[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Occupation, Intervention, and Law and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the O.I.L. Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each biweekly roundup to OIL@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every other week.]
News
"Israeli air strikes hit Gaza after Palestinian rocket fire," Reuters
In response to six rockets fired from Gaza, Israel has carried out air strikes in the Gaza Strip.
"Kerry`s Mideast Diplomacy Intensifies as He Shuttles Between the Two Sides," Michael R. Gordon
The New York Times reports on US Secretary of State John Kerry`s talks with the Israeli government amidst discussion of a revival of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
"Al-Qaida Said to be Changing its Ways After Leaks," Kimberly Dozier
Dozier, writing for the Associated Press, surveys the response of the US intelligence community and terrorist groups to the recent leaks of two NSA spying programs.
"Death Toll from LIbyan Clashes Rises to Five, 97 Wounded," Reuters
Violence between rival militias in Tripoli, Libya have resulted in five fatalities and nearly 100 wounded.
"Pakistan to Start Treason Probe of Musharraf," Munir Ahmed
The Washington Post reports on the Pakistani government`s efforts to bring former army chief Pervez Musharraf to trial for treason.
"Israeli authors fight to stop eviction of Palestinian villagers from army zone," Harriet Sherwood
Sherwood, writing in The Observer, reports on a petition signed by 25 of Israel`s best-known writers urging the preservation of Palestinian communities in the South Hebron Hills villages.
"McDonald`s Israel Licensee Rejects West Bank Restaurant," David Wainer
The Israeli licensee of McDonald`s has rejected a proposal to open a restaurant in a West Bank settlement, over criticisms from pro-settler voices.
"Fugitive Snowden`s Options Narrow as Asylum Requests Spurned," Alissa de Carbonnel, Alexei Anishchuk
Carbonnel and Anishchuk report on PRISM whistleblower Edward Snowden`s attempts to receive political asylum overseas.
"Palestinians Celebrate Mohammed Assaf`s Arab Idol Triumph," Harriet Sherwood, Hazem Balousha
Mohammed Assaf, a Palestinian from Gaza, has won the singing competition Arab Idol.
"Soldiers Clash With Sunni Sheik`s Followers in Southern Lebanon," Ben Hubbard, Hania Mourtada
Hubbard and Mourtada, writing for The New York Times, detail armed clashes in Sidon, Lebanon between the Lebanese Army and supporters of Sheik Ahmad al-Assir.
"International Pressure Mounts on Morsi," Al Jazeera English
Al Jazeera reports on the Egyptian military`s ultimatum to President Mohammed Morsi to step down or resolve a mounting political crisis in the country, and Morsi`s subsequent rejection of the ultimatum.
Blogs
"Was the Expert Letter on Palestine Buried by the President of the ASP?," Kevin Jon Heller
Heller addresses allegations that Tina Intelmann, president of the Assembly of State`s Parties, intentionally neglected to present an open letter to the ASP asking the body to bring the issue of Palestine`s statehood onto its agenda.
"After Khalid el-Masri, Details Like Snowden`s Middle Name Matter," Marcy Wheeler
Wheeler responds to press complaints from anonymous Department of Justice officials that Hong Kong delayed turning in Edward Snowden because the United States misreported his middle name.
"Why PA`s New Prime Minister Heads a Papier-Mache Government," Alaa Tartir
Tartir summarizes the difficulties in governing facing Rami Hamdallah, newly appointed prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.
Commentary
"The Criminal NSA," Jennifer Stisa Granick, Christopher Jon Sprigman
Granick and Sprigman, of the Stanford Center for Internet and Society and the University of Virginia School of Law, respectively, criticize the Obama Administration`s claims of legality regarding the NSA`s PRISM program.
"US Should Tread Lightly on Iran," Matthew Duss, Lawrence Korb
Duss and Korb argue the Bush Administration`s fiery rhetoric with regards to Iran empowered Iranian actors "opposed to conciliation and compromise" and urge the US to take a more careful stance in the wake of Hasan Rouhani`s election.
"Mali Aforethought," Hannah Armstrong
Armstrong, a fellow at the Institution of Current World Affairs in the Sahel, writes in The New York Times that the the French military intervention in Mali has made critics out of many parties who initially supported it.
"Syria Won`t Be Iran`s Quagmire," Vance Serchuk
Verchuk, in his monthly column for The Washington Post, critiques an argument that the war in Syria could entangle Iran in a costly and lengthy armed struggle to the benefit of the US.
"Running from the Arab Spring," Christian Caryl
Writing for Foreign Policy`s Democracy Lab, Caryl details the displacement of refugees in Syria and Libya in the wake of revolts in the two respective countries.
Conferences
"International Human Rights Law in Refugee Status Determination: Comparative Practice and Theory"; 13-14 November 2013; Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London; Call for papers here.