14 UN Workers Missing After Blast in Algeria

Two suspected truck bombs rocked Algiers, the capital of Algeria today. One exploded just outside of the United Nations headquarters causing massive damage to UN offices. The other target was a building housing Algeria's Constitutional Council and Supreme Court. The death toll from the blasts ranges from the 22 to 62 depending on the source. A militant Islamic group with connections to al Qaeda, Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), is suspected in the bombings. The group is also known as al Qaeda Islamic Maghreb and reportedly merged with al Qaeda last year.

The Human Rights "YouTube"

Witness, an organization formed in 1992 to protect human rights through video taping of abuses, has set up an internet site entitled "The Hub" which is essentially a human rights version of "YouTube". The site does not record the IP addresses of contributors to protect their anonymity. This will help prevent situations like the Yahoo China debacle.

Pinochet Era General Jailed

The life sentence of former Chilean General Hugo Salas Wenzel was upheld by the Chilean Supreme Court today making him the first senior military officer to receive such a term for human rights violations. Wenzel was convicted for his hand in 12 political murders under the Pinochet regime.

Sudan Refuses to Cooperate with ICC

Sudan is refusing to execute arrest warrants for two Sudanese men wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. One of the men is Sudan’s Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and the other is a Janjaweed militia leader. The Prosecutor for the ICC has threatened to take the matter to the UN Security Council if Sudan does not comply with the warrants, but it is unlikely that this threat will be taken seriously based on the lack of pressure from the Security Council thus far.

Noriega Extradition Approved

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega could be headed to France where he faces a 10 year sentence for money laundering following a US federal court decision today. Noriega was found guilty in France in absentia and also faces charges in Panama for kidnapping, extortion and murder of political opponents. Noriega's lawyers appear to be fighting for Noriega to return to Panama because under Panamanian law most of the sentence he received would be served under house arrest due to his age. Noriega is scheduled to leave prison in Florida on September 9 after serving 17 1/2 years for racketeering in connection with accepting bribes to allow drugs bound for the US through Panama.

Israel Denies Darfur Refugees

Fifty Africans, most of them believed to be Sudanese, were turned away by Israel on Sunday. The refugees had illegally entered via the southern border with Egypt and were driven back to Egypt. Human rights activists were very troubled by the move as earlier this month Israeli TV aired a report about Egyptian soldiers killing refugees. Some Israeli politicians are urging for Sudanese refugees not to be turned away for fears they will be returned to the Sudan and face potential genocide.

Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia Killed

Human Rights Watch is reporting that two migrant domestic workers were beaten to death in Saudi Arabia recently and two others critically injured. These Indonesian women were apparently beaten by a Saudi Arabian family for practicing black magic on the family's son.

About 2 million foreign women are employed as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and routinely face abuses including verbal, physical, and sexual abuse and confinement. If these women come forward to complain they often face charges such as adultery or witchcraft. Additionally, they face due process violations, such as lack of interpreters and no notice to their embassies.

Somali and Ethiopian Soldiers Accused of War Crimes

Human Rights Watch released a new report today which accuses both the Somali insurgents and Ethiopian military of war crimes. The Somali forces' violations include:

the indiscriminate firing of mortar rounds into civilian areas; deployment of forces in densely populated neighborhoods; targeted killings of civilian officials of the transitional Somali government; and summary executions and mutilation of the bodies of captured combatants.

The Ethiopians on the other hand are said to have

violated the laws of war by widely and indiscriminately bombarding highly populated areas of Mogadishu with rockets, mortars and artillery. Its troops on several occasions specifically targeted hospitals and looted them of desperately needed medical equipment. Human Rights Watch also documented cases of Ethiopian forces deliberately shooting and summarily executing civilians.

Naturally, both sides deny that they have committed any violations. Meanwhile, the violence continues as at least 9 people died today in Mogadishu from gunfire and a roadside bomb. Somalia has not had a central government since 1991 and is being hailed as "the new Iraq" by diplomats.

UN Approves New Troops for Darfur

The UN Security Council today approved a plan to send 20000 troops and 6000 civilian police to Darfur. Unfortunately the troops will not be allowed to seize weapons, only monitor them. Still, this is a step in the right direction as the region is in dire need of international intervention.

Namibian Organization asks ICC for Investigation

The Namibian Society for Human Rights has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate former President Sam Nujoma for the disappearances and deaths of over 4,000 from 1990-2005. Nujoma led Namibia following its independence from South Africa and some of the disappeared were accused of spying for South Africa.

Khmer Rouge Prison Chief Charged

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia have charged former Khmer Rogue prison chief Kaing Khek Iev with crimes against humanity in connection with the genocide in Cambodia from 1975-1979. For more check out the Jurist.

Nepal's 'disappeared'

Last week I mentioned how the civil war in Nepal had resulted in many human rights violations, many of them attributed to the Maoist rebels (especially the use of child soldiers). However, even the Nepali government appears to have committed terrible acts, among them "disappearances". About 800 Nepalis were allegedly abducted by government forces after a state of emergency was declared in 2001 because they were believed to be Maoist supporters. Unfortunately for the families of those taken, the Nepal Army denies that many of those reportedly taken were ever prisoners of the army. Meanwhile, the Maoists are also accused of not accounting for over 100 prisoners and similarly deny there is any evidence. The hope for civilians on both sides is that eventually the truth will be discovered, but with the country still not at peace it may be a long time, if ever, before they find out what really happened to their loved ones.

Child Soldiers Still Remain in Chad

According to a new report issued by Human Rights Watch the government of Chad continues to use child soldiers in its military despite agreements to demobilize them. The UN Security Council's working group on children and armed conflict will meet July 19 to discuss the matter further. The use of child soldiers violates international law and treaties, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (ratified by Chad in 2003).

Charles Taylor's Assets Face Seizure

The government of Liberia is working on legislation to seize the assets of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Taylor is currently at the Hague where he is facing charges for his support of rebels in Sierra Leone from 1997-2003. The charges include terrorizing civilians, murder, sexual violence, physical violence, enslavement, looting, and using child soldiers.

The trial has been postponed until August 20, 2007 to give clear up issues of representation.

For more on Taylor's trial check out The Trial of Charles Taylor and Trial Watch.

Return of Civil War in Nepal Imminent?

The far left Maoist rebels of Nepal still wish to have absolute power and could ruin the peace process warns US Ambassador James Moriarty. The Maoist, considered a terrorist organization by the US, agreed to end a decade-long civil war last November and were given positions in the government. It appears that the Maoist do not wish to be a part of a democracy however, and at least one faction of the party wishes to resume the war which killed at least 130,000. The Maoist have been accused of many human rights violations, including disappearances, anti-gay violence, and the use of child soldiers. As such, one can only hope that the Maoist are unsuccessful in any attempt to seek more power.

Croatia Passes Turkey in EU Bid

Croatia's bid to join the EU is progressing smoothly, while Turkey has suffered a setback at the hands of the French.

Croatia began negotiation in six of the 35 policy areas they are required to address for EU membership. They are already in the process of meeting four and have completed two others. This leaves Croatia on pace to join the EU as early as 2009.

Turkey meanwhile was only able to begin negotiations on two new areas, which France blocking a third. They have only completed one area thus far.

Buying Immunity?

Jacob "Kobi" Alexander was out of the US when he learned he was going to be indicted on various fraud charges in connection with backdating stock options in June of 2006. Instead of returning to the country to face the charges he made his way to Namibia where he was caputred by Interpol in September 2006. By this time the wealthy found of Comverse Technology had already transferred $40 million into an Israeli bank account and since has allegedly put $12 million of that in Namibian banks. He has bought a house in Namibia and pledged to spend millions in investment, including hundreds of thousands in scholarships.

Meanwhile, his extradition hearing has been rescheduled numerous times, leading many to wonder if Alexander has been able to buy enough support in Namibia to eventually avoid extradition altogether. Alexander's attorneys claim they need more time to research extradition law. They are also busy trying to get the person appointed to hear the case, the Chief of Lower Courts, removed because he is "not a magistrate."

Alexander's hearing is now scheduled for July 9, but one is left to wonder if he can throw around enough money to avoid it altogether.

ICTY Sentences Martic to 35 Years

The International Criminal Tribunal - Yugoslavia has sentenced former Croatian rebel leader Milan Martic to 35 years for his part in the ethnic cleansing of non-Serbs. Martic was found guilty of 16 counts of various war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and persecution, committed during the 1991-1995 efforts to create a unified Serb state.

End of Impunity for World Leaders

The Economist has a nice article about the end of impunity for world leaders accused of committing crimes against humanity. There has been a lot of progress in trying and convicting these types of offenders in the last few years and it looks like there will be more accountability in the future. Hopefully the International Criminal Court will be successful in trying and punishing Thomas Lubanga for his use of child soldiers in the Congo. If they are able to handle their first case smoothly it could open the door for many more prosecutions.

US Places New Sanctions on Sudan

After weeks of threats the US has followed through with new economic sanctions on Sudan. The targets are mainly state-owned businesses. President Bush said that diplomacy was not working and that more pressure was needed to stop the genocide.

Meanwhile, Sudanese officials have stated the new sanctions are "not justified."

"Use of Force" Against Iran?

John Bolton, Former US Ambassador to the UN, stated today that if Iran continues to enrich uranium the US and other nations need to join together to effect a "regime change by bolstering opposition groups" in Iran. We went on to say that if that failed the US "need[s] to look at the use of force."

This kind of talk is rather disturbing to me. I think the last thing we need at this point is to take the lead in interfering with another sovereign nation's internal politics and government. While the Iranian nuclear problem is a serious issue, all is not lost diplomatically yet. Further, the US cannot afford yet another war at this point in time. The military is also stretched thin with the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

No wonder Bolton was essentially forced to resign. Keep in mind, he was never actually voted in, but rather was appointed by President Bush as a recess appointment. Bolton has repeatedly shown himself to possess almost no diplomatic skills. His latest comments show just how out of touch he is with the world.

For more on why Bolton is wrong, read on here.

Nepal's Maoists Still Hold Child Soldiers

An estimated 6,000-9,000 child soldiers are believed to be kept in cantonment sites in Nepal by the Maoist forces despite a November 2006 peace agreement between the Nepalese government and the Maoists which specifically prohibits the enlistment or use of children under the age of 18. Under this agreement children were to be immediately "rescued" and given rehabilitation. The use of child soldiers also violates many international treaties, a discussion of which can be found here.

For more on the use of child soldiers in Nepal check out Human Rights Watch here.

Venezuela Nationalizes Oil

Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez declared today that the country's oil fields have returned to state control. All of the Big Oil companies have ceded power, except for ConocoPhillips. Chavez has warned Conoco's assets may be expropriated if they do not give in. The oil companies will likely continue to operate in Venezuela however and have about six weeks to negotiate new deals.

Five Convicted in London Bomb Plot

Five British men have been convicted in connection with a plot to bomb targets in London. The men were arrested following a lengthy covert investigation by British police in 2004. The men had planned to bomb several targets including a nightclub, power plants, and a shopping mall. The plot had connections to al-Qaeda and not surprisingly,the men had ties to the suicide bombers which carried out the July 7, 2005 attacks in London which killed 52 people.

Somali Fighting Rages On

The Somalia capital of Mogadishu entered a sixth day of fighting today as Islamic insurgents launched more attacks against Ethiopian and Somalian forces. As many as 300 are believed dead as a result, with many of those thought to be civilians caught by the shelling and tank fire. Sadly, the same situation took place just a month ago, and also last December. The fight for Somalia has many historical facets, including religious beliefs and a long standing hatred and distrust between Ethiopia and Somalia.

The presence of Ethiopian forces supporting the Somali government has led to increased support for the opposition group, Council of Islamic Courts. African Union troops are expected to take over for the Ethiopian forces, but have been slow to mobilize.

The nation of Eritrea to the north is also involved, having gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and then fighting a bitter territorial war with them from 1998-2000.

China Still Struggling with Corruption

China is still struggling with corruption among government officials. The Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, said last month the problem is "more and more serious." Plans for a Corruption Prevention Bureau are in the works to help with the problem and to meet its obligations under the 2003 United Nations Convention against Corruption. Also in work is the Law of Honest and Clean Government, currently in the research phase.

While more has been done in recent months to address the problem, there is still concern of widespread corruption. Many believe that the current reforms are not enough and that the party needs to take a stronger stance in identifying and punishing corrupt officials. As with most things in China, I think that the rapid social and economic progress in China will take care of this problem in time.

Jose Padilla Trial Begins

Five years after being apprehended for allegedly planning to use a dirty bomb, Jose Padilla will get a chance to defend himself in court. Padilla is not, however, being tried on charges related to the bomb. Rather, he faces conspiracy charges of trying to support al-Qaeda in the US. His efforts to get a trial reached the US Supreme Court twice. The first time the case was thrown out on a technicality and the second time was not ruled on because the government decided to allow him to stand trial.

If you are unaware of Padilla's situation, do yourself a favor and Google his name. Many have spoken out against his treatment by the Bush administration. His detention has also been criticized. Some have even cited violations of the US Constitution. Either way, it is nice to see that he is finally getting a trial. After all, in the US we are all presumed innocent until proven guilty.

More Bombings in North Africa

There have been more bombings in North Africa, this time in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. Two brothers with explosives strapped to their bodies blew themselves up near an American cultural center today. Police arrested three men later, including one with explosives strapped to himself.

These latest bombings follow the deaths of three suspected militants who blew themselves up after being surrounded by police in Casablanca. Also, in nearby Algiers 33 were killed days ago in bombings claimed by al-Qaeda. Both Morocco and Algeria have joined with the United States in the war on terror. No connection has been found between the Casablanca and Algiers bombings, but officials are not ruling it out.

Algiers and Recent North African Bombings: The Work of al-Qaeda?

The Economist has a really interesting article discussing this week's bombings in Algeria which left 33 dead at last count. It talks about the rise of terrorism in North Africa and the possible ties to al-Qaeda. The article seems to be spot on now that an organization linked to al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the Algerian bombings. Is it only a matter of time before al-Qaeda goes worldwide?

Bombs in Algiers Leave At Least 30 Dead

A series of bombs in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, have claimed at least 30 victims. The explosions were aimed at the Prime Minister's headquarters, leaving a large hole in the six-story building. Thus far no one has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack. There are many articles out now, with most of them mentioning the group Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), now called the al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb as possibly being involved.

Darfur Conflict Spills Over to Chad Again

The conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan has carried over into neighboring Chad yet again. A Chadian government official stated that "more than 200 vehicles with armed elements attacked a defence and security forces position" this morning. The attackers allegedly came from Sudan, but there has been no independent confirmation of this yet. In light of the ongoing conflict, a force of 11,000 has been approved by the UN to protect the border, but Chad wants the soldiers to perform police duties only.

Iran Pushes Forward with Nuclear Program

Despite the latest round of UN sanctions, Iran has decided to continue its quest for nuclear energy. President Ahmadinejad announced today that the uranium enrichment program has reached "industrial level." Ahmadinejad also stated that their "progress" is "irreversible," despite the recent condemnation of the program in Resolution 1747. The UN contends that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, but Iran insists that it is solely seeking the goal of nuclear energy.

In light of this latest announcement, I am left to wonder what UN sanctions really accomplish. Ian Bremmer argues that, at least in regards to North Korea and Iran, they accomplish nothing. He concludes that what is really needed is a country with leverage to force their hand. In the case of North Korea, it is China. With Iran though, there is no country with enough domestic influence to force change. Can the US apply enough pressure? It looks unlikely at this time...

Iran to Release British Captives

The 15 British soldiers captured by Iran back on March 23 will be freed today according to
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (picture). In a press conference earlier today Ahmadinejad said, "I declare that the people of Iran and the government of Iran -- in full power to place on trial the military people -- to give amnesty and pardon to these 15 people and I announce their freedom and their return to the people of Britain." Ahmadinejad also said that the Britons were being released as a goodwill gesture in connection with the Iranian new year. We may never know if that is the real reason, but I really doubt it is. There is some speculation that the release is connected to Iran's attempt to recover five Iranians being held by the US in Iraq. I would not be surprised to see those Iranians released in the near future. The fear of course is that releasing the Iranians right after the release of the Britons could encourage future hostage taking.

Zimbabwe Opposition Taken From Hospital

Members of the Zimbabwe opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change, have been seized from their hospital beds and sent back to prison. The opposition members are part of a group injured by police last week because of their efforts to replace longtime President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe, who is 83 years-old, meanwhile has decided he will run for President again in 2008. He has already been in power for 27 years, the entire time Zimbabwe has been an independent nations. With unemployment at 80%, inflation at 1700% (!!!), and the life expectancy at 36 years, it is time for a change. Hopefully the opposition can overcome the current oppression and defeat Mugabe in the next election. Thousands of lives may be depending on it.

UK Still Calling for Release of Sailors

I cannot believe that Iran has not yet released the UK sailors seized back on March 23, but here we are over a week later and there is no telling when those captured will be turned over to the UK. British officials are still hoping for a diplomatic resolution, but appear to be getting fed up with the Iranians. Meanwhile, Iran has been parading the sailors on Iranian television in what is likely a violation of the Geneva Conventions.

The British Foreign Office Minister has called the seizure "hostage taking" and stated that Iran is "going against the United Nations and all that that stands for because these sailors and marines were carrying out a UN mandate." The UK continues to push for more pressure from the international community and it will be interesting to see what happens next. This situation is definitely not helping Iran's reputation among Western countries, but is likely a big thrill for Iran's allies.

Zimbabwe Opposition Leaders Arrested Again

Zimbabwe police arrested about 20 opposition leaders, including leader Morgan Tsvangirai (pictured above), after storming the opposition headquaters in Harare. Tsvangirai was apparently set to hold a press conference about the arrest and beating of opposition members, including himself, earlier this month.

Germany, the current EU President, has expressed concern, as have numerous other nations. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (bottom picture) is planned to attend a meeting of South African countries where these latest arrests will no doubt be a topic of discussion. No public reprimand is anticipated however.

Rumsfeld Torture Case Dismissed

U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan dismissed a lawsuit today in which former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and three other U.S. military officials were accused of ignoring allegations that U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan tortured prisoners. The case was dropped because human rights groups which brought the charges lacked standing. The court also noted federal law does not allow officials to be held personally liable for actions related to their government service. Additionally, Hogan held that such liability would hamper the war on terror.

If you would like to see the complaints that were filed and other legal documents related to the this case, check out the ACLU site here.

Iran Continues To Hold British Sailors

Iran continues to hold British sailors seized days ago from the long-disputed waters near Iraq and Iran. Iran says that the sailors are in good health and being treated humanely. British PM Tony Blair is still demanding their release and stated that if they are not let go soon the dispute "will move into a different phase." Blair did not elaborate on what this new phase would be, but some speculate it means a more public demand for the sailors release. Meanwhile in Iran, some are saying that the sailors should be tried for treason. Iranian officials have not given much indication as to what they plan to do with the sailors, only that there is an ongoing investigation into the matter.

Iran Still Has British Sailors

Whoops, yesterday I posted that the British sailors seized by Iranian forces for allegedly intruding into Iranian waters had been released. However, that is not true. British Prime Minister Tony Blair is stated today that "I want to get it resolved in as easy and diplomatic a way as possible." Neither Blair, or any of the EU it appears, believe that the troops ever entered Iran's territory. Iran is really straining an already poor relationship with the West. It will be interesting to see just how long they keep the sailors and whether or not they try to negotiate some sort of deal for their return.

British Sailors Released By Iran

As expected, Iran released the British soldiers seized yesterday without incident. Iranian television says that the soldiers confessed to being in Iranian waters, but the British are maintaining they were in Iraqi waters. Either way, the whole thing is over now and everyone is fine. Just a little bit of posturing by the Iranians I believe.

Iran Faces New UN Sanctions

The UN Security Council approved new sanctions against Iran today for continuing its uranium enrichment program. The latest sanctions include a ban on Iranian arms exports and freezing the assets of several individuals and organizations involved in the Iranian nuclear and missile programs.

15 UK Sailors Seized by Iran

Fifteen British sailors patrolling boats off the coast of Iraq were seized by up to six Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy ships for allegedly crossing into Iranian waters. The British soldiers were just about to leave a merchant vessel they were inspecting when they were surrounded by the Iranian Navy and seized.

It is not clear where the soldiers were taken, by the British defense ministry is pursuing the seizure "at the highest level." They have demanded the immediate release of the soldiers and have called on the Iranian ambassador in London.

I suspect that Iran will return the soldiers very shortly. Any harm to the soldiers could potentially lead to war with the Allied forces, and I don't think Iran wants that. For all the saber rattling that Ahmadinejad has done, it seems clear that Supreme Leader does not want an invasion by US-led forces.

Former Iraqi VP Hanged

Taha Yassin Ramadan, vice president during Saddam Hussein's rule, was hanged Tuesday. He was sentenced last month by the Iraq High Tribunal for his part in the murder of 148 Iraqis in 1982 and an appeals court upheld the sentence last week. Like most of the High Tribunal decisions, Ramadan's case was opposed by a few members of just about every group.

Sabian Mandaeans Face Death and Forced Conversion

The Sabian Mandaeans, a small religious group in Iraq and Iran, are facing "extinction" in the lawless climate of Iraq. The followers of Adam, Noah and John the Baptist predate Islam and Christianity. Now they claim that Islamic extremists are raping, murdering, and forcing them to convert. It is estimated that over 80% of Mandaeans have fled the country, with most of them resettling in Syria and Jordan. Mandaean leaders are hoping they will receive refugee status in the West, but Laurens Jolles of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees says they will have to "wait in line" with the rest of the regions threatened groups. Unfortunately, they appear to have been waiting since the invasion in 2003 with no relief in sight.

What is "Terrorism"?

It's always in the news and being used as a justification for laws and policies, so what exactly is terrorism? Anthony Clark Arend has an interesting post discussing his proposed definition and how it applies to the Padilla case. He has put forth the following meaning of "terrorism":

the threat or use of force, undertaken for political purposes, by a non-state actor that intentionally targets civilians and other noncombatants in violation of existing law relating to the conduct of hostilities.

I think this is a very good definition assuming that religious motivations are included under "political purposes". A universal definition would benefit the international community as they seek to work together in preventing and punishing terrorist activities. There are currently over 100 definitions for terrorism, so I do not expect there will ever be a standardized meaning. As Arend points out in his post however, the term carries a lot of weight and should not be thrown around to prejudice suspects.

US Upset with German Search for CIA Agents

American officials are displeased with Germany for getting Interpol involved in the hunt for CIA agents wanted in connection with the rendition of German citizen Khaled el-Masri (Reuters picture). El-Masri claims he was taken from Macedonia in 2003 and tortured in Afghanistan for five months before being dumped in Albania (original post here). The United States refuses to cooperate citing national security concerns. El-Masri's attempts to bring suit in the US have been dismissed because of the state secrets privilege.

55 Guantanamo Detainees To Be Transferred

The second round of annual administrative review boards has been completed by the Department of Defense and will result in the transfer of 55 detainees from Guantanamo Bay. That leaves 273 detainees at the facility. Each of these are considered to be enemy combatants and threats to the safety of the United States and its allies. The State Department contends that Guantanamo Bay is the best place to keep these dangerous persons. While there have been calls for the facility to close, the US might have a point in that there has been no plan presented for what to do with the detainees. If the international community can come up with something, maybe Guantanamo can finally be shut down.

US ties Iran to bombs in Iraq

The US military has evidence suggesting that an Iranian special forces unit has been involved in the deaths of at least 170 US soldiers in Iraq. Explosively formed penetrators, an explosive that can penetrate armored vehicles, have been traced back to Iran. Other weapons are also believed to originate in Iran, and the US feels they are being supplied a force that answers directly to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran denies there is any truth to the allegations and says that the evidence is fabricated.

Between this and Iran's determination to pursue a nuclear program, I think there is a real possibility that the US and Iran could end up in some sort of war in the future. I only hope this can be resolved diplomatically, because a war with Iran would not only be extremely costly and dangerous, but would lead to further hatred of America in the Middle East region.

13 CIA Agents Sought By Germany

A German court has issued arrest warrants for 13 CIA agents accused of participating in the kidnapping of Khaled El-Masri (pictured), a German citizen of Lebanese decent. El-Masri alleges he was taken while on vacation in Macedonia in 2003 and eventually flown to Afghanistan where he was held in a secret prison for months. He also alleges he was beaten several times before being dumped on the side of a road in Albania five months later. The warrants are of course not valid in the US, but should any of the 13 agents enter the European Union they will be arrested.

These allegations closely mirror those made by an Egyptian cleric in which both Italian and American agents are charged with kidnapping Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr from Milan. Read the latest on that case here.

New UN Secretary-General Begins Work

Ban Ki-moon had his first day of work as the new UN Secretary-General today, as New Year's Day is a UN holiday. He takes over for Kofi Annan at a time when the UN is being looked to more and more to handle international human rights conflicts and weigh in on rule of law issues. Ban promised to rebuild international trust in the UN and address the North Korean nuclear problem.

I believe that Ban's tenure is going to be a very important one for the UN. The UN cannot afford to have a poor leader at this juncture, as the UN is already a target of much criticism. Ban faces some very difficult challenges in Darfur, North Korea, and the Middle East, among other problems.