Monthly Archives: January 2011

Egypt

| January 23, 2011

The interior minister blamed the Gaza-based, al Qaeda-linked Army of Islam for carrying out the New Years Day suicide bombing at a Coptic church in Alexandria that killed 23 people. An Army of Islam spokesman denied the charge but said “we praise those who did it.”

Afghanistan

| January 23, 2011

Victoria Cross for Australian soldier who saved his platoon by charging into a hail of bullets

Israel

| January 23, 2011

Commission finds Israeli commandos acted appropriately in raid on aid flotilla

Tony Blair links Iran and al Qaeda

| January 23, 2011

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair discussed the “link” between Iran and al Qaeda in his testimony before the Iraq Inquiry on Friday. Blair cited British intelligence reports pointing to collusion between the two in Iraq, and urged UK officials to look at the issue in a “broader context” as well.

Canada

| January 22, 2011

The Canadian government served deportation papers to Mohamed Harkat, an Algerian who entered the country in 1995 on a forged Saudi passport. Harkat is accused of operating an al Qaeda guesthouse in Pakistan.

Norway

| January 22, 2011

Mullah Krekar, the founder of the Iraqi terror group Ansar al Islam, is considering returning to northern Iraq after 20 years in exile in Norway. “Nothing would please us more,” said Norway’s foreign minister.

Pakistan

| January 22, 2011

The Taliban killed two paramilitary troops and a civilian in an IED attack in Arakzai. President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani authorized a “decisive operation” to take out those carrying out assassinations in Karachi.

Afghanistan

| January 22, 2011

President Karzai agreed to allow the parliament to meet. The Taliban killed seven civilians in Ghazni, two ISAF soldiers in the east, and a policeman in Helmand. Security forces killed 20 Taliban fighters in Helmand, Khost, and Laghman, and detained several more in Ghazni, Zabul, and Logar.

Iraq

| January 22, 2011

Muqtada al Sadr has again left Iraq and has returned to Qom, Iran, where he spent three years in exile. Security forces detained 28 wanted men in Diyala, and an Awakening leader and a fighter in Karbala.

Yemen

| January 22, 2011

Thousands of protesters gathered at the University of Sanaa to call for the ouster of President Saleh. The government sent security forces to Shabwa province to battle 45 al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters.

Somalia

| January 22, 2011

Twenty-two people were killed during fighting in Mogadishu and central Somalia. Malaysian commandos freed a ship and captured seven pirates. The state of Puntland blocked Somali government officials from visiting.

Tunisia

| January 22, 2011

A group of students may form a Hezbollah-styled party. “The progressive example of Hezbollah in Lebanon can bring light and hope for the Tunisian people,” a student leader said.

Iran

| January 22, 2011

The US and the European Union are “disappointed” over the latest round of failed nuclear talks with Iran. Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator said there is no need for direct talks with the US.

Competing interests: The United States, Iraq, and Iraq’s neighbors

| January 22, 2011

On December 5, The New York Times noted that while “Saddam Hussein’s Iraq was a regional menace that sent shudders through its neighbors,” today Iraq finds it difficult to restrain the ambitions of countries that share its borders — particularly as the US prepares to withdraw. The Times notes that this meddling by Iraq’s neighbors […]

Iraq

| January 22, 2011

Official: Iraq militia chief behind pilgrim blasts