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| H1 Washington Post Review of Iran Intelligence to Be Sought: As Conservatives Reject New NIE, Republican Senators... New Republic Inside the Israeli Security Establishment: Their Take on the Iran NIE Bombshell by Yossi Klein Halevi Foreign Affairs The Costs of Containing Iran Vali Nasr and Ray Takeyh January/February 2008 The Bush administration wants to contain Iran by rallying the support of Sunni Arab states and now sees Iran's containment as the heart of its Middle East policy: a way to stabilize Iraq, declaw Hezbollah, and restart the Arab-Israeli peace process. But the strategy is unsound and impractical, and it will probably further destabilize an already volatile region. International Crisis Group Kosovo Countdown: A Blueprint for Transition Time NIE: Washington's Choice Now Parsi Is Iran NIE a Blessing in Disguise for Israel? The Economist The end of cheap food Rising food prices are both a threat and a huge opportunity Decoding the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program - Gerald M. Steinberg (Institute for Contemporary Affairs/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) IHT Get Tehran inside the tent By VALI NASR AND RAY TAKEYH Even if the United States does not face the prospect of a war with Iran, it must still confront the challenge of taming a rising power Unrecognized States By MARK ALMOND The recent gathering at Annapolis has focused attention on the Middle East, but another set of problems is elbowing its way into the international limelight - unrecognized states in the Balkans and the Caucasus. New York Times C.I.A. Destroyed 2 Tapes Showing Interrogations Despite requests and amid scrutiny about its secret detention program, the C.I.A. did not give the videotapes to a federal court hearing or to the Sept. 11 commission. Letter From U.S. Attorney on Existence of Tapes (pdf) FT Georgia fears impact of Kosovo crisis The former Soviet republic says it runs the risk of Russia threatening its territorial integrity if the US and and most EU member-states recognise Kosovo’s independence Country Analysis Brief — Azerbaijan Source: Energy Information Administration Forgive Russia, Confront Iran By: Robert D. Blackwill | The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) We are well along in a systemic decline in Russia's relations with the West. But most of Russia's contemporary offenses pale before what should be the West's highest policy priority -- preventing Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. Washington Post Why So Angry, America?: The United States is strongest when it is most engaged... Richard L. Armitage and Joseph S. Nye Jr Army's $200 Billion Makeover Developers of new weapons systems think wars of the future will be wireless combat by mouse clicks Time Why the Pentagon Is Happy about the NIE Newsweek Anatomy of a Turnabout Time Iran's Nukes: Now They Tell Us? by Joe Klein McClatchy As debate rages, U.S. intelligence official defends new Iran report Salon Bush's real lie about Iran Despite recent claims otherwise, the White House has rebuffed negotiations with Iran at every turn -- a major strategic blunder By Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett National Review HENRY SOKOLSKI: Goading Islamabad into building more nuclear bombs is not an ideal course of action. “What Not to Do After the Pakistani Coup” Forward America Must Stay Focused on Pakistan Independent Kosovo: A declaration of independence - or war? A new state is about to be born on Europe's borders Serbs: 'We are defending Europe against Muslim aggression' William Arkin Iran's Intentions are Still the Great Unknown Guardian The surge is a sideshow. Only total US pullout can succeed Jonathan Steele: When resistance leaders are given an assurance that the Iraq occupation will end completely, real negotiations can begin US says flow of jihadists into Iraq has been staunched · Country's neighbours have taken action, Petraeus says · Insurgent attacks at 2005 levels since October TIME Iran's Nukes: Now They Tell Us? ( It turns out Iran may not, after all, be making nuclear weapons. What that reveals about our intelligence network, the White House and the battle between them Iran Assessment Creates an Israeli Headache The Economist Iran's bomb programme Pressure works (“high confidence”) Geopolitical Diary: The Return of Europe Stratfor Syria: Is Hamas Backed Into a Corner? Syria allegedly has told the Hamas leadership in Damascus to either go underground or move to another country. If this is true, Syria is taking a big risk -- though it could be worthwhile if its interests are protected in Lebanon. Monthly Review Political Islam in the Service of Imperialsim $1 Billion in Military Equipment Lost in Iraq The Economist Iran's nuclear programme What's not to celebrate? Iraq In dribs and drabs Refugees are returning to Baghdad, but not always for encouraging reasons Jerusalem Post IDF to present Iranian nuclear evidence to US military chief Officials: Visit sign of Israeli-US ties; talks to also focus on army retaining regional 'qualitative edge' in face of Saudi arms sale. CAP A Diplomatic About-Face: Bush Writes Kim. Iran’s Leaders Must Be Next? Reading the NIE in Tehran Farideh Farhi An Iran bombshell for Bush Tomgram: Dilip Hiro, Bush's Losing Iranian Hand The Confidante: Condoleezza Rice and the Creation of the Bush Legacy Der Spiegel The Kosovo Countdown: Serbian Province Readies for Possible Independence | H2 Reuters Turkey flexes diplomatic muscle as economy booms Ha'aretz Israel nixes Turkey's request to open Turkish Cypriot rep office TURKEY TRYING TO GO LOCAL IN DEFENSE PROCUREMENT ComingAnarchy PKK to Kansas? Wilson: DTP terörle arasına mesafe koymalı Wilson: "Bilgi paylaşımı iyi sonuçlar verdi" Wilson: Görevlilerimiz DTP ile görüşüyor "Bloomberg on the Economy." Turkish Ambassador Nabi Sensoy about Turkey's economy, its relationship with the U.S. and the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and the country's clashes with the Kurdish PKK. (audio) Experts underscore Turkey's coherent Iran policy after US report OECD report forecasts Turkey to grow 6 percent in 2008 'AKP yumuşakça İslamlaştırıyor' Washington Times Athens boosts ties with Moscow, Ankara Greece has opened a multifaceted diplomatic offensive that calls for closer military and economic cooperation with Turkey and plans for a "strategic partnership" with Russia FT Kent to replace Isdell in Coca-Cola hot seat Coca - Cola Says COO Kent to Become CEO Why have democratic reforms been initiated on the dawn of elections? Google News KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect BBC Monitoring Hundreds of Iraqi Kurd Peshmerga Fighters Quit As Salaries Are Not Paid Paper 'Güneydoğulu AKP'liler Gülen cemaatinden' Ali Bulaç Is the PKK ‘out of control’? İki isim için daha 'iade edin' talebi Attack kills 9 Kurdistan troops Iraqi Kurds Hope for UN Support on Kirkuk Issue Camlar kırılınca, asker topları Çukurca'nın dışına taşıdı KORAY DÜZGÖREN Bir konferansı nasıl yazarsınız? Türk ve Sakık'ı hedef aldı: Liderliğimi tartışanlar, demokrasiyi hazmedemiyor DTP deputy Tuncel wants state support for Kurdish language (CORR) Iraqi Kurdish Officials Deny Paper Report on PM Nominations (Corr) Nine Iraqi Kurd Peshmergas Killed South of Kirkuk - TV Seven Iraqi Kurd Soldiers Killed in Diyala - Website ''Türkiye Irak'a girerse Kürdleri kim kurtarır'' Durmuş Hocaoğlu Büyük Manevra: VII Nagehan Alçı Diaspora Kürtler’i Demirtaş dönüşünü yine erteledi DTP’de başkanlık tartışması başladı Babacan, AP'deki Kürt konferansına tepki gösterdi [ TÜRKİYE'NİN ORTA ASYA POLİTİKASI ] Köprüden cazibe merkezine Speech by KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani DTP'li başkana 'Sayın Öcalan' cezası Sınırdan sızan 300 PKK'lı dağda aranıyor Wilson: Bilgi paylaşımının iyi sonuç vereceğini düşünüyorum Polis katili PKK'lı sanığa beş müebbet PKK Calls for a Democratic Solution to Kurdish issue Nevruz'daki polis kaydı: Demirci kova DEHAP'ı öldürür 'Dava uzamasın' diye dosyalar iade edildi Ali H Aslan Playing ‘Deal or no deal’ with Iran İstihbarat fiyaskosu M.Ali Kışlalı Nuh Yılmaz Topal ördeğin umutsuz zirvesi Peshmerga among 11 killed in Iraq gun battle Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Babacan, Türkleri itaatsizliğe çağırdı Sarkozy'nin Akdeniz Birliği'ne Merkel'den Doğu Birliği resti KKTC’s Talat, Soyer refute AKEL claims over secret deal Yunan basını Babacan'a ateş püskürdü Talat: 2004'e göre iki halk daha uzak Babacan's Thrace visit leaves sour taste in Athens' mouth 'Şok eden açıklama' Murat Belge KKTC lideri Talat: Türk dünyasından beklediğimiz desteği henüz alamadık KKTC'den Avrupa Birliği'ne sert suçlama Fransa'dan Türkiye'ye karşı yeni tavır KKTC Dışişleri Bakanı AP'de konuştu Cypriot President Wants EU to Pressure Turkey Over Illegal Migration UPDATE 1-Turkey seen approving RWE for Nabucco in Dec-source Orta Asya ile köprüler yeniden kuruluyor Turkish Weekly Opinion - An Overview: EU’s Commitments on Northern Cyprus – How realistic? Congress: No Comment on Armenian Genocide Stanford Progressive Turkey: Assaults on freedom of expression continue World Socialist Web Site Türkiye lider konumuyla Kosova'nın bağımsızlığında çok önemli rol oynayacak Etyen Mahçupyan Discrimination against foundations becomes law Time The Fort Dix Conspiracy A TIME Investigation) Preventing terrorist strikes that may never happen is a messy business. How a Circuit City clerk, the FBI and an ex-con landed five men in jail on charges of plotting to attack a military base Geçen yıl her 10 kişiden 1'i rüşvet verdi Alevilere 'yeni elbise' tartışması Kudüs Buluşması için 'fikir özgürlüğü' dedi Yavuz Semerci Asıl özür borcu olan Ertuğrul Özkök Güler Kömürcü Ajan provokatörler... Baykal, iptalini istediği nükleeri, enerji bakanıyken savunmuş Köşk’e manevi evlat yeni tartışma çıkarttı 'Başkanın kardeşiyim belediye elimizde' Dawkins' 'Delusion' should be free | H3 PKK may be divided along ethnic lines Fikret BİLA DTP'nin istediği İspanya örneği İstihbarat paylaşımı Murat Yetkin Cengiz Çandar TBMM, DTP ve ovada siyaset yapmak KADINLARA BAKIŞ Kadın hakları açısından bakıldığında türban kullanan kesimde önemli farklılık görülüyor: 'Boşanma doğaldır' diyenler genelde yüzde 73.8, başörtüsü kullananlarda 69.4 iken, türban kullananlarda 60.8'e düşüyor. 'Kadınlar aile bütçesine katkıda bulunmak için çalışmalıdır' görüşüne katılanların oranı genelde yüzde 61.8, başörtüsü kullananlarda yüzde 57.7 iken, türban kullananlarda yüzde 41.9'a iniyor Sivil anayasa için en büyük buluşma ÇAĞRININ TAM METNİ Silah Emniyet’ten katliam yerine nasıl gitti? Geriye 'derin' soru işaretleri kaldı Polisin el koyduğu silah katliamda kullanılmış Emin Pazarcı Bayık ve Karayılan da kayıp NURAY Cevdet Aşkın Ankara PKK için netlik istiyor, Erbil 'tanınmadan asla' diyor Savaş Süzal İşte ABD'nin PKK çözüm planı Musul'da Türk TIR'larına saldırı Batı Trakya'da 'bozkurt'a dönüştü Taha AKYOL Niye 'türban' yazmıyorum? Şamil Tayyar TRT’de büyük operasyon M Ali Birand Türkiye’yi yeniden keşfediyoruz (!) Baykal 'Türkiye giderek muhafazakârlaşıyor' Mustafa Karaalioğlu İçişleri Bakanı’nı bekleyen görev İç Basında Türk Dış Politikası Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri - Dış Basında Irak BBC Turkish 0700 VOA Dış Basında Türkiye Turkish Press Review Google News Turkey Turquie Türkei TurcoPundit Taha Kıvanç Gazeteler ve TARAF Fehmi Koru 'Türban', İsmet Berkan ve Sedat Ergin ALİ BAYRAMOĞLUTürk siyasetinde sınırlar… Gülay Göktürk “Çeteler rejimi” MÜMTAZ'ER TÜRKÖNE - Elbette tek millet! Ahmet Taşgetiren Demirel bile geçse... Destekçisiyiz İsmet Berkan Sabah-atv ve demokrasi Hasan CEMAL Gazete satmak, gazete almak!(2) Güneri CIVAOĞLU Ya 'SABAH-zedeler?' Türban yasağı kalkarsa bası acıklar iceri giremez 'Sivil anayasa'da artık zaman kaybına tahammülümüz yok Ertuğrul Özkök Unutulmuş bir kutlama üzerine İHSAN DAĞI - 28 Şubat sona erdi, 12 Eylül'e devam Ferai Tınç İnsani gelişmemişlik Oktay Ekşi Azınlığın hakkı nerede? Tufan Türenç Bir şeffaf komedi Mehmet Yılmaz Aydınlıkevler-Kızılay arası yasaları Özdemir İnce Bir kez daha Tevhid-i Tedrisat (1) MUHARREM SARIKAYA Yolsuzluk kültürü... ERDAL ŞAFAK YÖK'te bayrak değişimi EMRE AKÖZ "Açık kadınlar da araştırılsın" Umur Talu yaptın Hasan baba! NAZLI ILICAK Sabah-ATV satışı ve Çalık MAHMUT ÖVÜR AK Parti'nin İzmir adayı Menderes olursa... HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE - Başı açıklara baskı olacak mı? LEYLA İPEKÇİ - Eski değerlerimizi özlemek 'siyasi muhafazakârlık' mıdır? Serdar Turgut Açık Türkiye Serdar Akinan Amerikan Köpekleri Mehmet Altan Türbanlaşma-Çeteleşme Bilal Çetin AKP�nin güçlenen iktidarı ve YÖK Başkanı... Mehmet Tezkan Bir türban meselesidir gidiyor! [HABER PORTRE] Anayasa kitabını tamamlayacak AK Parti, Meclis'e gelmeyen 103 vekilden savunma istedi Nasuhi Güngör Anayasa gündemi ve Burhan Hoca Ahmet Kekeç Önce vur, sonra empati bekle... Güngör URAS Gelişme stratejimizi belirlemek zorundayız ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Tetikte bekleyen 4 milyar dolar Ercan Kumcu Finans piyasalarında istikrar faizlerin düşürülmesiyle sağlanır mı OECD report forecasts Turkey to grow 6 percent in 2008 INTERVIEW: Turkey's Econ Min Promises Fiscal Discipline Eser Karakaş Sosyal güvenlik açıkları Deniz Gökçe Dolar üzerine değişik bir görüş Hasan Ersel Enflasyonu öngörememek Asaf Savaş Akat Kasım enflasyonu Ertuğ YaşarAsgari ücret yüksek mi |
| H4 New York Times C.I.A. Destroyed 2 Tapes Showing Interrogations Despite requests and amid scrutiny about its secret detention program, the C.I.A. did not give the videotapes to a federal court hearing or to the Sept. 11 commission. Letter From U.S. Attorney on Existence of Tapes (pdf) Britain Unveils Plans For New Terrorism Powers Romney, Eye on Evangelicals, Defends His Faith Mitt Romney used the word “Mormon” only once in a speech about his faith, underscoring just how touchy the issue of his religion has been for his candidacy. Editorial The Crisis of Faith It was a distressing moment to witness Mitt Romney cowed into defending his faith by a powerful minority determined to impose its religious tenets. Despite Report, France and Germany Keep Pressure on Iran Lawmakers Back Limits on Interrogation Tactics Islam’s Silent Moderates By AYAAN HIRSI ALI When a “moderate” Muslim’s sense of compassion and conscience collides with matters prescribed by Allah, he should choose compassion. U.S. Agency’s Slow Pace Endangers Foreign Aid The Millennium Challenge Corporation, a federal agency set up almost four years ago to reinvent foreign aid, has taken longer to help poor, well-governed countries than expected | H5 Washington Post Review of Iran Intelligence to Be Sought As Conservatives Reject New NIE, Republican Senators to Urge Congressional Panel Why So Angry, America?: The United States is strongest when it is most engaged... Richard L. Armitage and Joseph S. Nye Jr Army's $200 Billion Makeover Developers of new weapons systems think wars of the future will be wireless combat by mouse clicks NATO Envoys Back Rice In Urging Iran Sanctions Power Barometer: Will Israel Invade Gaza? U.S. Plans to Form Iraqi Civilian Job Corps Organization would absorb tens of thousands of mostly Sunni security volunteers whom Iraq's Shiite-dominated government has balked at hiring into local police forces. CIA Destroyed Tapes of Harsh Interrogations Disclosures come on the same day that House and Senate negotiators reach an agreement to prohibit use of waterboarding and similar CIA tactics Assessing U.S. Strategy on Iran Editorial No Freedom Without Religion? There's a gap in Mitt Romney's admirable call for tolerance William Arkin Iran's Intentions are Still the Great Unknown | H6 Guardian The surge is a sideshow. Only total US pullout can succeed Jonathan Steele: When resistance leaders are given an assurance that the Iraq occupation will end completely, real negotiations can begin CIA destroyed torture video Video evidence showing interrogation of al-Qaida operatives held under rendition programme destroyed US says flow of jihadists into Iraq has been staunched · Country's neighbours have taken action, Petraeus says Serbian official threatens to go to war over Kosovo · Simic claims country has a right to defend its territory Losing faith US primaries: How much does it matter that the next US president could be a lifelong member of a church which contends that white people speaking Middle-Eastern languages and driving chariots inhabited north America centuries before Colombus? No nukes is bad nukes Tony Hendra: This just in: George Bush demands 'Non-existent Nuclear Proliferation Treaty' to protect the world from Iran's stockpile of non-existent weapons Karen Greenberg Dec 06 07, 09:00pm: After years of ambiguity about the status of enemy combatants, the US supreme court is poised to make a crucial decision: either charge them or set them free Israeli minister cancels UK trip Darfur today: No money or food |
| H7 Newsweek Anatomy of a Turnabout Time Iran's Nukes: Now They Tell Us? by Joe Klein McClatchy As debate rages, U.S. intelligence official defends new Iran report National Review HENRY SOKOLSKI: Goading Islamabad into building more nuclear bombs is not an ideal course of action. “What Not to Do After the Pakistani Coup” Forward America Must Stay Focused on Pakistan Iran NIE Deepens U.N. Security Council Rifts on Sanctions By: Guy Taylor | World Politics Review Washington Times Nuclear deceptions If Iran actually stopped something in 2003, we don't know what it is. Because, of course, what they stopped was covert and has never been declared or inspected. Boston Globe Why believe it this time? THIS WEEK'S release of the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran has renewed debate about American policy toward the Islamic Republic, but it also raises important questions about the state of US intelligence. Having been so wrong about weapons of mass destruction in the past, is it credible now? (By Jim Walsh, Boston Globe) The real goal of Annapolis NIE's Upshot: War Is Out, but Iran Is Dangerous The NIE and Iran: A Machiavellian View Tom Barnett Dissecting Iran's decision not to pursue weaponization Meeting the Iranian Challenge - Sen. Joe Biden, Iowa City Public Librar Iran's a Ticking Bomb for Candidates - James Pinkerton, Newsday War Is Out, but Iran Is Dangerous - Mort Kondracke, Roll Call Foreign Affairs The Costs of Containing Iran Vali Nasr and Ray Takeyh January/February 2008 OpenDemocracy Iran, the US and Europe: a nuclear complex, Jan De Pauw The dollar standard: slow farewell, Avinash D Persaud Al Awsat The Predicament of the Intelligence Report on Iran : Tariq Alhomayed | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq stratfor US Wins Support for New Iran Sanctions Gates notes impatience with Iraqi government "Big Oil" Planning to Sign Iraq Deals Soon BBC New rules for Iraq security firms Rules to improve control of security firms in Iraq are agreed by the US Pentagon and State Department. Back to Baghdad Assessing intel BBC Monitoring Quotes From Iranian Press 6 December 07 BBC Monitoring Quotes From Middle East Arabic Press for 6 Dec 07 BBC Monitoring Pan-Arab TV Headlines 06 Dec 07 Iraqi Tribes: Unite Against Al-Qaeda Iraqis Dependent on US for Services CBS News: $1B In Military Equipment Missing In Iraq Annapolis and Iran Middle East Online The question must be asked: Why are Annapolis and Iran linked? | H9 Ha’aretz – Rosner and Benn Signs of political fission Verter How Netanyahu's agenda was snatched Defense officials: Hamas upgraded Qassam arsenal Hamas believed able to store rockets for long time, enabling it to launch large number from Gaza at once. Yair Sheleg: Settlers' needs must be factor in negotiations Jerusalem Post IDF to present Iranian nuclear evidence to US military chief Officials: Visit sign of Israeli-US ties; talks to also focus on army retaining regional 'qualitative edge' in face of Saudi arms sale. Pro-Israel groups: NIE rattles our anti-Iran efforts Yedioth Ahronoth Peres Warns: One Morning We'll Wake to a Nuclear Iran Gazans suffer from fuel cuts Don't celebrate NIE report/ Landau If we pay settlers to leave, why not do the same with Israeli Arabs? Asks Pinchas Wallerstein Israel Warns Iran to Cooperate or Face Attack New Republic Inside the Israeli Security Establishment: Their Take on the Iran NIE Bombshell by Yossi Klein Halevi Forward Editorial Fool Me Once: Israel’s Moment Aftershocks will reverberate for months, if not years, from this week’s bombshell American intelligence report on Iranian nuclear ambitions. Whenever the dust finally settles, though, the news won’t be good. Olmert Attempts to Bring Presidential Candidates Into Peace Process As Dubai Heats Up, Is Israel Frozen Out? Daily Alert.org – Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Israel's Ticking Time Bomb By: Gwynne Dyer | The Japan Times Iran's Nuclear Program and the National Intelligence Estimate - Interview with Senator Joe Lieberman (Federal News Service) |
| In rural Iran, Ahmadinejad treated like rock star While he is maligned by the West, the firebrand president is adored by Iran's poor and pious. Iran's nuclear know-how still grows unimpeded As its atomic power research proceeds, Tehran can still gain the expertise needed for a bomb. Pakistani protesters eager for Bhutto-Sharif deal As Pakistani opposition leaders mull running in January elections, analysts doubt street activists' patience for a decision on Musharraf. In Bali, developing nations push for climate aid At the UN-sponsored climate talks, countries seek money to cope with severe floods and other global-warming effects. Bush takes steps to solve forfeiture crisis The rate freeze could help some 250,000 borrowers, but experts say that's not enough to shore up the economy. ASIA Playing Our Part By: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon | The Guardian Democracy Arsenal New Thinking for the US Role in Asia Slow-Motion Emergency By: Ali Sethi | International Herald Tribune Independent Religions in conflict: India's state of war China bans Hollywood movies to protect its own film industry China Media Less Aggressive in Foreign Coverage So What's Bothering China's Generals? By: Tom Plate | The Japan Times India Reveals Flawed Tibet Policy By: Abanti Bhattacharya | Asia Times In its decades-old border disputes with China, India has consistently failed on several levels, including failing to creatively use its "Tibetan card", which includes the presence of the Dalai Lama in India along with 120,000 Tibetan refugees IHT Malaysia's fraying racial compact By PHILIP BOWRING Class is beginning to assume a role in a country where political discourse has long been dominated by race. McClatchy Security concerns raised as China fills U.S. medicine chest China's booming pharmaceutical industry has doubled exports to the United States in the past five years, undercutting competitors and making American consumers reliant on the safety of Chinese factories and captive to any disruptions in Sino-U.S. commerce. From In These Times, Slavoj Zizek on China’s valley of tears: Is authoritarian capitalism the future? What lessons can be drawn from China's spectacular and sustained economic growth? A review of China Road: A Journey Into the Future of a Rising Power by Rob Gifford. An article on China’s see-no-evil diplomacy. The gentle dragon: China's "charm offensive", through Confucius Institutes, wins allies around the globe. Going Down: Democracy once seemed ascendant in many East and Central Asian countries — not so much anymore. Rebuilding the legendary Silk Road: A US$18.7 billion project to rebuild deteriorating infrastructure across Central Asia. The Economist Defeat for Hugo Chávez The wind goes out of the revolution | H11 IHT Get Tehran inside the tent By VALI NASR AND RAY TAKEYH Even if the United States does not face the prospect of a war with Iran, it must still confront the challenge of taming a rising power Unrecognized States By MARK ALMOND The recent gathering at Annapolis has focused attention on the Middle East, but another set of problems is elbowing its way into the international limelight - unrecognized states in the Balkans and the Caucasus. Russia says it won't expand military if NATO refrains from buildupOfficials said that Russia's halting its obligations under the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe treaty was not a threat, but rather an effort to persuade NATO nations to ratify a 1999 update of the pact that is more acceptable to Moscow. France and Germany say Iran's nuclear program still a danger Guess who the Chechens voted for? By GARRY KASPAROV Hint: The turnout in Chechnya was 99.5 percent. Poll indicates how Europeans see U.S. election, and how some Americans see itEuropeans seem more comfortable than Americans with the prospect of a woman or a black man becoming president of the United States, according to an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive in six countries. Poll results: Harris Interactive Survey - Dec. 6 &7 EUROPE European press review Der Spiegel Berlin Rejects EU 'Corrosion': Merkel Slams Sarkozy's 'Club Med' Plans The Economist Bosnia and Kosovo The game of the name Charlemagne A Balkan fable BBC Iran a threat, say Europe allies The German and French leaders say Iran continues to pose a threat as the US urges further pressure on Tehran Cold War Deja Vu in Kosovo By: Tracy Wilkinson | Los Angeles Times Srebrenica Massacre: UN Not Immune By: Anes Alic | ISN Security Watch Heritage Europe: No Economic Juggernaut By Daniella Markheim and Sally McNamara Europe must suppress its socialist inclinations and embrace open markets if it hopes to be competitive with the United States Why We Should Oppose Independent Kosovo | H12 RFE/RL Google News Azerbaijan Forgive Russia, Confront Iran By: Robert D. Blackwill | The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) A Free Georgia By: Mikheil Saakashvili | The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) Four years after the Rose Revolution helped restore democracy and economic growth to Georgia, our country was confronted with its most severe challenge: extra-constitutional threats that put our national security directly at risk. The Economist Russia The secret policeman's election Putin did not rig the ballot to win control of parliament, but to assert his power over the Kremlin's warring factions A Veteran Delivers Weapons Warning By: Simon Saradzhyan | The Moscow Times Transcontinental Railroad Signals Strong Turkmen-Iran Ties By: Roger McDermott | Eurasia Daily Monitor Too Much Money Chasing Too Few People, Or Russia’s Current Inflation Problem Central Asia and Caucasus: Governments Rely on Old-Style Methods to Contain Inflation Soaring inflation rates across the former Soviet Union are causing food price to spiral upward. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international financial institutions have cautioned that despite impressive economic growth in CIS member states, the threats to social stability posed by galloping inflation remain strong, and that these dangers should be addressed via stringent fiscal policies EDM NEW YUSHCHENKO-TYMOSHENKO COALITION PASSES FIRST TESTS
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| H13 The Times World War III: cancelled The new Iran intelligence report is not an excuse for a ‘peace in our time' moment Gerard Baker Serbia warns of a new Balkan war over Kosovo Belgrade threatens to use 'all means' to keep breakaway province as independence bid gathers support in the West Iranian notes caused US reverse on nuclear threat Intercepted conversations and messages between Iranian officials were at first dismissed as a disinformation tactic Wall Street Journal Forgive Russia, Confront Iran Still a Dangerous World Democrats imply the U.S. can talk its way through a hostile world By DANIEL HENNINGER Battle Lines Over Mortgage Plan The White House's plan to help more than one million homeowners hurt by subprime mortgages, unveiled by Bush and Paulson, is drawing fire on two fronts. It is being criticized on the one hand for not going far enough to help strapped homeowners, and on the other for bailing out reckless borrowers. | H14 Financial Times WORLD NEWS: Petraeus warns on excessive Iraq hopes the US military was not declaring victory in Iraq despite the decline in bloodshed across most parts of the country WORLD NEWS: Shifting line onIrandraws fire from both left and right Bush under attack over Iran This week’s surprise US intelligence findings on Iran have sparked condemnation of the Bush administration from the left and led to a storm of criticism of the country’s espionage agencies from the right Georgia fears impact of Kosovo crisis The former Soviet republic says it runs the risk of Russia threatening its territorial integrity if the US and and most EU member-states recognise Kosovo’s independence Nato braces for Kosovo unrest The readiness of 1,600 additional troops will be heightened in order to enable Nato to respond to any increase in violence following the failure of status negotiations COMMENT: An encounter with history that hangs over the present Angela Merkel’s stance on Beijing has drawn criticism. But it is nonsense to suggest that ‘lecturing’ the Chinese about human rights now is to aggravate the imperialism of the 19th and 20th centuries with cultural imperialism in the 21st, writes Philip Stephens COMMENT: That old stagflation dilemma again Samuel Brittan wants long-term inflation targets COMMENT: The Middle East must loosen its ties to the dollar Try a basket of currencies, says Gerard Lyons LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: We need to overhaul what is a flawed non-proliferation treaty UK rate cut opens up gulf with ECB A gulf has opened up between Europe’s two largest central banks after the Bank of England cut interest rates while the European Central Bank indicated another increase was still on the agenda Another day, another bombardment The profusion of concrete shelters in the small Israeli town of Sderot is a futile attempt to shield citizens from rockets fired every day by Palestinian militants FRONT PAGE - FIRST SECTION: President's subprime deal faces challenge COMMENT: It is time to end the arms race of political spending Geoffrey Wheatcroft examines the background COMMENT: It is in Warsaw's interest to be an ally of America Max Boot on the benefits of collective defenceBy helping the US-led coalition in Iraq and Afghanistan, Poland helps to stabilise a vital region that is closer to Europe than the US, | H15 Los Angeles Times Editorial Post-Kyoto climate repair The U.N. meeting in Bali may deliver little, but the U.S. Senate has a chance to start the work at home. Stopping another Balkan crisis Diplomatic and military hustle can prevent a conflict over Kosovo's independence Let's Use Our Intelligence By: Rosa Brooks | Los Angeles Times |
| H16 American Politics Faith in America - Mitt Romney, George Bush Presidential Library National Review THE EDITORS: We suspect that most people who watched the speech were impressed, sympathetic, and sometimes moved. “Mormon in America” In God we trust Romney seeks to allay fears among evangelicals Playing the Religion Card - Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post DAVID BROOKS Faith vs. the Faithless It is not always easy to blend an argument for religious liberty with an argument for religious assertiveness, but Mitt Romney did it well in a speech on Thursday. Time How America Decides WSJ The Book of Romney The Economist Lexington The case for John McCain Answering Critics -- and Kennedy By Michael Gerson, Kennedy's speech remains a landmark of American rhetoric. But Romney's deserves to be read beside it. Huckabee Plays the Religion Card By Charles Krauthammer, Mike Huckabee has exploited Mitt Romney's Mormonism with an egregious subtlety. What Ever Happened to Moderate Republicans? Washington Times Bush is back From a lowly 29 percent approval rating in September, when Gen. Petraeus was testifying before Congress on the surge, George Bush's approval has climbed to 36 percent. realclearpolitics – ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp | H17 Daily Telegraph The hawks are still watching Irrespective of what the intelligence reports say, Con Coughlin can't see either George W Bush or Dick Cheney allowing Iran to build an atom bomb while they can prevent it Fears of Kosovo bloodshed as talks fail A leading Serbian official has said his country will use "all means" to defend its sovereignty over Kosovo if it declares independence | H18 Independent Kosovo: A declaration of independence - or war? In the offices of the newly elected Kosovo government in Pristina a momentous declaration is being prepared. A new state is about to be born on Europe's borders Serbs: 'We are defending Europe against Muslim aggression' Dominic Lawson: Could a robust Christian response be the answer to Muslim extremism in Britain? |
| H19Military Intelligence Terrorism BBC CIA 'wiped' interrogation tapes The CIA confirms that it destroyed at least two tapes showing the interrogation of key al-Qaeda suspects. Time The Fort Dix Conspiracy A TIME Investigation) Preventing terrorist strikes that may never happen is a messy business. How a Circuit City clerk, the FBI and an ex-con landed five men in jail on charges of plotting to attack a military base Andrew Sullivan / The Atlantic Online: This Is A Banana Republic — What defines such a republic? How about an executive that ignores the rule of law, commits war-crimes and then destroys the actual evidence? Did Morgan Spurlock find Osama bin Laden? — 15 minutes of footage shown at film fest sparks bidding war, speculation — Rumors are flying that filmmaker Morgan Spurlock of "Super Size Me" fame may have done what the United States government has failed to do for the last six years — find Osama bin Laden. Homeland Security for Sale – DHS: Five Years of Mismanagement (PDF; 6.9 MB) Weak and Failing States: Evolving Security Threats and U.S. Policy Gates: Marines will stay put in Iraq, for now Why the Defense Secretary rejected a proposal to deploy as many as 15,000 to Afghanistan. U.S. Marines' MV-22 Osprey test: combat This month the helicopter-plane hybrid with the troubled past will begin combat missions in Iraq. Revisiting Intelligence Reform Israel's 'FBI' Offers Peek at Work | H20 Slate OECD’s PISA survey shows some countries making significant gains in learning outcomes Bali Must Bring Developing Nations on Board By: Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Robert Zoellick | Financial Times | H21 Murdoch shakes up media empire Rupert Murdoch dubs son James his successor as Times editor takes control of Wall Street Journal Did Da Vinci hide God's face in art? Mirrors 'uncover' hidden images in master's works. Opinion: Kindle: Book 2.0? I prefer 1.0. "Skepticism" and Ignorance: Experts can be wrong, but non-experts aren't the best corrective. Doctoral education in the United States needs serious reforms: A review of The Formation of Scholars: Rethinking Doctoral Education for the Twenty-First Century. From In These Times, Slavoj Zizek on China’s valley of tears: Is authoritarian capitalism the future? Shakespeare’s art works like the cry of “action” on a film set, by sudden peaks of excitement and drama breaking through into consciousness... more» From Democratiya, a review of The Stillborn God: Religion, Politics, and the Modern West by Mark Lilla; The Suicide of Reason: Radical Islam's Threat to the West by Lee Harris; and Jihad and Jew-Hatred: Islamism, Nazism and the Roots of 9/11 by Matthias Kuntzel (and more). A language for the world: An interview with Amartya Sen. From Think Tank, broadcasting in the war of ideas: Are the lessons of the Cold War applicable to the battle with radical militant Islam? An interview with Francis Fukuyama, editor of Blindside: How to Anticipate Forcing Events and Wild Cards in Global Politics. From Monthly Review, Samir Amin on political Islam in the service of imperialism. |
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