0614-2007f - FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW (FPR) - ‘Relevant news, views, comments and analyses from all around the world for informed debate’ Compiled by Şanlı Bahadır Koç U.S. / Britain / Turkey / Magazines / Think-tanks / Blogs / Misc /Books / Quickread / Numbers / Reports - FPR Table - Subscribe to FPR

H1 Asia-Pacific Roundtable: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Last Years of the Bush Administration and Global and Regional Security—As Delivered by Morton Abramowitz

Los Angeles Times Violence in Iraq rises despite troop buildup Attacks increase in areas that had been relatively peaceful before the U.S. 'surge,' the Pentagon reports. Report: Measuring Security and Stability in Iraq (pdf)

Guardian Faced with the tragedy of Iraq, the US must rethink its whole foreign policy Timothy Garton Ash: To arm Sunni gangs smacks of desperation. America seems not yet to have learned that it will never win by arms alone.

Not departing is such sweet sorrow Spencer Ackerman: The US's new plan for Iraq is to withdraw all but a 'post-occupation' troop force in 2009. But can you spot the oxymoron?

Leader Bitter fruits of boycott Gaza: Alvaro de Soto is not the first experienced diplomat to have entered the Middle East a moderate and to have left it two years later angry at the role of Israel and the US in subverting the search for peace.

Independent A world without oil Scientists challenge major review of global reserves and warn that supplies will start to run out in four years' time

IHT Patricia Cohen: Does capitalism lead to democracy, and how? By PATRICIA COHEN Developments around the world have been tearing sizable holes in what has been a remarkably powerful idea - that capitalism and democracy are two sides of the same coin.

Wall Street Journal The Case for Taxing Globalization's Winners

A new argument is emerging among the pro-globalization crowd: Tax the rich more heavily to avoid an economically crippling political backlash against trade prompted by workers who aren't big winners from globalization. Discuss

Christian Science Monitor

Cobban: Negotiate a US exit from Iraq

Financial Times Editorial Iraqi leaders must face responsibilities If clear proof were needed that nothing in US policy on Iraq is working, the attack in Samarra is it.

China under increased pressure over currency China came under increased pressure to revalue its currency as a bipartisan group of US senators introduced legislation designed to push the Bush administration towards a full-blown trade dispute with Beijing

COMMENT: What is at risk is not the climate but freedom Global warming hysteria is an example of truth versus propaganda, writes Vaclav Klaus.

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS: Why Gaza is fertile groundfor angry young men The Strip has been overwhelmed by a demographic boom, writes Gunnar Heinsohn, of the University of Bremen.

End of Mission Report: Alvaro de Soto, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority Envoy to the Quartet (PDF; 6 MB)

An obituary of hope Ian Black: Alvaro de Soto's report makes a depressing read, but should be scrutinised carefully by anyone involved in the Middle East peace process.

Washington Post No Drop in Iraq Violence Seen Since Troop Buildup

Hamas Bolsters Its Hold In Gaza Fatah Is Pressed To Abandon Posts

A Sectarian Spy Duel In Baghdad By David Ignatius Iraq's internal conflict is on the verge of claiming a new victim -- the country's fledging intelligence service. Pressure to abolish the spy agency is coming from pro-Iranian Shiite politicians who have created a rival organization

Standing Up to Killers Syria Must Answer for Its Murders in Lebanon By Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Enough is enough with the Syrian regime and its Lebanese puppets.

The Power China Is Building By Gary Schmitt

Ha’aretz – ANALYSIS: Hamas victory in Gaza presents new reality for Israel Sources: Hamas takeover forces Israel to reexamine ties with Gaza, including its provision of power and fuel.

Benn In the land of Alibi The government and the army are chattering endlessly about the chances of peace and the dangers of war with Syria, and then they explain that it's all hot air and accuse the media of exaggerations and irresponsible reports.

Etzioni The Syrian poison capsule Israel must make it clear that the Palestinian state that will be established in the wake of a peace arrangement will be demilitarized and that there will be a need for effective enforcement methods to keep it so.

Time Hamas Victory a Blow to US Policy

Europe's Christian Comeback By: Philip Jenkins | Foreign Policy
Alarmist pundits prophesize that a secular Europe risks being overcome by its fast-growing Muslim population. Yet for all we hear about Islam, Europe remains a stronger Christian fortress than people realize.

CRS "Iran: Ethnic and Religious Minorities," May 25, 2007.

Walker's World: Iran's oil weapon

Stephen Kinzer Needed: an Isfahan communique

EDM OFFER TO SHARE GABALA POLITICALLY ASTUTE, PRACTICALLY INADEQUATE

RFE/RL Azerbaijani Opposition Backs U.S.-Russian Use Of Radar

Eurasianet Armenia’s New Government Much Like the Old
BY MARIANNA GRIGORYAN
Armenia has a new government. Despite early hints from Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian that the cabinet’s composition would diversify, the makeup looks set to reinforce the ruling Republican Party of Armenia’s political weight.

CRS "Russian Oil and Gas Challenges," updated May 16, 2007.

ISA Russia reveals weakness over radar offer

Sufism in Central Asia: A Force for Moderation or a Cause of Politicization? Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Full Paper (PDF; 294 KB)

Analyst: In case of military operation against Iran, Baku will be struck first

FT Moscow abuzz with Putin term talk Will Vladimir Putin seek a third term as Russian president? Moscow’s political world is abuzz with speculation that he might – but not immediately

Brookings A Long, Hot Summer: What the Lebanon and Gaza Crises Mean for U.S. Policy in the Middle East

Cato Globalization and Global Governance

Should We Globalize Labor Too?

Asia Times Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran The recent calls by prominent American neo-conservatives - and even former vice-presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman - for a military attack on Iran have a whiff of desperation to them. Is it a deliberate attempt to undermine the diplomatic process that has been set in motion? - Trita Parsi

Independent Robert Fisk: Assassination brings Lebanon closer to brink

H2 The PKK, PJAK, and Iran: Implications for US-Turkish Relations
Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Turkey's Iraq Anxieties ISA, Israel

IHT The fatal attraction of invasion
By THOMAS SEIBERT Domestic pressure for an incursion into Iraq is growing, and options to avoid it are limited.

Asia Times A grand bargain Russia might just refuse The idea has been floated: Washington offers Moscow a grand bargain under which the US delays deploying its missile defense system in Europe, and the Russians agree to back stronger sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. The view from Iran and Russia, both concerned over possible Turkish adventurism in Iraq, is very different. A security accord among Iran, Russia and Turkey appears a better option. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi

The struggle for Kirkuk turns uglyIraq's embattled prime minister Nuri al-Maliki has formed an alliance with the Kurds, including giving them a free hand in Kirkuk. This seems to have stilled talk of a coup in Baghdad. But it poses dangers, as a referendum ceding Kirkuk to Iraqi Kurdistan would make Turkish intervention even more likely, and further inflame Iraq. - Sami Moubayed

IMF Public Information Notice: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2007 Article IV Consultation with Turkey

Middle East Times Commentary: Turkey's false dichotomies

Al Hayat Risks of Confrontation between Turkey and Kurds Elias Harfouch - Facing the tension in the region of Southeast Turkey with the Kurdish majority has become almost the only point of convergence between the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the army in Ankara. The situation of the Kurds is not a perfect one by any means. However, confronting the central government, particularly in view of such relatively positive conditions available to the Kurds in the last years, will not help improve their situation.

ABD'deki AK Parti heyetine demokrasi konusunda güvence

Harekât değil siyaset gerek MUHAMMED NUREDDİN

Google News Kurdish Kurdish Media

İlnur Çevik PKK killing 4 birds with only one stone

Specially trained squads to conduct precision operations on terrorists

'Türkiye'nin güvenlik endişelerinin tartışılacağı yer ABD-Türkiye-Irak komisyonu'

Terör zirvesi, Ankara'daki gergin havayı yumuşattı

Sınıra 'termal' takviye

TimeBlog Butt Check in Kurdistan

Özel Tim, nokta operasyon yapacak

Barzani: Türkiye’nin hedefi PKK değil Kürtler

'Mayınların yüzde 66'sı İtalyan ve Alman' malı

Türkiye’nin sorunu Kürtlerin varlığı

Öcalan'dan PKK'ya bilgi taşıyan avukata hapis cezası

Emekli askerler: Cami avlusundaki sloganlarla ülke politikası belirlenmez

Ban Ki Moon: Türkiye'yi takip ediyorum

Kurdish Rebels Kill Turkish Officer

Operasyona dakikalar kala

Barzani: Erdoğan'ın sözleri doğru

Hakkari’de bombalı saldırı: 1 binbaşı şehit

PKK ana kamplarını boşalttı

Edip Başer'den ilginç öneri

İçimizdeki Kürtçülere açıkça anlatacağız

Iraqi Kurdistan-Iran 'trade' booms (Associated Press)

Özel harekatçılar sıcak bölgeye gidiyor

Erdoğan: "İçeri - dışarı diye ayrım yapamayız"

Saygun: Teçhizatın tedarikinde sorun yok

The Struggle for Kirkuk Turns Ugly

Öcalan'ın avukatına 3 yıl

''Türkiye Irak'la diyaloğa hevesli değil''

Cudi Dağı'nın yüksek kesimlerine top ve tank atışı

PKK, İtalyan mayınlarını Irak'tan almıştır

Yine mayın tuzağı: 1 şehit

Iran to establish chamber of cooperatives in Sulaimaniya

Turkey Sees Many Incentives to Invade Iraqi Kurdistan, Few Deterents

SOLİ ÖZEL Ortadoğu'da fırsat

Turkish official denies mediation in Israel-Syria secret talks

UMUR TALU Hepimiz Filistin'dik ya!

İsrail'in uyduları

TURKEY: 'ISLAMIC RESORTS' TO BE OPENED FOR IRANIANS

Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber

ERDAL ŞAFAK AB ile ilgileniyor musunuz?

Semih İDİZ Yunanlıların Türkiye ilgisi

Mehmet Dülger Sarkozy ile işbirliği yapabiliriz (1)

Sarkozy to backpedal on his ‘Turkey promise’ with commission

Tatbikatta Rumlara gözdağı

KKTC TV sees army ban as result of domestic tensions in Turkey

KKTC'de gazeteciler TSK'ya sert çıktı

'AB süper gücü için Türkiye şart'

Fransa Müzakereleri Yavaşlatmaktan Yana

Sarko çelmesi...

Türkiye için Brüksel'de başka Paris'te başka türlü konuşuyor

Sarkozy Türkiye’yi bloke peşinde

D’Alema’dan silah itirafı

EU sees no problem in starting monetary union talks with Turkey - Europe

Roma'dan destek

Belgium’s future Prime Minister Yves Leterme stated on recognizing Armenian Genocide

80 ülke Emniyet'i bugün İstanbul'da buluşuyor

Polisin yetkilerini artıran yasaya onay

Polisin yeni yetkilerini biliyor musunuz?

YÖK saldırısı için müebbet hapis istendi

Malki suikastinin sanığı 12 yıl sonra teslim oldu

Son tetikçi sırlarıyla yakalandı Malki’nin tetikçi zanlısı teslim oldu

Fuhuş pazarlığındaki AKP müsteşarları

Gürtuna: Eşime saygı duyulmalı

Serdar Turgut Quo vadis Hasan Cemal (medya notları)

Diploma protokolden

Çete, hırsızlık için güvenlik şirketi kurmuş

İBDA/C davasında 7 tahliye

AK Parti'nin eski Genel Merkezi'ne silahlı saldırı

Şahin Alpay Ufuk Güldemir anısına

Yaman TÖRÜNER Ufuk Güldemir

14 Haziran 2007 Basın Özeti

Anlaşılmayan kuraklık Tarhan Erdem

Sami KOHEN Al Gore uyarıyor

ERGUN BABAHAN Tehlike ve fırsat

MELİHA OKUR Rejim tehdit altında!

Al Gore :Türkiye küresel ısınmadan en çok etkilenecek ülkeler arasında

Meral TAMER Al Gore, dünyamızın başkanı olmak istiyor

ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM
Amerika nereye Türkiye piyasaları oraya

Salih Neftçi Piyasalardaki değişmeler kötü zamana rastladı

Güngör URAS 2008 - 2010 arası değişim yerine iyileşme hedefi var

Milyar dolarlık alım yapan ünlü markalar rotayı Çin'den Türkiye'ye kırdı

Prof. Dr. AYDIN AYAYDIN
Yabancı yatırımcı gözüyle Türkiye

Ercan Kumcu Sanayi üretimi büyümesi yavaşlıyor

Hurşit GÜNEŞ Bütçe şinanay! Özelleştirmeyle açık kapanmaz!

Deniz Gökçe Mayısta bütçe gerçekleşmesi!

Erdal Sağlam Ziraat’ten alınıp bütçeye gelir yazılan káğıtlar

Türkiye yatırım liginde yükseliyor

Unakıtan: FDF'de yüzde 6.5 sihirli rakam değil

Dış dünyaya yolculuğa devam Fatih Özatay

Hazine varlık fonları... Korkmaz İlkorur

IMF hem övdü, hem uyardı

Deniz Ülke Arıboğan İleri tarım ülkesi

H3 Sabah PKK'ya karşı sınır içinde büyük operasyon kararı

Tampon bölge mi? Murat Yetkin

Irak içinde 15 km’lik tampon

K. Irak içinde tampon bölge

El bombaları çıkan evin ucu Danıştay'a uzanıyor

Şemdinli davası
Yargıtay'ın bozma kararı sonrası şimdi ne olacak?

Bundan sonra ne yapılmalı?
İsmet Berkan

Ruşen Çakır Yine mi ateşkes?

İncirlik Üssü'nde süre karşılıksız uzatılmamalı

Ateşkes 'Kuzey Irak'a operasyon yapmama güvencesi' karşılığı mı?

PKK'lı teröristten şok itiraflar

Necati Doğru Türkiye Mossad modeli kuramaz mı?

Ekrem Dumanlı Why can’t foreign experts correctly analyze Turkey?

Çatıda sandık içindeki bombalar ’Kuvvacı’nın

Sandıkta 28 el bombası!

Bombalar Kuvvacı Başkan’ın çıktı

El bombalarının şüphelisi Yıldırım'ın Tekin ile fotoğrafları bulundu

Tanıdık bomba

Her taşın altından o çıkıyor

Polise geniş yetkiye onay

Mehmet Tezkan Bir sandık jimnastiği: En güçlü olasılıklar

'Katil hükümet' demek suç değil

Türkiye'nin ihtiyacı 'ılımlı laiklik' MUSTAFA AKYOL

'Terör tehdidinin önlenmesi için birlikte çalışmak' Sir Ian Blair, İngiltere Metropolitan Polis Birimi Başkanı

Fatih Çekirge EN BÜYÜK HAREKAT GELİYOR

Taha AKYOL Operasyon popülizmi

Başer: "Operasyon için ortam hazırlanmadı"

Psikolojik savaşın hedefi: Kuzey Irak mı, 22 Temmuz mu? Mümtazer Türköne

YASİN DOĞAN Seçimin kaderi

Barzani Türkiye’nin sorunu Kürt halkı

Bush, Barzani'yi telefonla aradı

Zebari: Sorunları üçlü komisyonda çözelim

Mustafa Erdoğan Kürt sorunu ve terör

İsmail Küçükkaya 12 Haziran’da neler oldu?

Erdoğan'dan terörist düzeltmesi: İçeride 1500 dışarıda 3 bin 500

Cengiz Çandar Türkiye’deki “akıl tutulması”ndan çıkış yolu...

M Ali Birand Erdoğan’ın önceliği seçim ve ekonomi

Cüneyt Ülsever Başbakan’ı kutluyorum

HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN
Terör bozgununda siyaset

Şemdinli krizi

Alevilerden ağır eleştiri

Laiklik, demokrasinin öncülü mü? ENVER DERSAN -

İç Basında Türk Dış Politikası

Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri - Dış Basında Güncel Türkiye Bülteni

Dış Basında Irak BBC Turkish 0700

VOA TSİ 06:30 Dış Basında Türkiye Turkish Press Review Google News Turkey Turquie Türkei TurcoPundit

Taha Kıvanç

Fehmi Koru Kimdi o Genelkurmay Başkanı?

ALİ BAYRAMOĞLU Krizin neresindeyiz?

NAZLI ILICAK Şehit cenazelerinde 'kitlesel' refleks

Ertuğrul Özkök Köşe yazarlığı bu kadar mı ucuz

Ahmet Hakan Baskın Hoca geliyor

Seçimler ve terörün istismarı
Hasan Celal Güzel

'The terrible Turk' to be driven into the sea C. Cem OĞUZ

Yusuf KANLI Broken watch and the premier

EN ACI KAVGA

Enis Berberoğlu

Bilal Çetin Sınırötesi polemiği sertleşiyor

Güler Kömürcü Bir gece ansızın....

İBRAHİM KARAGÜL Kan üzerinden iktidar ve savaşla yüzleşmek

The true meaning of the relationship between civil society and democracy by LEVENT KÖKER*

Lale Sarıibrahimoğlu Turkish democracy will inflict real blow against terror

İhsan Dağı The CHP and the military: What are they up to?

Cheating season opens!
Burak BEKDİL

Hüseyin Gülerce Dövmekten beter etme oyunu!

AKİF EMRE 'Vahşi bir hayvan' olarak medya

Oktay Ekşi Kırk katır mı kırk satır mı?

EKREM DUMANLI - Mühendisler tatile

Derya SAZAK Ne yapmalı?

Seyfettin Gürsel Önce güvenlik mi, ekonomi mi?

Laik-AKP uzlaşması zor değil Nora Onar –

Mehmet Altan Neden bu kadar çok şehit veriyoruz?

Mehmet Y Yılmaz Başbakan, muhalefette gibi konuşuyor!

Mehmet Barlas Türkiye’nin yarınına güvenenler daima kazanır…

Yalçın Doğan Hamdi Usta’nın oğlu ile şehitler

'Bugün camiler sadece bir propaganda amacı olarak yapılıyor'

Hadi Uluengin Macera uzaklaşırken

Şiddete karşı ve haklardan yana
Turgut Tarhanlı

Şemdinli sanıkları tutuklu kalacak

Şehit polemiği sürüyor

Cenaze tahrikçileri şehir şehir gezmiş

K.Irak'a operasyonu niye tartıştık?

Ardan Zentürk Cami avlusunda siyasi rant aramak...

Terörle mücadeleye niyeti ve cesareti yok

'Terörü hükümet azdırıyor'

'Barzani ağzıyla' konuşuyor

İbrahim Kalın The greatest threat to our national security

Sezer'den polis yasasına onay

Fikret BİLA Baykal'dan Erdoğan'a sert yanıt

Güneri CIVAOĞLU Cami siyaseti

Can Dündar Çocuk mu kandırıyorlar?

EMRE AKÖZ Locada bir (E) General

Kuş dili Nuray Mert

MAHMUT ÖVÜR İçim acıyor!

Tepkiler polemik konusu olmamalı
Altan Öymen

Aleviler: AKP kırmızı çizgimiz

CHP'ye tepki gösteren Aleviler bağımsız adaylara yöneliyor

Minorities to shun nationalist parties in elections

Engin Ardıç Küçük partiler niçin küçük partilik ederler?

Virgülüne dokunulmadı 14 gündür bekletiyor

Baykal'ın gözü Köşk'te

Genç Parti’den yeni yöntem: TANKERTUR

ROGER COHEN, International Herald Tribune The Cry of the Disappeared The United States demands accountability of others when its own people go missing. It must demand the same accountability of itself, whatever the fight.

Some Muslim States Not Ready to Fight Bird Flu: WHO

NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Africa’s World War The Great Lakes region, where at least five million people have died in what is sometimes called the continent’s first world war.

H5 Washington Post No Drop in Iraq Violence Seen Since Troop Buildup

Hamas Bolsters Its Hold In Gaza Fatah Is Pressed To Abandon Posts

Shiite Shrine in Samarra Is Hit Again

Curfew Imposed in Baghdad as Officials Fear Resurgence of Sectarian Violence

A Sectarian Spy Duel In Baghdad By David Ignatius Iraq's internal conflict is on the verge of claiming a new victim -- the country's fledging intelligence service. Pressure to abolish the spy agency is coming from pro-Iranian Shiite politicians who have created a rival organization

Former U.N. Envoy Chides U.S., Israel For Hamas Efforts

Anti-Syrian Lawmaker Killed in Beirut Blast Attack Heightens Worries Among Weary Lebanese

Standing Up to Killers Syria Must Answer for Its Murders in Lebanon By Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Enough is enough with the Syrian regime and its Lebanese puppets.

U.S., China Aim to Mend Ties

Increased Exchanges Between Military Officials Are Cited

The Power China Is Building By Gary Schmitt,

William Arkin What the Weapons Makers Want

Shimon Peres Easily Wins Israeli Presidency Ex-Premier Elected by Parliament to Largely Ceremonial Post That Eluded Him in 2000

Ruling Party Sweeps Egyptian Vote

Legislative Races Were First Since Charter Changes

Faulting Allies' Anti-Terrorism Efforts

Paulson to Detail Administration's Use of Financial Measures

FBI Finds It Frequently Overstepped in Collecting Data

President Names Ex-GOP Leader As Key Adviser Washington Insider to Assume Role Being Vacated by Longtime Counselor

Editorial The Senate Energy Bill

Ignoring the 800-pound gorilla in the room

H6 Guardian Faced with the tragedy of Iraq, the US must rethink its whole foreign policy Timothy Garton Ash: To arm Sunni gangs smacks of desperation. America seems not yet to have learned that it will never win by arms alone.

Not departing is such sweet sorrow Spencer Ackerman: The US's new plan for Iraq is to withdraw all but a 'post-occupation' troop force in 2009. But can you spot the oxymoron?

Calls for calm after new attack on Shia shrine

Leader Bitter fruits of boycott Gaza: Alvaro de Soto is not the first experienced diplomat to have entered the Middle East a moderate and to have left it two years later angry at the role of Israel and the US in subverting the search for peace.

Hamas wages battle for control
Fierce attacks on Fatah rivals plunge the Gaza Strip closer to civil war.
Peres wins Israeli presidency

Anti-Syrian MP among 10 killed
MP killed with nine others in car bomb attack in Beirut.

An obituary of hope Ian Black: Alvaro de Soto's report makes a depressing read, but should be scrutinised carefully by anyone involved in the Middle East peace process.

Beyond the war John Williams It would be a terrible mistake to conclude that the fighting in Palestine makes it impossible to go on working for peace in the Middle East.

UN envoy: anti-Hamas rhetoric undermines democracy
Alvaro de Soto warns hostility to Hamas could convince millions of Muslims that democratic methods do not work

Ruling protects soldiers' prisoners
UK troops who hold detainees abroad are bound by human rights law.

Sarkozy looks south

Europe's future: working together

Margot Wallström: Nowadays, no single national government can solve the big global issues.

Imagine if our leaders were chosen on World Bank lines David Woodward: The idea of the boss of Surrey council choosing the prime minister is no more barmy than what's happening in Washington.

A deliberate torture policy Phil Shiner: Politicians can no longer hide from the shameful truth behind Iraqi civilian deaths in British custody.

BAE faces criminal inquiry in US over £1bn payments The US department of justice is preparing to open a corruption investigation into the arms company BAE, the Guardian has learned.

H7 Brookings A Long, Hot Summer: What the Lebanon and Gaza Crises Mean for U.S. Policy in the Middle East

Cato Globalization and Global Governance

Should We Globalize Labor Too?

Asia Times Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran The recent calls by prominent American neo-conservatives - and even former vice-presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman - for a military attack on Iran have a whiff of desperation to them. Is it a deliberate attempt to undermine the diplomatic process that has been set in motion? - Trita Parsi

Al Hayat Between The Two 'Refraining' Sides Zuheir Ksiebati - The problem with Iran and Syria is that pressure provokes them to challenge, and that any attempt to test them would not be equal to 'changing their conducts' for any guarantee.

Asia Times PART 2: How currency devaluation destroys wealthAs central banks thrash about creating new bubbles to contain older ones, real wealth is sucked into a black hole of imaginary plenty. The downward spiral will continue as long as the masters of the global financial system continue to be guided by fantasies such as the "free market", a dream world (though a nightmare for most) in which wealth can materialize from falling wages. - Henry C K Liu

H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq stratfor

US Papers Thursday: Violence Up Across Iraq

Explosions topple minarets at Shiite shrine

CRS "Iran: Ethnic and Religious Minorities," May 25, 2007.

US officer: Iraqi police disappearing

US: Shrine Bomb a 'Serious Blow'

BBC Calm urged amid Iraq shrine bombs Political and religious leaders in Iraq call for calm after bombers strike one of Shia Islam's holiest sites.

Dubai diversion
How Iranian business is finding ways round US financial pressure

Bush condemns Lebanon MP killing

Shi'ite shrine's minarets bombed In a bold blow to Iraqi hopes for peace, bombers toppled the towering minarets of Samarra's revered Shi'ite shrine yesterday, adding new provocation to old wounds a year after the mosque's golden dome was destroyed. Al Qaeda is suspected of carrying out the attack.

Iraq: Religious Leaders Build Cross-Sectarian Dialogue

Apparent Shift in Iran’s Afghanistan Policy “Troubling”

Gates links Iran to Taliban's arms (Lolita C. Baldor)

Daily Star Hamas continues a Palestinian tradition of wasting opportunities

Why rush a national-unity government? By Michael Young

Devise a comprehensive strategy against Middle Eastern strife By Joris Voorhoeve

Saudi Shiites and the 'fire inside' of national dialogue By Fred Wehrey

PINR "Somalia Continues its Political Collapse" Full text of report

USIP Event: Developing Civil Society in Afghanistan: Status and Prospects

Analysis: Detente over fear of Iran

Iraq: SIIC Figure Denies Discussing Replacing Abdulaziz al-Hakim

Commentary: Pentagon drops ideology

H9 Ha’aretz – ANALYSIS: Hamas victory in Gaza presents new reality for Israel Sources: Hamas takeover forces Israel to reexamine ties with Gaza, including its provision of power and fuel.

Benn In the land of Alibi The government and the army are chattering endlessly about the chances of peace and the dangers of war with Syria, and then they explain that it's all hot air and accuse the media of exaggerations and irresponsible reports.

Etzioni The Syrian poison capsule Israel must make it clear that the Palestinian state that will be established in the wake of a peace arrangement will be demilitarized and that there will be a need for effective enforcement methods to keep it so.

Danny Rubinstein: Re-occupation of Gaza - is it the only way out?

World leaders call Peres; Beilin: This is win for peace camp

Ex-diplomat: UN failed in Middle East, subservient to U.S., Israel

Sacrificing the Palestinian struggle Both Hamas and Fatah are turning all civilians into hostages, and sentencing them to death in their street fights, sacrificing the struggle for Palestinian liberation on the altar of their rivalry.

McClatchy Hamas tightens control in Gaza Islamist fighters from Hamas tightened their hold on the Gaza Strip Wednesday as secular Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas fled to Egypt and appeared to be on the verge of collapse.

Yedioth Ahronoth Fatah nabs Hamas members
Palestinian president decides to launch counterattack in response to Hamas' takeover of Gaza, orders security forces to arrest senior members. Operation launched in Ramallah, but expected to spread across West Bank

Road Map to nowhere

Both US, Israel may be interested in adopting Arab peace initiative, Zalman Shoval says

In praise of Arab unity/ Halevi United Arab front, feared by Israel in past, may present opportunity for change, says former Mossad head

Can the IAF take out Iran's nukes?
Jerusalem Post

The Economist On the verge of civil war in Gaza

BBC Gaza rivals 'agree on ceasefire' Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah agree a ceasefire, officials say, but fighting rages on in Gaza.

'Comeback kid'
Israel's Ehud Barak returns to the fold as Labour's new leader

Ex-U.N. adviser slams U.S. policy in Middle East in leaked report

Boston Globe Editorial Senseless in Gaza BOTH SIDES are labeling the fighting in Gaza between the nationalists of Fatah and the Islamist movement Hamas as a civil war. Whether or not the mayhem fits some abstract definition of civil war, there is a struggle for power, one that Hamas at present is winning. But the 1.4 million Palestinians living in the impoverished cage of Gaza are ...

Daily Alert.org – Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine

Tony Karon Gaza: Another Mess Made in US

Is is Time for UN Peacekeepers in Gaza? By: Harris O. Schoenberg | The Jerusalem Post
One would think that after Israel's experience with UNIFIL, the UN force in southern Lebanon, Israeli leaders would have said "Never again." But Israel has found that in Gaza, occupation, trading land for peace, and unilateral withdrawal do not work, and the mystique of peacekeeping may have enticed decision-makers in Jerusalem.

Newsflash: Israelis Are Happy

H10 Christian Science Monitor

Cobban: Negotiate a US exit from Iraq

Hamas nearly wins control of Gaza Fighting between Palestinian factions is dividing their turf and dashing statehood hopes.

Samarra shrine attack: less incendiary now? Wednesday's attack on the Askariya shrine mirrored a 2006 bombing at the Shiite holy site, but this strike may not spark the same sectarian bloodshed.

In beleaguered Israel, a return to the old guard Former premiers Ehud Barak and Shimon Peres are tapped for Labor chief, president.

Congress seeks to level trade imbalances Where critics see protectionism, others see hope of more sustainable commerce

THE MONITOR'S VIEW French Revolution, part 2

Opinion: Ask the 2008 presidential candidates better foreign-policy questions

President Bush tries to win back Republican lawmakers On Iraq, immigration, and Attorney General Gonzales, some supporters have begun to defect.

ASIA Pentagon Report Chills US-China Relations By: Simon Tisdall | The Guardian
Even as the US struggles to stop relations with Russia plunging into deep freeze, a distinct chill has descended over its dealings with Beijing following a new Pentagon report on China's military build-up. Richard Nixon knew better than to antagonise both superpower rivals at once. No such wisdom troubles George Bush.

China's Defense Minister to Visit Japan This Year By: Allen T. Cheng | Bloomberg News China's Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan will visit Japan later this year and a Chinese naval ship may make a first ever port call, the Japanese Embassy in China said, as ties between Asia's two biggest economies improve.

US military prepared for 'worst' with China: official

Guardian Demand for sanctions against China's competition
· Undervalued yuan seen as hurting world economy · Treasury issues tough warning but will not act

China catches up on US for fast internet One in five people in the world has high-speed lines but the gap is growing.

Communist Capitalists By: Philip Bowring | International Herald Tribune Some of the reasons why the Chinese stock market continues to defy both gravity and the half-hearted efforts of the government to cool it are normal and obvious. But there is another reason that says a lot about a particularly Chinese situation: the relationship between Communist party power and wealth accumulation.

Manifesto Muddle By: Robert Alan Feldman | The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has a winning platform for victory in July's Upper House elections. If, that is, his party's manifesto doesn't get in the way. The manifesto shows the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at both its best and its worst -- flashes of brilliance stuck in a disorganized muddle.

Presidential Run by Indonesian Cleric Would Be Referendum on Shariah Law By: Fabio Scarpello | World Politics Review
When, in May 1998, former President Suharto's 32-year rule came to an end, Indonesia, a secular nation with the world's largest Muslim population, started a democratization process that has been praised worldwide.

Huge blow to JI
Will the militant group survive the arrest of its military leader?

H11 IHT Patricia Cohen: Does capitalism lead to democracy, and how? By PATRICIA COHEN Developments around the world have been tearing sizable holes in what has been a remarkably powerful idea - that capitalism and democracy are two sides of the same coin.

The fatal attraction of invasion By THOMAS SEIBERT
Domestic pressure for an incursion into Iraq is growing, and options to avoid it are limited.

Emissions fell slightly in the EU during '05

Serbia and EU resume formal talks Formal talks between Serbia and the European Union resumed Wednesday and Belgrade was offered the prospect of closer ties with Brussels but urged to turn its back on its "nationalist past."

EUROPE European press review

NATO Awaiting Details of Moscow Offer

Salon Bush's European disaster

Europe's Christian Comeback By: Philip Jenkins | Foreign Policy
Alarmist pundits prophesize that a secular Europe risks being overcome by its fast-growing Muslim population. Yet for all we hear about Islam, Europe remains a stronger Christian fortress than people realize.

CRS "U.S.-European Union Relations and the 2007 Summit," updated May 14, 2007.

Der Spiegel The World from Berlin: Poland Set to Ruin Merkel's EU Party

Villagers revolt over radar station
Pentagon space shield plan raises stakes with Russia and Czechs.

The Romanian Referendum Battle: A President Hangs On By: Cristina Arion | World Politics Review
Romania, a young post-Communist democracy and new EU member state, recently found itself precipitated into an unprecedented constitutional crisis by an attempt to oust the president that clearly resembled a parliamentary coup

The Presidents Take Three Weeks By: Mikhail Zygar | Kommersant
George W. Bush has completed his European tour. In the United States and in Poland, Italy, Albania and Bulgaria they understand that his trip was a strategic meeting with his allies in the course of a continuing standoff with Russia.

Kosovo's Opportunity for Independence Power and Interest News Report Serbia's current political weakness, coupled by France's more pro-U.S. stance resulting from Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential and legislative wins, offers Kosovo's nationalists a chance to obtain independence.

Albania's love affair with America (By Peter Lucas)

Europeans are now taller than Americans for the first time in history, thanks to better national health-care systems in most European countries.

Europe’s Christian Comeback: Alarmist pundits prophesize that a secular Europe risks being overcome by its fast-growing Muslim population. Yet for all we hear about Islam, Europe remains a stronger Christian fortress than people realize.

Recent geopolitical developments have raised the question of whether allowing European judges to operate independently from political powers might enable them to fight international criminals.

Transcitizens of the world unite: Not quite resident, not quite alien, John Sutherland describes the peculiar state of living between two countries

H12 RFE/RL Azerbaijani Opposition Backs U.S.-Russian Use Of Radar

Russia: BP-TNK, Gazprom, And The Kovytka Gas Field

CFE Talks Fail To Reach Breakthrough

Eurasianet Armenia’s New Government Much Like the Old
BY MARIANNA GRIGORYAN
Armenia has a new government. Despite early hints from Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian that the cabinet’s composition would diversify, the makeup looks set to reinforce the ruling Republican Party of Armenia’s political weight.

Google News Azerbaijan

CRS "Russian Oil and Gas Challenges," updated May 16, 2007.

ISA Russia reveals weakness over radar offer

Sufism in Central Asia: A Force for Moderation or a Cause of Politicization?
Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Full Paper (PDF; 294 KB)

Radar Diplomacy By: Simon Saradzhyan | ISN Security Watch
If Washington chooses to reject Moscow's proposal to share Azerbaijan's Gabala radar base, it will have to come with a good reason for doing so at time when the US claims to be courting Russian missile defense cooperation, experts say.

EDM OFFER TO SHARE GABALA POLITICALLY ASTUTE, PRACTICALLY INADEQUATE

- TRANSNEFT ON A ROLL

- RUSSIA WANTS A WHOLLY DIFFERENT TREATY ON CONVENTIONAL FORCES IN EUROPE

Kazakhstan: The Domestic Implications of Rakhat Aliyev’s Precipitous Fall

RUSSIA: Forum success reinforces Kremlin policy goals

Hudson Institute Putin's Oily Politics: Energy in the Executive, Kremlin-style

H13 The Times This boycott is anti-Semitic The academic boycott of Israel resonates with earlier boycotts of Jews across Hitler's Germany Read the full-length version of this article Anthony Julius and Alan Dershowitz

Leader Own Worst Enemy Hamas must not be allowed to wreck hopes for peace in Gaza

The blunder in Iraq: don’t you get it? Ideological purity is not a luxury that we can afford. Privatisation can come later Camilla Cavendish

Wall Street Journal The Case for Taxing Globalization's WinnersA new argument is emerging among the pro-globalization crowd: Tax the rich more heavily to avoid an economically crippling political backlash against trade prompted by workers who aren't big winners from globalization. Discuss

Al Qaeda's American Harbor
A bad decision likely to be overturned.

Immigration Plan B
Current immigration policy is preferable to a new enforcement regime.

H14 Financial Times Editorial Iraqi leaders must face responsibilities If clear proof were needed that nothing in US policy on Iraq is working, the attack in Samarra is it.

China under increased pressure over currency China came under increased pressure to revalue its currency as a bipartisan group of US senators introduced legislation designed to push the Bush administration towards a full-blown trade dispute with Beijing

COMMENT: What is at risk is not the climate but freedom Global warming hysteria is an example of truth versus propaganda, writes Vaclav Klaus.

ANALYSIS: Avoiding the crush Beijing’s industrial dominance has forced middle-income nations to complement – rather than compete with – China’s wares

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS: Why Gaza is fertile groundfor angry young men The Strip has been overwhelmed by a demographic boom, writes Gunnar Heinsohn, of the University of Bremen.

UN envoy blasts US for pro-Israeli agenda The UN’s outgoing Middle East envoy has accused the US of using undue pressure to impose a one-sided pro-Israeli agenda on diplomacy in the region and urged Ban Ki-Moon to consider pulling out of the international peace Quartet.

ANALYSIS: At the root of Polish dissent lie the divisions of Europe's past A spat over EU voting strengths, which looms large over next week’s summit, points to fears of German hegemony.

Ten dead in Lebanon blast A politician from the ruling anti-Syrian coalition was among the victims of Beirut’s bloodiest explosions in two years.

Moscow abuzz with Putin term talk Will Vladimir Putin seek a third term as Russian president? Moscow’s political world is abuzz with speculation that he might – but not immediately

Investors in Russia confident despite tensions More than three-quarters of business executives active in Russia expect to increase their companies’ involvement there despite growing political tensions

COMMENT: How to untie the immigration knot It is in America’s interests to let most of its unlawful immigrants stay and put them on a proper legal footing, writes Clive Crook.

Loud and clear Reaching for the megaphone has its limits as a diplomatic strategy. Activist investors, however, increasingly see publicity as an effective weapon in dealing with...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Sarkozy is closer to US Democratic party and 'kommanists' than to America's radical right

The discrete dilution of Darth Vader

COMMENT: Property power brings Nimbyism to China Home ownership has created a new rights that the government is under pressure to protect, writes Richard McGregor.

Darfur adds to US doubts over China

Risky adventures China’s lenders are beginning to expand abroad, but unless they improve their risk management and operational skills it may all end in tears.

COMMENT: Educate the young, and what do you get?

Engaging India: Caste and privileges

Editorial Step one: close Guantanamo Shutting down the prison is a good way for Congress to start restoring American values and international standing.

Sudan: deal or no deal? Sudan's apparent acceptance of U.N. peacekeepers to end the slaughter in Darfur can't be taken at face value.

H16 American Politics Republicans abandoning Bush
MSNBC

LA Times Tough, but vulnerable Ronald Brownstein: Hillary Clinton's experience puts her on top of the Democratic field, but her own caution could bring her down.

The Progressive Majority: Why a Conservative America is a Myth
Source: Campaign for America’s Future and Media Matters for America

realclearpolitics – ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin

Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas Swamp Sunrise Daybook

Majority of Republicans Doubt Theory of Evolution

H17 Daily Telegraph Leader Hamas is behind the bloodshed Forget dialogue; the West needs to intensify its efforts to prevent Hamas succeeding in establishing a theocracy in Palestine.

Al-Qa'eda launches new attack on shrine Iraq was braced for an intense bout of sectarian bloodshed after al-Qa'eda bombed the Samarra's sacred Askariya shrine again

Anti-Syria politician killed in Beirut bomb

God save the media faced with such self-serving twaddle It is the government deceit that is resented and not the "feral beasts" of the media who uncovered it, argues Boris Johnson.

H18 Independent A world without oil Scientists challenge major review of global reserves and warn that supplies will start to run out in four years' time

Captured Iraqi civilians protected by Human Rights Act in landmark ruling Iraqi civilians arrested and detained by British soldiers can rely on the protection of the Human Rights Act, the House of Lords said yesterday in a landmark judgment, which has far-reaching implications for future military operations abroad.

Leading article: Our soldiers must be bound by clear laws

Hamas seize the upper hand as 15 are left dead in Gaza Hamas has moved to consolidate military gains in Gaza at the expense of the rival Fatah faction after another day of internecine fighting which left at least 15 more Palestinians dead.

Robert Fisk: Assassination brings Lebanon closer to brink

Bombing of Samarra shrine sparks fears of reprisals

Adrian Hamilton: The voters should decide any new Euro-treaty

Hamish McRae: Welcome to this brave new world, Mr Blair

H19Military Intelligence Terrorism

DNI Issues New Policy on Intelligence Awards
Secrecy News

How the Military Commissions Obscure Gitmo's Real Purpose

USIP UN Peacekeeping Forces: A Force Multiplier for the US?

Seven Questions: A War Criminal’s Worst Nightmare

H20 Slate

Semiannual Report on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies (PDF; 190 KB) Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury + Appendix + Appendix I: Patterns of Indicators (PDF; 28 KB)
+ Appendix II: China’s Trade Data (PDF; 59 KB) + Appendix III: Sovereign Wealth Funds (PDF; 31 KB)

Trafficking in Person Report 2007

Understanding Mortgage Markets
Source: Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies

BBC A new Puritanism
Modern America struggles with an old attitude to alcohol

Technology CEO Council’s “Great Nation” Report Outlines Strategy for U.S. Competitiveness
Source: Technology CEO Council

Will the U.S. Current Account Have a Hard or Soft Landing? (PDF; 140 KB)
Source: Congressional Budget Office

Short-Term Energy Outlook June 2007
Source: Energy Information Administration

Economic information and finance : more information means more credit, fewer bad loans, and less corruption
Source: World Bank Policy Research Working Papers Full Paper (PDF; 350 KB)

The living conditions of children
World Bank Policy Research Working Papers Full Paper (PDF; 300 KB)

Women's Role in the Economy-BECKER

H21 FT Editorial Happiness lessons "Pay attention at the back - but only if it doesn't make you upset." The idea of teaching happiness in schools lends itself irresistibly to caricature.

Relative Income, Happiness and Utility: An Explanation for the Easterlin Paradox and Other Puzzles
Source: Institute for the Study of Labor Full Paper (PDF; 930 KB)

From Britannica, Gregory McNamee on 10 things you (maybe) didn’t know about books.

This book won't change your life

John Crace: Christopher Hitchens has been good value and highly entertaining in the past, but his latest book fails to tell us anything we didn't already know.

Jammed cities eye 'pay to drive'

New York and other major US cities are considering rush hour driving fees.

New push to curb 'cyberwarming' from computers

Google, Intel, Microsoft, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard pledged this week to develop and use more energy-efficient computers and computer components.

CLAIM: One in five people on Earth has high-speed internet...

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