Japanese tanker explodes near Oman
An explosion in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman damaged a Japanese oil tanker. Japanese officials say the explosion may have been caused by an attack since "there is nothing that can explode in that part of the vessel," a spokesman said. The explosion caused only a minor injury to one crew member.
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said the tanker was carrying 270,000 tons of oil, and was heading back toward Japan from Das island in the United Arab Emirates. Oman's coastguard said there was no evidence of an attack on the tanker, and suggested that an earthquake might have been the cause for the explosion. "The boat was hit by a tremor," said an Omani coastguard official. "We have no information of an attack."
- Egypt seizes 10 Gazan smuggling tunnels.
- Hamas is considering a military draft.
- March 14 parties reject Hezbollah's call to probe false witnesses in Hariri assassination case.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Jordan.
- The Gulf's economic downtown leaves foreign laborers stranded.
Daily Snapshot
An Egyptian activist shouts slogans at a demonstration outside a court in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria on July 27, 2010, during the trial of the two policemen, Awad Ismail Suleiman and Mahmud Salah Amin, who are accused of using excessive force and killing 28-year-old Khaled Said (picture) (Khaled Desouki AFP/Getty Images).
Arguments & Analysis
'Cameron calls Gaza under Israel blockade a prison camp' (Juan Cole, Informed Comment) British Prime Minister David Cameron's comments likening Gaza to a 'prison camp' are part of an effort to bolster relations with Turkey. They are also a clear reflection of reality and counter to the fantasy that Israel has established for its rationale of keeping a blockade in place.
'Hizbullah may be in a corner, but it will still fight' (Paul Salem, Daily Star) The possibility of future conflict with Israel, the ongoing international investigation of the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, and the potential for any progress on the peace process (however unlikely) are all constraints on Hizbullah's maneuverability in Lebanon. Still, the group remains the preeminent power in Lebanon and will for some time.
Confirmation hearing for General James N. Mattis to become head of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing to replace Gen. Petraeus as CENTCOM head, Gen. James N. Mattis reiterated (pdf) Petraeus' previous remarks on the U.S.national interest in resolving the conflicts of the Middle East -- including theArab-Israel conflict.
'A Government for Baghdad' (Kenneth Pollack, The National Interest) Four months after the Iraqi elections, the prospect of government formation is still far off and is unlikely to be resolved until after Ramadan at the earliest (in September). While the U.S. has been admirably deferential to Iraqi sovereignty under the current administration, it should nonetheless start considering more overt steps it, and the UN's Assistance Mission to Iraq, could take to encourage political progress absent a breakthrough.
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