Thursday, April 30, 2009 15:46 - GMT

Joseph Margulies - Los Angeles Times

Joseph Margulies explains the ramifications of torturing former Al-Qaeda suspect Zayn al Abidin Mohamed Hussein, known as Abu Zubaydah. He was the first prisoner in the "war on terror" and was subjected to beatings, sleep deprivation and water boarding to name a few.  Even though he turned out to just be a personnel clerk and was not linked to 9/11 whatsoever, the torture he underwent has left him debilitated. "Today, he suffers blinding headaches and has permanent brain damage. He has an excruciating sensitivity to sounds, hearing what others do not. The slightest noise drives him nearly insane." Marguilies concludes that torturing another human being is not acceptable.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 15:30 - GMT

Seth J. Frantzmen - The Jerusalem Post

Seth J. Frantzmen comments that the buildings of mosques in European cities has always raised concerns in governments precisely because they are symbols of power and are strategically located.  Frantzmen writes that even in the 'more obscure locations, the building of minarets has served as an expression of power and influence.' The point that Frantzmen is making is that when one sees a mosque, they should not take it for granted because many of them have a history and geographical location that matter.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 16:04 - GMT

Benny Avni - New York Post

Benny Avni argues that there is a new Middle East coalition against Iran's dangerous clerics that Obama should join and support, but his recent attitudes toward Iran say otherwise. Egypt is one of the countries against Iran, and a focus of Avni's argument for supporting Arab countries. More notably, he states that 'below the surface, Israel and Egypt have tightened their military and intelligence cooperation in recent years, hoping to thwart Iran's regional influence.' In addition, other Arab leaders are turning their attention away from the Jewish state and more toward 'the new menace posed by Iran's Persian Shiite Islamic Republic.'

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 14:57 - GMT

Muhammad Sahimi - The New York Times

Muhammad Sahimi writes that despite Obama's efforts to improve U.S.- Iran relations, the recent arrest of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi has created an impediment in the process and is a result of the internal power struggles between reformists and hard-liners in Iran. Sahimi argues that hard-liners are opposed to the changes that will occur as a result of better relations because not only will it result in a more open and democratic Iran, it will threaten 'the immense economic power of the hard-liners, who control a significant part of Iran’s official and underground economy.'  As a result, hard-liners are trying to create a new crisis with the U.S.

Monday, April 27, 2009 15:19 - GMT

John Berwick - The New York Times

John Berwick writes that Pope Benedict XVI's mistakes have led to misunderstandings between Muslims amongst other groups in the world. Berwick gives the example of  Benedict XVI's comment after 9/11 that 'there might be a correlation between the subordinate role of reason in Islam and the violence committed in its name.' Even though this comment was intended to encourage interfaith dialogue, it sparked outrage and led to the burnings of Catholic churches in the West Bank. Berwick later writes that this was one of many instances where Benefict XVI's statements led to unintended consequences. 

Joseph Margulies explains the ramifications of torturing former Al-Qaeda suspect Zayn al Abidin Mohamed Hussein, known as Abu Zubaydah. He was the first prisoner in the "war on terror" and was subjected to beatings, sleep deprivation and water boarding to name a few.  Even though he turned out to just be a personnel clerk and was not linked to 9/11 whatsoever, the torture he underwent has left him debilitated. "Today, he suffers blinding headaches and has permanent brain damage. He has an excruciating sensitivity to sounds, hearing what others do not. The slightest noise drives him nearly insane." Marguilies concludes that torturing another human being is not acceptable.