IPS correspondents bring you independent perspective on what is happening in Iran, Iraq and across the Middle East.

U.S. Denies Visas to Iranian Religious Leaders

Jonathan Bell
WASHINGTON – A religious delegation from Iran has cancelled a scheduled visit to the United States this week after members of the group were denied visas by the State Department.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39230

Ahmadinejad as Goldfinger – Analysis by Khody Akhavi
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39207

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Bridging the Shia-Sunni Divide With Free Trade

Meena Janardhan
DUBAI – While Iran and the United States exchange aggressive statements, the Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council have been busy building trade relations with Tehran and charting an economic course with a potential of mending ties in a tough neighbourhood.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39213

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IRAQ: Fighting Amongst Shias Adds to Violence

Ali al-Fadhily*
BAGHDAD – Clashes between rival Shia militas in Kerbala have spread across southern Iraq and Baghdad, adding a new dimension to sectarian violence.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39209

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U.S. Soldier’s Tragic Suicide Just One of Dozens

Aaron Glantz
SAN FRANCISCO – Dane and April Somdahl own the Alien Art tattoo parlor on Camp Lejeune Boulevard — just outside the sprawling Marine Corps base of the same name in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39203

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Afghan Refugee Camp Spared Closure Till Spring

Ashfaq Yusufzai
PESHAWAR – Afghan refugee leaders heaved a sigh of relief after the Pakistan government agreed to postpone the closure of the Jalozai refugee camp, 35 km east of this border city, to April 2008.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39192

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Neocons Put on a Surge-Stravaganza

Eli Clifton
WASHINGTON – With U.S. General David Petraeus’s eagerly anticipated final report on Iraq due on Sep. 15, supporters of the troop surge are busily trying to set the stage for the report that they believe will refute their opponents.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39189

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IRAQ: Clerics Begin to Take Over

Ali al-Fadhily*
BAGHDAD – Religious clerics are beginning to play an increasingly powerful role in Iraq. Many Iraqis now fear that they are endangering human rights and religious freedom in the once largely secular country.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39197

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AFGHANISTAN: Taliban Mines Take Toll on Civilian, Coalition Lives

Ahmad Khalid Moahid*
KABUL – New landmines planted since the Taliban returned to challenge the Afghan government and the United States-led coalition in Afghanistan have claimed hundreds of civilian and military lives.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39174

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Iran Nuke Moves Hint at Interest in Deal

Analysis by Gareth Porter*
WASHINGTON – Iran’s unexpected agreement with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Mohamed Elbaradei to resolve old issues surrounding its nuclear programme in less than two months, and the fact that it has installed only two-thirds of the centrifuges previously announced, indicate that Tehran may be positioning itself for another bid for a diplomatic solution.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39171

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IRAQ: Samarra Under U.S. Attack

Ali al-Fadhily*
BAGHDAD – Residents are fleeing Samarra city in the face of fierce fighting between U.S. forces and resistance groups.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39164

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IRAN: Dissidents Encouraged to Go Into Exile

Kimia Sanati
TEHRAN – The Iranian establishment has an unstated policy to deal with rising dissidence among academics, artistes and political activists — encourage them to leave the country and go into self-exile.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39165

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Vows Not to Torture Worth Little, HRW Says

Jonathan Bell
WASHINGTON – Repatriated Guantanamo Bay detainment camp prisoners have once again been mistreated at the hands of their home countries despite “diplomatic assurances” of humane treatment made to the U.S. government, according to a new Human Rights Watch report.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39156

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UN Faults Iraq for Continued Executions

Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS – A new United Nations report on human rights criticises the government in Baghdad for its continued executions of prisoners despite appeals by the UN and its human rights bodies for a moratorium on capital punishment.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39155

For more IPS reporting on the Middle East – www.ipsnews.net/middle.asp

Iraq: Beyond the Green Zone – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/iraq/index.asp

Iran: The Parthian Shot – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/iran/index.asp

Holy Land/Unholy War – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/israel_palestina/index.asp

Afghan Divide – www.ipsnews.net/afghanistan/index.asp

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