The US conducted two raids on Saturday against groups implicated in terrorist activities. One operation was in Somalia against members of al Shabab, the organization that conducted the attack on the mall in Kenya. The other operation was to arrest Anas al-Libi, an individual who is believed to have been the mastermind in the bombing attacks against the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. The raids suggest how seriously the US regards the recent spate of bombings that have occurred in a number of places in recent months.
Israel is a recognized nation-state, but it has one curious feature: there is no Israeli “nation.” The population register of Israel recognizes individuals as Jews or Arabs, but not as Israelis. The bureaucratic recognition of Israeli nationality would have repercussions for Israeli identity as a Jewish state: non-Jews could claim to be Israelis. At some point, Israel will have to square this anomaly with its democracy. A liberal democracy cannot conflate religion with citizenship.
The small Italian island of Lampedusa is an objective for many people who wish to immigrate to Europe. Most of these immigrants are from North Africa and they are seeking a better life in Europe. Once in Lampedusa, the immigrants can make claims for asylum and assistance, and every year, thousands of immigrants make the perilous voyage. Two days ago, a small boat, with hundreds of immigrants, recently sank, and about 200 people are missing. The tragedy has re-ignited the controversy about immigration in Europe, a controversy that will only intensify.
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