| H1 Guardian Editorial He knew he was right Like a wave that crashes to the shore with a resounding shock, then withdraws in a slow, attenuated murmur, Tony Blair arrived in a roar of surf 10 years ago and is departing in a drawn-out dimming of command. Financial Times Editorial Blair: mixed legacy soiled by Iraq Tony Blair has unquestionably been the most remarkable politician of his generation, in the UK and across Europe. His hat-trick of election victories is historic DT Leader Great showman, average statesman Independent Leading article: Lofty ambition, harsh reality and a catastrophic mistake The Times Leader Man and Time Blair, Blairism and the Blair decade Tony Blair: success or failure? Our two columnists go head to head on the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of the Blair years David Aaronovitch v Matthew Parris The Economist Tony Blair The great performer leaves the stage New York Times Editorial Mr. Bush Alone President Bush has yet to acknowledge the reality in Iraq that Congressional Republicans and even administration officials like Defense Secretary Robert Gates now seem to tacitly accept. By Fuad Siniora The July war proved that militarism and revenge are not the answer to instability; compromise and diplomacy are. WP Brown May Loosen U.K. Ties to Bush As Blair Sets Departure, Finance Chief Is in Line Ha’aretz – U.S. official: Peace effort aimed at lessening Arab, EU pressure Deputy National Security Advisor to Jewish Republicans: Talks often just 'process for the sake of process Yedioth Ahronoth 'Syria real Mideast problem'
US Secretary of State Rice says Syria continues to be 'major funder of terrorism,' and that it represents obstacle to peace and democracy in region. Damascus' attitude suggests it's not ready to try and pursue peace, she states Forward Top Bush Adviser Says Rice’s Push For Mideast Peace Is ‘Just Process’ As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presses Israelis and Palestinians to meet a new set of policy benchmarks, the White House is reassuring Jewish groups and conservatives that the president has no plans to pressure Jerusalem. Daily Star Editorial American policy in the Middle East and the low art of duplicity RFE/RL Iraq: Al-Sadr Prepares For The Post-Coalition Era Washington Times Interim report on the surge By Michael O'Hanlon The picture in Iraq has some signs of hope, but continues to present more grounds for worry than for confidence. Whatever happened to old fashioned diplomacy? Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment looks at the future of Iranian-American relations, Iran's vulnerabilities, and whether we might one day see liberals ruling in Tehran. Martin Kramer The Fragile Crescent Christian Science Monitor Opinion: Bush needs a yardstick for failure in Iraq FT Bush concedes over Iraq benchmarks President George W. Bush agreed to negotiate war-funding legislation that would set targets for progress in Iraq, amid mounting pressure from Democrats and Republicans over the war Syria points to US policy failures Syrian president insisted attempts to isolate his country had backfired on Washington as he appeared to draw satisfaction from the failures of US Middle East policy WP How the CIA Failed America By Richard N. Perle, Sloppy analysis and imprecision with evidence created a credibility gap that continues to damage our foreign policy. Editorial Wrong Move in Iran Arresting an Iranian American scholar is no way to win the world's respect. National Journal – Administration Withheld E-Mails About Rove Murray Waas FT Nazarbayev calls for oil pipe boost The Kazakh president called for the expansion of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s link to the Russian Black Sea, raising hopes over oil production growth. EDM EDM CASPIAN GAS PLENTIFUL NOW FOR NABUCCO PIPELINE PROJECT
- NO COMMITMENT TO NABUCCO MEANS PREFERENCE FOR GAZPROM
Eurasianet Armenia and Russia Agree: Foreign Policy Change Unlikely After Elections
BY HAROUTIUN KHACHATRIAN
Changes may come after Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary vote, but don’t look for them in the country’s close bilateral ties with Russia, a group of Armenian and Russian experts concluded at a May 10 government-sponsored conference in Yerevan. The Caspian Basin Odyssey: Change Begins at the Border (Part 1) BY JOSHUA KUCERA (PART 1) ASIA And Now to Trilateralism By: Brad Glosserman and Bonnie Glaser | The Japan Times
How good are China-Japan relations today? So good that the museum in Nanjing, China, to commemorate the 1937 massacre by Japanese Imperial Army soldiers is closed for renovation. That's remarkable since this is the 70th anniversary of the massacre and criticism of historical revisionism of Japan has been a staple of Chinese diplomacy for the past few years. The Unreported Chaos in the Palestinian Territories By: Frida Ghitis | World Politics Watch
When leaders of the two main rival factions in Palestinian politics signed a unity deal under Saudi auspices in February, the internal violence that had gripped the Palestinian Territories was supposed to come to an end. Instead, what came to an end was international news coverage of a crisis that has turned Palestinian society -- particularly in the Gaza Strip -- into a Hobbesian picture of lawlessness and despair. CFR Assessing the Surge in Iraq [Rush Transcript; Federal News Service] Iraq's cloudy horizon | Paul Rogers America's choice: imperial vs constitutional rule | Bob Burnett | H2 The Economist Turkey's future A generals' election The Turkish political crisis, continued Instability has damaged Turkey's international standingBy Joseph S. Nye NYT Turkish Parliament Approves Direct National Vote for President FT Secular groups suffer setback in Turkey Turkish government wins constitutional fight Turkey’s Islamist-rooted government scored a decisive victory over its secular opponents after it secured parliamentary backing for contentious constitutional changes WORLD NEWS: ECB 'considers impact of reunified Cyprus' Turkey’s war of nerves by F. STEPHEN LARRABEE* Intra-Kurdish Disputes in Northern Iraq
Global Terrorism Analysis By Michael Gunter Holbrooke: Iraq Civil War Is Raging Out of Control US will respect Turkey's democratic choice: Rice Third Annual Sakip Sabanci Lecture
Turkey and America: Indispensable Allies at a Crossroads by Richard C. Holbrooke Introductory Remarks: Strobe Talbott UPI Analysis: Turkey's Plan B By Claude Salhani MEMRI May 11 SD# 1581 - Cartoons in the Arab Press: Siding With the AKP Against the Secular Camp in Turkey Der Spiegel Parliament Votes to Let the People Decide BBC Turkish MPs back reform package Turkish MPs back the election of the president by popular vote amid political tensions over Islamic influence. Tough test for democracy Q&A: Turkey's political crisis Turkey crisis: Readers' views Sarkozy mars Turkish EU aim (Andrew Borowiec) IHT Sarkozy's proposal for Mediterranean bloc makes waves Initial reactions have ranged from enthusiasm in Spain to cautious approval in Israel to outrage in Turkey, which sees the proposal as a ploy to keep it out of the European Union. Turkey moves toward popular vote Turkish parliament backs election reform Google News Kurdish Kurdish Media Intra-Kurdish Disputes in Northern Iraq
Global Terrorism Analysis By Michael Gunter BBC Iraqi Kurds Split Between Iran and US Birand DTP ile yeni bir sayfa açılıyor … Holbrooke: Kerkük referendumu ertelenmeli Yeni parlamentoya 30 bağımsız Kürt milletvekili girer Iraqi Kurdistan send 1000 Kurdish troops to Iran border Elçi de DTP'den mi? Iraq's Kurdish Problem Greg C. Reeson DTP'ye karşı tüm partiler tek vücut
Bağımsız milletvekili adaylarının birleşik oy pusulasında yer almasını sağlayan Anayasa değişikliği, DTP'nin seçime bağımsız adaylarla katılacağını açıklamasından bir gün sonra TBMM'de ittifakla kabul edildi Başbuğ: Operasyonlar sürecek Başbuğ: PKK bile itiraf etti 94-98’deki gibiyiz Kurdish parties plan to enter Parliament and stay there Iraqi Kurds fear bombs could shatter peaceful region İlnur Çevik Explosion in Erbil is the wake up call Namık Durukan beraat etti Avrupa Konseyi'nden PKK'lı eylemcilere çağrı Yavuz Selim DEMİRAĞ
Türkmenler birleşti liderini belirledi... Turkey Passes Amendment Seen As Curbing Kurdish Votes Al Awsat Iraq and Turkey: Rituals of Signs and Transformations : Mshari Al-Zaydi Laiklik liberalizmden bağımsız değil Türkİ el Hamİd Emin Çölaşan DTP geliyor (mu)! KÜRDİSTANLI MEKTUBU!..... IRAQ: KURDISH ARM OF AL-QAEDA CLAIM ERBIL BLAST Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Interview: Top Sarkozy aide promises rocky road for Turkey Referans Almanya dönem başkanlığı Türkiye için hayal kırıklığı olmaya aday Democratic secularism is a Copenhagen Criterion for Turkey Where is Turkey headed? (5)by JOOST LAGENDIJK* Seyfettin Gürsel Sarkozy’nin boyundan büyük işleri Zeynel Lüle AB'de laikliğin önemi Etyen Mahçupyan Why can’t Turkey be considered European? ’Sarko Türkiye’yi engelleyecek’ Ermenistan'da sancılı bir seçim daha Gündüz silah talimi, gece votka âlemi! Korgenerale hapis cezası Geleceğin Genelkurmay başkanı adayları arasında gösterilen Korgeneral Erdağı, ihalelerde görevini kötüye kullanmaktan hapis cezasına çarptırıldı Erhan Tuncel'den müdüre kadın servisi Fitch görünümü düşürdü piyasalar çabuk toparlandı Metin MÜNİR Yabancıları 'girelim'den 'duralım'a ne getirebilir? ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM
Yabancı güveniyor, yerli vesvese mi yapıyor?
Deniz Gökçe Bütçe bozuluyor! Güven Sak Ve bu arada dünyada yarış hızla devam etmektedir Prof. Dr. AYDIN AYAYDIN
Ekonomi seçim malzemesi olmaktan çıktı Güngör URAS Uluslararası Sakıp Sabancı Yarışması Eser Karakaş Org. Memduh Tağmaç’tan günümüze ekonomi 15 gün önce 15 gün sonra 26 NİSAN 2007 - Gül aday FİTCH: Türkiye'nin riski azaldı 10 MAYIS 2007 - 15 gün sonra
FİTCH: Siyasi risk var DİKKAT! Akıntıya karşı yüzmek! Uğur Civelek Ercan Kumcu Ticaret haddi lehimize dönüyor Salih Neftçi Rating kurumları ve seçim riski... Fitch görünümü durağana düşürdü Hurşit GÜNEŞ Dikkat tüketim görülür biçimde düşüyor TÜSİAD: 5 yıldır uygulanan ekonomik program sürmeli Kazakhs agree with russia to by-pass BTC oil pipeline
U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton complained that the Turks never called her for support regarding
| H3 376 oyla Sezer’de Türkiye’nin parlamenter rejiminde köklü değişikliklere yol açacak Anayasa değişikliği kabul edildi. Sezer yasayı iade edebilir. Erdoğan ise bu olasılık için "Her şeyi hesapladık" dedi Anayasa paketi Köşk'te Rice "AKP Türkiye'yi Avrupa'ya götürdü" Radikal Kim bu Memduh abi? Tuncel, 2005'ten beri dinleniyordu. Dava dosyasına 5 bini aşkın ses kaydından yalnız 46'sı girdi. Tuncel'in 'Memduh' kod adlı polisle cinayetten iki saat sonra yaptığı üç görüşme de dosyada yok Ertuğrul Özkök Dolmabahçe protokolü var mıydı Ruşen Çakır Dini cemaatler ve seçimler Cengiz Çandar Anayasa değişiklikleri uygulanabilecek mi? Rice'dan AK Parti'ye övgü Interview: Top Sarkozy aide promises rocky road for Turkey Alain Lamassoure:''Sarkozy müzakereleri durduracak'' (orjinal metin) Holbrooke Vazgeçilemez İttifak Ali H Aslan Sorry Holbrooke: Türkiye İran'la işbirliği yapmamalı Türkiye hukukun üstünlüğünü göstermeli Ahmet Hakan Taş düşebilir, ayı çıkabilir 'Erdoğan artık süpermen değil'
Murat Yetkin Birleşen partileri liste krizi gerdi Hasan CEMAL Demokrat Parti... Şamil Tayyar İttifak yapılacaaak yapp Birand DTP ile yeni bir sayfa açılıyor … Korkut Özal Yeni parlamentoya 30 bağımsız Kürt milletvekili girer Partilerin seçim stratejileri nasıl olur?
Hasan Celal Güzel Petrol Ofisi, Maliye ile anlaştı... Bilal Çetin Mumcu’dan Mesut Yılmaz’a veto... Kabine’de mason cumhurbaşkanı kavgası Wolfowitz’in yerine Derviş ’Sarko Türkiye’yi engelleyecek’ Referans Almanya dönem başkanlığı Türkiye için hayal kırıklığı olmaya aday CHP'nin efsanesi! İsmet Berkan Taha AKYOL Sol birleşiyor! MAHMUT ÖVÜR
Favori partilerin artı ve eksileri Ertuğ Yaşar AKP’yi iktidar yapmayacaklar Yanılt(ıl)an dış dünya M.Ali Kışlalı Başkanlık sistemi demokrasiye zarar
ŞENER AKTÜRK Dünyadaki tüm demokrasiler arasında başkanlık sistemine sahip olduğu halde demokratik rejimi uzunca bir süre koruyabilmiş tek ülke ABD'dir Berat Özipek ‘27 Nisan Süreci’ni nasıl okumalı? MUSTAFA AKYOL AK Parti, ünlü isimlerle vitrini zenginleştirecek Siyasette yeni sürpriz... Baykal-Bayar teması... Alevilerle dirsek teması AKP, Aleviler’in desteğini almak için İstanbul’da özel aday arıyor. Parti yönetimi, alevi kesimin önde gelen bazı isimleri ile temasa geçti ERDAL ŞAFAK Yeni hamleler Org. Büyükanıt, 31 Mayıs'ta sempozyumun açılış konuşmasını yapacak Taha Kıvanç Süreç bu, birleştirir de, uçurur da… Fehmi Koru Anketler ne ölçüyor? ALİ BAYRAMOĞLU AK Parti tek başına iktidar olabilir mi? İBRAHİM KARAGÜL
Türk şahinler-neocon ittifakı mı? MEHMET OCAKTAN Hayali seçim hesapları… NAZLI ILICAKMillete tepeden bakanlar Mustafa Ünal Mühendislik hesapları Hüseyin Gülerce En önemli gün: 4 Haziran Mümtazer Türköne Sandığın köşeleri [CHP, 'müdahaleyi' nasıl kışkırttı? - II] Hizipçilik demokrasiyi tehdit ediyor HALUK ÖZDALGA [Yorum - M. Naci Bostancı] Politik kabilelerin gücü [1] [Dr. Murat Yılmaz] DYP-Anavatan: Tavan anlaştı, taban sancılı! (I) Bülent Korucu AK Parti, Meclis'e kimleri taşıyacak? Tamer Korkmaz Kasabanın Sırrı Köşk olmadı ama...
İlk sırada AKP var CHP'den sağ sürpriz Anayasa paketi Köşk'te
Cumhurbaşkanının halk oyuyla seçilmesini düzenleyen Anayasa değişiklik paketi 376 oyla kabul edildi. İkinci sandığın 22 Temmuz'a yetişmesi Sezer'e bağlı Anayasa değişiklik paketinde neler var? Çankaya devrimi Yusuf KANLI The mistake of AKP MHP’s strategy for election targets AK Party Bilal Çetin Sağ, Yılmaz'a 'hayır' dedi Güneri CIVAOĞLU Göz-kulak ol hükümeti YAVUZ DONAT Perdenin arkası Şakir Süter Anketlere dikkat! DSP'de CHP ittifakına karşı direnç kırıldı İç dinamik devrede Haluk Şahin Türkiye'nin önündeki büyük siyasal soru (fırsat?) şu: Bu hafta sonu da İzmir'de meydanlarda birikecek olan kitlesel irade Türkiye'nin çok ihtiyaç duyduğu büyük demokratik reformun füze yakıtı haline getirilebilir mi? Buhranın kökü Murat Belge Gülay Göktürk Darbeler ve özel hayatlar Çiller'den kurmaylarına: 28 Şubatçılar DYP'yi işgal ediyor Oktay Ekşi Siyasi ahlak nerede? Tufan Türenç Ecevit komadan 2 gün önce Karayalçın’a ne dedi? Onur Kumbaracıbaşı Birleşme nedir? Mehmet Tezkan DSP’nin kasasında trilyonlar olmasa solda birlik çoktan sağlanmıştı.. Özdemir İnce Yeni mürteciler Mehmet Y Yılmaz Sezer’in en beğendiğim yönü Fikret BİLA Ecevit'le helalleşmiş gibi hissediyorum ERGUN BABAHAN İsimler ve performans
MUHARREM SARIKAYA
Pepe: Önce yargı kamplarını yıksın Ali Bulaç Message to the outside world
Muhtıra en çok hangi partiyi vurdu? ’İrtica yok’ deyip cesaretlendirdiler Mehmet Metiner Anayasa Mahkemesi'nin kararı... Derya SAZAK DSP'nin duruşu Are Turkish political parties businesses? |
H4 New York Times Editorial Mr. Bush Alone President Bush has yet to acknowledge the reality in Iraq that Congressional Republicans and even administration officials like Defense Secretary Robert Gates now seem to tacitly accept. By Fuad Siniora The July war proved that militarism and revenge are not the answer to instability; compromise and diplomacy are. DAVID BROOKS The Human Community Tony Blair’s decision to support the invasion of Iraq grew out of the essence of who he is. President Open to Benchmarks in Iraq Measure The president also threatened to veto the House plan, approved on a 221 to 205 vote, which only pays for the next two months of the Iraq war’s costs. Blair Ends a Decade of Stewardship U.N. Security Council to Review Draft on Kosovo Independence Turkish Parliament Approves Direct National Vote for President The Sarkozy of the Future Jousts With the Chirac of the Past Israel’s Foreign Minister Meets Egypt’s Chief; More Talks Set Israel’s Bombing of Civilians Extended War, Olmert Told Panel Afghans Say Civilian Toll in Strikes Is Much Higher Than Reported Bush Expected to Renew Term of Chairman of Joint Chiefs A Tough Fight Still Looms, Cheney Warns G.I.’s in Iraq Pakistan Builds Fence Along Part of Border Qaeda Presence in Pakistan Worries Britain Bush in Accord With Democrats on Trade Deals The Bush administration reached agreement with Democrats to attach environmental and worker protections in several pending trade accords. | H5 Washington Post House Approves Revised War Bill Two-Part Funding Faces Veto Threat - The House last night pushed through its second plan to fund the Iraq war and reshape war policy, approving legislation that would provide partial funding for the conflict but hold back most of the money until President Bush reports on the war's progress in July. Brown May Loosen U.K. Ties to Bush As Blair Sets Departure, Finance Chief Is in Line Iraqi Lawmakers Back Bill on U.S. Withdrawal How the CIA Failed America By Richard N. Perle, Sloppy analysis and imprecision with evidence created a credibility gap that continues to damage our foreign policy. Editorial Wrong Move in Iran Arresting an Iranian American scholar is no way to win the world's respect. Cheney Rejects Tenet's Account of Run-Up to War Gen. Petraeus Warns Against Using Torture A Legacy Overshadowed By E. J. Dionne Jr., Page A19 We may be done with Tony Blair, but his influence will long outlive his tenure, and the war he embraced. Haditha Deaths Raised No Red Flags General Echoes Earlier Testimony After 10 Years, Blair Bowing Out In Emotional Talk, Premier Cites Gains, Defends Role in War Giuliani's Abortion 'Gaffe' By Charles Krauthammer, Abortion is already so contaminated with legalisms, why not turn the issue into one of simple democracy? The American Way on Immigration -- Or Germany's? Sailing Isn't So Smooth For France's Sarkozy Incoming president tells countrymen to work harder, then promptly takes family for Mediterranean cruise on billionaire buddy's 200-foot yacht. | H6 Guardian Bush warned of Iraq fatigue September make or break date, White House told, as president pleads for more time for surge plan to work. Famed as a favourite attack dog in the imperial kennel Tariq Ali: Blair's first loyalty was to the White House. The result has been a legacy of hatred that ultimately ended his premiership. This perfect storm will finally destroy the neocon project
Geoffrey Wheatcroft: Americans are sick of the unrepentant arrogance of this elite. But the realisation has come at a very heavy cost. Editorial He knew he was right
Like a wave that crashes to the shore with a resounding shock, then withdraws in a slow, attenuated murmur, Tony Blair arrived in a roar of surf 10 years ago and is departing in a drawn-out dimming of command. Was it good enough? Polly Toynbee: Britain has seen some remarkable social changes during the Blair era, but the question remains as to whether this progress was sufficient Tomorrow never comes William Hague: Tony Blair has been a truly formidable campaigner, but fine speeches, bold targets and even billions of pounds do not, on their own, produce results A fond farewell Martin Kettle Blair-haters won't like it, but the fact he is leaving on an up shows how great an achievement his decade in power has been. Goodbye, Baghdad Riverbend: We've decided to leave our home. The only other option is extending the nightmare of life in Iraq. Israelis to build on 1967 land
Jerusalem wants three new settlements on occupied land, in contravention of international law. China defends Darfur stance against Olympic warning
China defends support for Sudan amid threats of backlash unless it does more to stop Darfur slaughter. He will always be defined by the war he started, not the conflict he ended
David Marquand: Despite his achievements, Blair lost both middle England and the radical intelligentsia. Brown will struggle to win them back Labour's Love Lost By: Steve Clemons | The Guardian
Americans used to love Tony Blair. But thanks to his close association with George Bush and an ineptly conducted war, they don't any more. I don't regret allowing Serbia to join us Response: Ordinary citizens would suffer if their nation was barred from the Council of Europe, says Terry Davis. New Atheism encourages what it disavows Madeleine Bunting: Yelling insults won't reduce the appeal of extremist religious belief. We need to be more shrewd about this peculiarly modern phenomenon. Pakistan's odd couple eye up a deal Simon Tisdall Speculation is growing that Pervez Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto are planning a power-sharing agreement, but the general may yet go it alone Transparency's silver lining Joseph Stiglitz The World Bank must change its appointment strategy and encourage a culture of openness if it is to limit recent damage. Gagging order as two are jailed for leaking Blair-Bush memo |
H7 Washington Times Interim report on the surge By Michael O'Hanlon The picture in Iraq has some signs of hope, but continues to present more grounds for worry than for confidence. Walker's World: Iran’s hostage mistake Martin Kramer The Fragile Crescent New Republic After Iraq: The future of the United States in the Middle East
by Martin Kramer The Economist Muslims and the veil The meaning of freedom In every corner of the Muslim world, female attire is stirring strong emotions When Mr. Brown Goes to Washington By: Andrew Stephens | New Statesman
The success or failure of Gordon Brown's prime ministership will lie across the Atlantic. So how will America react to him? Al Awsat Q & A with The New York Times's Thomas Friedman The unnecessary conflict in the south Atlantic in 1982 between Britain and Argentina helped sow the seeds of more momentous and destructive wars, says Fred Halliday. AEI Global Investment in Iran: Interactive Weekly Standard Spiritualpolitique
Religion matters more than ever in global affairs. But don't count on the experts--or the State Department--to know that. by John J. DiIulio Jr. No Better Friend? Our allies in Iraq will pay a heavy price if we leave. And so will we.
by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross Know Thy Enemies Who are we fighting, and who is supporting them?
by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross
& Kyle Dabruzzi Al Awsat Preparing for War and Heading Towards an Economic Crisis : Amir Taheri Is the Iranian regime cracking up?
Foreign Policy | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Arab League envoys to bring peace plan (Joshua Mitnick) State’s Burns Warns Iran Faces Additional U.N. Sanctions CFR Interview with Bashar al-Assad A 'Plan B' With Teeth for Darfur By: John Prendergrast | The Boston Globe
If there is a Guinness Book of World Records entry for most threats issued with no follow-up, the international response to Darfur is likely setting a new standard. The United States is the only government to call the atrocities in Darfur genocide and is uniquely positioned to lead an effective response. Yet the Bush administration's empty threats over the past three years have emboldened Khartoum to escalate its destruction and obstruction in Darfur. The New Scramble for Africa By: Camilla Cavendish | The Times of London
Oil doesn’t just power our lives. It also fuels violence. The new scramble for Africa – about 120 years after the first one – is inflaming conflicts that could dog the rest of this century. This remake of history could have some even nastier endings than the Victorian version. BBC Syrian reformer 'jailed 12 years' A Syrian court reportedly jails leading dissident Kamal Labwani for 12 years, for meeting US officials. Syria jails activist for D.C. meetings MEMRI May 11 IA# 351 - Darfur in the Arab Press US may be keeping tactical nukes at airbase to attack Iran - The Times of Central Asia Asia Times Leave, or we will behead you Dora was a prosperous, middle-class neighborhood of Baghdad near the Tigris, with a large Christian population. Now it's a favorite stomping ground of al-Qaeda in Iraq, and a vortex of ethnic and confessional cleansing. The few remaining Christians have a simple choice: either convert to Islam or pay a US$1,600 fee. Even then, the chances of being killed are high. - Pepe Escobar Iraq's own Pentagon (news)papers
A US government report details the elaborate public relations effort that was to accompany the invasion of Iraq. Much of the project now seems hopelessly naive: "Having professional US-trained Iraqi media teams immediately in place to portray a new Iraq (by Iraqis for Iraqis) with hopes for a prosperous, democratic future will have a profound psychological and political impact on the Iraqi people." - Jim Lobe Opium clouds before an Afghan storm Both NATO and the Taliban have promised the world major military offensives, but as yet the battlefield in southern Afghanistan remains a twilight zone of cloak-and-dagger assassinations and limited clashes. Politicians in Kabul have raised the stakes by calling once again for dialogue with the Taliban. But NATO is braced for a fight against a rag-tag insurgency that is fast morphing, with much help from the poppy fields, into a 21st-century guerrilla movement. - Philip Smucker | H9 Ha’aretz – U.S. official: Peace effort aimed at lessening Arab, EU pressure Deputy National Security Advisor to Jewish Republicans: Talks often just 'process for the sake of process Benn Rosner Olmert's not a partner Avineri Still clueless in Baghdad PM to war probe: IDF let itself down in Second Lebanon War Schiff The wheels did not turn Israel's failure to find an operational solution to Katyusha rockets and Qassams could lead the country into a large-scale military confrontation with the Palestinians. Editorial: Israel must make life under occupation bearable PM to challenge some Winograd report findings Schiff The Testimony / In the shadow of the army Amara: Israel's Arabs want to be real partners with Jews The Blair era / He also didn't know when to quit Yedioth Ahronoth 'Syria real Mideast problem'
US Secretary of State Rice says Syria continues to be 'major funder of terrorism,' and that it represents obstacle to peace and democracy in region. Damascus' attitude suggests it's not ready to try and pursue peace, she states The Islamic golden triangle/ Bechor The Winograd reality show Jerusalem Post Report: Livni met secretly with IDF intel. head during war Analysis: Don't blame us, blame the system By ANSHEL PFEFFER
The top three testimonies before the Winograd Committee were, for their rivals, disappointingly mild. Assad: Israel not ready for just peace The Winograd Commission’s Sins of Omission Yossi Alpher Daily Alert.org - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel – Benchmarks for a Bloodbath By: Evelyn Gordon | The Jerusalem Post
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is not purposely trying to destroy all of Israel's hard-won security gains of the last five years. But if she were, she could hardly have improved on her new benchmark proposal. From Commentary, is Israel the problem? With the Middle East in crisis from end to end, analysts focus on one rather peripheral dispute. Middle East experts to rate the chances of the politicians gunning for Olmert’s job. The Unreported Chaos in the Palestinian Territories By: Frida Ghitis | World Politics Watch
When leaders of the two main rival factions in Palestinian politics signed a unity deal under Saudi auspices in February, the internal violence that had gripped the Palestinian Territories was supposed to come to an end. Instead, what came to an end was international news coverage of a crisis that has turned Palestinian society -- particularly in the Gaza Strip -- into a Hobbesian picture of lawlessness and despair. Israel May Join OECD Next Week "Obnoxious" Govt Policy Won't Force Dismissal of AIPAC Case NOAH POLLAK: Who cares what the U.N. does in southern Lebanon? “UNIFIL Unfulfilled” |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Opinion: Bush needs a yardstick for failure in Iraq Blair's decade of peace, war British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who says he will step down June 27, leaves a mixed legacy, from Northern Ireland to Iraq Serbia's new human-rights role questioned Serbia takes the lead of a European rights council Friday, even as ultranationalism deepens. A rare trip through Hizbullah's secret tunnel network Monitor reporter Nicholas Blanford provides an exclusive view inside one of the militant Shiite group's wartime hideouts. Afghan lawmakers urge ceasefire, negotiations with Taliban militants The motion came hours before a US strike that local officials say killed at least 21 civilians. Al Qaeda tactics expand in Gaza The emergence of several new Islamist groups has Palestinians wondering whether local militants are aligning themselves with Al Qaeda's ideologies. Senate nears deal on immigration overhaul Majority leader Harry Reid has set a deadline for next week to come to an agreement. ASIA And Now to Trilateralism By: Brad Glosserman and Bonnie Glaser | The Japan Times
How good are China-Japan relations today? So good that the museum in Nanjing, China, to commemorate the 1937 massacre by Japanese Imperial Army soldiers is closed for renovation. That's remarkable since this is the 70th anniversary of the massacre and criticism of historical revisionism of Japan has been a staple of Chinese diplomacy for the past few years. The Politics of Identity: History, Nationalism and the Prospect for Peace in Post-Cold War East Asia
SSI A 61-page monograph exploring how the US might respond to the emerging new nationalism in East Asia to promote stability and peace in the region From the Shanghai Communique to "Responsible Stakeholder"
Peterson Institute A speech stressing areas in which China and the US share common interests China Energy; A Guide for the Perplexed Peterson Institute
A 49-page US paper examining China's immediate and future energy challenges and the implications for the international community and climate change The Economist Free-trade agreements The Japan syndrome Asian Development Bank What are we for? India's 'Madness' Worthy of Attention in Asia By: William Pesek | Bloomberg
A quiet revolution is unfolding in India and it could say much about the future of Asia's fast- growing economies. Hu Tells Bush U.S., China Must Prevent Trade Dispute Escalation By: Alen T. Cheng | Bloomberg News
The U.S. and China must talk to prevent trade disputes escalating, China's President Hu Jintao told George W. Bush in a phone call, the Foreign Ministry said. The Empire of Lies
Manhattan Institute
An essay pointing to the weaknesses behind China's booming economy North Korea's Military Threat: Pyongyang's Conventional Forces, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Ballistic Missiles
SSI A 190-page US monograph assessing the capabilities and intentions of North Korea's People's Army From Open Democracy, an end to exclusivity: A move towards greater public access to state information is another step to constitutional government in China | H11 IHT Blair names the day he'll step down: June 27 Euro becomes currency of choice for Latin American cocaine traffickers NATO-Russia talks fail to narrow gaps over missile defense and arms control Brothers charged with plotting terrorism trace roots to Macedonia EUROPE European press review U.N. Security Council Begins Debate on Kosovo Resolution The End of the Blair Era
Heritage.org, BBC The wrong Muslims?
Foreign Muslims who once fought in Bosnia face uncertain future
Washington Times Tony Blair's legacy A new French resistance (Walid Phares) The Economist Tony Blair The great performer leaves the stage How will history judge him? Nicolas Sarkozy's victory The Gaullist revolutionary The Balkans A new battle of Kosovo Turkey's future A generals' election Italy's government The enduring Mr Prodi Estonia and Russia A cyber-riot Charlemagne Nicolas Sarkozy's European plans Anthony Giddens: SARKOZY ONLY HAS HALF THE SOLUTION FOR FRANCE; FRENCH ELECTION COULD LEAD TO RESURGENCE OF EUROPE The great performer leaves the stage: A look at what Tony Blair did, and why he did it. Why do Brits dislike the departing prime minister? Geoffrey Wheatcroft investigates. Timothy Garton Ash on the lessons from Blair's three big mistakes. He made serious mistakes, and is one of the most controversial politicians of his generation, but also one of the most successful. His legacy to Great Britain will be immense. From Time, an interview with Gordon Brown. Gaullist revolutionary Nicolas Sarkozy: Does France know the full implications of what it has voted for? (and more on his European plans). Anthony Giddens on how Sarkozy only has half the solution for France, but the French election could lead to a resurgence of Europe. Martin Wolf on why Sarkozy's triumph portends strife in Europe. From Mother Jones, Putting Lipstick on a Dictator: Rogue states hire PR firms to change public perception and win audiences with American leaders. | H12 RFE/RL Ukraine: Agreement On Early Elections Remains Unclear Russia's Security Service Says Foiled Major Bomb Attack Iran/Afghanistan: Repatriations Spark Debate On Tehran's Aims Geopolitical Diary: Restructuring the Russian Military? Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: Putin's Jab at the West
Stratfor - FT Nazarbayev calls for oil pipe boost The Kazakh president called for the expansion of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s link to the Russian Black Sea, raising hopes over oil production growth. EDM CASPIAN GAS PLENTIFUL NOW FOR NABUCCO PIPELINE PROJECT
- NO COMMITMENT TO NABUCCO MEANS PREFERENCE FOR GAZPROM
- AUTHORITIES AND OPPOSITION FIGHT TO CONTROL LUCRATIVE POST IN KARACHAEVO-CHERKESSIA
- RAHMON PROMISES ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN TAJIKISTAN
Eurasianet Armenia and Russia Agree: Foreign Policy Change Unlikely After Elections BY HAROUTIUN KHACHATRIAN Changes may come after Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary vote, but don’t look for them in the country’s close bilateral ties with Russia, a group of Armenian and Russian experts concluded at a May 10 government-sponsored conference in Yerevan. The Caspian Basin Odyssey: Change Begins at the Border (Part 1)
BY JOSHUA KUCERA (PART 1) Georgia Voter Apathy Appears Widespread on Eve of Parliamentary Poll PINR "Yushchenko and Yanukovych Jostle for Power in Ukraine" Full text of report Google News Azerbaijan |
| H13 The TimesTony Blair: success or failure? Our two columnists go head to head on the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of the Blair years David Aaronovitch v Matthew Parris Leader Man and Time Blair, Blairism and the Blair decade French fries are back on the US menu The French people may just have chosen their most pro-American leader since Marquis de Lafayette Gerard Baker The shadows hanging over Kosovo The solution towards which the UN Security Council is edging is enormously risky Bronwen Maddox At No 10, history weighs heavy We are a less deferential nation, better dressed, more private, noisier, but not happier Ben Macintyre Wall Street Journal Boos for Al-Hurrah
Your tax dollars at work in the Mideast. Environmental 'Intelligence'?
We don't need to spy on global warming.
By PETER HOEKSTRA The Blair Record
He was right on terror. But he couldn't get the public to back him.
By MATTHEW D'ANCONA After the Bush Muddle What most Republicans want to do is reboot their party's politics.
By DANIEL HENNINGER Economy Is Clawing Back, but Not Much The worst has passed in the economic slowdown, economists said in the latest WSJ.com forecasting survey. But growth in 2007 is still on track to be the weakest since 2002. | H14 Financial Times Editorial Blair: mixed legacy soiled by Iraq Tony Blair has unquestionably been the most remarkable politician of his generation, in the UK and across Europe. His hat-trick of election victories is historic Bush concedes over Iraq benchmarks President George W. Bush agreed to negotiate war-funding legislation that would set targets for progress in Iraq, amid mounting pressure from Democrats and Republicans over the war Syria points to US policy failures Syrian president insisted attempts to isolate his country had backfired on Washington as he appeared to draw satisfaction from the failures of US Middle East policy FT Nazarbayev calls for oil pipe boost The Kazakh president called for the expansion of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s link to the Russian Black Sea, raising hopes over oil production growth. COMMENT: Prime minister Brown will not escape Blair's troubled world While Blair has never shirked from deploying hard alongside soft power, the chancellor is more missionary than warrior, writes Philip Stephens. COMMENT: From a Nice decade to 'not-so-bad' Blair’s role was to accept a set-up that in effect barred the prime minister from interfering in monetary decisions, writes Samuel Brittan. COMMENT: A legacy that is very mixed, even in America On Iraq the British prime minister had real influence at a crucial moment and he made the wrong decision, writes Ted Widmer. NATIONAL NEWS: Smooth-talking premier gave tongue-tied president an easy ride ANALYSIS: Led astray One fateful mistake may have undone a decade of the prime minister’s principled humanitarian intervention and energetic European diplomacy. Foreign policy seldom wins elections, but it can certainly lose them. It can also ruin the reputation of an otherwise COMMENT: Awkward questions on behalf of our children The costs of preventing climate change start now, while many of the benefits come in 100 years or more, writes Paul Klemperer. ANALYSIS: Yukos finally expires, victim of its battle with the Kremlin Interview transcript: Abbas Araghchi LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: The 'Republican way of war' is expensive and nourished the roots of al-Qaeda and the Taliban NATIONAL NEWS: Dominant but damaged, Labour counts cost of decade in power | H15 Los Angeles Times Editorial Iran's 'soft hostage' mistake By holding three Iranian American dual nationals, President Ahmadinejad is playing into the hands of U.S. hard-liners. A rival of Iran's president is reelected mayor of the capital Wolfowitz faces a lonely legacy Analysis: World Bank president's reputation for remaining aloof has left him with few allies as he battles to keep his job Hamas hijacks Mickey Farfur, bearing a striking resemblance to the trademark Disney character, encourages children to 'liberate' Muslim countries. Iraq looms large in Blair's legacy By Timothy Garton Ash What are the lessons from the outgoing British prime minister's foreign policy? FT ANALYSIS: Misdirected? Germany's two-tier governance system comes under fire Rosneft seals takeover of Yukos Rosneft snapped up the last production unit belonging to Yukos for a steep discount in a bankruptcy auction, sealing the state-run oil major’s takeover of Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s empire, once Russia’s biggest Push to oust Gonzales loses momentum Wolfowitz wins time to fight ethics probe Oil prices push up US trade deficit The US trade deficit widened more than expected in March to $64bn, as higher oil prices helped push the value of imports to the second-highest level on record, |
| H16 American Politics BBC US House passes Iraq funding bill The House of Representatives passes a bill to fund the war in Iraq, but President Bush says he will veto it. Wielding the presidential veto Democrat hopefuls unite on Iraq September will supposedly be the moment for a real, make-or-break verdict on Bush's surge and the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Don't bet on it. Murray Waas Administration Withheld E-Mails About Rove Republicans Retreat From Their War History By: Steve Chapman | Reason
We all know that when it comes to war, Republicans are strong and resolute, while Democrats are weak and craven. We know because Republicans tell us so. From Newsweek, does Bush have the constitutional clout to ignore any congressional attempt to reign in his war powers? What the scholars say. The Economist Lexington The royalty trap Al Qaeda, Iran, North Korea -- and Global Warming By: Byron York | National Review
What a difference an election makes. Today the House of Representatives will debate whether global warming is so serious a threat to American national security that the director of National Intelligence, normally busy with issues like al Qaeda, Iranian nuclear research, and North Korean missiles, should be ordered to put aside other projects to create a special National Intelligence Estimate on climate change. Former Powell aide says Bush, Cheney guilty of 'high crimes' realclearpolitics – ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Reforming U.S. Immigration Policy Brookings Institution
A 15-page positioning paper setting out the key issues relating to US immigration reform The impertinent prince
Salon - By Sidney Blumenthal 2008 Presidential Brand Study
Source: Chernoff Newman/MarketSearch Presidential Brands 2008: The Democrats (PDF; 754 KB)
+ Presidential Brands 2008: The Republicans (PDF; 682 KB) | H17 Daily Telegraph Yesterday's man is still centre stage Blair understands the importance of building a strong alliance with Mr Sarkozy, even if it means that the main beneficiary of his efforts in Paris today will be Gordon Brown, and not himself, says Con Coughlin. Great showman, average statesman Tony Blair's exit was gracefully done, though the seven-week farewell tour that is to follow will surely test everyone's patience. Talking replaces guns in war with the Taliban After weeks of heavy fighting in north Helmand province of Afghanistan the guns are largely silent and the talking has begun. | H18 Independent The Legacy: Tony Blair, Prime Minister, 1997-2007 Tony Blair has apologised for his mistakes and admitted that his legacy in the eyes of many people will be dominated by Iraq when he stands down as Prime Minister on 27 June. Leading article: Lofty ambition, harsh reality and a catastrophic mistake Anthony Howard: Blair's place in history Paul Vallely: The Britain he leaves behind Deborah Orr: He failed to stand up for the people most in need Dominic Lawson: Tony Blair seems remarkably sane after ten years in power, despite the loss of public trust Steve Richards: Blair the politician Blair's departure: The view from Europe John Curtice: Blair won elections - but his success was inherited |
| H19Military Intelligence Terrorism From Government Executive, a look at how intelligence agencies must decode a human capital crisis; the Army is developing the most expensive and complex weapons system in its history, but it's based on some very questionable concepts; but before accepting dire assessments of Army readiness, it's worth asking: Ready for what? From Stars & Stripes, a series of articles on training the Afghan military. Nuclear Black Markets: Pakistan, AQ Khan and the Rise Of Proliferation Networks [Rush Transcript; Federal News Service]
Money Well Spent By: Raymond E. Johns | The Washington Times
Is America building the necessary air and space capabilities to defend our nation at home and abroad? This is the essential question with which I have to wrestle as the strategic planner for the United States Air Force. As we are situated today, I have to say that the answer is no. DoD Announces Release of Implementation Plan for Pandemic Influenza Source: U.S. Department of Defense Full document (PDF; 433 KB) New Light on Intelligence Budget Earmarks Arms Control and Nonproliferation Technologies Olson Picked to Lead U.S. Special Operations Command By Austin Bay How many ground troops does the United States need? Answering that question depends on your vision of the future . SURVEILLANCE: Face recognition next in terror fight... CLIFFORD D. MAY: Wall Street is a powerful weapon in the war on terror. “Lock and Load Your Portfolio” Analysis: Putting together the pieces of Germany's Stasi past | H20 Slate Literary Battle Fatigue By: Phillip Carter | Slate The Army can regulate soldiers' blogs and letters--but it shouldn't.
Defending "Extraordinary Renditions": A CIA veteran doesn't mince words. Bonnie Goldstein Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change IPCC
A 36-page summary for policymakers of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report Working Group III focuses on new literature on the scientific, technological, environmental, economic and social aspects of climate change mitigation Risks and Realities: The New Nuclear Energy Revival
Arms Control Association
A US article examining the revival of interest in nuclear energy | H21 Scientists Link Morality and Brain's Wiring Most of us feel an intuitive sense of right or wrong in the face of a moral challenge. A recent experiment suggests that our impulsive convictions come not from principles but from the brain trying to make its emotional judgment felt. • Forum: Is morality innate or learned? Mstislav Rostropovich Communism The ash heap of history? The Sheer Stupidity of Newspapers These Days From The Nation, a review of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins; God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens; Atheist Manifesto: The Case Against Christianity, Judaism, and Islam by Michel Onfray; and The Meaning of Life by Terry Eagleton The fight for understanding: Charles Taylor's theory of secular and cross-faith engagement is what our society needs in order to build respect and end violence. It is bracing to see a major Straussian in action. In a gruesome marriage of technology and medieval barbarity, an Internet video records the stoning death of a 17-year-old Kurdish girl. |
