| H1 Ha’aretz – Winograd lays blame on IDF for failings of war Final report on Second Lebanon War: IDF 'failed to meet most missions and challenges they were assigned'. Winograd Commission Final Report
USIP Briefing: Iraq: Politics Unfrozen, Direction Still Unclear Why is there such a gap between all the usual pessimism about America’s future and the actual trends? From Prospect, Michael Lind on how America still works The US economy is slowing down, but the long-term trends for the country are more favourable than many think. There has also been a sharp improvement in many of America's social pathologies, such as violent crime and drug abuse Washington Times Warning light on Kosovo By John Bolton An imposed settlement of the Kosovo question and seeking to partition Serbia's sovereign territory without its consent is not in the interest of the United States TimeBlog America's Future Middle East Policy: Obama Edition Gallup Daily: Tracking Election 2008 Christian Science Monitor Permanent US bases in Iraq unlikely A US-Iraq security pact won't set troop levels now, but it could set the stage for long-term strategy. Washington Post Pause on Iraq Troop Cuts U.S. commanders in Iraq want to freeze troop levels when they reach 130,000 later this year U.S. to Expand Outposts Across Baghdad by 30% Washington Institute Iranian Threats and the UN Sanctions Debate - Patrick Clawson IHT Who's hiding under our umbrella? By PAUL KENNEDY Carrying free riders may be the price of empire, but the U.S. is ceding influence. Different money, different rules By LAWRENCE H. SUMMERS Sovereign funds should agree to a set of rules. Los Angeles Times Afghanistan report warns of 'failed state'A panel of U.S. diplomatic and military experts says more troops and better coordination are needed to secure the country in the face of a resurgent Taliban. Al Awsat Senior US Gov't Advisor David Satterfield on Iraq • 'Has the Shiite Crescent Disappeared? Saudi Arabia and the US Alliance against Iran' by Joshua Teitelbaum, Tel Aviv Notes (pdf) • 'The Decline of the Arab Core: Egypt's Waning Influence in the Middle East' by Kareem M. Kamel Guardian Our state collects more data than the Stasi ever did. We need to fight back Timothy Garton Ash: To trust in the good intentions of our rulers is to put liberty at risk. I'd go to jail rather than accept this kind of ID card Olmert absolved despite Lebanon
Inquiry does not criticise Israeli PM, but says war did not achieve goals
Analysis: Ian Black Leader Olmert survives, for now Asia's High Stake in Persian Gulf Stability By: Michael Richardson | The Japan Times FT Qatar considers dropping dollar peg Booming Gulf state struggles to tame inflation Lebanon war report targets Israeli military A highly critical report into the handling of the conflict accused the country’s political and military leaders of ‘severe failures and faults Leader Little alternative to Olmert – for now Ehud Olmert is perhaps the most unpopular prime minister since the creation of Israel but his survival says much about the country Daily Star Sarkozy's Gulf gambit promises key changes in the region At Davos, trying to change an incomprehensible world
By Dominique Moisi Russia: An Energy Superpower? CIS This US essay examines Russia's energy policy, its political dimension and the country's ability to meet its contractual supply obligations Asia Times Race for sanctions on Iran speeds up
The US and its allies, worried about a new International Atomic Energy Agency report that is expected to confirm there is no evidence of military diversion from Iran's nuclear activities, are pushing hard for more United Nations sanctions on Tehran. This sets the stage for a let down at the IAEA, and a showdown in the Persian Gulf. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi Another Look at the 9/11 Commission Philip Zelikow, engaged in 'surreptitious' communications with presidential adviser Karl Rove and other Bush administration officials during the commission's 20-month investigation into the 9/11 attacks Obama: World 'Muslim summit' can fight terror, misunderstandings Is McCain a Conservative? - Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times The New Rules of Politics - Karl Rove, Wall Street Journal The Times The Afghan war may not be forgotten so easily Lack of troops, aid and time could be a major problem for the country and especially for President Karzai Bronwen Maddox William Arkin Choices at the End of the Surge Iraqi political impasse a lifesaver for some Los Angeles Times | H2 Washington Institute Kirkuk's Article 140: Expired or Not? Türkiye ABD'nin dikkatini 100 bin askerle çekti ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türban Türkiye'nin iç meselesidir Turkish Military Shuns Head-Scarf Debate WSJ Turkish Progress Like Kurdish and ultranationalist terrorists, al Qaeda can't stand the thought of a democratic and liberal Turkey able to reconcile itself with Islam and ... 24 Turkish firms among Top 100 in Muslim World Deputy raises eyebrows with ICJ proposal
ASAM ULUSAL GÜVENLİK STRATEJİLERİ SERTİFİKA PROGRAMI Terörde sivil işbirliği için ABD kadın diplomat atadı Turkey army chief reaffirms tough headscarf stance EDM U.S.-TURKISH MILITARY COOPERATION DEEPENS AFTER ROUGH PATCH Iraqi Turkomans Ask for Awakening Councils in Kirkuk Areas Ermeni lobisi Obama'yı destekleyecek
Sami KOHEN Dış basında türban tartışması Dünya türbanı konuşuyor Çetin candidate for UN post in Afghanistan Türban dış basında Le Monde: Türban reformların önüne geçti Oray Eğin Amerikalı gazetecinin türban ve AKP sevdası Google News Fırat News Agency KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect BBC Monitoring Iraqi Kurds Face Most Difficult Year - Paper Bağdat Kuzey Irak'a vız geliyor 2008 to be a tough, challenging year for the US Kurdish Globe Will there be a permanent base in Kurdistan? Iraqi Kurdish Corruption, Human Rights Media Report 15 to 28 Jan 08 Iraq Turkoman Front Leader Remarks on Turkey Visit Kurds and Syria Kurdish Globe Jerusalem Post Kurdistan, Palestine and '08 elections Voters must ask themselves whether candidates understand Mideast reality Saygun ABD'de PKK ile mücadeleyi görüştü
"Jetler Kuzey Irak'ı bombaladı" iddiası Kirkuk Parliamentarians Denounce Iraqi Turkoman Delegation's Visit to Turkey Iraqi Kurdish Parties Demand International Diplomacy to Promote Kurdish Question Iraqi President Visits Kirkuk [Fbis] OSC: Iraqi President Talabani on 'Surprise Visit' to Kirkuk To Discuss Host of Issues Iraqi Kurds Uneasy About Awakening Councils in Their Area ABD izlenimi ‘olumlu’ Operasyon bölgesinde fotoğraf çekmek yasak
DTP’li Avcı tutuklandı
ABD Kongresi’ne verilen bir raporda onbinlerce kayıp silahların PKK’nın eline geçtiği itiraf edildi Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights 30 Jan 08 DTP destek verecek Turkey starts study on Iraq gas pipeline South Korean Army a success in Kurdistan The First Kurdish Knowledge Project in History - Part I Oil and the Economy Kurdish Globe Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber FT WORLD NEWS: Merkel rebuffs Sarkozy on Mediterranean Union plan [Yorum - Eser Karakaş] Katılım Ortaklığı Belgesi ve küresel ekonomik kriz Merkel, Zapatero to discuss Turkey's EU bid Dışişleri: Atina'ya Heybeliada sözü verilmedi Türkiye Davos'ta sınıf atladıTULÛ GÜMÜŞTEKİN Ardan Zentürk Büyükanıt... Ve Balkan riski... Nur Demirok Kosova'dan sonra sıra belki de Kıbrıs'ta Türk milletvekillerinden Fransa'ya Ermeni teklifi
Turkey is on the threshold of political upheaval Hillary'ye Ermeni darbesi Gövde gösterisini Köln’de yapacak Türbana özgürlük din ve demokrasi adına hayırlı Slovenya: Ankara ve Erivan arşivlerini açsın
Schröder'in KKTC ziyareti Papadopulos'u kızdırdı
Ergenekon'da yeni bir iddia Cezaevleri doldu taştı
Kömürcü'nün yazıları durduruldu mu? | H3 Ruşen Çakır 5 soruda türban... Kim neyi, niçin yapıyor? Türkiye’yi medeniyetten koparmaya çalışanlar demokrasi dersi veremez MHP'den TÜSİAD'a jet yanıt Korkanlar ve sevinenler SOLİ ÖZEL Çalkantı ve selamet Serdar Turgut Malum çaresizlik Tek başına, başörtüsü için yaptı Özbudun başı açıklar için endişeli Baykal: Referanduma gitmek daha vahim Laikliği referanduma mı götüreceksiniz Cem Ersever'in kayıp arşivi Veli Küçük'ün evinden çıktı iddiası
Türban müzakereleri ve bağlama yöntemi-VİDEO Cengiz Çandar Başörtüsü-Ergenekon kardeşliği... Cevdet Aşkın Genelkurmay, Talabani'ye nötr, Çankaya davette rahatladı "Türk uçakları Hakurk'u bombaladı" iddiası Ertuğrul Özkök SMS ağıtlar [NEWS ANALYSIS] Turkish military displays milder stance, says Kardaş Vahim bir mektup İsmet Berkan Sorumluluk Erdoğan'da Murat Yetkin Ahmet HakanEkranlarımızdaki türban tartışmacıları M Ali BirandKomutan doğrusunu yaptı… Cüneyt ÜlseverTürban işinin sonunda suyu çıktı Yalçın Doğan MHP’nin ABD’ye son ipi türban Oktay EkşiAnayasa Mahkemesi’ne giderse Ahmet Taşgetiren • Rektörler vak’ası ( 31.01.2008 ) Baykal: Türban düzenlemesi laikliğe aykırı Taha AKYOL Karşı devrim! Hasan CEMAL İnşallah yeni bir '367 vakası' yaşanmaz! Hasan Celal Güzel - Çene altı sendromu ve bir uyarı Ergenekon, 7 yıl önce bulunmuştu Million-dollar question: Who is the boss of Ergenekon? Sarayköy Nükleer Araştırma Tesisi'nde yangın, sabotajdan şüpheleniliyor JİTEM'in arşivi O'nda çıktı Dink Ailesi’nin 10 büyük kuşkusu Düğüm ya da çengelli iğne yönetmeliğe kaldı Türban denetimi imkánsız bir şey İğne mi takar düğüm mü atar biz karışmayız 'Bağlama'da AKP'lilerin kafası karışık İkinci yarıyıla başörtüsü ile girilebilir Hukuk devleti türbana dolandı Çarsaf ve cüppe zenginlik getirir Enis Berberoğlu Derya SAZAK Örtünen kadın Bekir Coşkun Anayasa’nın fiyongu... Kerim Balcı Eclipse of reason among the laicists İbrahim Kalın Owning modernity in the Turkish public space Türban tartışması
AİHM'nin yeni yargıcı Ayşe Işıl Karakaş'ın yorumu Lale Sarıibrahimoğlu General’s resignation for reasons of pride Özdemir İnce Mehmet BarlasBir ülkede her kesim kendisini azınlık olarak görebilir mi? Mehmet Y YılmazKadınsız türban komisyonu Uras: Laik ülkede tuhaf öneriler Türbanlılar fiyonga karşı Kimse başörtüsü bağlama şekli üzerinden gerginlik üretmesin TSK içinde hata yapan, cezasını yargı önünde çeker 'Taktığım başörtüsü'
Türker Alkan - Düğüm Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Hakkı Devrim - Türban tartışan köşekadıları Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Tarhan Erdem - Doğru sayılamadı, doğru yazılamadı Ömer Lütfi Mete 'Nerede fesat, orada hasat' Nuh Gönültaş Birkaç "kötü" adam! Murat Çelik Sessizliğin seslendirilmesi Semih İDİZ Düşünce özgürlüğü sorunu derinleşiyor Metin MÜNİR Malezya'nın PKK'sı yok ama... Derya SAZAK Örtünen kadın Semih İDİZ Düşünce özgürlüğü sorunu derinleşiyor Can Dündar Sol çözer
Burak BEKDİL
Ergenekon gang-linked bogus Turkish Patriarchate in spotlight ODTÜ: Girişim laiklik ilkesini zedeleyecektir MUHARREM SARIKAYA ERDAL ŞAFAK Elde var hüzün ERGUN BABAHAN Kendiliğinden çalan zil
EMRE AKÖZ Menfaatin olabilir ama fikrin olamaz Umur TaluÇirkin bir şey! HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN NAZLI ILICAK Atatürk'e saygı MAHMUT ÖVÜRŞişli seçiminde ne olur? YAVUZ DONAT Serdar Turgut Dindarlık bu mu? Engin Ardıç Hak verilmez alınır İsmail Küçükkaya Türban konusunda ne düşünüyorum? İlnur Çevik Turkish ultranationalist gang displays the realities
Ahmet Kekeç Başörtüsü meselesinin muhatabı asker mi? Mustafa Karaalioğlu Problemli bir ruh hali Mehmet AltanManşete çıkamayanlar... 'Çene altı' kriteri türbanlı kadınları memnun etmedi Can Dündar Sol çözer CHP ne yapmalı? 'Çene altı' bağlama tanımı yönetmelikle yapılacak Güneri CIVAOĞLU Dünya gülecek Türkiye üzerinde oynanan uluslararası büyük oyun 3
[Yorum - M. Naci Bostancı] MHP'deki halkçı dönüşüm Can Ataklı AKP kendi tuzağına düşebilir Bilal Çetin Büyükanıt’ın tek cümlelik mesajı... Mehmet Tezkan 1985: Türban serbest, baş örtüsü yasak..2008: Türban yasak, baş örtüsü serbest.. Sebahattin Önkibar Türbana Anayasa Mahkemesi engeli ve Mesut Yılmaz'ın formülü! ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Dünya yüzde 4.1 büyüyecekse bu fırtına neden? Ercan KumcuÇifte standart Erdal SağlamHükümet gündemi ekonomiye çevirmeye çalışacak Şükrü Kızılot Sosyal güvenlik yine delik deşik Seyfettin Gürsel Merkez Bankası'ndan enflasyon ve büyümeye bakış Hurşit GÜNEŞ
Davos'tan saçılan inci gibi mesajlar Gov’t determined to make Turkey attraction center İBRAHİM ÖZTÜRK - Krizin bulaşma kanalları ve Türkiye Nakde dönüş zamanı Mahfi Eğilmez Hurşit GÜNEŞ Davos'tan saçılan inci gibi mesajlar Deniz Gökçe
ABD ve resesyon felaketi? Küreselleşen piyasalarda krizler ve Türkiye ekonomisi
SEMA KALAYCIOĞLU - Çalışma Bakanı: İşçi örgütlenmesinin önündeki engelleri kaldıracağız |
| Editorial After the Fed The task of reinforcing the regulatory apparatus of the nation’s economy is as formidable a challenge as managing the downturn. Romney and McCain Tangle at Debate, but Also Try to Mold a Two-Man Race European Election Monitors May Boycott Russia Vote Iraqi Troops Mass for Operation in Mosul Italian Leader Calls for Temporary Government Mutant Flu Virus Is Found That Resists Popular Drug China Orders Relief Efforts, but Public Is Still Angry Ahmadinejad Sees Nuclear Energy in Iran by 2009 Israeli Court Rejects Appeal to Ease Restrictions on Gaza Israeli Inquiry Finds ‘Grave Failings’ in ’06 War The Democrats | Obama vs. Clinton: The Final Two in a Multifront Battle The Republicans | Romney vs. McCain: A Face-Off, Not Necessarily Televised GAIL COLLINS Four’s a Crowd The presidential campaign is kind of lonely — we’d gotten used to having a big crowd. NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF The Dynastic Question Does it diminish American democracy if we keep the presidency in the same two families that have held it since 1989? ROGER COHEN America’s Riveting Democracy As this election campaign is demonstrating, the United States remains the most vital, open, self-renewing and democratic society on earth. A Disappointing Debut To a disturbing degree, Attorney General Michael Mukasey has adopted his predecessor’s habit of saying precisely what the White House wanted to hear | H5 Washington Post Pause on Iraq Troop Cuts U.S. commanders in Iraq want to freeze troop levels when they reach 130,000 later this year U.S. to Expand Outposts Across Baghdad by 30% By: Amit R. Paley
The U.S. military plans to boost the number of neighborhood outposts across the capital by more than 30 percent this year even as American forces begin to withdraw, the new commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad said Tuesday. 2006 War Called a 'Failure' for Israel: But Panel Refrains From Direct Rebuke of Premier U.S. Urges Fairness in Pakistani Election: Official Intimidation Alleged; Key Observer Group Backs Out in Fear of Violence Editorial Senate Showdown Nears On Economic Plan With bipartisan support, Senate panel approves $157B stimulus plan that rivals the measure fashioned by president and House. Saudi Women See a Brighter Road on Rights: Group Says King May Lift Driving Ban by Year's End U.S. Envoy Decries 'Ethnic Cleansing' in Kenya | H6 Guardian Our state collects more data than the Stasi ever did. We need to fight back Timothy Garton Ash: To trust in the good intentions of our rulers is to put liberty at risk. I'd go to jail rather than accept this kind of ID card Olmert absolved despite Lebanon
Inquiry does not criticise Israeli PM, but says war did not achieve goals
Analysis: Ian Black Leader Olmert survives, for now
Lebanon war: The retired justice Eliyahu Winograd, who headed the panel investigating Israel's 34-day war in Lebanon in 2006, said yesterday what everybody already knew. The ground offensive launched in the last 60 hours of the war 'did not achieve any military objective, nor did it fulfil its potential' Divided they stand The candidates in the US presidential primaries stand for more than just differences of policy; they symbolise a nation fractured along religious, ethical, political, racial and class lines as never before, says author and commentator Jonathan Raban Schwarzenegger endorses McCain California governor's support emerges as Romney and McCain battle in final debate before Super Tuesday Giuliani formally endorses McCain The spectacular collapse of Giuliani White House race a two-horse contest Blog: New York Post endorses Obama Why Edwards lost his early lead Explainer: Now what happens to Edwards' votes? McCain's gain proves the need for cross-party appeal
Jonathan Freedland: After the Republican senator's triumph in Florida, it is clearer than ever which candidate the Democrats must choose Putin: no secret policeman Stanislav Belkovsky: The Russian president is not the head of a Chekist cabal: he is a typical post-Soviet businessman who has benefited most from his contacts there Is Perry Anderson lost in the lobby? Alan Johnson Why has an intellectual ornament of the left embraced the conspiracy theory of the 'Israel lobby' from the paleo-conservative right? Donald Rumsfeld's soft side John Brown The former defence secretary isn't known for believing in public diplomacy. So why is he calling for a new US information agency? What realignment sounds like Jedediah Purdy US elections 2008: Barack Obama's vision for America transcends old stereotypes, but he hasn't turned his lofty rehtoric into a concrete idea of citizenship Vox pop in Saudi Arabia Abeer Mishkhas Long fearful of expressing their opinions, ordinary Saudi citizens are beginning to find a voice - thanks to the internet Destined to fail Michael Tomasky US elections 2008: Edwards and Giuliani left the presidential race for the same reason - their political profiles didn't fit their parties Iraq failure equals success for neocons A bitter wind of grievance
Andia Kisia:The memory of violence will be hard to suppress. The idea of a Kenya for all Kenyans is dead It's McCain v the party machine
Michael Tomasky: Powerful conservatives are reconciling themselves to the likelihood that this man they detest is going to be someone they'll have to find a way to support in November John Edwards's indelible mark Matthew Yglesias: US elections 2008: As the candidate of big, smart ideas, he set the bar for the other Democrats, and shifted the party to the left 'Ethnic cleansing' in Kenya
United States diplomat for Africa describes the violence since the disputed presidential election |
| H7 Asia's High Stake in Persian Gulf Stability By: Michael Richardson | The Japan Times
Could an anonymous radio operator cause a war between the world's most powerful nation and energy-rich but radical Iran? Perhaps not. But someone almost triggered a shootout between the two sides earlier this month. January 30, 2008 Quarterly Report and Semiannual Report to Congress Source: Special Inspector General for Iraq Recconstruction (SIGIR) From Message From the IG (PDF; 68 KB): Full Report (PDF; 11 MB) Oil and Security Stanley Foundation A 12-page US brief examining the current role of oil in US strategy and economic activity Why Are We Succeeding in Iraq - or Are We? - Herschel Smith, Captain's Journal Arab Times The Iranian Policy in the Gulf Is Indeed Puzzling - Zaki Taleb [Fbis] OSC: OSC Analysis: International Views on US Finance Woes Driven by Inflation Concern A Modest Proposal for Middle East Peace - Victor Davis Hanson Gary Hart: The Burdens of Empire Send in the Stars By: Lionel Beehner | USA Today
Effective diplomacy doesn’t have to originate at the U.S. State Department. Scoff all you want, but celebrities have unique tools to change the world. Behind the Chaos in Kenya By: Ralph Peters | New York Post ANALYSIS-Ashdown withdrawal leaves hole in Afghan effort Daily Star Alas, it looks like Shiites vs. the rest
By Michael Young Al Hayat The Struggle for Lebanon Patrick Seale - It does not look as if the long-running Lebanese crisis will be resolved any day soon. The main reason is that the election of a Lebanese President is not a purely Lebanese affair. OPEC's Meeting amid Financial Crises Randa Takieddine - The West has grown accustomed to blaming oil-producing countries whenever oil prices rise. Prior to President Sarkozy’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, the French presidency circles said he would convey to the leaders of the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil producer, a message of concern over the mounting oil prices and their impact on the world economy The Crisis Management Stage Abdullah Iskandar - No region absorbs the attention of the US as ours; no region keeps the US preoccupied with its issues as ours. The US is literally linked or mentioned in any political matter in our countries. It has numerous domestic foes and allies, placing it at the core of internal Arab disputes. | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq stratfor BBC Monitoring Headlines, Quotes From Iraqi Press 30 Jan 08 Tilting the balance
Women voters could be crucial in Iran's forthcoming election
Analyst: Surge may be hampering Iraq reconciliation The U.S. commander in northern Iraq cautioned that dislodging al Qaeda from Mosul will "probably be a slow process," appearing to contradict a more optimistic view expressed by Iraqi PM Nuri al Maliki. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed that his country will have nuclear-powered electricity within a year The Mosul Offensive - Bill Roggio, The Long War Journal Lebanon Held Hostage - Los Angeles Times editorial USIP Event: Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq Severed cables disrupt internet
The internet is disrupted in parts of the Middle East following damage to two undersea cables. Iran bans public executions amid death sentence boom
Iran's judiciary chief moves to curb the increasingly common spectacle of public executions The Pure Terrorist Ghassan Charbel - George Habash was aware that he was living in a world different from that which had permitted him to commit the dreams of "revenge" and "return." I sensed that he was drowning in his memories. Al Awsat The 'American' Brotherhood : Tariq Alhomayed | H9 Ha’aretz – Winograd lays blame on IDF for failings of war Final report on Second Lebanon War: IDF 'failed to meet most missions and challenges they were assigned'. Editorial Worse than the partial report Amidst preoccupation with the last 60 hours of the war, people seem to have failed to hear the extraordinarily serious remarks read out by Judge Eliyahu Winograd in his summarizing announcement to the public. The blood libel against Olmert was removed from the agenda, but on the other hand, the committee declared him unfit to conduct a war ANALYSIS: Was Lebanon War necessary? Report doesn't say Report's value measured by extent of information it reveals that hasn't already appeared in post-war publications The IDF / Attacking the army on every front Key finding: 'We are all guilty' PM: My name has been cleared Jewish group to build 200 new housing units in East Jerusalem Construction in heart of Arab section would cut Old City off from Palestinian areas north of Jerusalem ANALYSIS: Winograd Committee report says 'we are all guilty' Over to you, Ehud! The bottom line of the complete Winograd report is that there is no bottom line. More precisely, there are plenty of bottom lines and everyone is welcome to pick his own IDF says was 'well aware' of flaws before Winograd Report In official response to report on Second Lebanon War, IDF says has already begun correcting errors Winograd: Current use of cluster bombs not in line with int'l law Committee calls bomblets 'inaccurate,' recommends non-army elements be involved in assessing future use Ahmadinejad tells West: Accept Israel's 'imminent collapse' Rosner's Guest: Israelis do not know enough about Jewish Diaspora Jewish vote in Florida: 58% for Clinton (WTR) Hezbollah: War report will corner Olmert, make him lose credibility They undermine how the world sees us, and how we see ourselves. By AMIR MIZROCH Can Olmert be trusted to make better ones in the future? Kurdistan, Palestine and '08 elections Voters must ask themselves whether candidates understand Mideast reality Florida's Jews throw support to Clinton Jewish voters back the Democratic Presidential hopeful by 53 percent to Obama's 26%. However, changing cultural identity brings a new political bent. Yedioth Ahronoth 'Army's values compromised'
Winograd Commission probe into 2006 Second Lebanon War determines IDF went into battle against Hizbullah unprepared, put soldiers' safety over operational needs. 'There is room for personal accountability,' report says Getting back to business PM reportedly anxious to implement war report's conclusions, shift focus back to peace process Olmert can breathe easy Moderate Winograd Commission report makes political shakeup unlikely, Attila Somfalvi says Daily Alert.org – Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Israel probe finds war 'failure' Israel's 2006 war against Hezbollah in Lebanon was a "large and serious" failure, an official inquiry finds. Lebanon report: Have your say Olmert survives Winograd report Analysis: Key Lebanon report [Fbis] OSC: Israeli Opposition, Coalition Politicians, IDF React to Winograd Report 'Missed chance'
A litany of mistakes but Olmert survives the Winograd report
Forward Israel’s War With Hezbollah Was Not a Failure Martin van Creveld Olmert Spared as Winograd Report Labels Lebanon War a ‘Missed Opportunity’ Fear Factor When the dust settles, the uproar over Barack Obama’s religious beliefs will have taught us little about the candidate and his loyalties that we don’t already know. If we look closely, however, we can learn a great deal about American Jews and their anxieties. More pointedly, we can penetrate the mystery of the power of the so-called Jewish lobby. A Visit to a Gaza Rocket Factory By: Ulrike Putz | Der Spiegel
No matter what Israel does, the rockets from the Gaza Strip just keep coming. Young men like Abdul are the reason why. He studies by day, but at night he builds bombs for the Islamic Jihad. He and his fellow militants can produce up to 100 per night. Winograd: Will Israel’s politicans learn? Winograd: a nonsense report?
Israeli Strategists Weigh Gaza Options - Leslie Susser (JTA) Egypt-Hamas Tensions Rise Over Border U.S.-Libya Dispute Deadlocks Security Council on Gaza An Impossible Peace By: Joel Mowbray | The Washington Times
With yet another round of Middle East peace talks underway and on the heels of the first presidential visit by arguably the most pro-Israel American head of state ever, the natural assumption is that ordinary Israelis would be abuzz with discussion of politics and the "peace process." Palestinian Factions to Lobby Cairo By: Erica Silverman | The Washington Times Gaza's rulers today will urge Egypt to let the Rafah crossing point remain open under the control of Hamas and Palestinian Authority security forces, a Hamas official told The Washington Times Blessing in disguise for Hamas Azzam Tamimi Israel's campaign against Hamas has not broken its resolve or turned the people of Gaza against it Gaza break-out
New realities mean Abbas and Israel may have to talk to Hamas
|
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Permanent US bases in Iraq unlikely A US-Iraq security pact won't set troop levels now, but it could set the stage for long-term strategy. Winograd Report revives Israeli anger over Lebanon war Many families of Israeli victims in the 2006 conflict now plan to call for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's resignation. Ahead of Serbian vote, the pull of Russia is felt Political motives lay behind the decision of Serbia's second-largest city to declare Vladimir Putin an 'honorary citizen' Florida win propels McCain into Super Tuesday New bid to control Pakistan's tribal belt US, Pakistan step up efforts to address the militant haven tied to global terror. Palestinians feud, but Egypt and Hamas working more closelyMeeting in Cairo fails to mend the divide between President Abbas and Hamas over Gaza border US economy still ticking, just barely GDP rose by only 0.6 percent last quarter, the slowest rate in one year Genocide Prevention: 60 Years of Abject Failure By: Eric Reeves | The Christian Science Monitor
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. But in the long and too often darkened years that followed, the Convention has never prevented a single genocide, even as "prevention" receives pride of place in the ponderous convention title. ASIA "The Changing U.S.-Japan Alliance: Implications for U.S. Interests," updated January 10, 2008. US plays matchmaker to Pakistan, Israel
There was nothing coincidental about Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak bumping into each other in a Paris hotel. The United States - in the form of Senator Joseph Lieberman - is pushing Pakistan to upgrade its relationship with Israel. First, Musharraf has to convince Barak that Islamabad does not threaten Israel's security directly, or in league with a third country such as Iran. - M K Bhadrakumar At 'JTAGs,' Japan and U.S. Press Ahead on Missile Defense Associated Press
In a multibillion-dollar experiment, Japan and the United States are erecting the world's most complex ballistic-missile defense shield, a project that is changing the security balance in Asia and has deep implications for US efforts for a similar strategy in Europe, where the idea has been stalled. The Chinese government is sending in 500,000 troops to help citizens cope with the effects of severe snowstorms. China's Economic Fluctuations and Their Implications for its Rural Economy
CEIP
A 110-page updated US report on the size and nature of China's economy WORLD NEWS: Book claims Murdoch sought to pacify Beijing Engaging India: Road to progress WORLD NEWS: Asia's export-led economies seek to diversify their options Ethnic anger on the rise in Malaysia By THOMAS FULLER Malaysian riot police used tear gas and water cannon on ethnic Indians protesting in Kuala Lumpur in November. Ethnic relations in the country have deteriorated to a level that many find alarming. | H11 IHT Who's hiding under our umbrella? By PAUL KENNEDY Carrying free riders may be the price of empire, but the U.S. is ceding influence. Different money, different rules By LAWRENCE H. SUMMERS Sovereign funds should agree to a set of rules. Light through the wall By FIDA QISHTA I am no longer the person I was before the siege of Gaza. EU introduces food labeling plan to cut obesity rates With Europe fast catching up to the United States in obesity tables, the EU health commissioner, Markos Kyprianou, warned of an "emerging health threat" and of the need for consumers to eat better. Bush's devious device for ignoring the law The latest signing statements offer evidence that President Bush never intended to end the war in Iraq. Roger Cohen: American Democracy is Riveting Talk of America's decline may be in fashion, but the world is still addicted to the U.S. presidential campaign. From Berbers to Bach By: Yo-Yo Ma | International Herald Tribune
The critical question for today's global leaders is: How can habits and cultures evolve to join a bigger planet, without sacrificing distinct identities and individual pride? EUROPE European press review Europe Looks East – Part I Italy moves towards interim rule The president backs the formation of an interim government after the fall of Romano Prodi's administration. Ex-PM urges snap election Something rotten in state of Italy Profile: Romano Prodi [Fbis] OSC: Polish Daily: US 'Close to Satisfying' Polish Proposals on Missile Defense [Fbis] OSC: Kosovo Official Expects Independence Declaration 'Second or Third Week of February' Creating Sustainable Growth in Europe AGF Reuters reports that Kosovo will declare independence in 10 days if the nationalist candidate wins Serbia's elections, or in 17 days if the pro-Western candidate wins. Independence may be the least of Kosovo's challenges, Bloomberg's Celestine Bohlen warns. Italian Speaker is asked to form government In a last-ditch attempt to spare Italy an early general election, the Italian President has asked the Speaker of the Senate, Franco Marini, to see if he can muster a majority of MPs to back a government with the task of passing a new electoral law. | H12 RFE/RL Russia Pot Of Gold At End Of Stabilization Fund This week's scrapping of the $150 billion fund signals a stern test for a government that has eliminated institutions that could bolster its stabilization efforts. Pressure to spend the fund has been building from its inception. EurasiaNet How Far Will Kazkakhstan Go As It Tries to Forge a New Energy-Export Order?
BY ABDUJALIL ABDURASULOV
Victory in a dispute over the Kashagan oil field seems to have emboldened Kazakhstan’s government. Astana is now mulling the possibility of imposing an energy export duty, which, if implemented, could take a significant chunk out of foreign corporate profits. Some industry watchers are now wondering how far Kazakhstan will go in its efforts to rework its oil-and-gas development framework? Georgian Opposition Vows "Permanent Protests" A pledge by a 12-party opposition coalition to hold "permanent protests" if major reforms are not implemented suggests that the country’s recent political distemper is lingering on. EDM WILL RUSSIA’S NEXT ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN SUCCEED WHERE OTHERS FAILED?
- GEORGIAN OPPOSITION PARTIES ON THE CONFRONTATION PATH AGAIN
Google News Azerbaijan BBC Kremlin contest
The Russian rivals vying to succeed President Putin
Nine Candidates Register for Armenian Presidential Election By: Emil Danielyan | Eurasia Daily Monitor Campaigning for Armenia’s upcoming presidential election officially kicked off on January 21 and is turning nasty amid an intensifying war of words between the country’s current and former leaders. Georgia's future path (By Alcee L. Hastings and Lloyd Doggett) Full-fledged 'Commie-czar'? - Jim Guirard, Washington Times
Who Lost Ukraine? - Reuben Johnson, Weekly Standard
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| H13 The Times The Afghan war may not be forgotten so easily Lack of troops, aid and time could be a major problem for the country and especially for President Karzai Bronwen Maddox Beyond 9/11 What Giuliani's fall and McCain's rise implies about America A barrage against Israel The critics had another field day yesterday. But their arguments are dishonest Robin Shepherd Bank Balance Mervyn King has five years to prove he is the right choice Edwards withdraws from US presidential race John Edwards quit the race for the White House prompting a scramble by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for his supporters Ehud Olmert survives inquiry into failed war Israeli Prime Minister wins support but leadership is criticised by investigation of costly clash with Hezbollah in 2006 Wall Street Journal McCain's Apostasies
With the nomination within his grasp, the senator will need the entire Reagan coalition in the fall. Review & Outlook What McCain's Got
By Dan Henninger
Wonder Land:
Reviled as an unreliable maverick, the Arizona Senator has won three GOP primaries. Florida showed why he's winning. Nascar BernankeWhen Wall Street and the political class criticize Ben Bernanke for being "behind the curve," he gets in his race car and accelerates right through. Review & Outlook 'Waterboarding' Mukasey
The Attorney General withstood five hours of grandstanding over an interrogation technique the CIA doesn't even practice anymore.
Review & Outlook The New Rules of Politics
By Karl Rove Money matters less, the man and the message more. That's a change worth celebrating. The U.S. economy grew by just 0.6 percent in the last three months of 2007. Kenya's Collapse
A rigged election, ethnic violence and now a political assassination: Another African country ill-served by its leader. Review & Outlook THE WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL With the economy still showing positive, albeit minuscule growth during the fourth quarter, the Fed is clearly acting in an aggressively pre-emptive fashion. | H14 Financial Times Fed cuts interest rates by 50 basis points The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by another 50 basis points and signalled that the door was open to further reductions in an aggressive move to combat the risk of a US recession Qatar considers dropping dollar peg Booming Gulf state struggles to tame inflation Lebanon war report targets Israeli military A highly critical report into the handling of the conflict accused the country’s political and military leaders of ‘severe failures and faults Leader Little alternative to Olmert – for now Ehud Olmert is perhaps the most unpopular prime minister since the creation of Israel but his survival says much about the country Damage to sea cables disrupts internet Repair ships were rushing to the Egyptian coast after damage to two undersea cables disrupted internet traffic across large parts of the Middle East and south Asia Weak growth heightens recession fears The US economy grew at 0.6 per cent in the fourth quarter, its slowest pace since 2002, the commerce department said, amid continuing fears of a slide into recession in 2008 US presidential field narrows after Florida After months of volatility and confusion, the Republican party finally has an orderly, two-way contest for its presidential nomination Clinton and Obama eye Edwards’ inheritance John Edwards’ decision to quit the Democratic presidential race has sharpened the debate as to which of the two remaining candidates would be best placed to beat John McCain and unleashed speculation about who would inherit the bulk of his support WORLD NEWS: Merkel rebuffs Sarkozy on Mediterranean Union plan INSIGHT - ED MORSE: Opec policies set to ensure oil prices stay on the boil BETWEEN THE LINES - QUENTIN PEEL: The challenge of mobilising the party faithful Canada in threat to withdraw Afghan mission PM accepts the recommendations of an independent panel for a pullout in 2009 unless Nato allies send reinforcements to Kandahar where Canadian troops are operating Moscow warned hard line endangers economy Two leading liberal Russian officials warned that an increasingly aggressive foreign policy could damage inward investment Khalilzad for Afghan president?Gideon Rachman: The thought that a man who has served as American ambassador to Afghanistan could then return as its president gives a whole new spin to the idea of American imperialism. Counting the world’s assets The lure of the US seems to run counter to the belief that the future of finance is in the booming economies of Asia, Eastern Europe and, to a lesser extent, the Middle East Abbas rejects Hamas border demands Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has rejected demands by Hamas rivals for control of the breached Gaza-Egypt border and told the Islamist group to ”end its coup in Gaza”. Libya jail swap deal clears way for BP Tripoli ratifies a contract with the oil group after the UK drafts a prisoner transfer agreement that could cover a Libyan serving a life sentence for the Lockerbie bombing Congress divided over stimulus package The passage of an economic stimulus package for the US economy entered its most difficult phase OSCE threatens Russian election boycott Europe’s leading election watchdog has warned that it will scrap its monitoring of the presidential poll on March 2 Khodorkovsky on hunger strike protest Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the jailed former Russian oil tycoon, said he would go on hunger strike to protest Russia’s failure to provide life-saving medical treatment for his former colleague Vasily Alexanyan, a former Yukos vice-president who is in jail and gravely ill with AIDS Polish economy grows 6.5% Poland’s economy grew by 6.5 per cent last year, the fastest pace in a decade, the country’s statistical agency reported, as the central bank raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point in a bid to contain inflation Between the lines: Challenge of mobilising the faithful The European leaders heading to the polls should remember a basic rule: oppositions do not win elections, governments lose them Stop behaving as whiner of first resort There is no case for interest rate cuts or fiscal stimulus in the US. Its economy needs to adjust, and it should take it on the chin, stopping its short-sighted behaviour as the whiner of first resort, says Ricardo Hausmann How to avoid the next crash Capital requirements should be contra-cyclical and related to the rate of change of lending and asset prices, say Charles Goodhart and Avinash Persaud Recrowned King Mervyn King’s reappointment for another five years as governor of the Bank of England is welcome. UK financial reform is heading in the right direction | H15 Los Angeles Times Afghanistan report warns of 'failed state'A panel of U.S. diplomatic and military experts says more troops and better coordination are needed to secure the country in the face of a resurgent Taliban. Iran president trumpets nuclear feats EditorialLebanon held hostage Syria's efforts to block an assassination inquiry have produced a political stalemate Fed cuts key rate a half point The second cut in just over a week brings the closely watched federal funds rate to 3%. • Rival stimulus plan gains traction Fed cuts key rate a half point The second cut in just over a week brings the closely watched federal funds rate to 3%. Rival stimulus plan gains traction When Explorer Beat Sputnik By: Michael D'Antonio Fifty years ago tomorrow, the United States launched its first satellite, Explorer 1, into orbit. Its success may seem to be a footnote in space history, a second-place finish to the Soviet Union's Sputnik. |
| H16 American Politics STANLEY KURTZ: A candidate who effectively cuts out any key element of the Reagan coalition — be it social conservatives, business conservatives, or national-security conservatives — is doomed to failure. “Original Sin” AN NRO SYMPOSIUM: A Republican future with McCain? “The Right Guy?” Giuliani quits White House race Rudy Giuliani withdraws his Republican candidacy, on same day as Democrat John Edwards also quits. Hoover's legacy
Will President Bush be blamed for the economic slump?
Gallup Daily: Tracking Election 2008 McCain Florida Victory Has an Accent Dick Morris / The Hill: McCain may win, Romney can't The Mountain West, once GOP turf, is now competitiveThe interior West has added new independent and Latino voters who are up for grabs realclearpolitics – ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp Glenn Greenwald / Salon:
What “bipartisanship” in Washington means The End of 9/11 Politics? - Abe Greenwald, Contentions It's the Dollar, Stupid (and Taxes, Too) - Steve Forbes, Forbes Why Clinton can count on Latinos By Harry P. Pachon and Rodolfo O. de la Garza More than a decade of name recognition and ties to prominent Latino politicians give her an edge over Obama. Campaign 2008: The Role of Foreign Policy
Clinton's next task WHAT HAPPENED to the voice Hillary Clinton said she found in New Hampshire? She lost it, with serious consequences for her White House hopes. She has a tiny window of time to get it back, beginning with tonight's debate. (By Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe) By William Murchison The longer the Democrats bicker and divide and stab each other from behind, the worse seem the prospects of taking back a White House all Democrats used to agree lay open to them. Conservatives and John McCain THE WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL In the wake of his victory in Florida, John McCain is emerging as the frontrunner to win the Republican nomination, which is understandably worrisome to conservatives. Mr. McCain's positions don't exactly spell c-o-n-s-e-r-v-a-t-i-v-e. | H17 Daily Telegraph The sensational rise of John McCain The real sensation of the US presidential campaign has been on the Republican side of the political divide, namely the resurrection of the senator from Arizona, John McCain | H18 Independent Olmert survives despite criticism over conduct of Lebanon war Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was determined to stay in office last night despite a stark official critique of the deficient decision-making, military unpreparedness, and absence of clear strategy in the Lebanon war he waged. Lebanon: The Winograd Report in full Leading article: A disastrous war and a weakened leader Edwards quits race but refuses to reveal preferred candidate McCain claims the 'conservative' mantle after victory in Florida Obama's happy band put their faith in floating voters Federal Reserve slashes US interest rates by half a point The Federal Reserve slashed US interest rates for the second time in eight days in an attempt to end the credit crisis and pull the US economy back from the brink of recession. Hamish McRae: Bank must reshape its role to ensure monetary and fiscal policy are in tune Russian minister exposes split in Putin's government Sentenced to death: Afghan who dared to read about women's rights A young man, a student of journalism, is sentenced to death by an Islamic court for downloading a report from the internet. A victim of Karzai's diplomatic game |
