Egypt
Power Play in the Gulf: Tiny Qatar Has Big Diplomatic Ambitions
Monthly Archives: March 2012
Indonesia
Indonesia: Islamist groups object to gender equality bill
Al Qaeda
Pakistan: Bin Laden wives fighting, causing problems
Boko Haram
Jonathan: Nigeria takes share of blame for failed hostage rescue
Afghanistan
The Taliban suspended “dialogue” with the US. President Karzai wants NATO forces confined to large bases. The Taliban killed 10 civilians in Uruzgan. Security forces killed and captured several Taliban leaders and fighters.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
US drones killed four al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters in a drone strike in Al Baydah yesterday. The Saudi embassy in Sana’a said it is aware of an AQAP plot to strike the facility.
Iran
The BBC accused Iran of a cyberattack on its Persian news service. An key international financial transactions firm cut ties with Iranian banks, hindering Iran’s ability to conduct international business. Iran began stockpiling food ahead of further sanctions.
Syria
Syria marks revolt anniversary amid violence
Syria
Syrian rebels lack guns, money after key defeats
Syria
The Syrian army attacked the southern city of Deraa with tanks and armored vehicles. Refugees flooded into Turkey. Turkey considered setting up a buffer zone inside Syria. Bahrain closed its embassy.
Al Qaeda
Yemenis: Ousted leader undermining al-Qaida fight
US drone strike kills 4 AQAP fighters
The strike took place in the southern province of Al Baydah, and is the fourth drone strike in Yemen since March 9.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan security forces arrested 22 “Iranian spies”. They were suspected of being trained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to carry out terrorist attacks against the US and Israeli embassies.
Somalia
Shabaab spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage identified yesterday’s suicide bomber as Hassan Abdikadir. Prime Minister Ali is planning on dismissing Interior and Notional Security Minister Abdisamad Mo’allin Mohamud.
Mali
Ancar Dine, a Tuareg Islamist militia led by Iyad Ag Ghaly, demanded the imposition of sharia law in Mali. Ag Ghaly’s cousin is a leader of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Ancar Dine forces captured a military base in Aguelhok and summarily executed 82 people. Malian forces made a “strategic retreat” from Tessalit; Ancar […]
Saudi Arabia
Sweden – Secret Saudi intelligence sent via Hotmail: report
Iran
Iran cut off from global financial system
Nigeria
President Goodluck Jonathan has initiated peace talks with Boko Haram. The Nigerian government wants a ceasefire in exchange for the release of Boko Haram foot soldiers.
Al Qaeda
Aiding Yemen Rebels, Iran Seeks Wider Mideast Role
Taliban suspend ‘dialogue’ with US
The Taliban have formally suspended dialogue with the US, and President Karzai said NATO forces in Afghanistan should be restricted to large bases.
Africa
Australian ‘special forces gathering intelligence in Africa’
Italy
Italian and British officials arrested a man in Sardinia and a woman in London who are suspected of planning to bomb a Milan synagogue. The man, a 20-year-old Moroccan, is thought to have been planning other attacks also.
Colombia
Bedouins surround peacekeepers, some US, in Sinai
Hamas
Top Hamas official visits Tehran
India
Pakistan – Indian guru wants Taliban to de-stress
Afghanistan
Pakistan – Ruling coalition decides in principle to reopen NATO supply route
Afghanistan
Afghan mission into final phases, says David Cameron
Pakistan
The Taliban killed six members of a tribal militia in a bombing in Bajaur and bombed a school in Nowshera. “Terrorists” killed a girl and wounded seven policemen in an attack in Peshawar.
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed nine civilians in bombings in Kandahar and Helmand. Afghan troops killed seven Taliban fighters in Herat. US Marines were disarmed for a meeting with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. The US Army sergeant who murdered 17 Afghan civilians has been flown out of the country.
Afghanistan
Russia may give NATO a base for Afghan supply runs