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Robert Gates, the former US Defence Secretary has confirmed in writing what Afghan President Hamid Karzai had said all along: that the US wants to manipulate the 2014 presidential election in Afghanistan the way it tried in 2009. In his about to be published memoirs, Gates says the late US diplomat for Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke was actively involved in undermining Karzai.

For frequent flyers, going through airport security checkpoints has become a nightmare. The so-called screeners are more like sexual predators. They are rude, ill-trained and have an attitude of do not give a damn. Are such intrusive searches really necessary or they are part of an elaborate scheme to create paranoia to take even the few rights people have in the West?

Foreign backed terrorist groups are fighting each other more than the Syria forces. They are also indulging in gruesome acts that have appalled most Syrians. They wish to have nothing to do with such barbarism.

It seems American soldiers take special pleasure in insulting Muslim sensitivities as happened yet again in Afghanistan's Wardak Province last night. American soldiers barged into a village mosque in the province and not only desecrated the mosque with their filthy boots but also desecrated copies of the Quran. There were immediate protests when word spread of the latest American outrage.

The military-backed regime in Egypt is becoming extremely brutal. Ousted President Mohamed Mursi is not permitted even to consult his lawyers before his scheduled court appearance on January 8. How is he expected to defend himself against bizarre charges that are politically motivated?

The Saudis appear determined to create massive conflict in the Ummah. Having failed to overthrow the government of Bashar al-Asad in Syria, they are now going after Lebanon. Their aim is to instigate sectarian conflict in the strategic town of Sidon that is a gateway to the south where Hizbullah has faced the zionists for several decades. Saudi intelligence chief Bandar bin Sultan heads the campaign.

Poverty and violence are two characteristics frequently associated with Bangladesh. Today's election that was boycotted by all the opposition parties was marred by killings and firebombing of polling stations. Turnout was extremely low. While the “incumbent” prime minister Hasina Wajed may claim victory, the extremely low turnout and boycott by international observers have cast serious doubts about its validity.

Majed al-Majed, head of the Saudi-backed Abdullah Azzam Brigade, has died in mysterious circumstances in a Beirut hospital. He was captured from Sidon only last Monday and DNA tests had confirmed his identity. The group had claimed responsibility for the Iran Embassy bombing of November 19 resulting in 26 deaths. Iran wanted to join the investigation by questioning Majed. By killing Majed, this possibility has been eliminated.

The military has ordered the police to use maximum force against peaceful protesters in Egypt. The police are happy to oblige as the rampage after Juma prayers today demonstrated yet again. At least 19 protesters were shot and killed across Egypt and dozens injured. Their crime? They were protesting against the forthcoming referendum on a new constitution that has been drafted by a committee hand-picked by the military.

Sectarianism is projected in some quarters as the greatest challenge facing Muslims when the vast majority of Muslims want unity in the Ummah. Who is stoking the flames of sectarianism?