In a sign of increased sensitivity over U.S. drone strategy, White House counterterror chief John Brennan has taken command of a high stakes review process to determine which terror suspects will be targeted outside of war zones, in nations such as Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. First reported by the Associated Press on Tuesday, the updated procedure “means Brennan’s staff consults the Pentagon, the State Department and other agencies as to who should go on the list, making a previous military-run review process in place since 2009 less relevant, according to two current and three former U.S. officials aware of the evolution in how the government targets terrorists.” Prior to the change, which was instituted over the last several weeks, “targets were first discussed in meetings ... Continue reading →
A Turkish prosecutor has prepared an indictment seeking life sentences for four former Israeli military commanders over their alleged involvement in the 2010 killing of nine Turks on a Gaza-bound aid ship, Turkish newspaper Sabah reported on Wednesday. Relations between the regional powers deteriorated sharply after Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara aid vessel in May 2010 to enforce a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and killed nine Turks in clashes with activists on board the ship. Turkey expelled Israel’s ambassador and froze all military cooperation after a U.N. report into the incident released last September largely exonerated the Jewish state. Sabah said it had seen details of the indictment prepared by Istanbul state prosecutor Mehmet Akif Ekinci and that it called for 10 ... Continue reading →
At least one million young children are at risk of dying of severe malnutrition in the Sahel region of Africa. Right now, many are already facing disease and stunted growth. Without your help, these children might not see past the age of 5. UNICEF needs your help to spread the word on your networks about the Sahel crisis in Africa. Continue reading →