Author: Arielle Darr
Obama and C.I.A.
The Obama administration is facing criticism from former Central Intelligence Agency director, Gen. Michael V. Hayden, after the Justice Department recently released detailed memos about the agency’s harsh interrogation practices between 2002 and 2005. On Sunday April 9, 2009, Hayden, who served as C.I.A. director during Bush’s last two years as president, said that the release of this information will hinder future pursuits of terrorism.
Despite the fact that the Obama administration has outlawed most of these harsh techniques (some were already dropped during Bush’s presidency), Hayden fears they will still give Al Qaeda tactical advantages. Even though many of these techniques are no longer in use, the release of this information allows Al Qaeda to be informed on US practices and to know how far the US is willing to act.
Some experts fear that the potential for future action against terrorism will now be limited; however, other officials argue that the information was already public and it was more important for the harsh techniques to end rather then keep them confidential. President Obama plans to reassure CIA staff by visiting the organization’s headquarters in Langley, Virgina.
Islamic Law Imposed on Somalia
On Saturday April 18, 2009, the Somali Parliament unanimously agreed on instituting Islamic Law in the country. They passed this measure in hopes of taking away support from Islamist militias to increase public support for the government.
The official passage of this law comes after the cabinets decision to adopt Islamic law last month. Under this verdict, Shariah, or the legal code of Islam, which is founded on the Koran, will rule Somalia. In a talk with lawmakers Sheik Abdirahman Mohamoud Farah, minister of justice, revealed hopes that their efforts would prevent the opposition from justifying their actions with Islam since they would be less likely to attack an Islamic government.
Many Somalis are content with the outcome of this decision because they welcome any solution that Somalis unanimously agree upon to end the fighting. However, not all Somalis are as pleased.
An Islamist insurgent movement known as the Shabab, has responded by creating its own form of Islamic Law and vowing to revolt against the new government. This is a disheartening considering the Shabab has control over large portions of southern Somalia. In addition, last week’s assignation of two members of the Islamic Courts Union, part of the new Islamic government, is believed to have been at the hands of the Shabab. The group has denied all allegations.
New Iraqi Speaker Elected
After months of debate, a new speaker has been elected to the Iraqi parliament. Ayad al Samarrai, a member of the main Sunni Arab alliance, won 153 of 232 of the votes.
Parliament vowed to ensure the speaker position would go to a Sunni Arab; however, in a past election Mr. Samarrai did not receive enough votes to win the position. Mr. Samarrai takes over for Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who resigned after harsh criticism of his approach in December.
Mr. Samarrai has promised to focus on unifying the nation. He has also talked about how the Iraqi parliament needs to be reformed in such a way that would allow the parliament to work together more cohesively. With this newly elected speaker, parliament will finally be able to continue these vital reforms and achieve their goals.
Avian Flu in Egypt
On April 17, the Ministry of Health of Egypt reported that they had confirmed a new human case of H5N1 Avian Influenza. As far as current science has found, there has been no evidence that H5N1 has mutated or adapted to humans. The most recently diagnosed 33-year-old female is in critical condition. Investigations into the cause of her illness showed a close contact with the dead and with ill poultry before her own infection. She is one of the 64 confirmed cases of Avian Influenza in Egypt to date, of which 23 have been fatal.
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