Sunday Links -- May 25, 2008

I doubt their money came from the collection plate in your local mosque: Iran 'paid Iraq insurgents to kill UK soldiers' and related Iran is playing a dangerous game and the West's patience could soon run out and if that is not bad enough: Iran Stirs Up More Trouble in Iraq With Dubious Media Report.

This headline from the Independent says that "The Iraq War means oil costs three times more than it should" meaning that global demand, limits on U.S. oil exploration, and falling oil production in pleasant countries such as Venezuela, Iran, and Nigeria has no impact.

At least they are admitting that he is dead: Colombian rebels say leader dies of heart attack.

On this Memorial Weekend "US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,081" but at least al-Qaida fleeing Mosul. Some are now suggesting that All Wars - Whether Victories, Defeats Or Draws - Leave Behind Troubles. We Can Declare Victory In Iraq.

If you live in Pakistan, this report will depress you, while next door dozens killed in caste riots in northwest India. On the other side, Pakistan youths .... and men .... are joining the jihad in Afghanistan. Everyone is getting stressed and concerned.

Mbeki calls anti-foreigner violence in South Africa an "absolute disgrace" but then his intelligence chief states that it is the fault of all of those white extemists.

On the one side Israelis Prefer Military Action Against Hamas, on the other side Iran, Hamas 'perturbed' by news of Israeli-Syrian talks, but to make everyone happy and to prove everyone's point, Hamas may receive lethal Iran-made EFP roadside bombs.

Lebanon army chief is elected president but while most Lebanese are relieved: they are asking the question "For How Long"?

While peacekeepers in Darfur are robbed in a humiliating ambush, Eritrea and Djibouti square off over wasteland at the Horn of Africa.