Arab States Create Israel ‘Contact Group’

Staff / Truthdig Apr 19, 2007 A number of Arab foreign ministers have appointed Egypt and Jordan to meet with Israel over a peace proposal that would normalize relations between the Jewish state and the Arab world in exchange for a long list of concessions, some very unlikely to be met. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Egyptian Blogger Faces 4 Years in Prison

Staff / Truthdig Feb 24, 2007 Free-speech and human rights groups are decrying an Egyptian court's decision to jail blogger Abdel Karim Suleiman for criticizing Islam and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on his online forum. Critics and fellow bloggers fear Suleiman's four-year sentence will set the stage for more arrests and fewer alternatives to state-controlled media outlets in his country. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Extraordinary Rendition’ on Trial

Staff / Truthdig Feb 16, 2007 An Italian judge has decided to go forward with the first criminal trial of extraordinary rendition. Twenty-six Americans and five Italians -- including the former head of military intelligence -- have been indicted and ordered to stand trial for the abduction of an Egyptian cleric who was detained and allegedly tortured in Cairo. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Gaza Truce Collapses

Staff / Truthdig Feb 2, 2007 Violence has erupted in Gaza after a three-day cease-fire between rivals Hamas and Fatah came to an explosive end. At least 10 people have been killed and 120 wounded since the latest round of fighting began on Thursday. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Rendition’ May Go on Trial

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2007 A court in Italy will decide whether to charge 25 alleged CIA agents for participating in an act of "extraordinary rendition." The trial, should it go ahead, will be the first to address the heinous tactic, by which the United States or its allies kidnap terror suspects in order to remove them to torture-friendly nations. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Egypt Erupts After Minister Criticizes Veil

Staff / Truthdig Nov 24, 2006 Muslim conservatives are calling for the ouster of Egypt's culture minister after he told an interviewer that the practice of women wearing veils is a regressive act. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chris Hedges — Inside Egypt

Chris Hedges / Truthdig Oct 20, 2006 The former New York Times Middle East bureau chief spends 10 days living with a lower-middle-class Egyptian family to expose the side of Egypt off-limits to most tourists -- one made desperate by poverty and kept fearful by the omnipresent threat of state security officials. Dig deeper ( 26 Min. Read )

Hezbollah ‘Victory’ Boosts Islamism in Mideast

Staff / Truthdig Aug 20, 2006 In the search for a sense of dignity, basic services and honesty, Arabs from all walks of life are turning to fundamentalist groups that have succeeded where their own governments have failed. ?I have more faith in Islam than in my state; I have more faith in Allah than in Hosni Mubarak,? said one educated middle-class Egyptian woman. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Does Al Qaeda in Iraq Have a Leader?

Staff / Truthdig Jul 20, 2006 According to a prominent Cairo lawyer, the man identified by the U.S. as the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq has been in an Egyptian prison for seven years. More details from the BBC on this murky story. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Egyptian Brokeback Mountain’ Marks Liberalization of Muslim Culture

Staff / Truthdig Jun 29, 2006 The fact that Egyptian authorities didn't censor a box office-topping film that deals frankly with homosexuality--along with police torture and government corruption--is probably a sign that Egypt's government is adopting a more tolerant, progressive attitude. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Bush just signed the "Janet Jackson FCC bill," which raises by tenfold the fines for broadcasing so-called indecent material. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Holland To Vote on Burqa Ban

Staff / Truthdig Jan 17, 2006 One of the most socially progressive European states debates whether or not to allow women to wear the garments in public Can a fatwa be far off? | storyAlso, The Guardian probes an Islamic debate over the place of nudity in, heaven forbid, marriage | story. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )