Multiple Terrorist Attacks in the Middle East

After the attacks in Lahore, Pakistan yesterday, two bombs have exploded a city marketplace. Shortly after the marketplace attacks, a suicide bomber drove a car loaded with explosives into a military checkpoint. According to a Taliban deputy, the Lahore attacks were in response to the military's ongoing operations in the Northern province of Swat to suppress the Taliban uprising. After the Lahore attacks, the Taliban warned of further violence.

In South-East Iran a blast has crippled a mosque in the city of Zahedan. A border city with Pakistan, Zahedan is often the site of political unrest and drug violence. The attack could not come at a more sensitive time; the first round of the presidential election is a little over two weeks away.

Obama Administration shows some Palestinian Love

Hillary Clinton has made an unusually stern statement concerning the growth of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. Benjamin Netanyahu has said this is natural expansion and will continue as long as Israel continues to grow in population. The Obama administration has taken a stance in opposition to this expansion, one that is likely to be well received by the Palestinians. This comes in contrast the Bush Administration's policy of ignorance on Israeli expansion. This is also the first time in decades the US has made public a significant disagreement with Israel.