| H1 Gideon Rachman Five biggest events of 2007 Iraq Rejects Permanent US Bases AEI - Why the Worst Is Probably Over in Iraq By Reuel Marc Gerecht Christian Science Monitor Key players in Mideast talks may remain unseen Back channels are expected to be instrumental in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations starting Wednesday. New scrutiny on US spy structure A leading intelligence official gives the community a B- on implementing reforms Guardian Iraq progress feeds a new nationalism Simon Tisdall Improved security, an expanding economy, and new understandings with Iran, Syria and Turkey are fomenting an almost forgotten emotion among leaders of Iraq's Shia-led government: optimism. YaleGlobal Why Iran Didn't Cross the Nuclear Weapon Road Dilip Hiro Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Iraq and Afghanistan: Effects and Countermeasures (PDF; 73 KB) Congressional Research Service CEPS The Treaty of Lisbon -How much Constitution is left? An Overview of the Main Changes The Treaty of Lisbon: amendments to the Treaty establishing the European Community 113 pages; PDF. CFR Sestanovich: Putin’s Choice for Next Russian President Seen as ‘Liberal’ for Kremlin Independent Brown: 'It's time to talk to the Taliban' Today, the Prime Minister will announce a major shift in strategy on Afghanistan. Could it mark the beginning of the end of a bloody six-year war? Or is it just spin? JTA Jews: We favor Rudy & Hillary LA Times Obama: the magic word Jonah Goldberg: In the duel between Clinton's politics of unity and Obama's politics of hope, hope has the upper hand Asia Times Iran prepares to further its US 'interests'
Ahmadinejad is taking domestic heat over his participation in a regional Arab conference and his declarations of "victory" over the United States following its positive assessment of Tehran's nuclear program. All the same, a window has now opened to explore what some influential Iranians call the "shared interests" between the US and Iran. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi The Times Report on Iran may kill off future sanctions Diplomats mystified at the timing of the intelligence release which declared Iran had halted its nuclear weapons programme Algeria civil war fears after al-Qaeda kills 67 The targets chosen appeared to confirm al-Qaeda’s plan to subsume Algeria’s internal conflict into its war on the West CFR Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (aka Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat) Ha’aretz – Lebanese army general, four others killed in blast American Jews are losing interest in Israel The Region: Syriantoxication - An infantile malady Jerusalem Post BARRY RUBIN A strange malady has apparently descended on part of the Israeli, American, and European elites. Let's call it Syriantoxication Another Assassination in Lebanon Middle East Quarterly Philip Carl Salzman, The Middle East's Tribal DNA How the region's current problems reflect its social origins Annapolis failed David Wurmser, testimony. Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: The Course of Russia CAP The Future of Kosovo New York TimesWhite House Is Confident Of Broad Support on Iran THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Losing Weight in the Gulf In a world where everyone is looking for an excuse to do business with Iran, not to sanction it, we’ve lost leverage EditorialPolitics, Putin-Style Vladimir Putin’s chosen successor is seen as a relatively weak figure. That suggests Mr. Putin will continue to wield power after the March election. Two countries, one survey
A "mirror" opinion survey asking the same questions of US and Chinese citizens and elites shows overall mutually favorable attitudes, but also highlights some growing distrust, especially in the US where negative impressions of China are more widespread. One surprise: Chinese expressed greater concern than their US counterparts over global warming. - Jim Lobe Washington Post In Poll, Huckabee Closes on Giuliani Clinton Far Ahead Among Democrats Pentagon Critical Of NATO Allies Gates Faults Efforts In Afghanistan Gates sharply criticized NATO countries yesterday for not supplying urgently needed trainers, helicopters and infantry for Afghanistan as violence escalates there, vowing not to let the alliance "off the hook." Jerusalem Post'Israel must be in on US-Iran talks' Former Mossad head Efraim Halevy: Israel risks being excluded from decisions on future of region 'Iran a major threat even without nukes' Former NSC head Mizrahi: Iran's work on long-range missiles shows it aspires to nuclear weapons. ;) Slate Anxious Nations Don't Compromise What the Israeli reaction to the NIE report means for the peace process. Shmuel Rosner Financial Times COMMENT: Why the credit squeeze is a turning point for the world The credit crisis may be just as important a watershed for financial markets and the world economy as the emerging market financial crises of 1997 and 1998 and the bubble in technology stocks that burst in 2000. Martin Wolf gathers the evidence WORLD NEWS DIGEST: Iran welcomes US 'step forward' An apparatchik president? Will Vladimir Putin’s choice of successor prove any more liberal? And will Putin pull the strings? Dollar’s drop fails to rebalance the world The greenback’s slide is not reducing economic distortions as expected Editorial Dark side of the hunt for energy It is true that western countries have contributed most over time to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere, but the evil, folly or carelessness of others are no excuse for China to behave irresponsibly WORLD NEWS: Basra police chief lays down law on infighting that is killing progress Putin poised to freeze arms pactVladimir Putin was poised to suspend Russia’s participation in a landmark arms control treaty in another example of Moscow’s assertive new foreign policy IraqSlogger Iraq Papers Wed: A New "Baghdad Pact"?
Salon Iran isn't a mad state. It wants a place at the table By Gary Kamiya The Role of the Market Speculation in Rising Oil and Gas Prices, Senate Staff Report Der Spiegel Putin's Puppet: Why Medvedev Is No Liberal
UPI Analysis: U.S. military & Iran -- Part 3 y DAVID ISENBERG reparing for a strike against Iran involves far more than just military preparations; it also requires making a case to try and gain public support. And that is likely to be much harder after the release this month of the key judgments from the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, which said Iran had most probably halted its nuclear weapons program. Russian Security Strategy Under Vladimir Putin: Russian and American Perspectives SSI
This 54-page US publication illustrates the degree to which the great power rivalry in Eurasia has become a major security issue and a source of growing Russo-American tension DEBKAfile Exclusive: “Moderate” Arab rulers woo Tehran and Damascus, following track opened by Washington Debate over Iran findings will continue (By Harlan Ullman) Stratfor China and the Arabian Peninsula as Market Stabilizers Regional Threats and Security Strategy: The Troubling Case of Today's Middle East SSI WSJ The Roots of the Mortgage Crisis Bubbles cannot be safely defused by monetary policy before the speculative fever breaks on its own. By ALAN GREENSPAN Foreign Policy Don’t Bet Against the Dollar Don’t let all the chatter about the “incredibly shrinking dollar” fool you. The Almighty Greenback is here to stay, and there are far more serious dangers lurking for the global economy Seven Questions: Planning for a Climate Catastrophe Nobel Prize winner Roger Myerson has written a very accessible paper on what game theory can teach powerful states about when it's useful to impose binding constraints on their actions. OpenDemocracy Globalisation: sleepwalking to disaster, Ann Pettifor The scale of global debt reflects a broken financial and commercial system that is doing immense damage to the planet and to public life, says Ann Pettifor. Los Angeles Times The case for collective force ,By Anne-Marie Slaughter Iran's president softens tone in remarks about report Independence or 'Substantial Autonomy': The Serbian Proposals for Kosovo's Final Status By: Milan Milosevic | World Politics Review | H2 Bu defa şaşırttı: Ayrı devlet yok, Irak vatandaşıyım FT WORLD NEWS: Armenia backs Turkey in EU Armenia favours Turkey’s bid to join the European Union because it might improve the prospects for overcoming strained relations France wins EU concession on Turkey Financial Times EDM EDUCATION APPOINTMENT REINFORCES TURKISH SECULARIST FEARS, SIGNALS TENSIONS AHEAD KirkukReferendum The Kirkuk Referendum: Another Tragic Flaw in U.S. Foreign Policy. Analysis by Webster Brooks Vedaya hazırlanan Hughes: ABD'nin imaj önceliği Türkiye Report highlights censorship in Turkey
International Journalist's Network Karen Hughes Türklerin kalbini geri kazanacağız Google News KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect BBC Monitoring Tuğluk, Atatürk'ün sözlerini hatırlattı, Türkiye’nin Kuzey Irak’a çekilerek hızla bir kaosa ve bir parçalanma sürecine sürüklenmek istendiğini iddia etti Cut financial resources to cripple PKK, says expert Kürt vatandaşın 'etnik'liği çiğ köfteyi sevmek kadardır US court backs ruling likely to please PKK Wilson reiterates enemy is PKK, not Kurds LETTER FROM SULAYMANIYAH Bowled over in Kurdish region
Chicago Tribune Doğu Ergil Findings to ponder and to act on Iraqi Kurdistan Region Spokesman Discusses Oil Contracts, Peshmerga Budget Terör legalleşti [Haber Analiz] Devlet, Doğu'ya el uzatınca halkın gönlünü kazandı Akif Emre K. Irak izlenimleri-3 PKK'nın aldığı canlara... MHP: Bizim yasa, teröre bulaşmayan gençleri kapsıyordu Büyükanıt'ın açıklamalarına Ahmet Türk'ten tepki
Orhan KİLERCİOĞLU
Ahmadinejad seeks to improve Iran image with Ankara visit 54 DTP’li başkanın 2’şer yıl hapsi istendi AKP ve MHP'nin 'Apo' kapışması 'Öcalan pişmanlık yasasından yararlanamaz' Pişmanlık Apo'yu kurtarır mı?
Kandil'in yeni sakinleri PJAK Dr. Kemal Kerkukî:’’140.maddenin uygulanmasının ertelenme nedeni siyasi Iraq's Reviled Yazidi Minority Look to Kurdish Region for Protection Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights 11 Dec 07 Turkey, Jordan Want to Develop Bilateral Relations Gül, İsrail'in yerleşim kararına tepki gösterdi 'PKK bitecekse af çıkar' Mete Çubukçu/İran ve Bush ikna oldu mu? Arap-Türk ilişkileri Lübnan'ı sarsan patlama: Genelkurmay Başkan adayı saldırıda öldü Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Rumlar, Mağusa-Lazkiye seferlerini AB'ye taşıdı Kardak’ta kara suları ihlali Ermeni aydınlar daha rahat tartışıyor Yavuz Baydar Immoral denial of obligation Amanda Akçakoca The EU and Turkey 3 years on Suat Kınıklıoğlu Europe’s French problem: How Paris manages to jeopardize the future of the union Nabi Yağcı Yargının, AB konusunda kafası karışık
AB, AKP hükümetini destekliyor çünkü Türkiye�yi almak istemiyor FT WORLD NEWS: France and UK in deal to secure separate EU goals EU broadens Turkey entry talks but says Ankara has a long way to go Hadi Uluengin Akdeniz mi, kıta mı? Azınlık Raporu: Azınlıklar Siyasi Temsilden Yoksun Lessons of History: The Question of Armenian Genocide
Hellenic News of America 500 Özel Harekâtçı alınacak Moskova’ya Akıncı Y. Delhi’ye Bilman
Doğan Paşa Demirel'e ne teklif etti? ’Ayşe’ler Avrupa’ya Çelikkol Atina’ya Atatürk ’rötuşla’ sigarayı bıraktı Karakutu bilmecesi
Atlasjet'in karakutularının arızalı olduğu söylendi, yalanlayan kimse çıkmadı Pilot Error Said Caused Turkey Plane Crash İnternet kamu binası değildir Okullara tüccarlık dersi geliyor Öldürülen militanın babası: Kızıma sahip çıkamadım, üzgünüm Sezer'in gözden çıkardığı uçak Çankaya Köşkü'ne geri dönüyor Halaçoğlu: Latife Hanım arşivi açılsın ASELSAN Kobra'lara kızılötesi göz takacak History Professor Gives Lecture on 'Military Genius' in Turkey 12 Aralık 2007 Basın Özeti | H3 Mustafa Karaalioğlu İsteyen ‘teslim ol yasası’ desin Eve dönüş... Avni Özgürel Abdülhamit Bilici AK Parti'nin PKK planı? Bekir Çınar Etkili bir pişmanlık yasası için yapılması gerekenler Sadi Somuncuoğlu Hedefine ulaşan dağda kalır mı? Ahmet Taşgetiren Tam zamanı diyorum, çünkü... MHP'nin PKK için 3 şartı Paşa'nın itirafı Fikret BİLA Org. Büyükanıt'ın ve Org. Saygun'un saptamaları Cengiz Çandar AB yolculuğunun neresindeyiz Hükümet AB konusunda ne yapacak? Murat Yetkin İsmail Küçükkaya Başbakan’ın A takımından siyaset analizi Cevdet Aşkın PKK'ya af yasası ezberleri bozarsa 'işi bitirir' Sami KOHEN AB'ye gereken cevap verilmeli Ertuğrul Özkök Bir Fransız oligarkı Ahmet Hakan Pardon! Türkiye’ye şeriat mı geldi? M Ali Birand Avrupa, Sarkozy’e direnmekte zorlanıyor Cüneyt Ülsever AB, ekonomi ve AKP! Serdar Akinan
Erdoğan büyük siyasetçi... Kendi ifadeleriyle yeni YÖK Başkanı Şaml Tayyar Yazın hurmayı yerken iyiydi tırmalayınca kötü mü oldu? YÖK'te yeni rüzgâr İsmet Berkan
'Anayasa' raporu açıklanıyor
Taha AKYOL Hangi anket doğru? Tufan Türenç Fethullah Gülen dönmek için ne bekliyor Oray Eğin Cemaat harekete geçti... Mustafa Akyol Akıl ve bilim ‘mürşit’ midir? Hasan CEMAL Hükümet ne zaman şaşırtacak? Baykal Eve dönüş ABD planı Üniversitelerde bütün yasaklar kalkacak, bilime önem verilecek 'Yüksek öğretimde bilimsel özgürlükler kısıtlı' YÖK sınavını Köşk'te geçti 'Anayasa çalışmaları rejimi değiştirmek için' Taha Kıvanç Teknolojiye meraklıysanız... Fehmi KoruBir güzel atlı daha... Ali BayramoğluÇok yüzlü siyaset, çok yönlü Türkiye... KÜRŞAT BUMİN 'Sivil Anayasa' ve bir tariften kaçınmak Nabi Yağcı Ankara'da yoğun gündem Yeni YÖK Başkanı ve türban konusu
Haluk Şahin Engin Ardıç Ne ekersen onu biçersin Ahmet Taşgetiren YÖK sorununun çözümüne doğru... Ahmet Taşgetiren Alevi ve ateist olmak mümkün mü? Fatih Altaylı Temcit planı Here is research on uncovered women in Turkey (!) Tufan Türenç Enis Berberoğlu Yasaklar kalkacak Oktay EkşiHangi rejimi koruyacağız? Yalçın Doğan Son düşen kale Türk-İş Başını açanların ve örtenlerin kısmeti
Türker Alkan Basında manipülasyon M.Ali Kışlalı MUHARREM SARIKAYA Terör nasıl legalleşti? ERDAL ŞAFAK Sessizce can yakmak ERGUN BABAHAN Terörü bitirmek EMRE AKÖZ Umur Talu HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN Yar bana bir küreselleşme medet!.. NAZLI ILICAK BDDK Başkanı haklı MAHMUT ÖVÜR YAVUZ DONAT AK Parti içindeki 'AKSOL'
Bülent Keneş Here is research on uncovered women in Turkey (!) Alevilik üzerine sorular ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Bankalara yeni hikâye Ege Cansen Papaz artık pilav yemiyor Hurşit GÜNEŞ Hem yatırımlar azalıyor, hem de tüketim Ercan KumcuEkonomideki çelişkilerimiz Erdal SağlamBüyüme rakamı reformları işaret ediyor Eser Karakaş Düşük büyümeye karşı nasıl önlem alacağız? Turkey posts Nov budget surplus, on track for target 2008 bütçesi Mustafa Aysan 'Yüzde 3'e razı olanlar kulübü'! Uğur Gürses Deniz Gökçe Üretim ve kötümserler! Şimşek: Rehavet yok, büyümedeki şok geçici İBRAHİM KAHVECİ Yabancı fabrika sökemez ama faizi söke söke alır Ertuğ Yaşar Başarısız TC Merkez Bankası Salih Neftçi Büyüme nereye gider? |
| H4 New York TimesWhite House Is Confident Of Broad Support on Iran THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Losing Weight in the Gulf In a world where everyone is looking for an excuse to do business with Iran, not to sanction it, we’ve lost leverage EditorialPolitics, Putin-Style Vladimir Putin’s chosen successor is seen as a relatively weak figure. That suggests Mr. Putin will continue to wield power after the March election. Twin Bombs Kill Dozens in Algiers Two car bombs exploded in quick succession near United Nations offices and an Algerian government building. MAUREEN DOWD The Dream Is Dead It defies reason, but there are still some who think the chuckleheads who orchestrated the Iraq misadventure have wisdom to impart. C.I.A. Chief Says Others Decided Fate of Video | H5 Washington Post In Poll, Huckabee Closes on Giuliani Clinton Far Ahead Among Democrats Pentagon Critical Of NATO Allies Gates Faults Efforts In Afghanistan Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates sharply criticized NATO countries yesterday for not supplying urgently needed trainers, helicopters and infantry for Afghanistan as violence escalates there, vowing not to let the alliance "off the hook." Barzegar: The Iran Game, Round Two Konstandaras: NIE: A Preemptive Strike on Bush Probable Successor to Putin Backs Him as Next Premier Reshaping of Russian Power Structure Foreseen For Putin, Power and Peril For Putin and Friends, a Gusher of Questionable Deals By Anders Aslund, The fundamental dilemma for Russia and its president is that a system so corrupt cannot be very stable. Food (or Not) For Thought By Robert J. Samuelson, If people can't eat, they can't do much else. One of the great achievements of the past century has been the enormous expansion of food production, which has virtually eliminated starvation in advanced countries and has made huge gains against it in poor countries. Dozens Killed in Algiers Bombings U.N. Offices, Court Building Struck; Al-Qaeda Affiliate Cites Its 'Martyrs' Rigged Vote Is Widely Expected in Pakistan Experts Warn of Renewed Chaos if Parliamentary Elections Are Not Free and Fair Taking U.S.-German Tie Personally Unusual Warmth Between Bush and Merkel Seen Driving Recent Thaw Hard Choices on Climate Can Wait for Next President, Aides Indicate Hayden Tells Panel He Can't Answer Every Question About Tapes Tom Ricks on Doug Feith at AEI. Evidence From Waterboarding Could Be Used in Military Trials Bush Pardons 29, but Not Libby Forgiveness Follows Late-Term Tradition Secret U.S. Intelligence Court Intends To Keep Wiretap Rulings Under Wraps | H6 Guardian Iraq progress feeds a new nationalism Simon Tisdall Improved security, an expanding economy, and new understandings with Iran, Syria and Turkey are fomenting an almost forgotten emotion among leaders of Iraq's Shia-led government: optimism. Death in Algiers Algeria: When Islamist militants stage a major bombing in north Africa, as happened yesterday when at least 67 people were killed in two car-bomb attacks in Algiers, international reaction veers between two extremes Allies complete ousting of Taliban from Musa Qala The retaking of Musa Qala was completed yesterday, with soldiers from the new Afghan army leading Nato troops
Richard Norton-Taylor: the poppy problem Britain's Afghan mission is a fruitless and failing pursuit
Simon Jenkins: While soldiers die and huge sums are frittered on Karzai's regime, the operation is failing in whatever objective it had Israel tanks enter Gaza on eve of peace talks Israeli troops in tanks and armoured vehicles mounted an incursion into Gaza yesterday, killing at least six Algeria rush hour blasts kill up to 67 · Two rush hour blasts, one a suicide bomber· Speculation that UN mission was target Background: A violent year in Algeria Deckchairs on the Titanic David Hearst Given Russia's economic woes, Vladimir Putin's choice of successor heralds neither democracy nor stability Medvedev calls for Putin to be PM
Designated heir clears path for outgoing president's return
Profile: Dmitry Medvedev
Anna Matveeva: His own man? This circus marks an end to politics played out in the shadow of terror
Jonathan Freedland: The noisy, confusing US presidential campaign marks a focus on serious questions and one that transcends partisan lines Labour's decade is liberty's best since the vote was won
Jack Straw: A false orthodoxy seeks to deny the government's successes, but we have greatly improved people's rights and democracy Brown to sign EU treaty in Lisbon - but by himself PM bows to pressure from EU leaders and agrees to attend signing of controversial Lisbon treaty, but will arrive late and miss ceremony |
| H7 DEBKAfile Exclusive: “Moderate” Arab rulers woo Tehran and Damascus, following track opened by Washington Debate over Iran findings will continue (By Harlan Ullman) Regional Threats and Security Strategy: The Troubling Case of Today's Middle East
SSI Bush to tap Glassman to shape US image — WASHINGTON - President Bush intends to name a well-known conservative commentator and journalist to lead the State Department's struggling efforts to improve the U.S.'s image abroad, replacing long-time confidante Karen Hughes US Must Transcend Neo-Con View - Anne-Marie Slaughter, The Australian Al Qaeda, Taliban targeting Pakistani nuclear sites 'Crunch time' for climate change The head of the UN opens high-level talks at the climate change conference in Bali with a call to action. Analysis: Now we are 10 Six Environmental Hotspots A Bad Day For Human Rights By: Joseph Loconte | The Weekly Standard
Yesterday was International Human Rights Day, the date marking the adoption by the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 1948. Not even the most devoted U.N. apologists, however, could be in a festive mood. | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq stratfor Middle East Quarterly Philip Carl Salzman, The Middle East's Tribal DNA How the region's current problems reflect its social origins Annapolis failed David Wurmser, testimony. U.S. Splits Proposed $20B Mideast Arms Sale In the face of strong congressional opposition to a proposed $20 billion sale of weapons to six Middle Eastern countries, the U.S. State Department has decided to break the sale into smaller pieces US gives blessing to France-Libya nuke deal... Protests in Teheran – The Price of Being Suckers for Syria By: Hussain Abdul-Hassain | The Daily Star The question as to whether Damascus can be made to break its alliance with Iran and alter its ways, as Western and Arab governments have sought of late, has confounded all those answering in the affirmative. BBC Monitoring Weekly Roundup of Iraqi Press 3-10 Dec 07 Boston Globe Editorial Khadafy inside the tent Rubaie: No Permanent Bases; Bombing Near Allawi's Compound; Basra Christians cancel Christmas Celebrations | H9 Ha’aretz – Lebanese army general, four others killed in blast American Jews are losing interest in Israel Editorial From Annapolis to Har HomaAdministration spokespeople normally oppose any moves liable to damage Israeli-Palestinian final-status negotiations - namely, the settlements. But this time, Rice also expressed fear that the construction in Har Homa would disrupt the Annapolis process. Hamas to PA: Boycott talks with Israel in wake of IDF raid in Gaza Guest: redivision of Jerusalem will lead to terrible bloodshed Peace Index: Two-State Solution Won't End Conflict with Palestinians - Former Mossad head Efraim Halevy: Israel risks being excluded from decisions on future of region "We can't meet while Palestinians are being killed;" source in PMO tells 'Post' Israel going into talks with a "sober attitude." Yedioth Ahronoth Poll: Jews support Clinton Sofer More dangerous than Iran America’s silly demand/ MisgavWhy can’t Israel build homes in areas like Har Homa, where no Arabs lived before? Life without the bomb In wake of US report, Israel will have to find new archenemy to replace Iran, B. Michael says Daily Alert.org – Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Jews: We favor Rudy & Hillary Critics of Israel lobby draw fire Olmert Makes Weakness Strength as Economy Booms, Terror Falls By: David Rosenberg | Bloomberg News
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has suffered one political body blow after another: a rebuke for bungling the Lebanon war, multiple corruption probes and tepid Cabinet support for peace talks he has agreed to restart tomorrow. And he's politically stronger than he has been in months Olmert says Iran still dangerous Still sceptical
Israel remains suspicious of Iran's nuclear ambitions
U.S. Joint Chiefs Head Tells Israel the U.S. Still Views Iran as a Threat Israelis Brief Top U.S. Official on Iran Rushing to Hand the Palestinians a Country - Mark Davis (Dallas News) |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Key players in Mideast talks may remain unseen Back channels are expected to be instrumental in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations starting Wednesday. New scrutiny on US spy structure A leading intelligence official gives the community a B- on implementing reforms Lee Hamilton: Washington's bipartisan power broker Need to get bitter political rivals talking? Need the ear of an ayatollah? He's the go-to guy in crises. In Bali talks, U.S. balks at European emission targets The EU wants a post-Kyoto pact to include cuts of 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels. THE MONITOR'S VIEW A big chill for global warming A techno-fix to quickly cool the planet needs research in light of new data that climate change is coming fast. Fed lowers interest rates again The move is an effort to bolster an economy showing increasingly worrisome signs. Study finds White House manipulation on climate science The White House has misled the public on climate science, a congressional report says. Europe's cities take the lead on cutting emissions Outpacing global efforts such as this week's climate talks in Bali, they've set targets 12 times more ambitious than Kyoto mandates ASIA FT Editorial Dark side of the hunt for energy It is true that western countries have contributed most over time to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere, but the evil, folly or carelessness of others are no excuse for China to behave irresponsibly China to allow US inspections of exports S inspectors will be allowed into China to monitor the quality standards of Chinese food and drugs exports under the terms of agreements negotiated in the wake of the product safety scandals that have damaged China’s ‘national image’ IHT CHINAA just legal system By JEROME A. COHEN Rapid development is making Communist Party dominance of the law obsolete. WORLD NEWS: Soaring food prices drive Chinese inflation to 11-year high More Than a Chinese Fit of Pique By: Richard Kamaiko | Asia Sentinel The decision to deny US ships to land in Hong Kong could mean long-term circumscribing of US naval power in the Asia Pacific. WP Can China Save the Dollar?Power Barometer | Will China come to America's aid to stop the dollar's plunge? Malaysia's Crackdown on Dissent Widens By: Anil Netto | Asia Times
Popular discontent with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's wilted reform promises is spilling into the streets. The premier's heavy-handed response to peaceful protests is leading to mass arrests Positive signs in North Korea North Korea may not uphold its disarmament deal. But sending a symphony certainly can't hurt. | H11 IHT At the White House, facts get in the way By H. D. S. GREENWAY After threatening war with Iran, how do you walk back the cat? Medvedev, Putin's chosen heir, speaks, and the plot thickens in Russia Dmitri Medvedev said he would offer the role of prime minister to Vladimir Putin, offering a glimpse of what could be Putin's strategy. A cautious welcome in Europe for Medvedev With Putin as prime minister, a role recast EUROPE European press review The Treaty of Lisbon: amendments to the Treaty establishing the European Community 113 pages; PDF. Independence or 'Substantial Autonomy': The Serbian Proposals for Kosovo's Final Status By: Milan Milosevic | World Politics Review
The longstanding demand of the Kosovo Albanian side is well known to the general public: independence. But what has the Serbian government brought to the negotiating table? And what, if any, compromise solutions were proposed by the international mediators? Kosovo Leader Thaci Says Independence From Serbia `Weeks' Away By: Monica Ellena and Chris Burns | Bloomberg News
Hashim Thaci, Kosovo's prime minister-designate, said independence from Serbia is ``weeks'' away and that he believes the declaration will be backed by the U.S. and the European Union France: Europe's Counterterrorist Powerhouse AEI No Danish vote on Lisbon Treaty The Danish prime minister announces there will not be a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty. UPI Analysis: Racism on the rise in EU Racism and islamophobia are still on the rise in the European Union, a new report has shown. Germany and Poland agreed to strengthen efforts to resolve a dispute over a Baltic Sea gas pipeline, as the two countries sought to ease tensions Qaddafi addresses French lawmakers
Speaking at the French National Assembly on the second day of his six-day visit to France, Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya said Tuesday that the era of national liberation movements was over and that he wanted a future without "cold or hot wars." Der Spieel Wishful Thinking on Bali: Merkel's Climate Change Vision Doomed to Fail Transnistrians Have Flag, Stamps, Need Country to Go With Them By: Celestine Bohlen | Bloomberg News
Transnistria is in a quandary: While it calls itself a country, no one else does Belgium Moves to Break Deadlock By: Raf Casert | The Independent
Belgium yesterday completed six months without a government after elections on June 10 highlighted deep divisions between the nation's Dutch-speakers and Francophones The EU must keep its nerve Tony Juniper Dec 11 07, 07:30pm: The Bali summit: Leadership and resolve is now needed from those countries who say they see the danger posed by rapid climate change From Dissent, a special section on the "new" France, including Philippe Askenazy (CNRS): France's 35-Hour Workweek: Myths and Realities; Mitchell Cohen on France: Red rose, blue grip; of croissants and couscous: An article on national identity after the French elections; an article on gender and politics in France: Segolene Royal and the Socialist Party; and an essay on Internet politics in France. From Multitudes, an anthropologist between banlieues and globalized world: Monique Selim recalls her research into social structures in French housing estates in the 1970s and the taboos she ran up against on talking about the existence of working-class racism. From Esprit, an interview with Lilian Thuramon the teaching the history of slavery, about the positive function of French identity, and why it is too soon to write off the French model of integration. France has been stung by a lament in Time magazine that French culture is all but dead. In a response, French intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy argues that the criticism tells us more about the US cultural landscape | H12 RFE/RL UPI Analysis: More than Putin's puppet? the candidacy of Dmitry Medvevev paves the way for Vladimir Putin, the current president, to retain at least some of his overwhelming influence. Google News Azerbaijan Medvedev says Putin should be PM Hudson Russia Incorporated Russian Security Strategy Under Vladimir Putin: Russian and American Perspectives SSI
This 54-page US publication illustrates the degree to which the great power rivalry in Eurasia has become a major security issue and a source of growing Russo-American tension Strategic Concerns in Central Asia UNIDIR Heir, Apparently By: Anna Matveeva | The Guardian Vladimir Putin has chosen his successor. Now, having earned the president's endorsement, Dmitry Medvedev has to prove he's tough enough. Cold War Repeats as Farce By: Alexander Golts | The Moscow Times
Marx has often been attributed with the famous quote that history repeats itself first as a tragedy and second as a farce. I'm not sure if the 40-year Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States can be called a historical tragedy, but the games Russia's leaders are playing now definitely resemble a farcical repetition of the Cold War. Russia Seeking to Keep Kazakhstan Happy BY SERGEI BLAGOV
It was Lord Palmerston, one of the chief architects of Britain's imperial policy in the 19th century, who stated that a nation has no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev is putting a 21st century twist on Palmerston's maxim and applying it to the Caspian Basin oil-and-gas game. Russia, as the state with the most to lose in the Caspian Basin at present, is heeding what Nazarbayev has to say EDM IS RUSSIA’S "OPERATION SUCCESSOR" FINALLY OVER?
- GODFATHER OF KAZMUNAYGAZ JOINS TOP ECHELONS OF POWER
- U.S. PROPOSAL TOLERATES RUSSIAN MILITARY PRESENCE IN MOLDOVA |
| H13 The Times Report on Iran may kill off future sanctions Diplomats mystified at the timing of the intelligence release which declared Iran had halted its nuclear weapons programme UN chief: act now on climate or face oblivion Ban Ki Moon says the climate change threat is 'desperately serious' as negotiations begin on successor to Kyoto talks Kosovo deserves its independence I saw the terrible things the Serbians did; they proved themselves a cruel and unjust power Anthony Loyd Algeria civil war fears after al-Qaeda kills 67 The targets chosen appeared to confirm al-Qaeda’s plan to subsume Algeria’s internal conflict into its war on the West Pakistan hails cruise missile test A medium-range missile capable of delivering nuclear warheads has been test-fired successfully by Pakistan Normal service will not be resumed soon There are no plans to end curbs on Pakistan's private television channels with the lifting of the state of emergency Bronwen Maddox Leader Art of Survival Brown needs to slow down, expand his circle and do less New settlements may hinder peace talks Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and heavy fighting in Gaza threaten to overshadow the first talks in seven years Wall Street Journal The National Intelligence Estimate Fantasy - Bret Stephens The Roots of the Mortgage Crisis
Bubbles cannot be safely defused by monetary policy before the speculative fever breaks on its own.
By ALAN GREENSPAN Saudi Oil Use Strains Export Role Long the biggest spigot for crude oil, Saudi Arabia now has ambitions to become an industrial powerhouse. But as the Saudis use more of their own oil to fuel development, that leaves less to slake other countries' growing thirst. Wall Street's antics have betrayed the free market, writes a prominent financial journalist. We should be so lucky By Andrew Leonard How the World Works | H14 Financial Times COMMENT: Why the credit squeeze is a turning point for the world The credit crisis may be just as important a watershed for financial markets and the world economy as the emerging market financial crises of 1997 and 1998 and the bubble in technology stocks that burst in 2000. Martin Wolf gathers the evidence WORLD NEWS DIGEST: Iran welcomes US 'step forward' An apparatchik president? Will Vladimir Putin’s choice of successor prove any more liberal? And will Putin pull the strings? Dollar’s drop fails to rebalance the world The greenback’s slide is not reducing economic distortions as expected Editorial Dark side of the hunt for energy It is true that western countries have contributed most over time to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere, but the evil, folly or carelessness of others are no excuse for China to behave irresponsibly WORLD NEWS: Basra police chief lays down law on infighting that is killing progress WORLD NEWS: France and UK in deal to secure EU goals Medvedev to hand baton back to Putin A day after being named by Vladimir Putin as his preferred successor as president, Dmitry Medvedev said he would ask Mr Putin to serve as his prime minister and that he would remain a dominant political force Putin poised to freeze arms pactVladimir Putin was poised to suspend Russia’s participation in a landmark arms control treaty in another example of Moscow’s assertive new foreign policy WORLD NEWS: 'Inspirational' nomination bid flies in face of establishment WORLD NEWS: CIA chief grilled over destruction of torture tapes Suicide bombers kill up to 67 in Algiers Paying for defence The UK military has been operating for six years at a tempo way above that planned. But the government has failed to adjust its defence strategy or budgets Jeepers creepers, look at those EPAs Arbitrary trade preference schemes based on accidental legacies of imperial history are not a good tool for promoting development COMMENT: How to safeguard savers in a banking crisis COMMENT: Ignore the murk and myths on sovereign funds | H15 Los Angeles Times The case for collective force ,By Anne-Marie Slaughter Iran's president softens tone in remarks about report Editorial |
| H16 American Politics JTA Jews: We favor Rudy & Hillary Obama: the magic word Jonah Goldberg: In the duel between Clinton's politics of unity and Obama's politics of hope, hope has the upper hand If Clinton Loses Iowa: Her 'Plan B'... National Review Online: Romney for President The Electability Myth Iowa caucus looms for hopefuls
No clear frontrunner on either side in races for nomination
How does the Iowa caucus work? In Poll, Huckabee Closes on Giuliani — realclearpolitics – ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp Will the real candidates please stand up? Jedediah Purdy Dec 11 07, 07:00pm: Americans shouldn't base their choice for president on meaningless factors like a candidate's tactics, image or supposed electability Obama’s ‘inspirational’ campaign team Barack Obama’s organisation draws to a great extent on lesser-known names from outside of Washington DC and a large network of idealistic volunteers from across the country. | H17 Daily Telegraph Taliban can lose battles but still win war The Taliban is not fighting to win, reports Tom Coghlan from Kabul. Their strategy is to exhaust the political will of the international community. Like Sarkozy, Brown must face reality President Sarkozy is trying to bring France face-to-face with some economic and social realities, writes Simon Heffer. Our own descent into cosy clientelism can only store up grief for the future. Leader At last, a US election contest What was supposed to be Hillary Clinton's coronation procession has turned into a genuine contest. The most riveting American election in decades continues to thrill. | Today, the Prime Minister will announce a major shift in strategy on Afghanistan. Could it mark the beginning of the end of a bloody six-year war? Or is it just spin? Nato claims crucial victory in Musa Qala – but will it last? Bali conference close to deal on saving forests A breakthrough on deforestation is set to be the first success of the UN climate talks in Bali. Diplomats are confident that the "road map" to a new climate-change treaty would contain a crucial reference to forests Julie Flint: This UN force won't end the tragedy of Darfur Leading article: A more constructive approach to Afghanistan |
| H19Military Intelligence Terrorism Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Iraq and Afghanistan: Effects and Countermeasures (PDF; 73 KB)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Open CRS) Securing America’s Passenger-Rail Systems Source: RAND Corporation The State of the Afghan Insurgency Source: RAND Corporation Full Document (PDF; 129 KB) France: Europe's Counterterrorist Powerhouse AEI Spies relying more on 'open sources' Spy expansion
How MI5 and police are adapting to tackle the security threat
Too graphic for the CIA? Al-Qa'Idah in Maghreb Claims Algiers Bombings White House accused over mistreatment of detainees
· Ex-CIA agent says coercive technique was US policy
· Bush at centre of missing interrogation tapes row Water-boarding
Is simulated drowning torture or 'enhanced interrogation'? Newly Updated — Encyclopedia of Ethical Failure (Word; 450 KB)
Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Standards of Conduct Office The Blotter:
CIA Efforts to Prosecute Whistle-Blower Spy Stopped | H20 Slate Anxious Nations Don't Compromise What the Israeli reaction to the NIE report means for the peace process.
Shmuel Rosner Global Corruption Barometer 2007 (PDF; 270 KB) Source: Transparency International More Than Half of Americans Say They Are Not Saving Adequately (PDF; 140 KB) In the Name of Entrepreneurship?: The Logic and Effects of Special Regulatory Treatment for Small Business Source: RAND Corporation Growing older may be getting easier By Frank Greve | McClatchy Newspapers A surprising decline in disability rates among older Americans since the 1980s is enabling millions more to lead longer, richer, spryer lives. The entire 65-plus population has the best odds ever of living disability-free. | H21 Salon Desperate times, desperate scientists Fed up with politicians and the media, scientists are pleading to the world to wake up to the imminent threats of global warming. By Joseph Romm Restraint and resolve in game theory The meaning of life
Yes! The surprising and often costless science of persuasion
Mark Levine: How Led Zeppelin Broke Through the Walls Between Islam and the West - Entertainment on The Huffington Post Inter Milan sued over 'racist' kit A lawyer claims that the Italian club's white shirt with a giant red cross symbolises Western racist superiority over Islam Capello favourite after Mourinho 'no' Show stoppers
Did Led Zeppelin's London reunion live up to the hype?
Led Zeppelin reunion: the review MUSIC REVIEW; The Songs Remain the Same, Just Played a Little Slower Go on, upset your masters Science has grown increasingly specialised, more introverted, and far less accessible to the public or to politicians Magnus Linklater Babies gravitate toward good Samaritans, study says An overwhelming majority of 6- and 10-month-olds chose the helper over the hinderer when they were asked to pick a toy, researchers at Yale University found. How not to adapt to the Internet The music industry suffered big losses before it warmed to the Web. How long will it take Hollywood? DNA DATING SERVICE LAUNCHES: LOVE FOUND IN THE GENES?? |
