[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.]
Islamic State
The Islamic State`s Atrociies--and Our Own, John Feffer
Writing for The Nation, Feffer argues that the "public spectacle" nature of Islamic State`s atrocities have drawn them much attention, but do not necessarily make them more reprehensible than US atrocities in the region.
Islamic State Appears to be Fraying from Within, Liz Sly
A number of recent military setbacks, botched recruiting attempts and disputes between foreign and local fighters has led to a deepening of internal strife within Islamic State, reports The Washington Post.
The Test in Tikrit, Robin Wright
Wright provides an overview of military parties to a US-led coalition fighting Islamic State in Tikrit, Iraq.
Islamic State Militants "Bulldozed" Ancient Site, USA Today
Iraq`s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has claimed Islamic State has destroyed the archaeological site of the ancient city of Nimrud in northern Iraq.
Palestine-Israel
Israeli Foreign Minister calls for Beheading Palestinians, Ali Abunimah
Electronic Intifada reports that Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman has called for the expulsion of Palestinian citizens of Israel and the public beheading of Palestinians in recent election events in Israel.
NGO: 40 percent Rise in New West Bank Settlement Homes, Al Jazeera
Israeli NGO and advocacy group Peace Now has released a report detailing the beginning of construction on nearly 3,100 residential units last year in the West Bank.
Israel Kills Fisherman and Reduces Gaza`s Fishing Space by 2 Miles: Union, Mlddle East Monitor
Middle East Monitor reports on an Israeli shooting of Palestinian fisherman at sea for violating a fishing space agreement as part of a recent ceasefire and accounts that the fisherman were well within the fishing space provided by the agreement.
Iran
Immediately After Launching Effort to Scuttle Iran Deal, Senator Tom Cotton to Meet with Defense Contractors, Lee Fang
Fang details ties between Sen. Tom Cotton, who spearheaded the Senate Republicans` open letter warning Iran that any nuclear deal with the Obama White House could expire after he leaves office, and the National Defense Industrial Association, a lobbying group for defense contractors.
Iran Responds to US Senators` Letter, Shows Why Congress Should Be Involved in the First Place, Julian Ku
Ku suggests the Iranian government`s response to an open letter from 47 Republican Senators threatening to renege on any agreement with Obama over its nuclear program demonstrates the need for Congressional approval of foreign treaties to begin with.
Law/US Foreign Policy
In Campaign against Terrorism, US Enters Period of Pessimism and Gloom, Greg Miller
Miller discusses a growing malaise and pessimism among leading figures in US counterterrorism regarding the prospects of an eventual defeat of al-Qa`ida and its offshoots.
Torture Report Provided Rare Public Accountability for CIA, Ken Dilanian
Dilanian, writing for The Associated Press, describes the recent US Senate report on the CIA`s use of torture as a moment remarkable in its transparency, and speculates about possibly of applying the same degree of accountability to US practices like drone operations.
Khalid al-Fawwaz Guilty of US Embassy Bombings, BBC
A former "spokesman" and aide of Osama bin Laden has been convicted of planning the bombing of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.
British Spies Don Wigs and Makeup to Testify at US Trial of al-Qa`ida Suspect, Agence France-Presse
MI5 agents wore disguises when testifying in a New York trial of Abid Naseer, accused of planning to bomb a British shopping center, reports AFP in a summary of Naseer`s trial.
Guantanamo Parole Board OKs Release of Obese Egyptian Captive, Carol Rosenberg
The Miami Herald reports that a Parole Review Board has agreed to release a chronically ill and morbidly obese Egypian detainee, Tariq el Sawah.
The CIA`s Torturers and the Leaders Who Approved Their Actions Must Face the Law, Chelsea Manning
Manning, writing in The Guardian, criticizes the US` use of aggressive intelligence gathering tactics such as the torture used at its detention center in Guantanamo Bay, and argues for legal action against those responsible.
Other
Chapel Hill Murders: Why Islamophobia Will Continue to Exist in America, Usaid Muneeb Siddiqui
New Left Project features a piece linking Islamophobia with US media marginalization of Muslims and Muslim narratives.
After Arab Spring, Surveillance in Egypt Intensifies, Sam Kimball
The Intercept details a rise in the use and sophistication of state surveillance in Egypt under the authority of President Sisi.