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{ Category Archives } Islam and Politics

Rise of Taliban Blamed on Dysfunctional Afghan Government

See:
Carlotta Gall, “Taliban Gain New Foothold in Afghan City After Attack, New York Times, August 26, 2008
More on Afghanistan
More on Taliban

2008 08 27 Ted Thornton Afghanistan Comments (0)

Taliban Attack on Pakistan Munitions Factory

The Taliban launched its most severe attack yet against a Pakistani government installation: a munitions factory in the town of Wah. 
Story at the New York Times

2008 08 21 Ted Thornton Pakistan Comments (0)

Lebanese Christian Writer Brigitte Gabriel Interviewed

In yesterday’s (Sunday) New York Times Magazine, one will find excerpts from an interview Deborah Solomon conducted with Lebanese born Christian writer Brigitte Gabriel.  Gabriel emigrated to the United States.  She is a vociferous critic of radical Islam. 
Go to Article

2008 08 18 Ted Thornton Christianity
Islam and the West
Lebanon
Women Comments (0)

Drive to Regulate Public Morality Growing in Yemen

Conservative Islamist clerics and tribal chieftains in Yemen, a country where the reach of state power is limited, are pushing for stronger regulation of public morality. 
Story from the BBC

2008 08 11 Ted Thornton Arab World
Islam Comments (0)

Power Struggle Between Shiite Factions in Iraq Profiled

The power struggle between Shiite groups in Iraq is highlighted in an article from today’s New York Times Magazine:
Michael R. Gordon, “The Last Battle,” New York Times Magazine, August 3, 2008
More on Iraq

2008 08 03 Ted Thornton Iraq
Islam Comments (0)

Turkey Steps Back From the Brink

Yesterday (July 30), Turkey’s Constitutional Court, by a margin of one, voted not to ban the ruly AKP party, but to impose fines instead.  Coming one month after the court’s ban on head scarves in state universities, the ruling upheld the nation’s founding (secular) principles, but, because the vote was so close, assured that the [...]

2008 07 31 Ted Thornton Turkey Comments (0)

Fresh Background Material on Turkey’s Looming Political Crisis

In an important article, the current issue of the The Economist provides an excellent summary of what’s behind the current political crisis in Turkey as that nation awaits a high court ruling on whether the current Islamist government and its leaders will be outlawed or not. 
In particular, note the role of social class in the conflict [...]

2008 07 26 Ted Thornton Turkey Comments (0)

Is Al-Qaeda Losing or Gaining Ground?

In a special report dated July 19, 2008 (in its July 19-25, 2008 issue), The Economist offers a fresh assessment of Al-Qaeda.  Their conclusion: “Al-Qaeda will not be defeated by America but rather by governments in the Muslim world that manage to extend their writ across its lawless areas.  This will take time, Western assistance [...]

2008 07 26 Ted Thornton Terrorism Comments (0)

Sunni Jihadists Flocking to Pakistan Border Region

Sunni extremists from North Africa, the Gulf, and Central Asia are answering the call to wage jihad against the Americans in the unstable border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan. 
Eric Schmitt, “Militant Gains in Pakistan Said to Draw More Fighters,” New York Times, June 10, 2008

2008 07 10 Ted Thornton Terrorism
Trends Comments (0)

How Saudi Arabia Rehabilitates Jihadis

Story at the BBC
 

2008 07 10 Ted Thornton Terrorism Comments (0)