Egypt
Egyptians headed for the polls in the third and final round of parliamentary elections. The Islamist Muslim Brotherhood party is expected to extend its lead.
Yearly Archives: 2012
Afghan Taliban announces new ‘political office’ in Qatar
The Taliban is planning to open a new “political office” in Qatar as part of nascent peace talks with the US. The Taliban continues to demand the release of “high risk” detainees from Guantanamo as a prerequisite to the talks. The Taliban detainees all have extensive ties to al Qaeda.
Nigeria
Nigeria has sent government troops to the country’s troubled northern areas, where the radical Islamist group Boko Haram has launched a string of attacks on Christians that killed 43 people. A former warlord in southern Nigeria warned that Nigeria is “on the precipice of a civil war.”
Mauritania
Hamada Ould Mohamed Kheirou, the presumed leader of an armed Islamist group called the Movement for Unity and Justice in West Africa, has “declared war” against France. Last week, Mauritania issued an international arrest warrant against Kheirou, also known as Abou Qumqum.
Syria
Arab League Criticized Over Syria Observer Mission
Philippines
A Philippine military commander says at least five foreign al-Qaida-linked extremists are hiding on the remote southern island of Jolo. Among the five suspects is Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan; the US has issued a $5 million bounty for information leading to his capture or death.
India
India – Lashkar-e-Taiba raising 21 female terrorists against India: Army
Afghanistan
Karzai, US embassy meets militant delegation
Morocco
Morocco gets new Islamist-led government
Afghanistan
Afghan, HIA officials hold “beneficial” talks
Afghanistan
US to Buy 20 War Planes from Brazil for Afghan Mission
United States
Pentagon to Present Vision of Reduced Military
China
Violent Clashes Reported in China Over Mosque Demolition
Afghanistan
Taliban say office in Qatar has been agreed
Norway
Mullah Krekar, an Iraqi terrorist who has lived in Norway for years despite an expulsion order against him, said he plans to return to Kurdistan. “Each side [in Kurdistan] wants to have me back to fight their opponents for them,” he stated.
Al Qaeda remains entrenched in Pakistan’s tribal areas
Al Qaeda’s role in the formation of the Shura-e-Murakeba demonstrates that the group is still a significant player in Pakistan’s tribal areas.
Al Qaeda brokers new anti-US Taliban alliance in Pakistan and Afghanistan
The Shura-e-Murakeba embraces all of the major Taliban groups in North and South Waziristan, including the Haqqani Network, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, and groups led by Mullah Nazir and Hafiz Gul Bahadar.
Al Qaeda
The Taliban’s pound of flesh
Pakistan
Remembering Salmaan Taseer
Syria
Arab World Diplomacy Fails to Stop Syria Clash
Egypt
In Egypt, Islamic scholar casts a skeptical eye toward the future
Iraq
Conflicting Reports of Attack on Iraq’s Finance Minister, Rafe al-Essawi
Pakistan
Eight suspected militants were killed in the Galju area of Arakzai. Security forces pounded insurgent hideouts in Upper Arakzai, killing 10 militants in an ongoing operation. The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan vowed to stop “killing innocent people and kidnapping for ransom in Pakistan” but also to continue carrying out suicide attacks and fighting […]
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Muslim rebels join hunt for kidnapped Australian
Yemen
Armed Yemeni guards trying to break up a strike at a government office killed at least one of the protesters. A French journalist was found strangled with an electrical wire in his hotel room in Sana’a. The hotel, Al-Maali, is near the presidential palace in an area controlled by Yemen’s Republican Guard.
Iran
Iran test fired “long-range” shore-to-sea and surface-to-surface missiles, called Qader (Capable) and Nour (Light). The value of Iran’s currency fell 10 percent following new US sanctions against Iran’s central bank. Iran closed a border point with Pakistan after a Pakistani border force detained three Iranian guards for crossing the border and killing a man.
Somalia
Ten people were killed during fighting between a pro-government militia and Shabaab forces near Dhusamareb. Ethiopia said its forces would remain in Beledweyne. Shabaab leader Abu Zubayr decried the presence of foreign armies in Somalia.
Iraq
Analysis: Blocs pursue short-term fixes for Iraq political crisis
Afghanistan
NATO reports ‘incredible’ Afghan drugs seizures
Afghanistan
Pakistan, US assume less cooperation in future