Monthly Archives: January 2012

Iraq

| January 16, 2012

Asserting Its Sovereignty, Iraq Detains American Contractors

China

| January 16, 2012

Iran oil sanctions divide Asia’s four largest economies

Sweden

| January 16, 2012

The foreign ministry said that Hussein Atris, a 47-year-old Lebanese man arrested in Thailand for links with a Hezbollah terror plot, holds a Swedish passport. Atris, a former Gothenburg barber, married a Swedish woman in 1996 but moved back to Lebanon in about 2005.

Iran

| January 15, 2012

Iran warned oil-producing Gulf states not to boost production if Iran’s crude exports are affected by Western sanctions. State television said it had evidence the US was behind the killing of the recently slain Iranian nuclear scientist. The US warned Israel not to attack Iran.

Syria

| January 15, 2012

Syria’s army weakened by growing desertions

Syria

| January 15, 2012

Syria, in Deep Crisis, May Be Slipping Out of Control

Iraq

| January 15, 2012

Iraqi insurgents dressed as policemen attacked a government compound and a police station in Ramadi with four suicide bombers; seven police officers and at least six attackers died in the clashes. A car bomb targeting a police station in Baiji killed at least one person and injured 12 others.

Syria

| January 15, 2012

Qatar’s Emir called for Arab troops to be sent to Syria. The Arab League said there was no plan to do so at this time. As Syrian army desertions continued, a former army general announced the creation of a council to oversee all military operations against the Assad regime.

Nigeria

| January 15, 2012

Nigerian authorities arrested a Boko Haram operative, Alhaji Nuhu Babawo, known as “Intelligent.” The raid netted various arms, ammunition, and military and police uniforms. Authorities also arrested Kabir Sokoto, the lead suspect in the deadly Christmas Day bombings carried out by Boko Haram.

Kenya

| January 15, 2012

Kenyan authorities arrested 29 Ugandans, including two women, in Nairobi for allegedly seeking to join Shabaab in Somalia. The government said it wouldn’t attack Kismayo without the financial support of the international community.

Somalia

| January 15, 2012

Heavy fighting in Buuhoodle between Somaliland forces and SSC militiamen resulted in widespread destruction and forced civilians to flee for the Ethiopian border. The Shabaab stronghold at Jilib, north of Kismayo, was bombed by Kenyan aircraft, reportedly killing militants and civilians. The British Royal Navy captured 13 Somali pirates yesterday.

United States

| January 14, 2012

A judge denied the petition for a new trial of El-Sayyid A. Nosair, who was convicted in 1995 of murdering Rabbi Meir Kahane and trying to blow up New York landmarks. Nosair had conspired with Omar Abdel Rahman, known as “the Blind Sheikh.” Both men are currently serving life sentences.

Pakistan

| January 14, 2012

Six people were killed during a Taliban attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan. Interior Minister Malik denied the government is in talks with the Taliban. General Kayani called the prime minister’s criticism of the military “divisive” and said the comments should be withdrawn.