Presenter, Male #1
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated that the United States has not lost the war in Afghanistan, though she indicated that the Taliban has gained new momentum. Clinton made this statement in a TV interview towards the end of her visit to Pakistan. In her visit’s third and last day, Clinton met with tribal leaders from northern Pakistan, who advised her to stop using force to solve the conflicts in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Reporter, Female #1
Islamabad is at the highest state of alert, because US Secretary of State Hillary has not left the country yet. On her visit’s third and last day to Pakistan, she met with leaders of Pashtun tribes in Afghanistan, and listened to their opinions on the type of relation they want between their country and the US. Their words had a sharp and critical tone. Maulvi Kifayatullah requested from her for the US to come out of the stone-age and begin negotiations in Afghanistan, then Pakistan. He said that her visit to Pakistan does not bring peace, but increases hatred and resentment among people instead. Kifayatullah’s words were not groundless.

Guest, Male #1
How will the average citizen benefit from this visit? Go and ask anyone in the street.

Guest, Male #2
The military is fighting at the borders and the soldiers are being killed. We are fighting our own people. This is their war, not ours. They should give us money to equip the army.

Reporter, Female #1
Clinton welcomed the leaders’ words, and said she agreed with them that wisdom and negotiations should be used in this matter. She said that change can only happen under proper conditions and at the right time. Clinton’s meeting with the Pashtun leaders was different from her meeting with the famous journalists and entrepreneurs, during which she showed her astonishment at the Pakistani government’s failure to capture Osama Bin Laden and other Al Qaeda leaders, while Pakistan provided a safe haven for Al-Qaeda since 2002. Not diverting from the security concerns in Pakistan, Karachi city witnessed a day of tightened security measures due to reports of possible attacks. Security forces are monitoring public movement in the streets. Checking cars and inspecting pedestrians’ IDs have become traditional measures, but this time there are more routine procedures. It appears that the authorities and police take reports of possible attacks seriously. Two days ago, Peshawar witnessed an attack, which was considered the strongest of the recent attacks and killed more than 100 people. Najla Abu Mara’e, BBC.

Presenter, Man # 1
The US State Department said that Hillary Clinton will either start tomorrow or the day after her trip to the Middle East in order to continue exerting pressure to achieve peace in the region.

Presenter, Woman # 1
Clinton will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian President. Then she will meet with a number of Arab foreign ministers to talk about ways to achieve peace. US envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, had already arrived to Israel to pave the way for Clinton’s visit.

Reporter, Man # 2
George Mitchell started his visit here with a ceremony to commemorate the assassination of the former Israeli Prime Minister. Will Mitchell succeed in resurrecting the dead peace process? Netanyahu gave a speech in memory of Rabin, but through the eyes of some, his policies are contradictory to those of late Rabin and to his peaceful path in the region. Netanyahu’s policies were enough to kill the peace process even before it had a chance to start. He refuses to stop the construction of settlements in the West Bank; instead he has decided to speed up the settlement construction. He doesn’t respect the holy status that Arabs and Muslims hold for Jerusalem, instead he want to “Jewdify”the old city. Netanyahu proposed a Palestinian state with self-autonomy and temporary borders, but without any real sovereignty. Netanyahu’s stubbornness actually forced the US Administration to reverse its original demand of a settlement freeze in the West Bank. Now, the Obama Administration only talks about constraining settlement construction. The Palestinian President listened to Obama stipulate the American position in the first three-way meeting between Abbas, Netanyahu and Obama. The question is why has Mitchell returned to the region considering the fact that the Obama Administration has accepted the Israeli position, at least the one pertaining to the settlement construction. It seems that Obama has realized that recent developments may prevent the Palestinian President from winning a second term in office. These new developments have compelled the American administration to send George Mitchell to pave the way for Clinton’s visit. The objective, according to political observers, is to strengthen the position of President Mahmud Abbas. These news developments, which have followed the Goldstone report, have weakened Abbas’ position and threatened his legitimacy.
Abbas’ decision to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections in January 2010 did not help ease the problem, in fact it made it worst. Hamas and other Palestinian factions based in Damascus refuse to hold the elections on the date set by Abbas, which means that the elections will not include Gaza. If this were to happen then Abbas’ legitimacy will only be confined to the West Bank. Those who criticize Abbas say that this situation made it necessary for the US and Israel to take action in order to maintain the unity of the Palestinian Authority headed by Abbas. However political observers believe that the US will also have to do something for Netanyahu. Clinton will meet with Arab Foreign Ministers in Morocco to convince them to normalize their relations with Israel as a goodwill gesture.However, political observers believe these Arab leaders are asked to pay for goods that will never be delivered. According to leaked news reports, Clinton will try to convince her Arab counterparts to start normalizing their relations with Israel. In return, Clinton will try to convince Israel to a temporary settlement freeze sometime in the future, and to resume peace negotiations with the Palestinians. However, this logic contradicts what is going on the ground, particularly in Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem where Israeli violations continue to increase.

Presenter, Man # 1
The head of Hamas’ political office, Khaled Meshal reiterated that the movement takes Abbas’ proposal, pertaining to the elections, seriously. He added that Hamas will make an announcement about its decision in the right time.

Guest, Man # 2 (Khaled Meshal)
Whoever issued this law or this decree is pushing towards more divisions within the Palestinians people. He also closes the door to Palestinian reconciliation efforts which have been mediated by Egypt. This person is also responsible for the consequences and results of this decision. Yes we take this decision seriously. This not a political tactic. Whatever we did not accept before this decree, we will still not accept after this decree. We have our options; if the elections will be held on January 25th, then we will have our options and we will announce them in the right time.

Presenter, Man # 1
Meshal gave his speech to a crowd of people including a number of leaders from different Palestinian factions in Damascus, warning that the reconciliation agreement that Egypt is trying to mediate may collapse just like other reconciliation agreements have. He reiterated that what the Palestinian factions are demanding is to carefully examine the proposal.

Guest, Man # 2 (Khaled Meshal)
Considering everything we did along with our brothers in the negotiations in Cairo, is it too much to ask that we examine some of the texts or phrases. This is all that is left for us; we do not have any other guarantees. Is it too much to ask that we examine the text. Now Hamas and those who support them are being accused of being at fault and responsible for derailing the national reconciliation efforts. If we do not examine the texts, especially in the PLO so that we can make sure that the Palestinian decision-makers can be held accountable pertaining to the elections laws and so on, then I must say that I fear this agreement may collapse. Do you want a reconciliation agreement that succeeds or fails? I think that all of us want a successful agreement.

Presenter, Man # 1
Joining us from Damascus, Khaled Abdelmajeed, the Secretary General of the higher follow-up committee of the Palestinian national conference in Syria. Mr. Abdelmajeed, Meshal said in his speech that Hamas has noticed that Fatah is not interested in the national dialogue. He said that Fatah was more interested in the elections than in the reconciliation. Did you not notice this?

Guest, Man # 3
Yes, the Fatah movement and the Palestinian Authority are primarily concerned with the elections, not the reconciliation. They want to use the elections to advance their political agenda which lies within the framework of the American vision for the Middle East. They want to trick our people and resume the Israeli Palestinian negotiations only because they want the Palestinian authority to give up more of our Palestinian rights. Therefore, they want to use the elections to give the appearance that giving up these rights is actually beneficial for the Palestinian people, which is a form of forgery. They know that the situation is suitable for them because they have the backing of the international community and Arab countries at the official level. They want to go forward with their political agenda and they need the elections to gain legitimacy. After the elections are held they are going to say: We have conducted elections in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. They are hoping that they can create a new situation where they can marginalize the role of Hamas and the Palestinian resistance just so they can go forward with their political agenda.

Presenter, Male #1
The Lebanese government reiterated its commitment to reconstructing the Nahr al-Bared Camp, adding that the camp will be placed under the full authority of the sate.

Reporter, Female #1
The decision to reconstruct the Nahr al-Bared Camp is “final and irreversible.” These were the words of the Lebanese government. The Lebanese State Shura Council had earlier ordered a two month suspension of the reconstruction efforts in the camp, following the discovery of remains of an ancient city underneath the old camp. The reconstruction efforts will resume under less stringent circumstances, especially after the easing of the security measures that were imposed upon entering and exiting the camp.

Guest, Male #2, (Ambassador Kahlil Makawi)
The government’s initial decision to suspend the reconstruction of the camp was aimed at preserving the ancient ruins. This is practical from a scientific point of view. We must protect these historical ruins, which are very valuable. The government had initially approved a plan that would preserve the excavated ruins while allowing reconstruction efforts to proceed, by effectively burying the ancient site underneath the new camp. God willing, the issue of the Palestinian refugees will be resolved, and they will be allowed to return to their country. This is still Lebanese land so we need to preserve and protect these ruins. This is based on scientific principles.

Reporter, Female #1
The Lebanese government, along with the various Palestinian committees and factions, has shown a goodwill gesture by dealing with the plight and problems of the Nahr al-Bared Camp. The Head of the Palestinian-Lebanese Dialogue Committee, Ambassador Khalil Makawi, said that they are still facing several legal issues in the reconstruction process. Makawi added that the Lebanese government is seeking to exercise full sovereignty over its territory, including the refugee camps.

Guest, Male #2,
Regarding the homes that were destroyed inside the new the camp: There are several legal issues involved. It’s true that these homes are owned by Palestinians, who purchased them from the Lebanese. However, the Real Property Ownership Records are showing that these homes are still owned by Lebanese citizens. Consequently, we have proposed to reconstruct these homes, without bringing up the issue of ownership. This requires a resolution from the government. We are still waiting for the formation of the new government, which may issue a decision in the case.

Reporter, Female #1
The camp has been divided into 8 sections. The process of demolishing and reconstruction as well as the return of the refugees will be implemented upon the completion of each phase.

Guest, Male #2
As I mentioned, after the reconstruction resumes, nearly 500 families will return within one year. When you talk about 500 families, you are talking about nearly 2,500 individuals, who will be allowed to return during the first phase. It’s a matter of time.

Reporter, Female #1
The Head of the Palestinian-Lebanese Dialogue Committee said that everyone realizes the hardship facing the Palestinian refugees living in the temporary shelters of Nahr al-Bared. Makawi further stated that the reconstruction of the camp will create many job opportunities for the residents of Nahr- al-Bared. It’s worth mentioning that the reconstruction of Nahr al-Bared will help transform the camp into a model camp. This may help reopen the issue of the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, a presence based on positive and humanitarian principles.

Guest, Male #2
We want to make sure that the interior security forces are responsible for security in the camp. We know that the camp will be placed under the full authority of the Lebanese state. The transfer of authority in the camp will be done in cooperation with our Palestinian brothers, who need to feel that this will serve their interests more than it serves Lebanon’s. Which option is better for the Palestinians: To live in a state and under the protection of the Lebanese judiciary system or to live in the fire range of armed groups, who are terrorizing them, just like they did in other camps such as Ein El-Hilwa and others.

Presenter, Man # 1
In an attempt to resolve the conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the PKK, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visited the Kurdish region of Iraq. Davutoglu will arrive to the area within hours to talk with the president of the Kurdish region Massoud Barzani and other officials there about the opening of Turkish Embassies in Arbile, the capital of the Kurdish region and in Kirkuk. In addition a number of political and economic matters will be discussed. The Iraqi parliament may fail once again to pass to revised election law. Kirkuk seems to be the obstacle preventing Iraqi parliament members from reaching an agreement pertaining to the elections despite efforts by the UN, and its proposal for reaching a political settlement. Elections are scheduled to take place in the middle of 2010. The parliamentary session for voting on the election law will be postponed once again to a date that will be announced next week. We leave you with Faheba Mazene.

Reporter, Woman # 1
The path towards the Iraqi election is full of obstacles, especially over differences about Kirkuk. Yesterday, the Iraqi parliament failed for the sixth time to reach agreement pertaining to the election law. Parliament members became more vocal in expressing their differences on how elections ought to be held in Kirkuk. This forced them to postpone the vote on the election law until another session. The election law faced more blows, latest of which was the Iraqi refusal of the UN proposal to hold the elections in Kirkuk in one year, and then following elections according to new records to be prepared this year. This proposal was added to a list of other rejected proposals that were discussed by the political committee of the national Security Council. These proposals call for holding the elections based on 2004 records, postponing the elections, or dividing Kirkuk into two election districts. It seems that the Iraqi policy makers are far from reaching an agreement on the election law, especially when considering that the election date is approaching. The Iraqi parliament has only one week left before it can make a decision pertaining to the new election law; otherwise voting on the elections law will be delayed once again. If this were to happen, there are fears that sectarian violence may erupt, something the Iraqis have managed to avoid so far.

Presenter, Female #1
Dr. Hayat Sindi has accomplished a grand achievement on behalf of Arab women in general and Saudi women in particular. Alongside a team of researchers, she won the first prize in two international awards for her innovative “Diagnostic-For-All” device. The innovation makes medical analysis tools more available, easier to produce and in the size of a fingertip. In her speech, Dr. Hayat Sindi honored Arab women saying: You are strong, you are intelligent, you are capable and you can achieve scientific and humanitarian inventions. She stressed that the real achievement is to make all dreams come true together. Pierre Ghanim met with Dr. Sindi.

Reporter, Male #1
Hayat Sindi displayed her invention, a medical diagnostic tool, at the PopTech conference in Camden. The Saudi scientist believes that this invention will save millions of poor people’s lives.

Guest, Female #1 (Hayat Sindi)
“Let me show you how it works”. If you take a drop of bodily fluid and put it in the designated area of the device, the fluid wicks up the channel and reacts with the chemical reagents, and its color will change.

Reporter, Male #1
PopTech organization focuses on exhibiting innovations that change our concept or approach in environmental, industrial and futuristic fields. The diagnostic-tool technology that Hayat Sindi presented is one of these innovations that make a change.

Guest, Male #1
As soon as we learned about the technology and innovation achieved by Hayat, we knew that this was something special. But when we met with her, we knew that we are working with a very special person as well.

Reporter, Male #1
Hayat Sindi talks about her innovation, and said that her new company is not only aiming for the success of this invention in the US, but explained that it can also be used during the Hajj season.

Guest, Female #1 (Hayat Sindi)
I mean, this can fit into a suitcase when going to the Hajj pilgrimage. One can check himself with this tool. In the past, people used to pass out during Hajj if they were sick, and they’d have to be carried out by others. This doesn’t have to happen nowadays. When a person doesn’t feel good, he can check himself and figure out if he needs help or not.

Reporter, Male #1
A number of representatives from big companies such as Microsoft attended the PopTech conference to exhibit and display new ideas.

Guest, Male #2
I think it’s very important to point out that Microsoft welcomes the work of people in developing countries in the technology field.

Reporter, Male #1
Hayat Sindi believes that her scientific and academic career is a dream come true and that she has overcome traditional barriers.

Guest, Female #1 (Hayat Sindi)
I tell Arab women that they should have confidence in themselves, and that their capability, experience, intelligence, energy and imagination are not worth less than those of other women in the world. But they need to have faith in themselves, and to give themselves a chance.

Reporter, Male #1
Hayat Sindi is one of the Saudi women who is going forward on a scientific path. Perhaps Hayat Sindi has passed through half of the journey to realizing all of her dreams. Pierre Ghanam, Al Aarabiya, from TopTech conference.

Mosaic Intelligence Report
By Jamal Dajani

The story the New York Times published this week on Hamid Karzai's drug-dealing brother Ahmed Wali and his ties to the CIA is very revealing, considering it comes just few days before Afghanistan's run-off election; however, it is not the real news. It has been rumored for years that Wali has been involved in opium trafficking and has been receiving payments from the CIA. The big story is the United States' government plan to buy out the Taliban -- officially, so to speak.
On Wednesday, President Obama signed a $680 billion defense appropriations bill, which is supposed to cover military operations in the 2010 fiscal year. The bill includes a Taliban reintegration provision under the Commander's Emergency Response Program. Don't you love the terminologies used by government bureaucrats? Call it buyout, bribes, protection money, but please don't call it integration.

The idea, according to Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is to separate local Taliban from their leaders, replicating a program used to neutralize the insurgency against Americans in Iraq. If you can't beat them, buy them!

Afghanistan though, is not Iraq. Unlike al-Sahwa in Iraq (the Sunni Awakening), when Iraqi tribe members took up arms against al-Qaeda and foreign insurgents, the Taliban are an integral part of Afghanistan, and they are not foreign fighters. They are the brothers, cousins and neighbors of ordinary Afghans. The US government might be able to temporarily buy out some Taliban members from attacking its troops but it will not be able to buy loyalties.

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on President Obama to authorize the sending of more troops to Afghanistan. According to a recent Associated Press report:
There are already more than 100,000 international troops in Afghanistan working with 200,000 Afghan security forces and police. It adds up to a 12-to-1 numerical advantage over Taliban rebels, but it hasn't led to anything close to victory.

The Taliban rebels are estimated to number no more than 25,000 according to the same report. Yet, we have witnessed their devastating attacks in Kabul and other areas. The number of American deaths in Afghanistan has reached a record for the third time in four months. Some military experts say that an increase in US troops is no guarantee to reduce US fatalities and that it might only work in a negative way. The US army is not equipped to fight guerrilla warfare.

The new US strategies to be implemented in Afghanistan are nothing new; they are basically a redux of Iraqi ones. Their success rates are both short term, with the surge in Iraq only working temporarily, as the recent attacks in the country show. Paying for protection can only work against foreign insurgents and will only work as long as you keep paying.

In the meantime, on the news, I keep watching those who are gung-ho for sending more troops to Afghanistan insist that the U.S. has learned from the Soviets' mistakes. No one asks if it has learned anything from its mistakes in Iraq.