Earlier reports suggested they would be transferred to Afghan custody. This report also speculates about a possible prisoner exchange for the abducted U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl, but notes there is no clear indication that this arrangement is under discussion. Instead, “the releases would be to reciprocate for Tuesday’s announcement from the Taliban that they are […]
Trouble in paradise: Pakistani Taliban leaders “at each others’ throats”
Awwww. More on this story. It is unfortunate that it does not look as if anyone (least of all Pakistan) is pressing for a military advantage while the group is floundering; the CIA has suspended drone strikes as of last month. It would appear that this is an opportunity that is being allowed to pass. […]
What could go wrong? Taliban strikes deal to open “political office” in Qatar
The U.S. agreed to the idea earlier last year. The third-country presence carries the risk of giving the Taliban an undeserved veneer of legitimacy, giving it the opportunity to buy time on the battlefield by going through the motions, and engage in blackmail over quitting negotiations. It also threatens the evolution of a Hizballah-like Taliban […]
Egypt: Priests expected to apologize to Muslims for allegedly offensive Facebook posting by Christian student
In a civilized society, this would be a non-event. The case has the marks of a potential setup, and a rampage waiting for an excuse. The student’s family’s houses were burned, clashes continue, and now completely un-involved clergy are expected to apologize, and the family is set to be expelled from the governorate. This is […]
Al-Qaeda commander to Pakistani jihadists: “For God’s sake, give us fighters”
It is a curious coincidence, at the very least, that just as al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban are both apparently feeling the heat, America’s hands are tied on drone strikes. “Al-Qaida, Taliban seek Pakistani militants’ help,” by Ishtiaq Mahsud and Sebastian Abbott for the Associated Press, January 2: DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — Prominent al-Qaida […]
“Supreme Guide” of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood reiterates that caliphate is its goal
That is, if it can avoid collapsing on itself in corruption, infighting, and economic ruin after more than one generation. The whole fantasy depends on a philosopher king, a special kind of tyrant with the right combination of an iron fist and personality cult, and that is only for one man’s lifetime. The experiment will […]
Egypt: Islamic preacher calls for government ministry for “promotion of virtue”
Once again, wherever Sharia experiences renewed interest, the observable effect is that tolerance decreases and harassment increases, and morality policing is a cheap, easy way for a government to look busy and shore up its Islamic credentials while reminding the public who’s boss. It is a diversion from larger issues that a real, functioning government […]
Egypt: Salafists refrain from New Year’s greetings to Copts
We already knew there would be no Christmas greetings from them. This is the shape of things to come in Egypt. The Tiny Minority of Extremists always seems to turn out less tiny than advertised, and the Salafists have scored between a quarter and a third of the vote so far, depending on the report. […]
Saudis to apply law allowing women clerks for lingerie sales despite top cleric’s objections
It took a decree from the king himself to end an ironic consequence of the strict separation of men and women, whereby Saudi women actually had to buy lingerie from men because a total ban on female sales clerks. Unsurprisingly, the stores dragged their feet on hiring women, and a top Saudi cleric called the […]
Egypt: Divisions emerge between Islamic parties
The existence of disagreements is well known, but what remains to be seen is how it will affect governance and the crafting of Egypt’s next constitution. A Sharia regime carries a perpetual element of instability in that, as even Imam Rauf knows, Sharia is a package deal. There can always be more of it, and […]