatic rules and norms that apply to foreign ministers, heads of state and governments," said Nadal.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-france-morocco-dispute-idUSBREA2R14M20140328

Russia expands sanctions against the West: reports

Some of the 11 U.S. officials and lawmakers named on an initial Russian blacklist announced last week treated the idea of being barred from Russia with derisive sarcasm. Senator John McCain said it meant his "spring break in Siberia is off".
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-sanctions-idUSBREA2R16G20140328

Dutch police arrest Balkan war crimes suspect: prosecutors

Milutin Graic, 41, is accused of being a member of a militia that ethnically cleansed Croats, deporting them from the self-proclaimed statelet of Serbian Krajina, which was carved out of the territory of newly independent Croatia in the early 1990s.
Prosecutors said a Croatian court had issued a European arrest warrant for the man, who had been living on the run in the southern city of Roosendaal, near the Netherlands' border with Belgium. His extradition is likely to follow soon.
The Croatian Justice Ministry had no immediate comment.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-warcrimes-yugoslavia-dutch-idUSBREA2R1CW20140328

Merkel tells China's President Xi free expression is vital

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-germany-china-rights-idUSBREA2R1D620140328

Latin America likely to embark on needed reforms: IADB

Moreno said most countries understand that reforms to improve productivity are crucial for the region to return to the annual growth rates of 5 percent over the last decade.
"Historically Latin America has been better at dealing with crises than managing the good times," Moreno told Reuters on the sidelines of the IADB's annual meeting in Costa do Saiupe.
"Everybody understands that you need to evolve. Precisely because of the volatility, which will likely drag on for the next 18 months, reforms become even more important."
Latin America's economy is expected to grow only 3 percent this year after expanding a staggering 6 percent four years ago, according to data from the International Monetary Fund.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-latam-economy-iadb-idUSBREA2R1G320140328

China takes no sides on Ukraine crisis, Xi tells Europe

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-ukraine-china-germany-idUSBREA2R1HC20140328

China's Xi says Japan's wartime atrocities 'fresh in our memory'

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-germany-china-japan-idUSBREA2R1GF20140328

NATO names Norway's Stoltenberg as next leader

NATO chose former Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as its next leader on Friday at a time when the Western military alliance must deal with a resurgent Russia following its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
Stoltenberg will take over as secretary-general of the 28-nation grouping on October 1, succeeding former Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who has led NATO since 2009.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-nato-stoltenberg-idUSBREA2R1RC20140328

Russia criticizes U.N. resolution condemning Crimea's secession

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-ukraine-crisis-un-russia-idUSBREA2R0DA20140328

Putin calls Obama to discuss U.S. proposal on Ukraine-White House

Russian President Vladimir Putin called U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday to discuss a U.S. diplomatic proposal for Ukraine, the White House said, adding that Obama told him that Russia must pull back its troops and not move deeper into Ukraine.
It was believed to have been the first direct conversation between Obama and Putin since the United States and its European allies began imposing sanctions on Putin's inner circle and threatened to penalize key sectors of Russia's economy.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-ukraine-crisis-obama-putin-idUSBREA2R1X020140328

Russia threatened countries ahead of UN vote on Ukraine - envoys

According to interviews with U.N. diplomats, most of whom preferred to speak on condition of anonymity for fear of angering Moscow, the targets of Russian threats included Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as well as a number of African countries.
A spokesman for Russia's Mission to the U.N. denied that Moscow threatened any country with retaliation if it supported the resolution, saying: "We never threaten anyone. We just explain the situation."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA2R20O20140328

Obama seeks to reassure Saudi Arabia over Iran, Syria

President Barack Obama sought to reassure Saudi King Abdullah on Friday that he would support moderate Syrian rebels and reject a bad nuclear deal with Iran, during a visit designed to allay the kingdom's concerns that its decades-old U.S. alliance had frayed.
Flying by helicopter to the king's desert camp, Obama underscored the importance of Washington's relationship with the world's largest oil exporter in a two-hour meeting that focused on the Middle East but did not touch on energy or human rights.
Last year senior Saudi officials warned of a "major shift" away from the United States after bitter disagreements over its response to the "Arab spring" uprisings, efforts to negotiate with Iran, and Washington's decision not to intervene militarily in Syria, where Riyadh wants more American support for rebels.
While the two leaders discussed "tactical differences", they both agreed their strategic interests were aligned, a U.S. official told reporters after the meeting.
"I think it was important to have the chance to come look him (King Abdullah) in the eye and explain how determined the president is to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon," the official said.
The meeting was a chance to assure the king that "we won't accept a bad deal and that the focus on the nuclear issue doesn't mean we are not concerned about, or very much focused on, Iran's other destabilizing activities in the region."
The leaders had a full discussion about Syria, where a three-year-old civil war has killed an estimated 140,000 people and uprooted millions.
Overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia is backing the insurgents in their battle to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Riyadh's rival, Shi'ite power Iran.
The official said both countries shared the objective of a political transition in Syria and supporting moderate opposition to Assad.
Riyadh has long differed from Washington about Obama's reluctance to supply rebels with surface-to-air missiles, sometimes known as MANPADS.
The Washington Post reported on Friday that the United States was ready to increase covert aid to Syrian rebels under a new plan that included training efforts by the CIA, and was considering supplying MANPADS.
The White House has not closed the door to the possibility of such a move in the future, but officials said U.S. qualms about providing those weapons to rebels had not changed.
"We have made clear that there are certain types of weapons, including MANPADS, that could pose a proliferation risk if introduced into Syria," deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters on Air Force One during Obama's flight from Rome to Riyadh. "We continue to have those concerns."
REASSURANCE
Saudi officials made no immediate comment on the meeting but Saudi state media said the talks were focused on Middle East peace efforts and the Syrian crisis.
The elderly king, accompanied by a number of senior princes, had what appeared to be an oxygen tube connected to his nose at the start of the meeting at his desert farm at Rawdat Khuraim northeast of the capital Riyadh.
Saudi state television showed Obama, accompanied by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Adviser Susan Rice, listening attentively while King Abdullah spoke, gesticulating with both hands as he made a point.
While Saudi Arabia supplies less petroleum to the United States than in the past, safeguarding its energy output remains important to Washington, as does its cooperation in combating al Qaeda.
The Saudis, meanwhile, want more reassurance on American intentions regarding talks over Iran's nuclear program, which could lead to a deal that lifts sanctions on Tehran in exchange for concessions on its atomic facilities.
Riyadh fears such a deal could come at the expense of Sunni Arabs in the Middle East, some of whom fear that Shi'ite Iran would take advantage of any reduction in international pressure to spread its influence by supporting co-religionists.
Major powers suspect Iran's nuclear program is aimed at developing a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran says its work is aimed only at generating electricity.
An editorial in the semi-official al-Riyadh newspaper on Friday said Obama does not know Iran as well as the Saudis do, and could not "convince us that Iran will be peaceful".
"Our security comes first and no one can argue with us about it," it concluded.
In the run-up to the visit, officials had said Obama would aim to persuade the monarch that Saudi concerns that Washington was slowly disengaging from the Middle East and no longer listening to its old ally were unfounded.
Contrary to Saudi preferences for Syria, Obama has shown himself wary of being drawn into another conflict in the Muslim world after working hard to end or reduce American military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
BETTER COORDINATION, HUMAN RIGHTS
Rhodes said coordination with the kingdom on policies toward Syria, particularly on providing help to the Syrian rebels, had improved.
"That's part of the reason why I think our relationship with the Saudis is in a stronger place today than it was in the fall when we had some tactical differences about our Syria policy," he said.
The Saudi king was accompanied in the talks by Crown Prince Salman, Prince Muqrin, who was named second-in-line to rule on Thursday, and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
Powerful Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who recently met top U.S. officials in Washington to discuss Syria, was not present.
Also present was the new American ambassador in Riyadh, Joseph Westphal, whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate late on Wednesday, apparently in order to let him attend Friday's meeting.
U.S. officials said Obama had not had time to raise concerns about the kingdom's human rights record. They said Washington would continue to press Riyadh about its concerns, which include women's rights. Obama will award Dr. Maha Al-Muneef with the Secretary of State's International Woman of Courage Award in Riyadh on Saturday, the White House said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/29/us-obama-saudi-idUSBREA2R15O20140329

CAR mourners killed in grenade attack

A Muslim threw the grenade at a crowd in a Christian district of the
capital Bangui on Thursday night, residents told the Reuters news agency
on Friday.

CAR mourners killed in grenade attack - Africa - Al Jazeera English

West accuses Syria over 3.5 million in need

The United States said the Syrian government had "utterly failed" to
comply with the UN Security Council resolution and remained the biggest
obstacle to the delivery of aid.

West accuses Syria over 3.5 million in need - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Gadhafi's son apologizes to Libyans on state TV

Libyan state TV has aired footage showing one of late dictator Muammar Gadhafi's sons jailed in Libya apologizing to the nation and asking for forgiveness. Prison authorities say the video, broadcast late Thursday, is in response to "rumors" that al-Saadi Gadhafi is being tortured in custody.

Al-Saadi was extradited to Libya earlier this month from Niger, where he had taken refuge as his father's regime crumbled in 2011.

The Libyan government is preparing to prosecute him for his alleged role in trying to suppress the uprising against Gadhafi's rule.

Gadhafi's son apologizes to Libyans on state TV - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Obama urges NATO to increase defence spending

Obama urges NATO to increase defence spending - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Top Kenyan MP: Homosexuality like terrorism

Top Kenyan MP: Homosexuality like terrorism - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Arab League rejects Israel as Jewish state

"We pledge to work decisively to put a final end to divisions," read their final statement, read out to media by Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry undersecretary Khaled al-Jarallah.

Arab League rejects Israel as Jewish state - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Russia wants to continue contacts with G8 states: Kremlin

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-russia-g-idUSBREA2O0FO20140325

Russian military starts large training exercises in Siberia: agency

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-russia-military-exercises-idUSBREA2O0HZ20140325

Beset by differences, Arab leaders open annual summit

Arab leaders struggling with an array of foreign policy disputes opened an annual summit on Tuesday to try to forge a common stand on Syria's war and what many of them see as the menace of Iranian-U.S. rapprochement.
The gathering in Kuwait follows an unprecedented row among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) alliance of Gulf Arab states over Qatari support for Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, and a verbal spat between Iraq and Saudi Arabia over violence in Iraq's Anbar province.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-arabs-summit-open-idUSBREA2O0FR20140325

Saudi Arabia calls for 'changing the balance of forces' in Syria

Saudi Crown Prince Salman called on Tuesday for "changing the balance of forces" on the ground in Syria's civil war, saying the crisis there had reached catastrophic proportions.
"Exiting from the Syrian crisis requires changing the balance of forces on the ground," Prince Salman told the opening session of an annual Arab summit in Kuwait, stressing the need for more support for rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-arabs-summit-syria-idUSBREA2O0HT20140325

Syrian opposition seeks Arab League seat and Syrian embassies

Syrian opposition leader Ahmad Jarba urged Arab leaders at a summit in Kuwait on Tuesday to grant Syria's vacant Arab League seat to his National Coalition and let it take over Syria's embassies abroad.
"Leaving Syria's seat empty sends a message to (President Bashar) al-Assad...'Kill, kill the seat is waiting for you once the battle is settled'," Jarba told the opening session of the Arab League summit.
"Reality requires that the Syrian embassies are also handed over to the National Coalition," he said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-arabs-summit-jarba-idUSBREA2O0JJ20140325

U.N. says mass Egyptian death sentences contravene international law

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-egypt-brotherhood-courts-un-idUSBREA2O0NO20140325

Tuareg leader to Mali government: start talks or risk new revolt

The leader of a new armed group in Mali's troubled north said the central government in Bamako could face another uprising of his Tuareg people if it resists pressure to launch long-delayed talks on the region's future.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-mali-negotiations-idUSBREA2O12420140325

Qatar dismisses Iraqi charges that Doha funds 'terrorism'

Qatar signalled its irritation on Tuesday with Iraq's accusation that it backed insurgents fighting Baghdad's rule, saying it was not appropriate for countries which failed to preserve national unity to accuse other Arab states of supporting "terrorism".
The comments by Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, were the first official Qatari reaction after Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, this month accused Doha and Riyadh of funding insurgency.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-arab-summit-qatar-idUSBREA2O16520140325

Yemen security forces free Western hostages soon after kidnap

Kidnapping is common in U.S.-allied Yemen, where the government is struggling to contain an insurgency from Islamists linked to al Qaeda, a southern separatist movement, fighting in the country's north and sporadic conflicts with armed tribes.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-yemen-kidnapping-idUSBREA2O1A720140325

U.S. and Russia agree on nuclear terrorism threat - up to a point

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-nuclear-security-summit-idUSBREA2O12820140325

Spanish court says Catalonia sovereignty claim illegal

Spain's Constitutional Court on Tuesday partially struck down a sovereignty claim approved by lawmakers last year in the northern region of Catalonia, a vital step toward a referendum on full independence, court papers showed.
In January 2013, Catalonia's regional parliament unanimously adopted a declaration of self-determination saying the people had the right to vote on breaking away from the rest of Spain.
The Madrid court declared "null and unconstitutional" the first point in the Catalan ruling which said the people of the region had the legal right to infringe the Spanish constitution.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-spain-catalonia-idUSBREA2O1R020140325

Obama brings U.S. allies South Korea and Japan together for talks

U.S. President Barack Obama brought together the leaders of Japan and South Korea on Tuesday for their first face-to-face talks, seeking to thaw chilly relations between two of Washington's closest Asian allies.
The United States hopes the move may improve the bilateral relationship between Seoul and Tokyo, clouded by resentment over Japan's colonial past, and strengthen their combined response to regional concerns such as North Korea and China.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-japan-korea-trilateral-idUSBREA2O1OT20140325

Brotherhood head, 682 others tried in Egypt after mass death sentence

May be this trial has some finger of Saudi Arabia, Egypts new sponsor?

The U.N. human rights office said Monday's mass death sentences contravened international law and the ruling was also criticized by the European Union and the United States.
The United States escalated its criticism on Tuesday.
"The imposition of the death penalty for 529 defendants after a two-day summary proceeding cannot be reconciled with Egypt's obligations under international human rights law, and its implementation of these sentences ... would be unconscionable," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told a news briefing in Washington.
The death sentences on Monday and the start of the new mass trial on Tuesday "represent a flagrant disregard for basic standards of justice," Harf said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-egypt-brotherhood-idUSBREA2O0F720140325

U.S. says Syria government mostly to blame for hindered aid

Is it still possible to make a kosovo style humanitarian intervention to be legitimized post-facto?

A U.N. report on how Syria's neediest civilians are often not accessible to humanitarian relief workers makes it clear that the government of President Bashar al-Assad shoulders most of the blame, a U.S. official said on Tuesday.
A month after the 15-member U.N. Security Council achieved rare consensus to approve a resolution demanding rapid, safe and unhindered aid access in Syria, including across borders, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said in a new report that the situation "remains extremely challenging.
His report, which was delivered to council members on Sunday but has not been officially released, criticized both the government and rebels for hindering access to civilians caught in the crossfire of the three-year civil war.
But in Washington's view, Ban's report was especially damning for the government.
"What the report shows is that the magnitude and frequency of violence committed by the Assad regime far outstrips that of the armed groups in Syria," a U.S. official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
"The Syrian government's massive and indiscriminate use of violence is the single most important factor driving the humanitarian crisis," the official said. "The report is very clear on this and in pointing to the government's failure to implement the resolution's provisions."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/25/us-syria-crisis-un-idUSBREA2O20S20140325

Leaders sign agreement at nuclear summit

While world leaders sit at the Hague to sign a nuclear deal, there are U.S. nuclear warheads lying beneath their feet...

Leaders sign agreement at nuclear summit - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Regional turmoil dominates Arab League summit

So far, Syria's seat has remained empty, but foreign ministers have
discussed whether to let the opposition Syrian National Coalition take
the seat.

A sub-committee is due to make a decision on that before the summit's final session on Wednesday morning.

Regional turmoil dominates Arab League summit - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Kenya orders all refugees back into camps

Move is a bid by government to stop attacks in retaliation for the presence of Kenyan troops in neighbouring Somalia.

Kenya orders all refugees back into camps - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Monday 24 March 2014

Militants kill 20 security men in Yemen checkpoint raid

Suspected militants killed 20 members of Yemen's security forces in a dawn raid on a checkpoint on Monday, state news agency Saba said, in an attack officials said bore the hallmarks of the local branch of al Qaeda.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/24/us-yemen-attacks-idUSBREA2N0CO20140324

Despite U.N. resolution, Syria's war foes hinder aid access: Ban

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/24/us-syria-crisis-un-idUSBREA2N02820140324

Lebanon calls for support for army to counter Syria fallout

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/24/us-syria-crisis-lebanon-idUSBREA2N0RB20140324

G7 threatens Russia with more sanctions

Leaders of the Group of Seven nations, meeting without Russia, agreed to
hold their own summit this year instead of attending a planned G8
meeting in the Russian Olympic venue of Sochi, along the Black Sea coast
from Crimea, and to suspend their participation in the G8 until Russia
changes course.

G7 threatens Russia with more sanctions - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Muslim Brotherhood members sentenced to death

An Egyptian court has sentenced 529 members of the outlawed Muslim
Brotherhood to death on charges including murder, in a sharp escalation
of a crackdown on the movement.

Muslim Brotherhood members sentenced to death - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Sunday 23 March 2014

Tunisian diplomat kidnapped in Libyan capital: minister

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/22/us-libya-security-tunisia-idUSBREA2L0JY20140322

U.S. forces hand over seized oil tanker to Libya

The U.S. Navy handed over to Libyan authorities on Saturday an oil tanker carrying crude that had been loaded at a port controlled by armed rebels in defiance of Tripoli's government.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/22/us-libya-oil-fighting-idUSBREA2L06020140322

Qatar says no differences with Saudi Arabia over Syria

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/23/us-syria-crisis-qatar-saudi-idUSBREA2M06C20140323

Russia says Germany's suspension of military ties 'not constructive'

The Russian defense ministry on Sunday said Germany's decision to suspend military contacts over Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region would harm cooperation, including on Afghanistan, and warned France against taking the same tack.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/23/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-germany-idUSBREA2M0CW20140323

Foreign policy rifts beset Arabs ahead of summit

Rifts over foreign policy will likely make it harder for Arab leaders meeting at a summit this week to forge a common stand on regional challenges, including what many of them see as a threat from Iranian-U.S. rapprochement.
And while the Arab League meeting may agree more humanitarian action in response to Syria's war, any communique calling for the removal of President Bashar al-Assad will not reflect divergent views behind the scenes about the Syrian leader's handling of the conflict.
Syria and Iran are not the only points of contention at the annual summit, scheduled to take place in Kuwait on March 25-26.
The meeting follows an unprecedented row among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) alliance of Gulf Arab states over support for Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and a verbal spat between Iraq and Saudi Arabia over violence in Iraq's Anbar province.
"No summit has been without differences, but this one is full of differences. It is distinguished by the intensity of these disputes which puts an extra burden on the host country," said Ebtisam al-Qitbi, a professor of political science at the Emirates University in the United Arab Emirates.
"It will definitely make it more difficult to focus on coming out with adequate resolutions, not to mention an agreement on anything," she added.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/23/us-arabs-summit-idUSBREA2M09U20140323

Suspected Islamists kill 20 in market bomb in northeast Nigeria

Suspected Islamist militants detonated a bomb in a crowded marketplace in northeastern Nigeria killing at least 20 people, witnesses said on Sunday.
Nigerian security officials said the attack late on Saturday in the town of Bama in Borno state bore the hallmarks of an attack by the al Qaeda-linked militant group Boko Haram, which is fighting to carve an Islamic state out of northeast Nigeria.
Security sources say Boko Haram has killed hundreds, possibly thousands, this year in a campaign of violence that is growing in intensity.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/23/us-nigeria-violence-idUSBREA2M0D220140323

Gunmen kill six in attack on Kenyan church

Gunmen shouting in a foreign language killed six worshippers in a church near the coastal city of Mombasa on Sunday, an attack of the kind that Islamist militants have been carrying out in retaliation for Kenya's intervention in neighboring Somalia.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/23/us-kenya-attacks-idUSBREA2M0AG20140323

National parliaments should have more EU powers: British lawmakers

National parliaments should have a greater role in European Union decision making, a committee of British lawmakers said on Monday, including working together to propose new legislation or changes to existing European law.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/24/us-britain-europe-idUSBREA2N00D20140324

NATO commander warns of Russian threat to separatist Moldova region

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/23/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA2M09920140323

"The time of Al Shabaab is over," Somali General says

http://www.reuters.com/video/2014/03/23/the-time-of-al-shabaab-is-over-somali-ge?videoId=298212205&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=TopNews&videoChannel=1

First UN aid convoy enters Syria via Turkey

"It is the first time in three years of this brutal conflict that the UN has been able to carry aid across into Syria from Turkey," Nigel Fisher, the United Nations' regional humanitarian coordinator, said in a statement.

The convoy became possible after the UN Security Council last month unanimously called on Syrian authorities and rebels to allow humanitarian supplies across front lines and borders by the most direct routes, to reach an estimated 9.3 million people in need.

First UN aid convoy enters Syria via Turkey - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

UN: Over 1,000 killed in Boko Haram attacks

The UN death toll excludes insurgents killed during targeted military operations.

"The humanitarian situation in northeast Nigeria has been increasingly worrisome over the course of 2013," the UN said, adding that there have been 48 separate "Boko Haram related" attacks in the region since emergency rule was declared.

UN: Over 1,000 killed in Boko Haram attacks - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Deadly bomb blast hits Nigeria marketplace

Suspected Boko Haram fighters have detonated a bomb in a crowded marketplace in northeastern Nigeria killing at least 20 people, witnesses said.

Nigerian security officials said the attack late on Saturday in the town of Bama in Borno state bore the hallmarks of an attack by the al-Qaeda-linked group, which is fighting to carve an Islamic state out of northeast Nigeria.

Security sources say Boko Haram has killed hundreds, possibly thousands, this year in a campaign of violence that is growing in intensity, according to the Reuters news agency.

Deadly bomb blast hits Nigeria marketplace - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Arab League summit hit by new rifts - Features

The Muslim Brotherhood's role in politics will be the elephant in the room as a polarised Arab League meets in Kuwait.

Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ahmad bin Hilli said that "everybody considers the summit exceptional because of the conflicts in the Arab region".

According to the Kuwait News Agency, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi has said the summit will primarily discuss Syria, Palestine, and "terrorism".

The likelihood of unity on any of those issues, however, is slim. "It will be very difficult to come up with a consensus among the 22 Arab states - more so than usual, because it is very polarised by the Arab Spring between those who want to preserve the status quo, and those who want to change it," said London-based Omar Ashour, a senior lecturer in Middle East politics at the University of Exeter.

A divided League

Ashour sees the Arab world as being divided into three coalitions. The first group supports the changes wrought by the Arab Spring, and includes Tunisia and Qatar, as well as the non-Arab state of Turkey.

The second group, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, opposes the revolutionary forces of the Arab Spring, viewing change as a threat to stability.

The GCC is capable of addressing any dispute or misunderstanding among its members within the framework of its own procedures and the wisdom of its leaders.

- Ahmad bin Hilli, Arab League deputy secretary-general

Ashour also sees a third, pro-Shia coalition, including Syria, Iraq, Lebanon's Hezbollah, and the non-Arab state of Iran. This third group is interested in preserving the status quo where their supporters are in power, such as in Syria, but backs revolutions where their interests coincide with those of the opposition, as in Bahrain.

These differing policies have led to a public rift in recent weeks between the countries of the Gulf, with Qatar on one side and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE on the other.

Arab League summit hit by new rifts - Features - Al Jazeera English

Turkish military shoots down Syrian warplane

During an election rally in the northwest of Turkey, Erdogan said: "A Syrian plane violated our airspace. Our F-16s took off and hit this plane. Why? Because if you violate my airspace, our slap after this will be hard.

"I congratulate the chief of general staff, the armed forces and those honourable pilots... I congratulate our air forces," he told supporters.

Turkish military shoots down Syrian warplane - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Saturday 22 March 2014

Somalis fear 'death-sentence' deportations - Features - Al Jazeera English

The UK has quietly been returning asylum seekers to Mogadishu, despite the threat of al-Shabab

Somalis fear 'death-sentence' deportations - Features - Al Jazeera English

Friday 21 March 2014

Interactive: China's African spending spree - Interactive - Al Jazeera English

Kenya: An African success story?

But 50 years on, there is still "a huge gap between what Kenya's politicians promise and what they deliver," Greste added.

"Of course that is a common complaint everywhere, but here it has created such a disconnect that the entire political system is now dysfunctional."

Even so, thousands turned out to celebrate Kenya's golden anniversary at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Thursday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the crowd, as his father Jomo Kenyatta had done in 1963 after becoming the first Kenyan to lead the East African nation.

Kenya: An African success story? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English

Kenyan parliament passes polygamy law

"When you marry an African woman, she must know the second one is on the way, and a third wife... this is Africa," MP Junet Mohammed told the house, according to Nairobi's Capital FM.

Kenyan parliament passes polygamy law - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Putin signs Crimea annexation into law

Putin signs Crimea annexation into law - Americas - Al Jazeera English

Syria closes Lebanon border crossing amid heavy clashes

Syrian troops closed a border crossing with Lebanon Thursday amid heavy clashes with rebels in the area that activists said killed 12 people.

The fighting forced dozens of wounded to pour across the volatile boundary to seek help on the Lebanese side, officials and activists said.

Syria closes Lebanon border crossing amid heavy clashes - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/.premium-1.581129

The Greek parliament this week approved legislation that entitles Jews of Greek origin from around the world to apply for citizenship and obtain it easily.

The legislation applies to Jews who were born in Greece and left the country before May 1945. A similar piece of legislation applying only to Jews of Greek origin living in Israel was passed in 2011. The new legislation, which will take effect within the next few weeks, applies to Jews of Greek origin living elsewhere in the world.

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/.premium-1.581129

Transnistria: Europe's other Crimea

Transnistria has its own currency, passports and number plates which aren't recognised by the vast majority of the world's countries. Moldova considers Transnistria to be occupied territory, a gangster state cultivated by Russia which poses a risk to their national security.

But residents in the capital Tiraspol, like shop assistant Nadya, disagree. "Life here is better than Moldova. Russia invests a lot of money in hospitals, kindergartens and other infrastructure. It would be nice to be independent but if we were reunited with Russia then that would be even better, like the Crimea."

Transnistria: Europe's other Crimea - Features - Al Jazeera English

Thursday 20 March 2014

Libya asks world to help it fight 'terrorism'

"Terrorist groups" had declared war on Benghazi, Sirte and other cities, the government said. A powerful car bomb targeting an army academy killed at least eight people in Benghazi on Monday.

"Libya's interim government asks the international community and especially the United Nations to provide assistance to uproot terrorism," the government said in a statement posted on its website late on Wednesday.

"The government confirms that it wants this war on terror and its crimes to start as soon as possible," it said.

Libya asks world to help it fight 'terrorism' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

US and Russia exchange threats at UN meeting

At the council, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin was once again alone in defending his country's actions in Crimea.

He began his speech by celebrating the treaty signed a day earlier by Putin declaring Crimea part of Russia, saying it honored the will of the Crimean people and complied with international law.

"Yesterday, something truly historic happened," Churkin declared.

US and Russia exchange threats at UN meeting - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Israel bombs Syria's Golan after blast

Israel has attacked several Syrian military sites after a roadside
bombing that wounded four of its troops in the occupied Golan Heights,
the Israeli military said.

It said targets of Wednesday's airstrikes included a Syrian military headquarters, a training facility and artillery batteries.

Israel blamed Damascus for the roadside bombing, though parts of the
Syrian-held side of the Golan are controlled by rebels, including
al-Qaeda-inspired armed groups hostile to Israel.

Israel says Lebanese Hezbollah fighters helping Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad battle the insurgency have a presence on the Golan.

"We see the Syrian army as responsible, and that is indicated by our response to the attack," Lerner said.

Israel bombs Syria's Golan after blast - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Egypt demolishes homes along Gaza border

Army destroys homes along the border with Gaza strip to create security buffer zone.

Egypt demolishes homes along Gaza border - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Will the GCC survive Qatar-Saudi rivalry? - Features - Al Jazeera English

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) had not fully recovered from last November's disagreement between Saudi Arabia and Oman when it was hit by a deeper rift involving Qatar.

The latest diplomatic spat pits Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain against Qatar over
its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, a group labeled a "terrorist
organisation" by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

On March 5, the trio announced the
withdrawal of their ambassadors from Qatar, accusing it of breaching the
organisation's security agreement and violating its principles of
"unified destiny", according to a joint statement issued by the official Saudi news agency.

They also accused Qatar of failing to
commit to promises it had made to not interfere in the internal affairs
of its fellow GCC states, not to support organisations and individuals
jeopardising their security and stability, and not to harbour "hostile
media", referring to Qatar-based Al Jazeera Media Network.

On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal was quoted as saying that the diplomatic crisis will persist "as long as Doha does not revise its policy".

"This is by far the biggest crisis we've encountered as a council," said a Kuwaiti official who asked not to be named.

Will the GCC survive Qatar-Saudi rivalry? - Features - Al Jazeera English

UN: Syria war crimes proof enough to indict

The UN inquiry identified military units and security agencies as
well as rebel groups suspected of committing abuses, Paulo Pinheiro, the
chairman of the inquiry said on Tuesday.

Four confidential lists of suspects on both sides have been drawn up to date.

"This 'perpetrators list', as we call it, contains names of persons
criminally responsible for hostage-taking, torture and executions,"
Pinheiro told the Human Rights Council.

"It also contains names of the heads of intelligence branches and
detention facilities where detainees are tortured, names of military
commanders who target civilians, airports from which barrel bomb attacks
are planned and executed, and armed groups involved in attacking and
displacing civilians."

In its updated report, the UN commission of inquiry on Syria said the
period of January 20 to March 10 was marked by escalating infighting
within rebel groups throughout northern and northeastern provinces.

Syrian government forces dropped barrel bombs on Aleppo and other
cities, it said, causing extensive civilian casualties in areas with no
clear military target. They also severely tortured detainees, according
to the report.

UN: Syria war crimes proof enough to indict - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

UN: Syria war crimes proof enough to indict

Defence minister Yaalon says Syria government accountable for bombing of Israeli patrol in occupied northern territory.

Israeli defence minister has warned the Syrian government that it
would pay a "high price" for helping armed groups bent on attacking his
country.

Moshe Yaalon comments on Wednesday came a day after roadside bombing,
blamed on Damascus, wounded four Israeli troops in the Israeli-occupied
Golan Heights near the ceasefire line with Syria.

Israeli air force responded 12 hours later by bombing Syrian military targets.

"We see [the President Bashar] al-Assad regime as responsible for
what is happening under its authority, and if it continues to cooperate
with terror elements who seek to harm Israel, we will make it pay a high
price," Yaalon said.

Syria's forces are supported in their battle against rebels seeking
to topple Assad by fighters from Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese Shia
movement which battled Israel to a bloody stalemate in a 2006 war.

"We will not put up with any breach of our sovereignty or attack on
our soldiers or citizens, and we will react with determination and force
against anyone acting against us, at any time and any place, as we have
done overnight," Yaalon said in a statement.

"Whoever tries to harm us takes his fate in his hands."

UN: Syria war crimes proof enough to indict - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Lebanon protests flare over Syria spillover

Demonstrators have clashed with the army and blocked several roads
across Lebanon to protest against a siege on a border town, as the
country struggles to keep a lid on sectarian tensions enflamed by the
war in neighbouring Syria.

Lebanon protests flare over Syria spillover - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Don’t cancel sale of Apaches to Egypt, Israel urges U.S.

Israel and Saudi Arabia - so many interests shared without any possibility to acommodate religion and strategy!

Israeli officials have been lobbying
Washington hard on behalf of the new Egyptian government, urging
resumption of U.S. aid to Cairo.

Don’t cancel sale of Apaches to Egypt, Israel urges U.S. - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz

Israel strikes Syrian army targets after border blast

Israel hits several Syrian military and
security targets that 'enabled and aided' Tuesday's attack on IDF troops
which left four Israeli soldiers wounded, IDF Spokesman says.

Israel strikes Syrian army targets after border blast - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

Suspected former Auschwitz guard, 93, arrested in Germany - Jewish World News Israel News | Haaretz

Privacing rules and immunities versu genocide - who wins? Immunity!

Suspected former Auschwitz guard, 93, arrested in Germany - Jewish World News Israel News | Haaretz

U.S. suspends Syria embassy operations in Washington - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

Shocking how much time it took, or better saying, how many lives!

U.S. suspends Syria embassy operations in Washington - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

US Navy SEALs board rogue Libya oil tanker

Commandos take control of ship that escaped Libya loaded with oil rebels plan to sell independently.

US Navy SEALs board rogue Libya oil tanker - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Putin defiant over Crimea despite sanctions

Putin signed an order on Monday "to approve the draft treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Crimea on adopting the Republic of Crimea into the Russian Federation".

The order is part of a series of steps to bring Crimea into Russia after voters there approved the move in a weekend referendum that Ukraine and the West have denounced as illegal.

It comes the day after Putin ignored the toughest sanctions against Moscow since the end of the Cold War and recognised the Crimean Peninsula as an "independent and sovereign country".

Putin defiant over Crimea despite sanctions - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Monday 17 March 2014

Report: Syrian opposition willing to trade Golan claims for Israeli military support - Dipz

The Syrian opposition is willing to give up claims to the Golan Heights in return for cash and Israeli military aid against President Bashar Assad, a top opposition official told Al Arab newspaper, according to a report in Al Alam.

"Why shouldn’t we be able to sell the Golan Heights because it is better than losing Syria and Golan at once," Kamal al-Labwani, a prominent member of the Syrian opposition, told the Arab newspaper, according Al Alam, an Arabic language Iran state-owned media outlet.

The Western-backed militant groups want Israel to enforce a no-fly zone over parts of southern Syria to protect rebel bases from air strikes by Assad's forces, according to the report.

Report: Syrian opposition willing to trade Golan claims for Israeli military support - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz