| H1 Stratfor Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War Washington Post For U.S., The Goal Is Now 'Iraqi Solutions' After countless unsuccessful efforts to achieve political, economic and security benchmarks, U.S. officials let Iraqis figure things out themselves. Approach Acknowledges Benchmarks Aren't Met Bush Opens Tour With Call to Act Help and 'Pressure' Offered in Quest for Mideast Peace; Tehran Gets a Warning U.S. to Bolster Forces in Afghanistan: Pentagon Cites NATO's Failure to Provide Additional Troops Turning It Around Down in polls after an Iowa loss, Hillary Clinton had no victory speech for New Hampshire. But then an unexpected thing happened: She won. New York Times Difficulties Confront Bush as He Arrives in Israel Financial Times Iran looms large as Bush visits Mideast Guardian While America votes, Europe cannot sleep. The to-do list looks like this Timothy Garton Ash: Progress in three vital areas - jobs, Muslims and neighbours - will enable our leaders to look the new president in the face 151,000 civilians killed in Iraq Figures up to June 2006 from household survey New study estimates 151 000 violent Iraqi deaths since 2003 invasion
Source: New England Journal of Medicine (via World Health Organization) Violence-Related Mortality in Iraq from 2002 to 2006: Iraq Family Health Survey Study Group Don't fiddle as our planet burns until doomsday Shanghai Daily By Thomas C. Schelling Russia enters 2008 at geopolitical highpoint - US report Moscow Raises Stakes in Iran Game By: Pavel K. Baev | Eurasia Daily Monitor The first step was the delivery of fuel elements to the nearly completed nuclear power station in Bushehr, which could start the reactor perhaps as early as mid-2008. The second step was the announcement of a deal to sell Iran five batteries of S-300 surface-to-air missiles for $800 million. Ha’aretz – Bush in Israel: West Bank outposts 'have got to go' Bush: Abbas must choose between 'state or chaos' Officials who met Bush on Wed. said the U.S. president appeared impatient, eager for progress in peace talks On a Divine missionOnly after the Palestinian people undergo a conceptual, ideological and institutional conversion will it be possible to establish a Palestinian state that will exist alongside Israel in peace and prosperity. Wall Street Journal Bush's Mideast Muddle - Michael Oren Is he coming to advance the peace process begun six weeks ago at the Annapolis Summit, that 83% of Israelis see as fruitless? BBC Awaking struggle?
Doubts persist over former Iraq insurgents armed by US military DEBKAfile: US-Israel differences on the Palestinians’ claimed “right of return” and Iran nuclear issues after Bush-Olmert talks in Jerusalem The Balkans-Caucasus tangle: states and citizens, Mary Kaldor
IHT We can beat Iran - but not by fighting By ROGER STERN Here is our adversary's weakness: An oil price decline would be a mortal threat. Wall Street JournalWelcome We're rolling out a new Web site for the Journal editorial page, offering all of our editorials and op-eds, video interviews and commentary. Please enjoy our message of free people and free markets -- for free. Bush's Mideast Muddle - Michael Oren Play Misty for Me
So, to a political career marked by the "pretty in pink" cattle-futures press conference, and the "vast right-wing conspiracy" strategy, we can now add the legend of the falling tears. But Obama didn't lose merely because Hillary cried. Review & Outlook Iran's Provocation
By Walter Russell Mead
The Straits of Hormuz are exceptionally sensitive. The ability of the U.S. to protect the free flow of oil through these waters is absolutely vital to the global economy. Any U.S. military response to a challenge there would be swift and overwhelming -- perhaps far greater than the Iranians expect. The Surge Worked
By John McCain and Joe Lieberman The question now is where we go from here to sustain the progress we have achieved -- and in particular, how soon can more of our troops come home, based on the success of the surge. We shouldn't risk our victory by withdrawing troops before it's time. Hudson The Two Insurgencies CFR Shlaes: Economy Looms as Test for McCain, Clinton | H2 Whte House Press Background Briefing on the President's Meeting with President Gul of Turkey by a Senior Administration Official Siyasi pazarlığı yalanladı Jerusalem Report Turkish delight Ankara flexes its mideast muscles Turkey's Kurds Look to Northern Iraq For Jobs EDM TURKISH MEDIA HAIL GUL’S VISIT AS CONSOLIDATING NEW ERA IN U.S.-TURKISH TIES BUT UNCERTAINTY REMAINS ABOUT ITS LONGEVITY U.S.-Turkish Relations Warming By: Nicholas Birch | Eurasianet - Gul visits Washington as the US turns a blind eye to Turkish incursions into Iraq and anti-American sentiment in Turkey is on the decline. Ankara Makes Caucasus and Central Asia a Diplomatic Priority - Turkish President Gül likens PKK to al-Qaeda, rules out political solution Suspect confesses to carrying out Diyarbakır bombing Syria to Buy Iranian Gas Via Turkey Iranian, Turkish Officials Discuss Boosting Border Security BBC Monitoring Quotes From the Turkish Press 09 Jan 08 Gül, ABD'lileri ortak yatırıma davet etti 'Dışarıdan gelen teröre politik çözüm olmaz...' Gül New York'a Gitti Gov’t rapped for foot-dragging on 301 Iran to restore gas flow, but row continues Andrew Finkel The US-Turkish alliance and playground politics Google News KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect BBC Monitoring Kürt siyasetinde radikal ayrışma Turkey's Kurds Look to Northern Iraq For Jobs Ümit Fırat Şuursuz şiddet körleştirir Bombacı PKK’yı yalanladı: Emir Kandil’den Patlatıp seyretmiş İşte o alçak
Bombacı, PKK'lı ağabeyinin evinde saklanmış Şırnak'ta indirme harekâtı [Fbis] OSC: Diyarbakir Blast Suspect Says Got Order From PKK Base on Mount Qandil in N. Iraq Erdoğan'ın gözü Tunceli'de... US Official Urges Turkey to Find Comprehensive Solution to PKK Problem YASİN DOĞAN DTP'den cesaret bekliyoruz Ömer Lütfi Mete DTP kapatıymak için yırtınsa da...
ALBRİGHT: TÜRKİYE, ABD'NİN EN BÜYÜK BAŞARISIZLIĞI DTP'nin 'akil adamlar' projesinin mimarı Öcalan çıktı Prof. Baskın Oran Demokrat mı, Kemalist mi?
CHP'den Güneydoğu'da Kürtçe eğitim atağı CHP'li Yerlikaya'dan 'Kürtçe' açılımı CHP to propose education in Kurdish Erdoğan: Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood won’t be harmed Diyarbakır’da tevekkülü gördük ABD, bölge halkının Baykal'a ilgisini sordu ABD de Baykal’ın gezisini merak etti Yüksek Mahkeme DTP'ye 1 ay verdi Sivilleri katleden PKK kılıf bulma çabasında
Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights 9 Jan 08 Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights 08 Jan 08 Iranian Radio Says Turkmenistan Halts Gas Supplies Seeking Higher Price Turkish Court Gives One Month to Pro-Kurdish Party for Defence in Closure Case Turkish President Says Terrorism, Cyprus, Energy, EU Bid Discussed Bush Director of Iraqi Kurdish Zagros TV Explains His Policies Siyasi çözüm olmazsa olmaz MUHAMMED NUREDDİN İmkânları duyma kayığı
Perihan Mağden İran PEJAK'a karşı sınıra duvar örüyor Gül: Turkey has will to improve ties with Iran ABD'den Türkiye'ye örtülü mesaj: İran güvenilmez doğal gaz kaynağı DTP’s Ahmet Türk: We are not seeking separation from Turkey Terörü bitirmek için ekonomik ve sosyal açılımlar sürecek Türk Devletinin Kürdistan’ı Bombalaması ve Diyarbekir’deki Katliam Suçtur! Vedat Yenerer Böyle Başbakana böyle danışman!.. Arslan Bulut ABD desteğine karşılık İsrail'e güvence verildi Fikret Ertan Bush'un Ortadoğu turu... PM Barzani: KRG to strengthen banking and insurance The unpleasant reality of Turkey: The State Terrorism Iraq: Now it’s Kirkuk’s turn to be attacked Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber BM'den ivme beklentisi [Yorum - Prof. Dr. Ata Atun] Papadopulos sonrasına hazırlık... Ingiltere Ankara'da nabız yokladı: ''Bir liman da olsa açsanız?'' Gül: Yeni anayasa AB normlarına uygun olacak Gazprom Türkiye'ye verdiği gaz miktarını artırdı Rumlara bir liman açın
German TV broadcast of Alevi incest story sparks harsh reactions Greek Daily Reveals Topics Discussed at Premier's Meeting With US Envoy Cypriot Daily Sees Concerns Over European Court's Decision in Refugee Case Cypriot Daily Predicts Further Protests Against British Bases Kıbrıs konusunda hareket seçimden sonra Türkiye-Ermenistan ilişkileri Ankara yüzünden ilerlemedi Court rejects property case from Greek Cyprus Rauf Denktaş Kosova'yı beklemek? Kosovo's Independence and Its Global Ramifications By: C. Cem Oguz | Turkish Daily News Türkiye-İspanya ilişkileri neden önemli?
SAMET İNANIR O gün gelince mi önlem alınacak? Greek Coast Guard Drops Illegal Migrants in Turkish Waters Beşir Ayvazoğlu Tanpınar'ın Günlükleri hakkında düşünceler (1) Ankara'da dev terör operasyonu: 34 gözaltı Enerjide basit tedbirler faturayı yarıya düşürüyor Turkey should reconsider its decision on ICC by CENAP ÇAKMAK* Üçü de kaçtı ara ki bulasın Paşa'yı ağlatan mektup Turkey learns to share seas with neighbors Katliamda ihmal delilleri kararttı Malatya davasında kasıt gibi ihmal
Mustafa AKYOL
Serdar Turgut Fehmi Koru Asistanlardan YÖK Başkanı Özcan’a tepki Yargı: Dinçer intihal yapmış CSI mısın Konya Emniyeti? 'Derin' çete, vekillere şantaj için matbaacı kadını 'yarbay' yapmış! Meral TAMER Sayıştay Başkanı'nın yurtdışı gezileri Gübre satışına denetim geliyor Türbanlılara göbek atıyorum ASELSAN dosyası kapandı 10 Ocak 2008 Basın Özeti | H3 Taha AKYOL DTP'den mektup var 'Siyasi çözüm' telkini 'Çocuklar ölürken kime ne anlatılır?' Görüşmede ‘siyasi çözüm’ lafı geçmedi Kürt sorununda yeni süreç Talimat ve bomba Kandil'den 'Siyasi çözüm' tartışması Cengiz Çandar “Garp Cephesi”nde “Kürt konusu”nda “yeni” bir şey var mı? Bush pushes carrot with PKK stick M Ali Birand ABD, karşılıksız sırt sıvazlamaz Sedat ERGİN Türkiye, Kerkük'te istediği zamanı kazandı SOLİ ÖZEL Havadaki toplar Cumhurbaşkanı'nın ABD ziyareti üzerine Hasan Celal Güzel Cüneyt Ülsever Cumhurbaşkanı’nın ABD gezisi Şahin Alpay Kürt sorununda niye bir fırsat var? Serdar Turgut Siyasi çözüm Ahmet Taşgetiren Bir teklif
Erdal Sağlam ABD ile işbirliğinin yeni adı: Enerji
Deniz Baykal, anadilde eğitim ve öğrenimi Meclis gündemine taşıyor ERDAL ŞAFAK CHP'nin girişimi Kürt sorunu açılımı Tarhan Erdem 5 Kasım’ın tutanakları var
İşte İran'ın doğalgazı kesme sebebi Erdoğan yüzde 60 oy hedefi koydu Mustafa Karaalioğlu Altını çizelim Fikret BİLA Gül'ün ve Erdoğan'ın tepkileri İlnur Çevik Gul gives the right message to the Kurds Cevdet Aşkın Bush 2. perdeyi açtı sıra siyasi açılımda Hasan CEMAL PKK'nın silah ve terörüne geçit yok!
Türkiye'nin enerji köprüsü olma iddiası dış politikaya yansıdı
İngilizlerin Kıbrıs uyarısı
Murat Yetkin Kerim Balcı It is cold in Ankara and the gas valves are closed Yusuf KANLI
Spring in Turkish-US ties? Semih İDİZ Başkan Bush'tan iki uçlu AB mesajı Sami KOHEN Türkiye'nin rolü ne kadar önemli? Mehmet BARLAS Amerika dünyada yenildiği zaman Türkiye galip mi geliyor? Cumhurbaşkanı'nın ABD gezisi ve İran Nuray Mert Mümtazer Türköne Elit klan üyeliğinden eşit vatandaşlığa 'Demokratik Cumhuriyet'
İsmet Berkan Güneri CIVAOĞLU Teröre karşı din Kürtler, Çerkezler, Arnavutlar, Lazlar... Türker Alkan İsmail Küçükkaya Gül’ün gezisindeki iki ihtimal [TÜRKİYE'NİN 2008 GÜNDEMİ] 2008, dış politikada atılım yılı Lale Sarıibrahimoğlu Turkey has to increase focus on al-Qaeda İbrahim Kalın Gül’s visit heralds a new phase in US-Turkish relations Taha Kıvanç Fehmi KoruABD'nin fiyakası bozulabilir Never miss an opportunity to show your sympathy ALİ BAYRAMOĞLU O sekiz asker suçlu mu mağdur mu? TAMER KORKMAZ Ankara'ya Yakalanan Washington… İBRAHİM KARAGÜL PKK, K. Irak'tan kaçıyor, Ermenistan'a yerleşiyor! AKİF EMRE Stratejik indirgemecilik 'Karanlığa tükürüyorlar' Ekrem Dumanlı Meaningless jealousy Ertuğrul Özkök Tatile niye yalnız gittim Mehmet Yılmaz Rüşvetçi holding soruşturulmadı Yalçın Doğan ’In the name of Allah’ Ahmet Hakan Olmasa bu kavgalar Enis Berberoğlu Oktay Ekşi 3 kuruşluk isyan... Bekir Coşkun Telefonda... Hüseyin Gülerce Never miss an opportunity to show your sympathy Amerika anladı, siz de anlayın... Can Dündar Müslüman demokrat AKP'li Yiğit: Alevi açılımına Alevliği İslam dışı görenler karşı çıkıyor! AK Party’s Muharram iftar to take place today Alevi iftarına 'Düşkün' ihtarı
Erdoğan'dan ilginç çıkış: Türkiye'nin kalkınmasını istemeyen siyasetçiler var MUHARREM SARIKAYA ERGUN BABAHAN Washington'da bir akşam yemeği EMRE AKÖZ Otel lavabosunda abdest alınır mı? Umur Talu Pax Americana HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN NAZLI ILICAK Yaşlılarımıza sahip çıkalım MAHMUT ÖVÜR Mesut Yılmaz ne yapıyor? YAVUZ DONAT Dededen toruna siyaset Nuh Gönültaş Hükümet başka, devlet başka olunca... ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Bu sorunlar daha çok zirve kaldırır Ercan Kumcu Dış borçlar İBRAHİM KAHVECİ Para çok - gelir yok American firms eye Turkish energy privatizations Amerika'yla ekonomide ne kuş, ne deve politikası
Wold Bank forecasts strong growth for Turkey in 2008 Hurşit GÜNEŞ Ödemeler dengesi verileri alarm veriyor! Dünya ekonomisi
2008'de ekonomik durgunluk yaşanacak mı? |
| H4 New York Times Difficulties Confront Bush as He Arrives in Israel New Penalties Set as Bush Calls Iran a Threat to Peace From Palestinians, Harsh View of Bush 4 Say Marines Took Fire in Attack by Afghans By ANDREW KOHUT Gender and age patterns tend not to be as confounding to pollsters as race, which to my mind was a key reason the polls got New Hampshire so wrong. | H5 Washington PostFor U.S., The Goal Is Now 'Iraqi Solutions' After countless unsuccessful efforts to achieve political, economic and security benchmarks, U.S. officials let Iraqis figure things out themselves. Approach Acknowledges Benchmarks Aren't Met Bush Opens Tour With Call to Act Help and 'Pressure' Offered in Quest for Mideast Peace; Tehran Gets a Warning Top Iranian General Hit With Sanctions U.S. Also Singles Out 3 Exiled Iraqis For Fomenting Violence in Iraq U.S. to Bolster Forces in Afghanistan: Pentagon Cites NATO's Failure to Provide Additional Troops ( Turning It Around Down in polls after an Iowa loss, Hillary Clinton had no victory speech for New Hampshire. But then an unexpected thing happened: She won. Taliban Commander Emerges As Pakistan's 'Biggest Problem' Radical Accused in Bhutto's Death Has Quickly Gathered Power Bush Recalls 1998 Trip to Israel Helicopter Tour Given by Sharon Left Lasting Impression New Estimate of Violent Deaths Among Iraqis Is Lower Editorial Pace Quickens Toward Feb. 5 Wide-open nomination races in both parties will culminate in biggest primary day in history. Blast Kills 6 as Troops Hunt Iraqi Insurgents U.S. Forces Encounter Booby-Trapped House Clinton's Campaign in N.H. Touched Chord With Women Were N.H. Polls a Repeat of 1948 Failure . . . or Not? What if the polls were right, and the dynamics changed dramatically on Election Day? William Arkin The Bush Administration Overreacts Granite State Grit By David S. Broder The lesson of New Hampshire can be summarized in two simple words: Character counts. Start of a Marathon By George F. Will A Shocker, in Hindsight By E.J. Dionne Jr., The Clintons' One-Two Punch By Robert D. Novak, An Old Democratic Fault Line By Harold Meyerson, Ex-CIA Official May Refuse To Testify About Videotapes | H6 Guardian While America votes, Europe cannot sleep. The to-do list looks like this Timothy Garton Ash: Progress in three vital areas - jobs, Muslims and neighbours - will enable our leaders to look the new president in the face 151,000 Iraqis killed since invasion Government accepts new estimate on death toll that includes civilian deaths up to June 2006 Little progress as Bush meets Olmert PM's refusal to rule out more settlement building highlights lack of progress since Annapolis talks The west has not just repressed democracy. It has aided terror
Simon Jenkins: Pakistan has as many paradigms as pundits. What is clear, however, is that meddling will only ever foment disorder Clinton's amazing comeback could yet crown McCain
Jonathan Freedland: A dramatic 24 hours gives Hillary a great boost, but would she beat the Republicans' resurgent veteran? Leader The comeback kids
New Hampshire primaries: After the Iowa caucuses we warned readers not to leap to conclusions about the outcome of the US presidential nomination races. Tuesday's New Hampshire primary results have mightily vindicated that instinct - and it is important to stick to it now. So we will say it again Next stop the nation Clinton seizes frontrunner status again and targets 14 states while Obama heads for rival's backyard The tears over coffee that turned round poll Analysis: How the pollsters got it so wrong France falls out of love
Philippe Marlière: Excitement about Nicolas Sarkozy's romantic life masks a growing public malaise over his reforms A president in love
France: Nicolas Sarkozy's public romance may make headlines but it does nothing to assuage the concerns of his people Four in the frame as McCain revival blows Republican race wide open Search for Middle East cash to rescue Northern Rock Government brings in Goldman Sachs to find financing for a takeover of the stricken bank Turn up the Abba, as Alistair takes us back to the 1970s
Larry Elliott: Britain's 2008 economic outlook looks worryingly like that of 30 years ago - and the chancellor is offering little reassurance Forget the stereotypes: Iran's women are active and organised
In my country the struggle for empowerment and equality has a long history, says Massoumeh Torfeh Qatar feels the chill Dilip Hiro Jan 09 08, 07:00pm: What reasons could George Bush have for giving Qatar the cold shoulder? One: its support and bankrolling of al-Jazeera American psychos Libby Brooks: US elections 2008: Hillary Clinton's revival is all the more remarkable since she has run the gauntlet of a truly vicious streak of media misogyny Untrue or just inconvenient? Alex Evans and David Steven: The consensus on climate change is welcome but listening to dissenters is still important if the battle to save the planet is to be won Substance, not style Daniel Koffler Jan 09 08, 05:00pm: US elections 2008: Despite what many believe, there are significant differences in policy between Barack Obama and the other candidates The Clinton rebellion Michael Tomasky: US elections 2008: New Hampshire's Democratic voters last night delivered one of the most stunning results in modern US politics A time for action Seth Freedman: Leftwing protests against the expansion of Israeli settlements make nice news reports, but very little difference Sarkozy to ban advertising from state television
Critics say move will help president's media friends as advisers study BBC model in drive to improve quality Civil servant who leaked rendition secrets goes free |
| H7 From Policy, an inquiry into the nature and causes of the happiness of nations: People’s actions tell us what makes them happy; an essay on how liberal capitalism delivers the satisfaction of personal achievement; and an article on why capitalism is good for the soul: Capitalism provides the conditions for creating worthwhile lives. Why life is good: A dangerous gap exists between our personal experience, which is mainly happy, and our view of a society in decline. From The American Interest, a review of Democracy’s Good Name: The Rise and Risks of the World’s Most Popular Form of Government by Michael Mandelbaum and Supercapitalism by Robert B. Reich. Why We Can't Stop $100 Oil By: Daniel Gross | Newsweek
It's safe to say that oil's breaching three figures last week was explicitly not due to the venality of ExxonMobil's bosses, or to our inexplicable hesitancy to drill for methane in the Grand Canyon, or to the lack of subsidies for schemes to process bacon fat into diesel. A Game of Chickin in the Persian Gulf By: David Isenberg | Asia Times
Five Iranian speedboats against a frigate, a destroyer and a cruiser - all of them well armed - of the US Navy. It turned out to be a no-contest, with the Iranians backing off at the last seconds. Next Time, Sink 'Em - New York Post editorial Brian Katulis, "How Progressives Can Win on National Security," The American Prospect, January 7, 2008 | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq stratfor New study estimates 151 000 violent Iraqi deaths since 2003 invasion
Source: New England Journal of Medicine (via World Health Organization) Violence-Related Mortality in Iraq from 2002 to 2006: Iraq Family Health Survey Study Group + Q & A about Iraq mortality study (PDF; 42 KB) + Download audio and video sound bites (includes transcripts) + Iraq Family Health Survey 2006/7 (PDF; 232 KB) BBC Bush 'hopeful' for Mid-East peace US President George W Bush says he is hopeful a Middle East peace deal can be reached in the next year Awaking struggle?
Doubts persist over former Iraq insurgents armed by US military New study says 151,000 Iraqi dead An estimated 151,000 Iraqis have died in violence since the US-led invasion, a new survey suggests. Iraq: Awakening Councils Face Political, Terrorist Pressure U.S. mounts new push against Sunni militants in Iraq Despite Security Gains, Iraqi Government ParalyzedNPR Article Urges Arab States to Seize Peace Opportunity of Bush Mideast Tour BBC Monitoring Quotes From Middle East Arabic Press for 9 January 08 Iran, Syria Sign Gas Deal More Signs of Iran Detente …From Petraeus
Iran's Oil Minister: No talks with Turkmenistan on gas export price Iran's Nuclear Programme IISS Syrian Papers Express Scepticism on Bush Visit Syrian Papers Discuss Objectives of Bush's Tour, Expect Failure CAP "Setting U.S. Policy on a Better Course," Middle East Progress,
January 8, 2008 Annapolis: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
FRIDE Hooman Majd / The Huffington Post: It's a Fake — The Pentagon's version of the encounter in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday morning, involving U.S. Navy warships and Iranian Revolutionary Guard patrol boats is, at the very least highly suspicious. Iran Paper Accuses BBC, CIA of Launching Campaign Against Election Watchdog Iran Dismisses "Archive" US Navy Footage and "Fake" Audio Lebanese President May Be Elected Long Before Arab Summit - Syrian Minister BBC Monitoring Quotes From Iranian Press 9 Jan 08 Jessica of Carnegie swoons...
to Syria's siren call. Resolving the Settlements Issue is Not Enough : Bilal Al-Hassan Daily Star The time for mere talk of Palestinian statehood is well and truly over | H9 Ha’aretz – Bush in Israel: West Bank outposts 'have got to go' Bush: Abbas must choose between 'state or chaos' Officials who met Bush on Wed. said the U.S. president appeared impatient, eager for progress in peace talks On a Divine missionOnly after the Palestinian people undergo a conceptual, ideological and institutional conversion will it be possible to establish a Palestinian state that will exist alongside Israel in peace and prosperity. Benn What a glorious declineThe most learned commentators, historians and economists in the U.S., tell of a declining power, collapsing under a heavy burden of enormous debts that paid for extravagant consumption. Bradley Burston: Mr. Bush, you were born to make peace ANALYSIS: Bush visit gives PM a welcome pre-Winograd respite The end of the U.S. president's 3-day visit will mark the beginning of Olmert's biggest challenge to his rule No Progress in West Bank Without a Solution for Gaza - Aluf Benn Jerusalem PostAbbas to urge US president to 'order' settlement freeze By ISI LEIBLER Bush needs to tell Abbas: If you can't or won't curb terrorism, you're no longer a peace partner. An historic opportunity for peace Bush: US can't dictate terms of Palestinian state; Olmert encouraged by president's position on Iran. America Decides 2008 Foreign policy on the table Uncertainty in the global arena favors Clinton and McCain. Civil Fights: Lebanon's lessons for Gaza [ EVELYN GORDON Yedioth Ahronoth Welcome, Mr. President Israel welcomes true friend, who is here because we’re world’s bleeding wound Daily Alert.org – Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine BBC Monitoring Quotes From Israel's Hebrew Press 9 Jan 08 Why Is Bush Coming? - Yossi Alpher Bush: mugged by reality Jon Alterman, MESH. Ex-Israeli Spy Reveals 1991 Plan to Bomb North Korean Smuggling Ship - Report From Azure, an article on Israel's electoral complex; and an essay on Zionism's new challenge. From Commentary, there are good grounds for hoping that the dangerous experiment revived at Annapolis will fail. From Reset, a special issue on the Annapolis summit. Mearsheimer and Walt on Israel's false friends. Yo, anyone who fears Iran: George Bush is heading off for a tour of the Middle East — he will not be greeted as a conquering hero. If George W. Bush added a tour of Israel's "security barrier" to his visit, he might understand how essential a political solution to terror is, rather than a military one. Seven Questions: Israel’s Guest of Honor Of Braveheart and Bush: The Mideast is no aberration — just ask the Scots. A paper finds that the lack of IDF rapes of Palestinian women is designed to serve a political purpose |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor On Mideast trip, Bush hopes to propel historic Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking In Jerusalem Wednesday, the president called for two democracies to live side by side. In Pakistan, fear of an ethnic divide The political blame game over Bhutto's assassination and rising ethnic tensions raise worries about the fragility of the country's federal structure. How a credit crunch may hurt the world economy As troubles in the US housing market ripple across the global economy, the health of banks has become one of the biggest financial uncertainties for 2008. Abroad, fresh image of US Many see Obama, Clinton successes as fitting the ideals of US democracy and diversity. ASIA Commentatry Is India an Ally? Sadanand Dhume The new friendship between the U.S. and the world's largest democracy is remarkable and welcome; here are reasons for caution. Health Care Tops List Of Concerns in China On the heels of government pledges to reform China's failing health-care system, a government survey released Wednesday identified medical issues as the No. 1 concern of most citizens. Knowledge Economies in China
COMMENT: Japan must aim higher than 'Kyoto-light' Asia's Self-Inflicted Wounds May End the Fun By: William Pesek | Bloomberg News Japan is hardly alone in shooting its economy in the foot. Ten years after the Asian crisis, for example, the region remains too reliant on exports for growth. From Seoul to Bangkok, Asia is awash in instances of policy failures that may imperil the region's ability to withstand a global recession. Beijing would use force to restore N. Korea stability Cross-Strait Relations: In Search of Peace
\"China Leadership Monitor\"
A 19-page US paper on the prospects for resolving China-Taiwan issues Multi-ethnic policy shows cracks Protests in Malaysia have highlighted anger at the preferential treatment of majority Malays LA Times EditorialPakistan's sovereigntyThe U.S. wants to fight terrorism; most Pakistanis want America to stay away. Whose rights should prevail? The Bhutto Assassination: A Tough Case for Scotland Yard | Stratfor Pakistanis Want Larger Role for Both Islam and Democracy
Source: World Public Opinion/U.S. Institute of Peace Full Report (PDF; 247 KB) + Questionnaire / Methodology (PDF; 133 KB) Boston Globe Editorial Tempting fate in Pakistan | H11 IHT We can beat Iran - but not by fighting By ROGER STERN Here is our adversary's weakness: An oil price decline would be a mortal threat. Poland wants air defenses bolstered in return for missile shield
Bogdan Klich, the Polish defense minister, said he would ask the U.S. to modernize the country's defenses, and a Defense Ministry official said the request would be made during talks in Washington next week. Kosovo leader promises independence in weeks A former rebel leader was elected Kosovo's prime minister Wednesday, vowing that the province was only weeks away from independence and calling on Serbia to give up its claim to the territory. We still need the big guns By CHARLES J. DUNLAP JR. Looking ahead, America needs a military centered not on occupying another country but on denying potential adversaries the ability to attack its interests. EUROPE European press review Kosovo gets pro-independence PM Kosovo MPs back a coalition government led by Hashim Thaci, who is pushing for independence from Serbia. Profile: Hashim Thaci Q&A: Kosovo's future Kosovo's Independence and Its Global Ramifications By: C. Cem Oguz | Turkish Daily News Kosovo is a small enclave which Belgrade still considers an integral part of its territory. In practice, however, Serbian governance in Kosovo is virtually non-existent. It has been administered by the United Nations since the end of the NATO-led assault in 1999 in response to Serbian ethnic cleansing of Kosovar Albanians. Battle of Kosovo By: Anna Di Lellio | The Guardian
Kosovo's aspiration for independence has come face to face with the very same forces that bloodily denied it to Bosnia. Sarkozy in Love By: Nidra Poller | The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Does the president of a 21st-century democratic nation have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Or is he sworn to some kind of secular celibacy ... at least in appearance? From The Wilson Quarterly, how do our own pasts connect with our larger cultural heritage? Here are 12 ways to respond to that question. Ian Buruma on legislating history. Europe and identity: A review of Amartya Sen's Identity and Violence. From Foreign Policy, Europe’s philosophy of failure: In France and Germany, students are being forced to undergo a dangerous indoctrination: Taught that economic principles such as capitalism, free markets, and entrepreneurship are savage, unhealthy, and immoral, these children are raised on a diet of prejudice and bias; rooting it out may determine whether Europe’s economies prosper. From Sign and Sight, back to Rudi Dutschke's pram: Was 1968 a delayed offshoot of European totalitarianism or groundswell of liberalisation and democraticisation Analysis: Youth crime shocks Germany (UPI) -- An increased perception of violence by immigrant youth has sparked a debate about ethnic youth crime in Germany that divides the government in Berlin. Walker's World: A Union of the West By MARTIN WALKER (UPI) -- Former French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur this week proposed in a long essay "a true union of the West" between Europe and North America, which received a warm response from France's new President Nicolas Sarkozy. [Fbis] OSC: FYI (7): Thaci Vows To Work for Independent Kosovo, Cooperate With US, EU, NATO | H12 RFE/RL Google News Azerbaijan Armenia: Smear Tactics Feature Prominently in Early Presidential Election CampaigningWith just under six weeks to go before Armenia’s presidential election, the field of candidates is coming into sharper focus. Overall, nine men are expected to battle for the presidency when the campaign season officially gets underway January 21. But most experts believe the race quickly will boil down to a contest between two men – incumbent Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian and former president Levon Ter-Petrosian. EDM PUTIN PRAISES SUCCESSFUL ICBM LAUNCHES
- GAZPROM SET TO POUNCE ON SERBIA AS PUTIN MOVES INTO THE BALKANS
- GEORGIA: OPPOSITION THREATENS TO OVERTURN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AMID GROWING INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE RESULTS Purge or Coup? By: Anders Aslund | The Moscow Times
For years, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised everybody that he would retire from politics when his second term lapsed in 2008. With his usual consistency, he changed his tune last June, saying he would maintain a major political role. Georgia on Our Mind By: Mart Laar | The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Saturday's re-election of Mikheil Saakashvili takes Georgian democracy a step forward. The largely free and fair contest helps repair Georgia's international image, which suffered after November's clashes between opposition protesters and police brought on the emergency rule. Armenian Minister Hails Ties With Iran Turkmen Leader Wants Strong Army - Iranian Radio The Myth of the Authoritarian Model
Michael McFaul, Kathryn Stoner-Weiss
A 5-page US essay on the effects of autocracy on development in Russia |
| H13 The Times Slowdown, but not crash and burn Apart from the impossibility of defining a recession, it's impossible to predict if Britain will have one Anatole Kaletsky In praise of US democracy The world is gripped by a remarkable American election 'Liberated' – America's women voters seize the day Hillary Clinton's dramatic win in the New Hampshire primary was driven by women voters turning out for her in record numbers Iran warned of reprisals if US ships attacked President Bush began his tour of the Middle East with a stern warning to Iran regarding threats to US Navy in the Gulf Portugal caves in over EU treaty vote plans A referendum on the redrafted EU constitution has been ruled out after pressure from Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy Hillary proves we need more women on top It would be good to think that the first female US president will represent a giant step forward for womankind Sandra Parsons Wall Street JournalWelcome We're rolling out a new Web site for the Journal editorial page, offering all of our editorials and op-eds, video interviews and commentary. Please enjoy our message of free people and free markets -- for free. Bush's Mideast Muddle - Michael Oren Play Misty for Me
So, to a political career marked by the "pretty in pink" cattle-futures press conference, and the "vast right-wing conspiracy" strategy, we can now add the legend of the falling tears. But Obama didn't lose merely because Hillary cried. Review & Outlook Iran's Provocation
By Walter Russell Mead
The Straits of Hormuz are exceptionally sensitive. The ability of the U.S. to protect the free flow of oil through these waters is absolutely vital to the global economy. Any U.S. military response to a challenge there would be swift and overwhelming -- perhaps far greater than the Iranians expect. The Surge Worked
By John McCain and Joe Lieberman
The question now is where we go from here to sustain the progress we have achieved -- and in particular, how soon can more of our troops come home, based on the success of the surge. We shouldn't risk our victory by withdrawing troops before it's time. Why Hillary Won By Karl Rove
Mrs. Clinton won the beer drinkers, Mr. Obama the white wine crowd. And there are more beer drinkers than wine swillers in the Democratic Party. New Hampshire shows us not to trust primary polls, and that Obama is vulnerable. Citi, Merrill Seek Foreign Capital Citigroup and Merrill Lynch are in talks to get additional capital infusions from investors, primarily foreign governments. Merrill is expected to get $3 billion to $4 billion, while Citi could get as much as $10 billion. | H14 Financial Times Iran looms large as Bush visits Mideast Iran overshadowed the start of George W. Bush’s visit to the Middle East as the president issued a sharp warning to Tehran over the recent stand-off between US and Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz US considers more marines for Afghanistan Robert Gates, US defense secretary, will consider deploying some 3,000 Marines to Afghanistan to thwart any spring offensive by Taliban militants, the Pentagon said LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: The 'surge' will not rebuild Iraq Goldman fears US recession Goldman Sachs joins a growing chorus of investment banks that are predicting the downturn will turn into a recession as it forecasts a ‘modest’ contraction through late 2008 WORLD NEWS: Bush rebukes Iran over naval stand-off New Hampshire’s gift Rushing headlong to a coronation of just one candidate would not have been good for democratic competition. Now the field is wide open again, for both Democrats and Republicans, and the healthy rivalry can begin INSIGHT - FRANCISCO BLANCH: Emerging markets hold key to oil and dollar moves ‘Choking-up’ moment dims Obama wonder At Hillary Clinton’s campaign victory event, which bore clear signs of having being planned as a concession rally, officials could barely conceal their pleasure at the media’s embarrassment. WORLD NEWS - US ELECTION: McCain has still to win battle for party's heart Sarkozy steals Slovenia’s EU limelight As the little Alpine nation launched its presidency of the European Union, Nicolas Sarkozy leapfrogged over the Slovenes and sketched his vision for France’s upcoming term Iraq death toll put at over 150,000At least 150,000 Iraqis died violently in the 40 months after the US-led invasion in 2003, according to an estimate derived from the most comprehensive survey yet of mortality in post-war Iraq Sarkozy switches to a softer vision The French president has gone from tough labour-market reforms to a focus on quality of life Fears rise for UK economy Sterling falls to an 11-year low against European currencies after unexpectedly poor Christmas sales figures from one of Britain’s leading retailers raised fresh fears about the health of the UK economy Former PM to advise on politics and strategy Obama’s lessons for businessThe 46-year-old US presidential candidate has much to teach chief executives about leadership, writes John Gapper Oil ‘supermajors’ 10 years on Only 10 years after ‘supermajor’ entered the oil industry’s lexicon, supermajors no longer constitute the sector and the term is showing its age | H15 Los Angeles Times Voices of experience Editorial: New Hampshire backed Clinton and McCain. Now, both must show voters the future, not the past EditorialPakistan's sovereigntyThe U.S. wants to fight terrorism; most Pakistanis want America to stay away. Whose rights should prevail? A Renewed Push in Diyala By: Alexandra Zavis | Los Angeles Times
About 4,000 U.S. and Iraqi forces, backed by warplanes and attack helicopters, swept into the northern Diyala River valley overnight in the opening salvo of the latest effort to flush the Sunni Arab militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq and its affiliates out of their havens across the nation, the U.S. military said. |
| H16 American Politics As Clinton and McCain rebound in N.H., races are wide open On the Democratic side, a potentially historic clash lies ahead. For the GOP, Michigan is the next test. Four New Hampshire independents, four reasons they voted Democratic A majority of independent voters in Tuesday's presidential primary chose one of the Democratic candidates. Those who voted on the GOP side helped boost McCain to victory New Hampshire's humbling lessons Candidates as well as media must learn that voters often have different ideas on what they expect. Commentary: Bipartisan manifesto By ARNAUD DE BORCHGRAVE The bipartisan conclave in Oklahoma this week was designed as a bridge between moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats. Why are polls sometimes so wrong? Analysis: Both Clinton and McCain come back AP NewsBreak: Richardson Ends Bid Robert Novak / Chicago Sun Times: McCain shreds Romney's plan, is likely nominee MSNBC:Bloomberg gathering data to gauge support John Zogby / Zogby:
Polling the New Hampshire Primaries: What Happened? Howard Kurtz / Washington Post:
Media Blow It Again Mark Blumenthal / Pollster.com:
NEW HAMPSHIRE: SO WHAT HAPPENED? Lesson learned?
Why journalists will not be taking the electorate for granted
Going the Distance - Steven Stark, Boston Phoenix The Clinton Style - Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times Obama: 'Where's the Beef?' - Mort Kondracke, Roll Call No Excuse For Buyer's Remorse - George Will, Houston Chronicle 'You're Likable Enough' Costs Obama - Richard Cohen, Washington Post The Next Four Weeks - David Plouffe, Obama Campaign Manager realclearpolitics – ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp | H17 Daily Telegraph Why 'long-term' Brown is selling us short For those of you who might have got the misleading impression from the media that Senator Barack Obama is a cross between John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Diana, Princess of Wales, it is time for an apology, writes Iain Martin. Squidgygate tapes 'leaked by GCHQ' Tapes of Diana, Princess of Wales, talking intimately to an alleged lover were recorded by the British intelligence and then leaked, an inquest into the princess's death learnt. | The Big Question: How did the polls get the result in New Hampshire so wrong? Rupert Cornwell: Instead of the coronation of Barack Obama, we witnessed the triumph of democracy Leading article: A primary that promises a truly vintage campaign The pundits had called the Demo- cratic primary already at Southern New Hampshire University. It was Barack Obama's to lose. And that wasn't going to happen |
| H19Military Intelligence Terrorism The Return of al Qaida SWP An 8-page German paper assessing the current status of al Qaida and the implications for Europe Homeland Security Report #181 (PDF; 293 KB) Source: MIPT’s Terrorism Information Center Success in Irregular Warfare - Sam Holliday, American Diplomacy Blueprint for Homeland Security - Rudolph Giuliani, Wall Street Journal Ex-CIA Agent Philip Agee Dead in Cuba Fear and the Nuclear Terror Threat - Michael Levi, USA Today
CIA Tapes: What Do We Still Not Know? - Jane Harman, USA Today
"Security of Communications Systems Used by Key Government Officials," NSDD-113, November 17, 1983. New Taliban Leader: More Dangerous Than Bin Laden? INTERNATIONAL: Hizb ut-Tahrir channels disaffection Suicide Bombers: Warriors of the Middle Class By: Randall Collins | Foreign Policy
We tend to imagine suicide bombers as hardened, bloodthirsty killers. But most people aren’t nearly as ready to commit violence as you think. It’s actually the quiet, docile members of the middle class who make the best human explosive devices. We still need the big guns By CHARLES J. DUNLAP JR. Looking ahead, America needs a military centered not on occupying another country but on denying potential adversaries the ability to attack its interests. By Daniel L. Davis American forces could suffer a significant battlefield defeat in future war [-] a defeat that might otherwise be avoidable.
Philip Agee, 72; wrote book divulging CIA secrets New exec secretary for White House NSC | H20 Slate Deadly Diyala The war in Iraq grinds on.
Phillip Carter Pollster Panic Polling outfits go through an existential crisis after Clinton's upset win.
Mark Blumenthal and Charles Franklin A review of Deirdre McCloskey's The Bourgeois Virtues: Ethics for an Age of Commerce. | H21 From Policy, an inquiry into the nature and causes of the happiness of nations: People’s actions tell us what makes them happy; an essay on how liberal capitalism delivers the satisfaction of personal achievement; and an article on why capitalism is good for the soul: Capitalism provides the conditions for creating worthwhile lives. Why life is good: A dangerous gap exists between our personal experience, which is mainly happy, and our view of a society in decline. The Constructive Value of Overconfidence
Source: Bar Ilan University, Public Law and Legal Theory Working Paper (via SSRN) |
