The Weekly Wire

ط§ظ„ط³ط¨طھ ظ¢ظ - ط£ط¨ط±ظٹظ„ - ظ¢ظ ظ¢ظ¤ ظ ظ،:ظ¤ظ¨ ظ…ط³ط§ط،ظ‹

The Weekly Wire

ظ…طظ…ط¯ ط§ظ„ط¨ط§ط±ظˆط¯ظ‰ أ‌أ 2009-12-21

On Monday (12/14), Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) introduced <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJveVMK0jPwM_aV6dCC2bYNWPFUKV5uVCCrkIQCL0spePJE7aoOgcLuxOu1m5xi1289YACgOced3qHWXdoOW6gB2TkIohscr_YilT-lLfNrlkJQAobwRVxD29P4Ebu7DXzIZzArMeqqqzODEgQ2juNEHFd_6PVpftE4=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.R.4301</a>, the Iranian Digital Empowerment Act, which aims to "support the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people by enhancing their ability to access the Internet and communications services."  The bill would authorize the export of "software and related services that allow private Iranian citizens to circumvent online censorship and monitoring efforts imposed by the Government of Iran."
Also on Monday (12/14), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) introduced <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtA5RNwCeTvwH0RG79il4PkiIfkM34TGgadeoB2EnS-gFvC9CmKWQt84jA-E59cZ7bpDFeYLybPZyksNmEK2BAtuXNjPVaM6K7dAuoBHuE422Dg8ExF5GPheeuWPa9DoXX01AnuFFvcUGxIfh6mEt3YaTWbhCXb3vY=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.R.4303</a>, the Stand with the Iranian People Act, which aims to "enhance United States sanctions against Iran" by ensuring that "sanctions are clearly targeted at the Government of Iran and individuals within the Government of Iran, rather than the Iranian society as a whole," and would impose a travel ban to the United States on any Iranian government official who has participated in human rights abuses.  The bill would also forbid U.S. government procurement contracts with any entity that provides censorship or surveillance technology to the government of Iran. The bill was referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Financial Services, and the Judiciary. 
On Tuesday (12/15), the House passed under suspension of the rules <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtOSZLnOhjhO58Nqh05xpAFNpsUkJ3vAALDKwpHn4pZ-oRKEP7eSU4SqiBv42eKcHmu12hsWGoILFCeJNy0Zl0dh9cwT-jgjs4vkdeOJxn-Pn7qzMr1kuXhj_hSogCpdpYl9e_SfYGOf72h20BpUQPqgJjXR7XpUmg=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.R.2194</a>, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009, in a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvFyhzHl3eg5F2OMcNMNOTK45_ID58i11eSxp_LX8djTf5p7WvXBlQnaGeoP3h8jK5bCtweKgK4xbJ3Ua9zhq0WBWHeA5-mx8JyC5ux88r8WHNk3L5VMRSch7oFHua4Zn6gTCamSuZqcw==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">412-12</a> vote, with 4 voting "present." The bill would amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to prohibit investment that enhances Iran's ability to develop petroleum resources, and to prohibit the export of refined petroleum products to Iran.  On Wednesday (12/16), the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.  Passage of the bill sparked much debate (see From Washington below).
 
From Washington
Human Rights at State Department: Last Monday, Secretary Clinton delivered an important <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtcaQ1xs4CLEU_St892F1iQx0g36wbjdT4paqFSdnz8jJpB5gjH3_oUB0Up8Voo4n7eTTdJGIsYZaRogMOXORi6dKFB2Kw7swGgEGlJcH4nepzGisaX9FHmw8bjx0b-f8KdRTxp2NBUKZUKMKDhPkeM1yHvh-uEyRvrzry8_9RnbZ_xuS-t0dqcmghxG4FIjo5Yq-1Yshte4T8k43CBWHzh" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">speech</a> (also available in <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvppOPhG2ydojKPcqoxu_m-WgLxIoenGVn7RgLbjhfpv2WF0Qq9NsKs5nIxqLSZyZ-HLexoHa6b1iOEzsFhbt20smgtlhZV1vwBgTD1ce2vz7YgzRSjVK4_Xye1q5uyXOYcJndlPrWspv4e_4UmuY9HTHZLeq-F0BcudK2hJ4lOv1FofYXcVenNUWl6rO2X6mqxwFolDcUddA==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arabic</a>) about the administration's approach to human rights, defining America's mission as "expanding the circle of rights and opportunities to all people - advancing their freedoms and possibilities."  <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvSuFuIbnyKY9siBoJMDkgoQr4PtV3oKpTfVIB9MKWvWnOv2AKn2adzT4TCwDLIIrEFkKr_PCi-eiBIJHbSSbLgi53mz9q9LyuHQDdZJhDhyQj1Eyj4oQSid2UlHuKnfUMY57Tc5LAolqF8s4K_Y3W_SxGGFRCAamBD8qADI9sO_1jAJXJQsFj2" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meanwhile</a> the State Department <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJu0U8aXekn8VLO5_eYLauPgdz8Q8_u_ypZJQ4PibALNhPCGnU_bzZ1H9BlhnTuQPsr6wp1APuqbhV4SAneY-eWfO9OosAAyI9hVTCm7_fXga8W_Ijrljp9By8xmTp3vKw8b-ygGtzRMH4og10L37BBNds_mBV3-nns=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">launched</a> a new <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsITVrgKWtJiI68w7bLjVFdUi--RzvPPLay-F3T4StVyVJuEfiDrlpsnz9s5xdJKJOOz8V_aBKBjK2SwWicNXLEQd99zpp4YAG6zurJbrdVqjZEhCsBrDNX" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> for the Universal Period Review of human <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtzAmpqQv4LTqtYtLiCObOng4zBRkie2vER90YUUUgAdHVe9hJsAIU4B_OZvdh5o2SFrT_4yxx1jSx9K_MTAZDAG9aTOs6JlH9fV0jRJughzsUDGi-kH0JQavZgQzPbwTucZGSdGrbe8SZnZcscywu0mANl09mVuG4=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rights</a>.
Troop <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvwJKdliEoHv9Q9g6COJWHuDXBUUgis0-_8vCmTBq6821PvbA5k0PgiaL5BBLfBIc5eYJ4uGx2IFoaNqHif7DGzoTYjg0hQN_JO8BxnuQ9bKwCjPyCn0MzUOnBw6LqkOnS9wxJkTYv5waB1B2WJsYnF_dNC8Vb6_zBSTVxgjoSPSLVr6cQ1iswo" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">deployments</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvAcv2Y9S4K3xi-6VlQCK1SIyE4i-0cNP8QM5I3pZygIo_MBUTIfWIMURRTZtIhJagDmfQUzm4vziXeVERiZGwYUeBwpaNU7nSby1Tw2_dl6u0RGoyx9_yxIbj0CcI-byfi6paYrV6ThspX9gySV2E0AaGSike_xj4mpNnw8pzwaVJ0geg4C5BohejWyqnCMTYv9N5K0ID9xuvABR_Ud4us4S1__ywDV_fuW5qrYDvy_g==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Afghanistan</a> are scheduled to follow a strategy <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvqK3YDS7utjVcSjp_kg15jtMq_gNn6EEypjDehUDaRyP-qc9GnBGDVpZBweCmSSXbctilMlXKcd59vdx2Ym_qPxIBWOIpZUowYgokzRIErqiXqtTk7qCiORFeYiH3Ox-9Wr7GcEGYGIIUX2GD7XpP-hNOagrJ5P5UiyTmrYUvC-cZrBBRmHnSB" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">evaluation</a> by President Obama to address growing <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtJ8h4ylhcAjd0_HOEfPIemj6oUIMIoMxEhnWZSeoANCVhUXAiqlYsf-0r4HHr0NhXCwuFI7GTqa3_4Nbr7_tXDwbLWbiGLQRfd34Q0IxzDT24Vg6jA6sJAo9i3ZW7RYjaCae1ngBc0Emj-sdJ1du8dnbAM1PvJLZZMeTRbuIARtiL6iXJaXS239XV-w7_MUTIAT4Birz5v9KMNIWmPcfBZ8iP_V_Rj-DsdCy2NJKHhWw==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">concerns</a>.  The saga over Ambassador Galbraith's dismissal <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJt2gaw86TRHUISFxPF7zHc5z8wS94Bqb522u6YN2I1_r3EyUAkgN-k60hyLlguyNqFHV9pDqmd83zMHjOkyw8Rp26meUXT5Pn0-1WXvNwxJjsrpbi-ENDsC8lABj4mPOEJm_pQQLJg1Uh--ohdbU_roDU9KQ3JB_FZU1dKtzJurcpH25wqPGOYu" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">flared</a> after an <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJv9QSOxJSkGBcLu6XG53tGxq42kp6vnS01BzonVEiuhhOEwSuu5JZ9l4U5zV_Ur6c1LQHneuZkHmfxwVIHmVQwuoIcsZpI4LmS70EfWULdEQjoz2oCe8aQMKA_HNrhoElW53aErzsyj8Wbx-r8O9VjFuJjj0B8Q9QUuidc2tu6bpw==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">accusation</a> of misconduct.
Iran Sanctions Debates:  <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvvyeUj4da4q6jB1wDIZuDBJJEJtE708Lr5s2KvHPNYNLXDiyzRsGnRvVanM-H7u6GMy8fXZK6JhO1PDGapnnPKZXP6ljM1u949eVUhgqeUrTEEyXOXRsTKR-misfINKQ8ZjyKKANP-Pk56qhzSSQqPrY-aKocEeCX6MYSA77OKmiDE5IloHloZALGkGQNIwAVZZz6rCxtSSA==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Debate</a> over the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJts8byPdfPRbWC7NX49_C0yTmdJWXA5i49AFYHyJyKTPrLmzx-nuTbt08yHHCb2ruVlF_Qngd6vZQS-sR8ZDZ1KRdOBQ7-c-ahuqECWdT5bXWZVCxAF_x_HPPttr90wJOOvqFas026_TQyD3qtOELgrvoJD75IjVBAfamvu3HzUISoSvRIQmz2wfPZiqgH80YCK_UuIDvKJr0t4T2b6F2ONjk5wSAJwALEk_Dty4q9gLJKC_lgPfRZiIGC34st7lzpnZ_H5aXPrU84gbM1nywJq6Ce1-0MTKJ-m5TOh-dqYg0YtSBGfEFamWSxd9_hGNJA5UAAwreKJIv_OYuT3vnZsVP__Rz3GTPAkhYTJ3owiksgusmaaK_ezjSjmtxTmC3Z61ev4dEWtvA==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">role</a> of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtcwImQgLqbJF6AgchvghgGGlwN5l_j8var9ElaeoGuxtpv-_VNwOzlnXzWESuEg8GK8NYKQlLuV3i9swguQaspIC0oOGr-m80ZqG8Ubh-6blX3J8Usrekk_HxakkiTH8mfnyDpz8FGqCMZWOWRhCHyvLV_hpjNZ1rUWYp_pPahofMG2RJjH3cX_uS6o-Fss1E=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">diplomacy</a> as part of an <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtc3TVvM5RFYxgBnMzPsGdd-sAkb0V9QIdj3OPnKqzHoKLy1hPZK0WQq3uU12oaLPpyfVZZ29HvKVM_nC-RCVlIErHXxVmF1yatpMAQkBUWex4ilnn3awO6yqbmB5O5RkA_h5cVjlJ7qKyacUh_s2NNK6i-MQlN4UXhbApVENhW3FOzrESvD0jz" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">effective</a> Iran strategy continued <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsAaqQwoekrf1S4voc-yW86NjHFbg23qDw-_c_bFx0Us4T0bPEqGFP8kfluWSLkVcR-xzgFpAho86bc7ocpImOS_0_M4hepixjukXBirPTmNObnDUqaHkQ3-rwT6yT9zv9jJP6APfPHm2YSOiPwJkjX7KFR4qRc8x4IU6d0h_iaE7KrrUf3KTKUih7piukE1zO-WDqXmpFydQ==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ahead</a> of the House's <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtSqPktYTE1pnKd6TD5V0CTfZaKi38h_TCTwRcnuHz0dm6qcENhkcuFgKnb606IMyLK_DPgg_-3cprBOtlowm7dVw5SfVbSxGqDCKV38C5L-h1O3FuGI88zp3MTVlv4aqS5D13SegjDN3NAW7WKaoUsDsIu2M14DzxJmoYMVqffzuXcohfzCxTc2AtAS4tk-_0=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">vote</a> on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtejDTKs_VNcEWXZKf8vk1J81gJgJMbnNHQ1KsuEUeRKWjsqpS89mR4etptV7fvAjOM9F8G-YblBc3hFW77r4NMWwQg7Y7O9wnHbBLbPwMRPV_OyyvotKY-ucYWD-zFzHMf0gpctwJZAB2DIYL5Yeg0jFo-o-2ix10=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Act</a> (IRPSA).  Supporters of the bill argued that <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJva-kMCPQhA5TGwFudmxxOcIIH5ws_8h5A81t62Gv56lrsCYs7GAjzPywhCbRD0hTEngu-hUvLZgqAsslq684WI3s51s3fla7GV9Gdsmgb5Y7aeWRHuD9uSYB-olWP16DeDoamGubII9g==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">harsh</a> sanctions are needed to pressure reform, while opponents <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsMeQSW6Rw_3wwhZfyXIsgqLDBgzMDPxTxBnuvnIpEbXaSsypyfqglTIFxzu3caF29TnQ-godsIWciTCoeeWJh7xywJ_PPO2UBtZren_zA7LSIKoolbGNJIyQV3nF9wP55NUMU5v76BgvDP-GoLUSYeVAicOuecaoeSMqVWxmCM8Zoifcdo3_nlgmEHTogxomrPNCVF0_1b3w==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">declared</a> that sanctions would <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsC2TaFQaPA-11HryqkhM0s7PECheffWpUsSHbgAl9eG0mkzusMgmRPq4aHZUUiXBrRFcg8YgRdATgzIIAn4MayRpHSVqdmVaeqhxPuHH7kO7mWYOwJXAT_0P1MVoRM2OKTmzO1n2rvMsB7yfS8O-epK-P0w5ZUZ1a_pBTGfwCafyfkXo577q8EHMcPv44xdnk=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">embolden</a> the regime and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJs8i-5gevCaq9qzFblbxj3Q5ZSKRssgU3qgdHG02Lb8qdDQkl19HieGgbCGn9eTiGXH2WIQh-qsOwc7aLOrJCdzcqLvYzVljBdOZEzajxYZxj9utL1kdUk4UdQuYpEz1Z8XbFS9cPzO0--YIx-7ErKvZP8pOHKgn-Dzd0yp0oY4ZZtPy0RHhBMPmK8LJcYFO7YO29y-YhRTm6LUeNlG2U8nFCYnhSyC3_5GV3d9u5EleOm6Ovt5C0zSrWRQZN4mEnW4Otpcs_Z0tNM47XM8PcKJ2Leqaul8sE95waf2soLkRQ==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hurt</a> democratic <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvyWyJIeCDbntibM7plAePqtrOgP4a8uwuf3jSQF_d46t67062XhOPLP1-R2okXLb_0ZlmUy8SR0R6628piv-5WHOretCWIGi68RuXIHQCaCnk-frVuQPP0hj8zcChat8aqZashT_M4C4ro8jZ0siO21iXV3zyxhv3WH5HE59dSBVIjO9sCiS7D" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">efforts</a>.  Representatives <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJuJ1NJy_i5-ZmUHWz5g3JJJUHhbjolWqEUIHPkPBalEbz1erjjc9mkCVERw4nSGWp--Ks8wvAMwWgLKhCZ0GrjGQVfDOzJvdooS_YOMf6zB15-zabRV1qw0BUNgkrCqtbX6wZGwu4U7q1MkBYEEt3s15rBZtJnFYxbxlwG7kfOaI58cuj_sebv3fVrc2VRQdMv8ISCQnEKDTSDHTPebVZhSOyk3I-_B5_-Twp-8b5KdbxLW51Fpicdq" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">introduced</a> two <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtA5RNwCeTvwH0RG79il4PkiIfkM34TGgadeoB2EnS-gFvC9CmKWQt84jA-E59cZ7bpDFeYLybPZyksNmEK2BAtuXNjPVaM6K7dAuoBHuE422Dg8ExF5GPheeuWPa9DoXX01AnuFFvcUGxIfh6mEt3YaTWbhCXb3vY=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">alternative</a> sanction <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJveVMK0jPwM_aV6dCC2bYNWPFUKV5uVCCrkIQCL0spePJE7aoOgcLuxOu1m5xi1289YACgOced3qHWXdoOW6gB2TkIohscr_YilT-lLfNrlkJQAobwRVxD29P4Ebu7DXzIZzArMeqqqzODEgQ2juNEHFd_6PVpftE4=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">plans</a> that <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvZHj42_u8BrJAKc8eBZKzGi9Bss3UGBKDivCnFadWnm3WIMxQbqquzZmiqeSeoU8yzRJAChgEdPC9FXuqG_6jQ4Xg0jlS8xjj5JBowgEmk6gBAPnXcKxFfOCBpN2xLuc-9jutcPHqH2oSrO0ZMQkCGNE5SVHorKCFklatGh2389XmNoMslw-ows0iaB0M96gsq5QKEo7FroFQMPQUY4icG" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">focused</a> on <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvMXZqm1RDZM4llTMlsAZGdD0JCZvbifykjoIg76-MRUDURyjDiEsADCqHTuA0mnyl_mOX6zJMq1WtxmWlv17qY7LyDUNW2-stdjcz_WOsU0sxA-viMu-JpW2a_pBIAC_-uDmh0Wg6Xc8k83JN3uobKgVNTy1xVHycG6YEXWY8aoczQp12BqPRK" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">supporting</a> the Iranian opposition.  In addition, commentators <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtWhRr19WIJRQ-Y_Yi_0_wv3EbgL-cwut-3zEUXD6DMw6wKTzsW8N03acLcDU2GbXg_NH5BfOYBBEc709q0BwwBL8l-dw78EYO5FhSkhDjZCfdAtaOifT2y2244_Kerga5ccr28cENQaHV7NoPJSdwbJ-FUo-msmx0=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">argued</a> the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsBGMmpYoBoX53sJJ0nLhJlixYIxJj8YdX4uTHt8sJLIGCCENeAVA_yY-c87mufDp10GVIC9X_cEunDjaPjL54Nl2Gjor1BXM6nBoh1a4l60eBMGqAeK4D8JZvfva60KOR8lfwXOFdfAkW953SI8eO2qafWq-xZruM=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">value</a> of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsZAFELTPBpelHktiQPTURD1TRPAyhInNb_jKssSxVRnvyKY_WHEVMhlQ2rF-s26H_9MVnlSBan3zqR0cjMtSHQbf3TPudXJXAdKgLyA9J2jqiH6n9UjuuU0M5w_wbrWFN4ya5rOXQTQw11tdYGsuQYNB3Fat7Krbr7wLdCUI4L5NZ87hkpsCQU8RNBxflQT0mt12hciCFHPzCvLoXSgr2G5mTn34XkCDZQx9_uKn4eS33hRJ9n1gdSqWcEhu-v-MM=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">increasing</a> diplomacy efforts and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsZgTkVE3TgmNTYZyPyyKMFkeOn648zuUlH6-3ft8jHiBiwrCvJR9ve1Rbb4xARIquGAL9abJxygQnM74oYHU-m2SfAqrofVK0bR4aw_Xn6lynxikeWXkLhywfJ0Pl-meajCKQLmYKoOHTVBWC63YxdJsBIpKR-SChu_y8qqV6_1achXo-T_Zh3e6WoFuc1ManYS2F9zDEwxuDza5ufYwxGbx6R4oyiW1PJ2rd7p9nDKz_YjnV4GkmQl8XfUbFlH8VMwXWeq7JB0A5Fx8R-DW7FuPN_SJqY9wXTNA1OqEbyOUTBu7RszYcHY_xaMjuk687lJ6EMeQegiA==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">engagement</a>. 
Although IRPSA did pass <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJt-QSloWQakQqd2DcjrTGUy0o2mxvBHuRKpYhAY_qfRv5SPg3zjg0UeDA3a87iX22SIEDYbkZfLteG8wg4DhJx86EqmvstRR8lrLfOyMuhYzH3UXeWaAZ9WvwCnBDKdq_xiSMuxT5gQyhEUgrPBzUL2CxkE5OzITh9EJQWMSKsJ3QvSyTqXb20ZLOE41DIyj0o=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">overwhelmingly</a> in the House after <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtQ-7xQPhsxOOwBSzzNms-aL2TfK6RDlHXP7V1cl1iToIpUcI_na9s67itRAzoCdaVSce2A7gJPQNdPyLGAjK2qqhO0k1UCNOQllaAWOBm-9gstfH_hvjyl9RMst-GZ9iN2UXimOPSESA==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">heated</a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJv7SvtIdJgwZxrS8k2FAnRIANynHgu_FXDuBC3OWQJeEJ8JixBvCyxH6I0rVH7sMOFaBA-tq_gK73MV2rFxtXKRUgthxuyF57PfWp1cqcGOP5zonaxS8-Qm3AC41WLjZ_sjobqjqaxV7Q==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">debated</a>, the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJumx_QBDT-3Orv4t0aBLlrSqiJW-y86udTFB-CQXfOXd6hV_YB0uylIotX47q-DDCze5PzTbNCbmRLiTe0szJJHzrR04zdbMjrnlUmsD6HpAWUZ7lFQn5P6Y_7iBBQAA7ss92eM7RVNZzPSB9d5f9d3DtatVXVzqE0=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">administration</a> has <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsOw8Ua_7mLXQuFAYWMXodlqm_eZVYQ_FQsG8E65kDjww8_NXeRFKMmWcBBvjXS-cYS2TQsO6vwiGUwHubiUVHt_AclfcqGv9YvtMTjY6fdfLhAkHwfGpj3sx6QYKmnMjLJTTS9rlecRMeV8HwxQ1KSQc4PPT0wfVcOVnqktmULHjdDuuHGW8ZIstN3zoYxpoQSUBSvekvQXQhWGNgNzeZXjchPvsDzGvI=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">suggested</a> that it will attempt to modify the Senate version and seek <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJuSGGXxJpBYRdkMGkar-I9gy_PCyhgIAYZLs_p4EJ3FGzWOTmQzD3WPBuNTHmFerL7lQkPfzd4HUUY6lWcS0C7QSCtSnQ_ouEyPT6s9jqFvZKxRkQa59XWpFtzXvDcXNJAaRwulqsWdOAHqZvMZpEcS47bHHZtjXHhu-m5AXAYEFekMsG_lqm5Y5Nt6HnEvm0P1S4B4yCWVE-xL7YFizKSB_hztuNERzaI=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">alternative</a> means to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvHPokT0sSGRcAb6TKstfAmU8Jm8hsxdH32FaFrRfyUTkFrt0D90loFotRs2hBl03545yTXwJJ4T-qDlkA2r2LHlPRpU2TZk5nbVf3EdA5UK1RG2PtCDekkQaZmPngFpIEKMksX41F1Zv49PfyUvFaveYJPo-PTC5r2Z8HrzYvwBQDjRDGTrmGhOWP3VZi6Y4lWAscExlITYTaCcLPvPd1lEwPvw0zGgMkdAmQmVyigxQ==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">support</a> the opposition.  Passage of the bill sparked renewed <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtnVcFH_9Kk8RPKk4VlSA3_Qwf4V2yT4CukgGz_Fu3WtPwEYfmO099pZbw0jNQJa81D00hPQImU4vwvpXffzlugYeJ-Ns67jjkJJXvcg-evnFbBP9rTQcB5Blufn3jXM2LNpg61wAm13bWT2h2UINRrDjglj9LuvsVq5NoRbB5N6cwfYq-G0SnpPoJEGhXyo52A8fHW3TMuhQ==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">debate</a> as many argued the act is <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJu0OE6FVfw-E76m01l_8lXk74CIWrVaARRqqOUBj6R3UzaNa5VmaVtWkEcr0AutECKLEW-YMlHnQtpz4W4f4LoHomrwjyeJdqo8cJ7dXYpwdJ6WmAgG70s64LWGEHy3hYuv01AyxmTTCZUH5M7dSivLkeRqAqb3QSk-b7dMFoXCkhyLUDYUOUgU74wbXHTxBw8p7AJegoMjFA==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">counterproductive</a> and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvXln4H0AHbvW5xMEbHIz3XO7guOG4xtdhCWsmZRJ7ZrOi-M3KcpLreUrY6018sK3nFmhpUX6AGPz-9DlhhIIFl7kW2uI98fF-e6HTVz32sKhTDlC60EMgO3yN5r4h-omwKs8rtvJI1AOFQ7kvEx0EkAfcNBxcZkjV1sN559wy8yj2yoC-oScKusJPRUJO_qoYZXZpWF8Zp-ILe7dyd-vcWwddqcuDh-cSftsAtFY3uPva4BdiF9WyAm3ccO4ST5drno5KNM7-oLOaqa6z8sLn_75SKFsbpSux0bB4LJwXgHGLaMKarVSfcmILydTP2pQG1dhAAVHNv4qJtTrUiPpxj67PkGGF-Xo0bOrGA6L7DPMmtMjustrtkW4oM0HCfBeLZOwE80Qclt84JMI2Q0s3zT5Cke1YQ1LTKzJW3s40dhZTFxY7jSOo0Cu4Md1bsFFY=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fails</a> to develop a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtRnLSzMzvFMgAHx869W1-KJO_A607b4PazGskKYOsrp82T1ZqNQQgWgAEMJ_soXB__DAFvGYH0SHJkrE4u2B9leVNvB5EKq_B-JErJvoePV6aiSBez8ZF6cC7dbLQzXxL1vA_qVjtdfWbTr8maw7wE4DKFReb_EuAIche4Jstj-Bf5vpg--FGszCngr2HgNx4=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pragmatic</a> strategy to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtphmU9NqVxBvY0OPvHEHtKBGVUot415FZWL9nwIDkUv7k0hOWaZg5MzTFnsT0hnEOpqd6Ryw1MO8TX2cFZF8n998LI11vBe69_um6vDdtqgdO9V2CPdflGCE5GA2B_5_2fusrlM_v6C1Ef43fd7A35wFTN3AyxI9asJ7FgKfp09SGizNIL22-Z" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">strengthen</a> reform. 
Lebanese Visit and Palestine Debate: Lebanese President Michel Sleiman visited Washington to meet with President Obama and other U.S. <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJslLdLJvj0evOKpM9MTyOwJ3nIhAq83kN10Jznup81Nf7LDoZBlFfE-E17mRTLLvQW0k8iOe3CLK5N59thjEmKlx-gJQfj8WZoF3DO4GZ9JqD6zoxG0q4br8JIs-tfit54EMW8C2E1CYqy2-hQhfwbhWtusyIL8hSB1fnoCxjnpO-Eiv5mNmkOj4NCaJB06qlk=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">officials</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtKb1ofCUepn4ELh_3dlMk2xPiNvkjhAC5KgCYvkv1cGXIK2KAmxF5fWB-vxg5V33MRUebcXX01F86d430GTYrU_--Dg3MmtyerWGYVXNW-qgtCpoy_M0HQSkhEK46bA5SXcP9-U41PVA==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">discuss</a> Lebanese <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJspT_eNdAwqaZ-gdo9Txw1ljdD6fPFfUgdjNAwG6wtYbU74u3xV_NPDDf9XvGJ-TFFcwTsV5zI7YyZ3MQ-nDLqp1DTIucERNFh1_ZcfpFB_F00xGl4jwWqV9u1JALn0iqbjJkcWrJFZ5g==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">relations</a> as well as <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJun5Dnwqs4BYOrAbFC9l6uzGnAvEuqHdshuKnUtUh-PlF6E5nrU4xDJVUoQVrBP6bl-_wjj4AntSevaO-wH_RIg0fHBWIQGt9TYcJxK0rO8_ZMGf0e0m7e_Zx7WTMw1cUiBvJBQPTOTQGSn9g7A5Dvj9Q3XnN0iAwwCcvyAlXwG5HxC3-RSfu5M0NHr4FnPnUc=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hezbollah's</a> role in the government.  Commentators <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJuZofk7M34qqCdHFhNCjjgKzB_xZ-DLA_sUoHPuzauQgR-WY-H9XI4CFuinKzKG4qHdKx8P42ZHa6kWV-hrF1FurQ1MhShTNEo1d0uh6qK6zY6f95_xNelLWM2ndvGszd1ab4bGbLdES1mAc4Mr9_sz2a5jh0ap1Z4=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">criticized</a> Palestinian stall <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJswZj19_YNV-AuvUtCgezTFxu-up2a4hn3eWJ68EaU-aUIPmqet2lcQY8MwncwkZvP6RM8rnzFpEBh2XMl-XqfTqfa7tI9Rkn4OHQMZB7dzI1kRa8VSCRDuFRhNkS_rXZgDm9ez0jQ6H_RZxZY1CfcRfdKnrDwD-uH_bXje5r7Etw==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tactics</a>, put forth new peace <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJugNpprELtXJ4ORPqiXjSagcTgXObXjNIZ0Kk7wSQoi2TBvPr-sE_9hqvkNq1k8kWGngFHary5V8bqYJRnic9YcFVXFpx1P_AAat_ZYrddy6KR45bsO_E6_RgFsZkXERfc8DG6AxTD33qpgaMdKXItH" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">strategies</a> that <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJtAJ1eBDqB1pXUptim0Te9c940Sxx2-d22TAfVrCbw4oeiVYuxh4JD6TcmM21BVazMzH1nmRSg8oyVQKLjkil3-CY_8czgNFyVZi99wQgNzPK3aJCFQ9w0oOseV8QdSSwRPF1KrmlP3GVO4Oo1lncejccvypZ7vcsUXnOqlIb8DsQ==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">supported</a> definitive action, urged steps by the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJsFQwhuMKDPArV6HzODT2ctjTmxe7LAol00qCYN0UghI5RqGS3MasEOGhHkwd3IRRym2qjQJVi3StexKTOc_wwu5svu0QY3FQuIRFZ4BvL6pdoDalT2CpAEt4wA3LhDLio=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PLO</a> and the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJszi8AAJFFfUrRJBqlQvicjfOZAQVlusH_KDsMoUx_X7WU-b9a4Ds5HDNADFr20oU0K3m9IwDQtuF47tEZQFSuFVtHBTV2S-F7dxqZEgTeygJyBrLafi2TD4yslMBDcft4=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">international community</a>, and predicted that the U.S. will support direct <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJv0SqtztTllxVndaixH8L66OwHec-C8ZM3EC4NWQooeUj-OZ_OAL6Vd0TiWhreMmfQAmSa84syg7oSxqjtk571pIB1eadr9THOGF2_048u68Ro2HLMxKE_pId5ZYOlUzdySCX1vQFOQjA==" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">dialogue</a> with Hamas.
Congressional Activity Examined: Reactions to the recent passage by Congress of the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102899498668&s=3668&e=001nUXP70OFyJvo3E2bIpuocZQ6ITMT8GmbIjcp_u82b8u_q2q3WCCAiQ2rgKqNv6wbRI1ULFjxkcMDtN0NhTOgZWy-54IuwkGiSpNxYv_hZfO2H_8ISHgRXTDisxeup1voP6qH9M1n3fMv8zcK56DYyEiyozbuXHTdA0Yoo9jbYqV9yXz_Qc_eUrP6PhN6C6Uu" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">omnibus</a> spending <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102884709052&s=7937&e=001xgGRwAQbJ_N9K3TbZoQv4g1nwWM03TQXMhqJbubM_83r2l2R9BmN6mMhlQKi2xFMpCzutIFFsZRbtYYNrjpJRwRqLQ7UelMDnBGqhFL77zk7s0033n47uXLHwTo_lCE3fowSGiWmfvPwuEQGqLMSWPFkRkoBYzIKRkdMvnHwQSg=" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bill</a> included discussion of a $50 million allocation for an Egyptian <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.fmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://arabist.net/archives/2009/12/14/congress-approves-endowment-for-egypt/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">endowment</a>, described <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.gmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.themajlis.org/2009/12/19/who-created-the-mubarak-trust-fund?utm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed:%2BTheMajlis%2B%2528The%2BMajlis%2529%26utm_content%3DGoogle%2BReader" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">in the blogosphere</a> as the "Mubarak Trust Fund."  Proposed <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.hmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://pomed.org/blog/2009/12/congress-anti-american-incitement.html/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">legislation</a> to monitor anti-American media in the Middle East received <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.immb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://bikyamasr.com/?p%3D7002" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">criticism</a> as Sen. Nelson (D-FL) and Collins (R-ME) drafted a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.jmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://pomed.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/091207_nelson-collins_letter_to_turkey_re__israel.pdf" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">letter</a> expressing concern over Turkey's strained relationship with Israel. 
 

From the Middle East                                       
Montazeri Death Fuels Continuing Iran Protests:  The <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.kmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/20/iran-ayatollah-montazeri-death-protest" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">death</a> <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.lmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/grand-ayatollah-hossein-ali-montazeri-1922-2009.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">yesterday</a> <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.mmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.juancole.com/2009/12/montazeri-dead.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">morning</a> of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri immediately drew <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.nmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-iran-cleric21-2009dec21,0,2174260.story" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">throngs of mourners</a> into the streets, in what was described as a "security nightmare" for the Iranian regime.  As tens of thousands of supporters flocked to Qom for <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.ommb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/21/AR2009122100967.html?hpid%3Dtopnews" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">today's funeral</a>, there were reports of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.pmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2009/12/091221_iran_montazeri_xn_sl.shtml" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">violent clashes</a> between mourners and pro-government militia.  Many <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.qmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.thenewestdeal.org/2009/12/montazeri-dead-at-87-ashura-one-week.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">noted</a> that his death comes only 7 days before the holy day of Ashura, when the martyrdom of Hussein is traditionally marked by public demonstrations and ceremonies.
Early last week, police had <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.rmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/14/iran-makes-arrests-over-d_n_390786.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">arrested</a> numerous <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.smmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.insideiran.org/featured/insider-reveals-details-of-opposition-movement/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">students</a> during their <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.tmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109777" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">continuing</a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.ummb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/tehran-university-a-glimpse-inside-the-protests.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">protests</a>, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.vmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/quote-for-the-day-6.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">accusing</a> the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.wmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://niacblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/70-percent-of-university-students-oppose-government-iranian-official/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">students</a> of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.xmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/world/middleeast/14iran.html?partner%3Drss%26emc%3Drss" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">destroying</a> a picture of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.  The <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.wmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://niacblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/70-percent-of-university-students-oppose-government-iranian-official/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">opposition</a> movement <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.ymmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/14/94125.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">denied</a> such a claim and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.zmmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704869304574595812267746876.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">argued</a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.9mmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/15/iran-green-movement-makhmalbaf" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">against</a> ideas that they had been <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.8mmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/12/iran-revolution-halted" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">broken</a> by the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.7mmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-12-12/irans-new-crackdown-on-women/?cid%3Dbs:archive3" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iran</a>'s <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.6mmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/what-iran-is-doing-to-americans.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">campaign</a> of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.4mmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/1209/US_sentences_Iranian_it_lured_in_sting_to_five_years.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">imprisonment</a>, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.anmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/middle-east/091214/iran-prison-torture?page%3D0,0" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">torture</a> and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.bnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/selected-headlines-88.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">persecution</a>.  In fact, despite an <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.cnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/1209/Twitter_hit_by_Iranian_cyber_attack.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">attack</a> on the movement's Twitter accounts, they believe the coming <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.dnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID%3D3157%2520" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">months</a> will be an opportunity to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.enmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/selected-headlines-90.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">expand</a>.
The protests, including a new movement of men <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.fnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2009/12/iran-attempt-at-hijab-humiliation-sparks-global-backlash-against-tehran-authorities-.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wearing</a> the veil, have <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.gnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.insideiran.org/news/q-and-a-professor-sadegh-zibakalam-on-iran%25E2%2580%2599s-confrontation-with-the-west/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">revealed</a> growing <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.hnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://pajamasmedia.com/michaelledeen/2009/12/14/code-red-in-iran/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fissures</a> <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.inmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/the-regimes-mousavi-problem.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">within</a> the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.jnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/another-iranian-nuclear-negotiator-resigns.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">regime</a> that have emerged as it failed to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.knmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/dec/16/men-hijab-majid-tavakoli" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">adequately</a> address the democratic <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.lnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109825" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">movement</a>.  The regime developed a new foreign affairs <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.mnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/12/17/behind_scuttled_nuke_pact_irans_regime_in_turmoil/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">committee</a> and also <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.nnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109866" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">began </a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.onmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/staging-mousavis-arrest.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">planning</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.pnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/waving-the-flaming-photo-in-iran.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">arrest</a> Green Movement <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.qnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.twitlonger.com/show/184g8" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">leaders</a> and try <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.rnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/15/94217.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">jailed</a> American <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.snmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/14/iran-to-try-3-americans-w_0_n_390763.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hikers</a>, while also <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.tnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/18/94516.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">threatening</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.unmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/16/iran-testfires-its-most-a_n_393856.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">expand</a> its <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.vnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6955351.ece" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nuclear</a> <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.wnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/17/arms-race-iran-regime-missiles" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">program</a>.
Kurdish Party Banned in Turkey: Following PM Erdogan's <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.xnmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/12/10/turkey_cashiers_its_ambassador_after_pms_trip" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">trip</a> to Washington, drawing <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.ynmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/12/turkey-continues-to-resist-sanctions-against-iran-.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">attention</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.znmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/12/09/the_turkish_european_rift_widens" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shifts</a> in Turkish <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.8nmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/13/implications-of-turkish-shift/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">policy</a> away from the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.6nmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.demdigest.net/blog/regions/erdogans-turkey-refreshing-pluralism-or-authoritarian-democracy.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">West</a> and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.5nmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/world/middleeast/15syria.html?partner%3Drss%26emc%3Drss" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">towards</a> regional <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.4nmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://joshualandis.com/blog/?p%3D4794%26utm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2BSyriacomment%2B%2528Syria%2BComment%2529%26utm_content%3DGoogle%2BReader" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">interests</a>, the Turkish Constitutional Court banned the leading Kurdish party, the Democratic Society Party (DTP) for its alleged support for the PKK.  The decision <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.aomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109819" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">increased</a> pressure on <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.bomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://bitterlemons-international.org/inside.php?id%3D1215" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">strained</a> Turkish-Kurdish <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.comb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2009/1216/Closing-largest-Kurdish-party-DTP-Turkey-could-stall-reform-efforts" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">relations</a> as <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.domb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/12/20091218142637245564.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kurdish</a> parliamentarians <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.eomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109729" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">considered</a> resigning in protest.  The relationship had previously been experiencing a renewed <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.fomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://bitterlemons-international.org/inside.php?id%3D1213" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">optimism</a>, sparked by proposed human right <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.gomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109898" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">legislation</a>.
Corruption and Brutality Distract:  Moammar Qadhafi's son and Human Rights Watch <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.homb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109730" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">condemned</a> Libya's human rights <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.iomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109687" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">record</a> as the country attempts <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.jomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID%3D3149" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rapprochement</a> with the United States.  Jordanian King Abdullah <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.komb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109774" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">appointed</a> a new <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.lomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109621" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PM</a> who <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.momb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://bikyamasr.com/?p%3D6903" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pledged</a> to launch a "crusade" against corruption.  Yemen faced <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.nomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2009/1215/Yemen-used-lethal-force-to-quell-southern-secession-protests-says-report" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">criticism</a> for its marriage <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.oomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2009/12/yemen-divorced-child-bride-nujood-makes-a-stand-we-are-not-toys-we-are-children.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">practices</a> as well as its treatment of southern <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.pomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2009/1215/Why-southern-Yemen-is-pushing-for-secession" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">separatists</a> and it lack of protection for <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.qomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://islamandinsurgencyinyemen.blogspot.com/2009/12/al-qaeda-raids.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">innocents</a> in the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.romb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://islamandinsurgencyinyemen.blogspot.com/2009/12/tuesday-papers-of-lost-weekend.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ongoing</a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.somb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/13/94076.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> conflict</a> with <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.uomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/65730/joost-r-hiltermann/disorder-on-the-border" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Houthi</a> rebels and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.vomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/17/94425.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Al-Qaeda</a> that is <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.womb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/13/94083.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">backed</a> by U.S. tactical <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.xomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109863" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">support</a>.  Pakistan President Zardari and his <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.yomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.juancole.com/2009/12/associated-press-pakistan-bans.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">administration</a> <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.zomb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/1209/Coup_checkpoint_hassles_Whats_ailing_team_AfPak_.html?showall" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">faced</a> renewed <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.9omb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1948566,00.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">charges</a> of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.6omb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/16/AR2009121601911.html?hpid%3Dtopnews" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">corruption</a> as he <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.5omb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2009/12/with-allies-like-these-pt-4.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">resisted</a> <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.4omb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/boot/198381" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American</a> calls to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.apmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/16/AR2009121602791.html?wprss%3Drss_opinions" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">expand</a> <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.bpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2009/1216/Will-Pakistan-military-go-after-Taliban-in-North-Waziristan" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">military</a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.cpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/15/AR2009121504774.html?hpid%3Dtopnews" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">operations</a>.  Afghan <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.dpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/18/afghanistan-corruption" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">corruption</a> loomed large in the face of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.epmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.juancole.com/2009/12/osc-fatwa-against-poppies-china-moves.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">economic</a> and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.fpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.amconmag.com/blog/2009/12/16/nuff-said/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">strategic </a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.gpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.juancole.com/2009/12/afpak-dilemmas.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">planning</a>.
Leaders in the Spotlight: The NY Times <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.hpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/world/middleeast/17faisal.html?partner%3Drss%26emc%3Drss" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">profiled</a> Saudi Prince Saud al-Faisal.  As Dubai <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.ipmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109797" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">begins</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.jpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8147737a-e8e4-11de-a756-00144feab49a.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">recover</a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.kpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.economist.com/businessfinance/displaystory.cfm?story_id%3D15106322%26fsrc%3Drss" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> economically</a>, the emirate has <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.lpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/opinion/14pughthomas.html?pagewanted%3D1%26_r%3D1%26ref%3Dglobal" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">responded</a> to public criticism through increased <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.mpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/09/dubai-crisis-sunday-times-censorship" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">censorship</a>.  The Kuwait prime minister <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.npmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/16/94340.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">survived</a> a parliamentary grilling and the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.opmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109826" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">government</a> was accused of blocking action to assist <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.ppmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109647" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">stateless</a> Arabs.  As the PLO <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.qpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/16/94381.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">extended</a> his presidential term, Mahmoud Abbas will seek a UN <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.rpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://middle-east-online.com/english/?id%3D36210" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">resolution</a> to define Palestinian borders and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.spmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1135221.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">extended</a> hope for new peace talks amid Hamas <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.tpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109776" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">defiance</a>.  
Security Issues in Iraq:  Iranian soldiers <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.upmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/18/94554.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">seized</a> an Iraqi oil field while the officials assured Iraq that the U.S. <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.vpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1948707,00.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">withdrawal</a> will go forward despite increased threats of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.wpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/18/94552.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">violence</a> and security forces <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.xpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109869" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">involvement</a> in a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.ypmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/15/baghdad-bombed-again-mult_n_392200.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">number</a> of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.zpmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.cfr.org/publication/20972/iraq_bombings.html?utm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2Bcfr_main%2B%2528CFR.org%2B-%2BMain%2BSite%2BFeed%2529%26utm_content%3DGoogle%2BReader" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bombings</a>.  <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.9pmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/12/world/middleeast/12iraq.html?partner%3Drss%26emc%3Drss" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Securing</a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.8pmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://blogs.nybooks.com/post/287979881/a-statement-on-my-activities-in-kurdistan" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> oil </a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.7pmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/opinion/18fri1.html?pagewanted%3D1" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rights</a>, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.6pmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.juancole.com/2009/12/new-oil-bids-censorship-and-fate-of.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">censorship</a> and public <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.5pmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://iraqpundit.blogspot.com/2009/12/sadr-city-perspective.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">disenfranchisement</a> continue to be major <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.4pmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://iraqpundit.blogspot.com/2009/12/allawis-chances.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">concerns</a> ahead of <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.aqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa%3Dview%26id%3D24295%26utm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2BCarnegieEndowmentForInternationalPeaceGeneralPublicationsAndEvents%2B%2528Carnegie%2BEndowment%2Bfor%2BInternational%2BPeace%253A%2BGeneral%2B" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">elections</a>.  
Tensions in Egypt: The Kefaya party has decided to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.bqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://thedailynewsegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID%3D26434" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">boycott</a> the coming <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.cqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://pomed.org/blog/2009/12/egypt-elbaradei-as-an-independent.html/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">elections</a> as the regime runs <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.dqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/opinion/op-ed-lay-elbaradei" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">attacks </a><a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.eqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/opinion/media-campaign-against-elbaradei-imported-president" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">against</a> Mohamed ElBaradei.  Meanwhile, nine Muslim Bortherhood members were released from prison, but the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.fqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://bikyamasr.com/?p%3D6845" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ignored</a> orders to release a Christian blogger.  Amid renewed calls to end the <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.gqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://bikyamasr.com/?p%3D6876" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">death penalty</a>, Cairo residents clashed with police over <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.hqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2009/12/egypt-one-dead-tens-injured-as-residents-stand-against-removing-machine.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">evictions</a>, an MP filed a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.iqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/16/94383.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lawsuit</a> against a journalist for promoting vice, and a family was reported detained and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.jqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://bikyamasr.com/?p%3D6667" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tortured</a>.
Modest Signs of Progress? After weeks of a hunger <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.kqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/dec/14/hunger-strike-aminatou-haidar" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">strike</a> and international <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.lqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D10%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109646" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pleas</a>, Aminatou Haider was <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.mqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://middle-east-online.com/english/?id%3D36253" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">allowed</a> to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.nqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://middle-east-online.com/english/?id%3D36203" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">return</a> to her home in Western Sahara.  Lebanon moved to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.oqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D1%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109750" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">strengthen</a> regional <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.pqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D1%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109796" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">relations</a> and to <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.qqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D1%26categ_id%3D1%26article_id%3D109834" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">empower</a> its <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.rqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D1%26categ_id%3D1%26article_id%3D109839" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">judicial</a> system as the country saw some <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.sqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/17/94463.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">reforms</a> despite continuing <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.tqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D1%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109782" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tensions</a> regarding <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.uqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id%3D1%26categ_id%3D2%26article_id%3D109841" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Palestinian</a> groups and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.vqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://www.demdigest.net/blog/regions/mena/hezbollah%25E2%2580%2599s-state-within-a-state-paralyses-lebanons-democracy.html" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hezbollah</a>. In addition, a report was published about Oman's growing <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.wqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://middle-east-online.com/english/?id%3D36196" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">media</a>.
Also Worth Reading 
 

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has released a <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.xqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID%3D491" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">new report </a>on the "Global Restrictions on Religion." The report concludes that "among all regions, the Middle East-North Africa has the highest government and societal restrictions on religion." Concerning governmental restrictions, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt are among the worst offenders. For societal restrictions, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia rank among the worst. Overall, the report identifies Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and India as the most restrictive countries.
 
In Case You Missed It
On Monday (12/14), the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.yqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://pomed.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/notes_ww_heba_elkoudsy_12_14_09.pdf" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hosted</a> a lecture Monday by Heba el-Koudsy about the effectiveness of American democracy promotion efforts in Egypt. According to the Center's Middle East Program Director Haleh Esfandiari, every year the Center brings in an Arab journalist to conduct research as a resident scholar. This year's scholar is el-Koudsy, who has over 15 years experience in Arab journalism and currently works for the Egyptian paper al-Masry al-Youm. 
 
On Wednesday (12/16), The Middle East Institute hosted a lecture by Thomas Lippman entitled "Saudi Arabia: The New Dynamics." Lippman, who has been traveling to Saudi Arabia for over thirty years, recently returned from a month-long trip to the desert kingdom. While Lippman admitted there have been some "really bad books" written about Saudi Arabian history since September 11th, he is currently writing a new book that will focus on the country's future.  POMED's notes on the event are available <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.zqmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://pomed.org/blog/2009/12/pomed-notes-saudi-arabia-the-new-dynamics.html/" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on our blog</a> or to view or download <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=mvt65edab.0.9qmb4edab.j8fuf4bab.3668&ts=S0441&p=http://pomed.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/mei_lippman_saudi_12_16_09.pdf" shape="rect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">as a pdf</a>. 
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

ط§ط¬ظ…ط§ظ„ظٹ ط§ظ„ظ‚ط±ط§ط،ط§طھ 11192

ظ„ظ„ظ…ط²ظٹط¯ ظٹظ…ظƒظ†ظƒ ظ‚ط±ط§ط،ط© : ط§ط³ط§ط³ظٹط§طھ ط§ظ‡ظ„ ط§ظ„ظ‚ط±ط§ظ†

ط£ط¶ظپ طھط¹ظ„ظٹظ‚

ظ„ط§ ط¨ط¯ ظ…ظ† طھط³ط¬ظٹظ„ ط§ظ„ط¯ط®ظˆظ„ ط§ظˆظ„ط§ ظ‚ط¨ظ„ ط§ظ„طھط¹ظ„ظٹظ‚

ط¨ط·ط§ظ‚ط© ظ…طظ…ط¯ ط§ظ„ط¨ط§ط±ظˆط¯ظ‰

طھط§ط±ظٹط® ط§ظ„ط§ظ†ط¶ظ…ط§ظ…	:	2006-09-28
ظ…ظ‚ط§ظ„ط§طھ ظ…ظ†ط´ظˆط±ط©	:	66
ط§ط¬ظ…ط§ظ„ظٹ ط§ظ„ظ‚ط±ط§ط،ط§طھ	:	1,351,606
طھط¹ظ„ظٹظ‚ط§طھ ظ„ظ‡	:	156
طھط¹ظ„ظٹظ‚ط§طھ ط¹ظ„ظٹظ‡	:	305
ط¨ظ„ط¯ ط§ظ„ظ…ظٹظ„ط§ط¯	:	Egypt
ط¨ظ„ط¯ ط§ظ„ط§ظ‚ط§ظ…ط©	:	United States