Iran
Iran bars publication of opposition newspaper
The Iranian government prevented the publishing of the opposition Etemad-e-Melli newspaper in its latest move to quash anti-government reporting in the country.
Author: CounterVortex
Central America
Resistance continues in Honduras —despite state of emergency
Thousands again marched in Honduras to protest the coup—despite a suspension of civil rights by the de facto regime. The OAS has imposed a 72-hour deadline for the restoration of democracy.
Iran
Iran: Basiji call on state to investigate defiant Mousavi
Iran’s Basij militia has asked prosecutors to investigate the role of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi in the protests that rocked the Islamic Republic after last month’s contested elections.
Iraq
Kurdistan, Baghdad at odds over oil contracts
The Kurdish regional government is protesting Baghdad’s new deal with international majors to develop Iraq’s oil fields, saying the dispute over the northern Kirkuk fields has not been resolved.
Afghanistan
Pakistani warplanes pound North Waziristan
Pakistani jet-fighters ran bombing raids over North Waziristan tribal region, killing seven people near Miramshah. Taliban militias have imposed a ban on any tribal councils holding peace talks.
Palestine
Amnesty International accuses Israel of war crimes in Gaza
Amnesty International accused Israeli forces of war crimes, saying they used children as human shields and conducted wanton attacks on civilians during their offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Mexico
Mexico’s destabilization: our readers write
Our June issue featured the stories “The ‘Colombianization’ of Chihuahua” and “Mexico’s Resurgent Guerillas,” both from Frontera NorteSur. They noted escalating narco-war violence throughout Mexico, growing talk of military intervention in Washington, and the re-emergence of a guerilla insurgency in… Read moreMexico’s destabilization: our readers write
Central America
Honduras: countdown to confrontation?
Honduran officials ordered the arrest of ousted President Manuel Zelaya if he returns to the country. Zelaya pledges to return in two days. Street clashes continue in Tegucigalpa.
Iran
Iran: authorities supress protests, confirm Ahmadinejad victory
Iran’s Guardian Council confirmed President Ahmadinejad’s victory as police and Basij militiamen wielding batons and cables prevented protesters from gathering.
Iraq
Iraq: US leaves behind “Dirty Brigade”
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki proclaimed June 30 “National Sovereignty Day” as US forces withdraw from Iraq’s cities. But many fear the US-trained Counter Terrorism Bureau that will be moving in.
The Andes
Obama pledges progress on FTA in meeting with Uribe
Barack Obama held his first meeting with his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe, pledging to move ahead with a Free Trade Agreement—in spite of expressed concerns about ongoing rights violations.
Central America
Honduras: will coup d’etat stand?
Honduras’ de facto President Roberto Micheletti said he is ready to “go to war” if Venezuela interferes—while security forces continue to battle protesters at the presidential palace.