Israel-Gaza-Hamas Analysis: 4 Lessons from the Recent Conflict

Hamas appears fragile and divided over its actions, nearing a possible September vote in the United Nations General Assembly on recognition of a Palestinian state. But Hamas also showed once again --- despite its weakness and division --- that it exists in the Gaza Strip and that Israel has to negotiate with it if West Jerusalem wants order in the south of the country. The immediate escalation after the bus attack increased Hamas's bargaining powerwith Israel, Egypt and, indirectly, with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah.

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Syria Video Special: Assad Kills Protesters, but Can't Kill Protests

We've already received dozens of new videos, night protests in defiance of the massacres. How many people will Assad have to kill before he realizes that killing his own people is only swelling the ranks of the protesters? As the night wears on, we will add more videos to this list

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Syrian civilians in Homs hold up notes for the UN fact-finding delegation to read:

Qalamoun district of Damasacus:

Khalidiya district, Homs:

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Libya Audio: Scott Lucas on BBC "Assessing Latest in Tripoli...And What's Next"

Photo: ReutersI had a chance to discuss latest developments in Libya, and to look ahead, with BBC West Midlands and BBC Coventry and Warwickshire this morning. As well as picking up the news at that point, we considered questions such as "Where's Muammar Qaddafi?", "What are the prospects for a stable 'new' Libya?", and "How should the US respond to the situation?"

The BBC West Midlands item starts at the 1:53:17 mark. My contribution begins at 1:54.25.

The BBC Coventry and Warwickshire interview begins just before the 1:02 mark. My chat with host Annie Othen starts two minutes later.

Libya LiveBlog: The Last Push Against Former Leader Qaddafi

Libya LiveBlog: The Last Push Against Former Leader Qaddafi

See also Sunday's Libya, Syria (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Endgame in Tripoli?
Libya Video Special: Great Moments in Bad Journalism --- Russia Today on Regime Victory in Tripoli
Libya Video Special: The Country Where State TV's Newsreaders Wave Guns
Monday's Syria (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Meanwhile, In Another Uprising....

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1950 GMT: State TV newsreader Hala al Misrati, who achieved a bit of extra notoriety on Saturday night when she brandished a gun on-air and said she would defend the station from anyone who dared attack it (see EA special entry), has been detained. Insurgents told a CNN reporter who tried to interview her, that "she is unharmed".

sarasidnerCNN

1935 GMT: Al Jazeera is reporting that a NATO warplane intercepted a Scud missile fired from Sirte, presumably by regime forces, in Libya.

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Syria (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Meanwhile, In Another Uprising....

2127 GMT: A massive demonstration in Taiz, Yemen's second largest city, celebrating the fall of Qaddafi in Libya while protesting against the rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh:

2116 GMT: With today's violence in Homs, Assad's security forces were hoping to stop the protests.

They failed. This video, taken tonight, shows post-Taraweeh prayer protests in Homs:

We've already received dozens of new videos, night protests in defiance of the massacres. How many people will Assad have to kill before he realizes that killing his own people is only swelling the ranks of the protesters?

Harasta, a key district of Damascus:

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The Latest from Iran (22 August): A Death Threat Against Ahmadinejad's Right-Hand Man

1810 GMT: Deviant Current Watch. Hojatoleslam Mehdi Hosseini, the deputy education manager of Qom's religious seminaries, has said that the "deviant current" --- the label for advisors around President Ahmadinejad --- is much more dangerous than the "fitna (sedition) group".

1730 GMT: Rafsanjani Watch. Has Hashemi Rafsanjani's brother Mohsen Hashemi tipped off the former President's election strategy?

Hashemi said he was not sure if he would run for Parliament; however, he advised that "moderate hardliners" and reformers should unite, as "you cannot run a country with radicals".

Hashemi, who resigned as the chief executive officer of the Tehran Metro earlier this year said that the country needs efficiency and realism "which have been lost". Politically, President Ahmadinejad had topped everything "by libelling his rivals".

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Libya Video Special: Great Moments in Bad Journalism --- Russia Today on Regime Victory in Tripoli

While Alex Campbell of Britain's Sky News made an international name for herself during her hours-long live broadcast alongside opposition fighters on the march to the centre of Tripoli, I am not so sure that Russia Today and "independent journalist" Lizzie Phelan will be celebrating today.

If the former Iraqi regime had "Baghdad Bob" and Muammar Qaddafi has "Tripoli Timmy" (see Sunday's LiveBlog), with what historical name can we anoint this moment in journalism?

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Libya, Syria (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Endgame in Tripoli?

Now see Monday's Libya LiveBlog: The Last Push Against Former Leader Qaddafi

View Free Tripoli - Red Rebel - Green Gaddafi in a larger map

Map of the reported fighting in the Libyan capital Tripoli

See also Saturday's Syria, Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Emergency Meetings

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0451 GMT: James Miller is going to bed. Scott Lucas will be picking things up, with a brand new Live blog and a brand new URL. Check back between 0530 and 0600 GMT.

Al Jazeera has this update:

Senior Libyan rebel figure Mahmoud Jibril said early Monday there are still pockets of resistance in Tripoli from forces loyal to strongman Muammer Gaddafi, after rebels surged into the capital.

"I warn you, there are still pockets of resistance in and around Tripoli," Jibril said in a speech on the opposition television station al-Ahrar.

"You have to be aware that some pockets are coming from the east and you have to be cautious. The fight is not over yet. God willing, in a few hours our victory will be complete."

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Tunisia Feature: What is the Future for Women's Rights? (Ryan)

For 55 years, Tunisia celebrated Women's Day every August 13, representing the push for gender equality that has been one of the hallmarks of the North African nation's post-colonial era. 

Women were active players in the uprising that ended the rule of Zine Abidine Ben Ali, and many hope that event will translate into a more visible role in the country’s soon-to-be democratic political life.

Yet some are worried that the rights women have enjoyed for the past five decades might soon be swept away by the tide of social conservatism that has emerged in the wake of the uprising.

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The Latest from Iran (21 August): Punishing the US Hikers

Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal (see 0650 and 0910 GMT)1910 GMT: Energy Watch. Minister of Energy Majid Namjoo is not a happy man: he says the Government owes $8 billion to banks and companies, and the power producers' union fears bankruptcy. Namjoo says he asked the Supreme Leader for help, but experts do not expect any government payments to the banking system and power plants in the near future.

1525 GMT: Justice Watch. A couple more snippets from the press conference of Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi (see 1400 GMT)....

Doulatabadi said the file of 15 "spies" for Israel would go to court within 10 days. Even more interesting, however, was his claim that four members of the "deviant current" --- often used as a label for the advisors around President Ahmadinejad --- would be tried soon.

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