Watching the Shadows
Last UK detainee released from Gitmo
The last remaining British inmate at Guantánamo Bay, Shaker Aamer, was released to the UK, bringing the number detainees at the facility to 112.
Tag: United Kingdom
Watching the Shadows
Guantánamo Bay prisoner to be released to UK
The White House announced plans to release Guantánamo Bay inmate Shaker Aamer to the United Kingdom, following extensive lobbying by British politicians.
Greater Middle East
Putin pries Western leaders from anti-Assad stance
British Prime Minister David Cameron is now the first Western leader to take Vladimir Putin's bait in agreeing that Bashar Assad can be part of a Syrian "transition government."
Planet Watch
Obama pursues nuclear ‘modernization’ —not disarmament
Despite early pledges to seek a nuclear-free world, Obama is launching a "modernization" of the US arsenal that actually makes atomic war more likely.
Europe
British ship embarks on migrant rescue mission
A British warship in the Mediterranean launched a mission to rescue over 500 migrants stranded at sea, but no word was given on what would be their fate after "rescue."
Watching the Shadows
US sentences Muslim cleric to life imprisonment
The US sentenced Egyptian-born cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to life in prison for supporting terrorism. The European Court of Human Rights had earlier barred his extradition.
Greater Middle East
Bahrain: protests against British base deal
Protests were held in the Bahraini island city of Sitra against an agreement signed between the kingdom and Great Britain to establish a new military base in the Persian Gulf state.
Europe
Scotland to have more independent powers
The UK's Smith Commission on devolution concluded that Scotland's parliament should have greater independence, but the country's leaders found it insufficient.
Europe
UK announces sweeping anti-terrorism bill
The UK Home Secretary announced a new Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill that would expand travel restrictions and Internet surveillance.
North Africa
UK court says Libyan can sue over rendition
A British court ruled that former Libyan rebel commander Abdel Hakim Belhaj can sue the UK government for its alleged role in his detention and rendition.
Europe
Europe’s fascist resurgence: East and West
The rise of far-right "anti-Europe" parties in the Europarliament elections echoes escalating ultra-nationalist and neo-fascist rhetoric on both sides in the Russo-Ukraine conflict.
Greater Middle East
UK: ex-Gitmo detainee in Syria terror bust
British counter-terrorism forces arrested Moazzam Begg in his hometown of Birmingham, along with three other individuals on terrorism offenses related to the war in Syria.