Greater Middle East

Turkish protesters: “We are all Armenian!”

At least 20,000 marched in Istanbul carrying signs reading “We are all Armenian” to mark five years since the murder of prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink—and to protest the lack of justice in his case.

Palestine

Palestinians charge land-grab in Jerusalem greenbelt plan

An Israeli government plan to create a greenbelt around Jerusalem is fueling opposition among Palestinians and their supporters., who say the chain of parks is a land grab that consolidates Israel’s grip on disputed East Jerusalem.

The Andes

Colombia: Caño-Limón pipeline blown up —again

Colombia’s Caño-Limón oil pipeline was bombed by presumed FARC guerillas in Norte de Santander near the Venezuelan border. The rupture has local communities worried about an oil slick advancing on the Río Catatumbo.

New York City

WHY WE FIGHT

From Lower Manhattan’s Downtown Express, Jan. 18: Girl killed on Delancey St. A 12-year-old girl on her way home from Castle Middle School on Henry St. was struck and killed by a car around 2:40 p.m. Fri., Jan. 13 at… Read moreWHY WE FIGHT

Southeast Asia

Hezbollah targets Thailand?

Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued a warning that Hezbollah militants could be preparing an attack in Bangkok. Thai authorities have arrested one suspect, and are reportedly conducting a manhunt for others.

Planet Watch

Obama denies permit for Keystone XL pipeline

President Obama denied a permit for the controversial Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, saying the deadline imposed by Congress did not leave enough time to conduct the necessary review. Developer TransCanada said it will re-apply.

Iran

Iran: Israeli “false flag” ops behind Jundallah terror?

Foreign Policy magazine cites US intelligence memos to the effect that Mossad agents recruited militants from the Iranian terrorist group Jundallah by passing themselves off as CIA agents in a “false flag” operation. Is this logical?

North Africa

Libyan war spreading south

One solider was killed in northern Mali in a clash with Tuareg fighters of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)—who authorities said were backed up by former pro-Qaddafi Libyan soldiers.