Iranian nuclear deal: Barack Obama hails tentative agreement

U.S. President Barack Obama heralded a framework
nuclear understanding with Iran as an "historic" agreement that could pave the way for a final deal that would leave the U.S., its allies and the world safer.

"The issues at stake here are bigger than politics," Obama said during remarks in the White House Rose Garden. "These are matters of war and peace, and they should be evaluated based on the facts."

Obama's statement came as the United States, Iran and five other world powers on Thursday announced an understanding outlining limits on Iran's nuclear program so it cannot lead to atomic weapons, directing negotiators toward achieving a comprehensive agreement within three months.

Note EU-Digest: whatever way one wants to look at the Obama administration, one will have to agree,  that it has had some HISTORIC AND DRAMATIC SUCCESSES, INCLUDING; OBAMACARE; THE CAPURE OF BIN LADEN;  RESTORATION OF THE US ECONOMY; RE-OPENENING OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND THE US; AND THE IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT.  GOOD JOB MR.PRESIDENT.

Read more: Iranian nuclear deal: Barack Obama hails tentative agreement - World - CBC News

In Europe, Disquiet Over Bin Laden and U.S. by STEVEN ERLANGER

No European government has condemned or criticized the killing of Osama bin Laden by American commandos, but the questions raised about the changing details of his death sharpened considerably after the White House revealed that he did not fire a weapon, was not armed and did not use a woman as a protective shield.

For more: In Europe, Disquiet Over Bin Laden and U.S. - NYT STEVEN ERLANGE

Bin Laden: Pakistan up the creek without a paddle

The US extermination of bin Laden has left a shamed, embarrassed and humiliated Pakistan, which is at least in the dog house if not up shit creek.

"The operation also highlights that Pakistan is truly at the epicenter of global terrorism," said Heritage Foundation expert and former CIA analyst Lisa Curtis. "The fact that the world's most wanted terrorist was captured in a major Pakistani city should silence those Pakistanis who rejected the idea of bin Laden being in the country as a western conspiracy."

Suspicion is also deep in Washington that Pakistan's military intelligence establishment was sheltering bin Laden, because of his location in a massive compound in a cantonment close to the prominent kakul military academy. Questions are being asked whether the compound was an ISI safehouse.

Warnings also come from Europe. In July last year  David Cameron on the first day of his visit to India said that Pakistan could not be allowed to "look both ways" on terrorism.

Pakistan has once again been served with a "either you are with us or against us" notice. US analysts say Islamabad, or more pertinently the country's military establishment in Rawalpindi, now has to make a decisive call to give up using terrorism as a policy option.

EU-Digest

CSM: Obama vs. bin Laden: A battle for Muslim hearts - by Carlyle Murphy

For the complete report from the csmonitor.com click on this link

Obama vs. bin Laden: A battle for Muslim hearts - by Carlyle Murphy

Audiotapes attributed to Al Qaeda's two top leaders have sought to discredit President Obama on the eve of his much-heralded speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, declaring that he is no different from his predecessor and follows the same anti-Muslim policies.Some analysts believe the tapes suggest Al Qaeda is on its back foot – both because of Obama's overtures to the Muslim world, and because of the rise of Islamist militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Thomas Hegghammer, the moderator of jihadica.com, a blog that monitors jihadi Internet activity, also says that the fact that bin Laden's tape didn't mention the Cairo speech and was delivered straight to Al Jazeera instead of released online may suggest greater restriction of movement and access.

"The most interesting thing about it was that it was not released on the Internet. It was handed directly to Al Jazeera," he says. "It may mean that bin Laden is not in a situation to record and post his statements on the Internet, which has been the case the last few years."

The Huffington Post: Osama Bin Laden Believed Dead By Pak Intel - by Nahal Toosi

For the complete report from the Huffington Post click on this link

Osama Bin Laden Believed Dead By Pak Intel - by Nahal Toosi

Pakistan's president said Monday his intelligence agencies believe Osama bin Laden may be dead, but he added there is no proof. Other Pakistani officials and a U.S. counter terrorism official said they thought the al-Qaida chief is alive. U.S. officials said bin Laden is most likely hiding in the mountains along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, in particular the lawless tribal regions. "We continue to believe that bin Laden is alive," said the U.S. official, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to discuss the matter on the record. Reports of bin Laden's death or of near-captures have punctuated his years on the run since the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S., only to be seemingly debunked by periodic audio and video recordings.

DW: Bin Laden Threatens Europe Over Mohammed Cartoons

For the complete report from the Deutsche Welle click on this link

Bin Laden Threatens Europe Over Mohammed Cartoons

In a new message, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden warned Europe of a "reckoning" for publishing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed. Intelligence officials said there was no indication when a possible attack might occur. Bin Laden's audio message, heard over a video image of him holding an AK-47 automatic rifle, coincided with the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. It was posted on al Qaeda's Web site on Wednesday, March 19, which is also the day observed in the Muslim world as Mohammed's birthday. The militant leader said publishing the controversial caricatures of the Muslim prophet was a greater offense than the "bombing of modest villages that collapsed over our women and children," in a reference to the invasion of Iraq by US and European forces.

Note EU-Digest: Mr. Bin Laden who calls himself a Muslim would do himself and the world some good in reading what the Qur’an (القرآن ‎ al-qur'ān) says about violence. Any Muslim who accepts Mr. Bin Laden as the spokesperson for Islam is probably just as crazy and fanatical as he is. Mr. Bin Laden has got the blood of many innocent civilians, including large numbers of Muslims on his hands. Finding him (if he is still alive) and bringing him to justice is essential.