Reports indicate that former president Jimmy Carter will meet with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Syria when he visits that country sometime this month. The Palestinian group Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the US government.

View Yalatiff's interesting photo albums of Gaza and Hamas-related photos at Picassaweb, including an album covering the recent breach of the Egypt-Gaza border wall.

Thomas C. Baird, a contributor at Jewcy, gives his view on why The Beijing Olympics are Like 1936 All Over Again.

He also answers the question about who those buff Chinese guys in blue and white running togs are who run interference for the torch as it wends its way across the globe. (Think Tibet and Tiannamen Square). He supplies a link to information on how to protest their presence on US soil.

Read the comments, as well, because one commenter disagrees with Mr. Baird's comparison, with links.

AP article on the cancellation of the closing torch ceremony in San Fran, here.