Oil Prices rising in the Middle East

Oil prices have risen in the past week because oil producers are worried that Israel's attacks on Hamas will disrupt and prevent further oil production. Earlier last year, OPEC announced that it intended to reduce oil production by at least 10 million barrels a day in order to keep the price of oil from dropping. Now, due to recent fears of the oil producers they have risen the price of oil along with the production costs. The average price for a barrel in America has risen $1.22. Prices are slightly rising in the US. In October, the US demand for oil dropped by 833,000 barrels a day.

And Israel Presses On

During the tenth day if Israel's war agaisnt Hamas, they Israelis push further into the Gaza Strip. The tenth day of fighting had more civilian bloodshed with twelve children apart of the massacre. This raises the total to 550 killed overall. Other Civilians in the Gaza strip who were not killed are straining to get supplies of water, food, and fuel. Niether side seems to be giving in. When will all the fighting end?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/world/middleeast/06mideast.html?_r=1&ref=world

Deprogramming Jihadists

This is an article by the New York times that i found very interesting. In Saudi Arabian Prison's there is class that tries to correct the "theological misunderstandings," of young Jihadist. Even thought King Abul-Aziz united Saudi Arabia with a Jihad, the Saudi Government is using programs like these to give men who are convicted of being Jihadist stability in there life, Such as; "a car, a job, and possibly a wife." This is an attempt by the Saudi Government to show that they are fighting against terroism in there own way. It seems to be a step in the right direction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/magazine/09jihadis-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=middleeast

Finally Justice! Or What looks like it.

The Justice Department as released five indictments accusing five Blackwater gaurds to have killed 17 Iraqi Civilians, and injured several more. Also, a week earlier, another Blackwater gaurd by the name of Jeremy P. Ridgeway pleaded guilty to two counts of mansluaghter. Experts say that Ridgeway will testify against the other five Blackwater gaurds. This case may finally clear up what contracters oversea's can and cannot do. This is sure to be a case that has alot of gray areas that will be decided.

Green Zone Attacked in Bagdhad

The Green Zone which houses foriegn embasssies and government offices. A rocket attack killed two UN contractors in the blast. The contractors worked for a catering service that worked for UN representatives in Bagdhad.

Ali Hassan al-Majid receives his second death sentence

Also known as Chemical Ali, Majid newly recieved his second death sentence. Majid was Saddam Hussein's defence secretary and also his cousin. He was sentenced to be hanged for genocide and the killing of over 100,000 people durring the 1988 Anfal campaign against Iraq's Kurds. Witnesses in the trial reported that they would kill people and families by throwing them out of helcopters. The judged sentenced him to be hanged for murder and crimes against humanity. He got his name Chemical Ali because he ordered poisonous gas attacks on innocent people. He was due to be hung June 2007, but because of legal battles he remains live in american custody.

OPEC decides to not make another cut

Last month, the members of OPEC decided to cut oil production by 1.5 million barrels a day in hopes to decrease the supply to increase the price. The demand is no longer there for oil because of the struggling economy around the world. Venezuela is the one country that continues to push for another oil production reduction. The other countries have decided to not make another cut, they are relying on their last cut to take effect. This does not mean that there wont be another cut in the future, but it dampens the rumor that another cut will be made this weekend.