| H1 Washington Quarterly Spring 2008 Annual Threat Assessment of the Intelligence Community for the Senate Armed Services Committee (PDF; 202 KB) Source: Office of the Director of National Intellitence (ODNI) Transcript - Annual Threat Assessment Hearing (PDF: 118 KB) Slate Welcome to the Quagmire The next president may be stuck with more problems in Iraq than Bush ever faced. Fred Kaplan High-Trajectory Weapons and Guerilla Warfare: Adjusting Fundamental Security Concepts - Gabriel Siboni (Strategic Assessment/Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Pew Research Center: Obama Has The Lead, But Potential Problems Too Washington Post New High in U.S. Prison Numbers United States leads the world in both number and percentage of residents incarcerated, report shows. Growth Attributed To More Stringent Sentencing Laws Despite Problems, Iraqi Leader Boasts of Success Rivals See Maliki's Confidence as Rash, but Publicly Deny a Move to Topple Him China's Latest Frontier Power Barometer | The Middle East is becoming China's new playground A Long Road From Kosovo to Kurdistan By: Pepe Escobar | Asia Times The embrace by Washington of Kosovo's declaration of independence has less to do with democracy than with hard-nosed pragmatism. The US's biggest foreign military base since the Vietnam War -- Camp Bondsteel -- is in Kosovo, and the region will be home to a US$1.1 billion pipeline that will get oil from the Caspian Sea ultimately to refineries in the US. Wider Black Sea: Concept and Reality By: Haroutiun Khachatrian | ISN Security Watch As the US and EU promote the concept of a new 'Wider Black Sea' geopolitical region, economics may be the key to common identity and security. Tom Barnett Same old in Iran Safe at Home: A National Security Strategy to Protect the American Homeland, the Real Central Front
Source: Center for American Progress Executive Summary (PDF; 1.6 MB) + Full Report (PDF; 5.4 MB) + Chart: Our Top 10 National Security Priorities
+ Chart: Homeland Security Policy Priorities for the Next Administration and Congress + Timeline: Homeland Security Since 9/11 (.gif) Guardian Afghanistan mission close to failing - USAfter six years of military support and billions of pounds in aid, security is 'deteriorating' Kosovo: Coming soon to a theater near you Ha'aretz If Albanians in Kosovo deserve an independent state, then maybe so do Kurds, Turkish Cypriots, Druze, Romany, Basques - the list can be endless Long War Journal Inside Iraqi politics – Part 5. A look at legislative progress: Sunnis’ and states’ rights The Anticipated Regional War Will Not Take Place By: Huda al Husseini | Asharq Alawsat
In the wake of the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh, the threat of “open war” that accompanied it has surpassed the “battlefield” and we are now witnessing a race between the desire to bypass the acute embarrassment felt by Syria, Iran and Hezbollah on the one hand and the attempt to slip away on the other, especially on the part of Hezbollah and Iran AEI Iran's Parliamentary Elections and the Revolutionary Guards' Creeping Coup d'Etat
By Ali Alfoneh The Economist Nuclear proliferation Why not just blow your whistle? Its latest Iran report highlights the problems of the UN's atomic watchdog Ha’aretz – Editorial: Decision on Gaza operation should be daring and level-headed Yedioth Ahronoth Barack Obama's plan for Iran US senator articulates his ideas to contain Islamic state, keep close US-Israel relations Wall Street Journal Cut and Run and Then Run Back
By James Taranto Barack Obama's strategy for Iraq On Kosovo's Fields
By Fouad Ajami America has become the provider of order of last resort in Muslim lands. Financial Times The quiet rise of Dmitry Medvedev Will the man set to be Russia’s next president surprise those who have called him studious but seldom inspiring? Arab leaders press Syria over Beirut impasse Several Arab states are threatening to boycott an upcoming regional summit if Damascus fails to influence its allies in Beirut to resolve Lebanon’s presidential stand-off Iranian official reports record oil revenues Iran’s oil revenues reached a record $62bn for the first 11 months of this Iranian year - an increase of 31 per cent over the same period the previous year, according to a senior Iranian oil official. Christian Science Monitor After Pakistan vote, US eyes options Some White House officials want to embrace victors in parliament; others don't want to abandon Musharraf. Oil for nukes – mostly a bad idea Bartering nuclear technology for oil is a path to the spread of nuclear weapons WSJ Dollar's Dive Deepens as Oil Soars Economic data showing a softening U.S. labor market, weak housing and slowing growth are driving the dollar's decline, which is posing a host of challenges world-wide. CSIS The CSIS Global Strategy Institute has released a new website "mapping the future" for the the years 2008 through 2012 identifying major upcoming events in seven categories.
View the Map | GSI
Kosovo, Russia, and the Last Grasps of American Unipolarity by Nikolas Gvosdev Jacob Heilbrunn & Eli Lake: The Rise of the Neocons
WINEP Beyond Rhetoric: Hizballah Threats after the Mughniyeh Assassination A Conversation with Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Audio) Bake Institute Video Briefing Transcript: Prospects for Peace in the Middle East
USIP Kosovo, Washington, and Moscow: What Next?
Event: Democracy's Revenge? Pakistan's Elections and Beyond Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Nixonian spirit is essential for US-China relations | H2 Jamestown Foundation "U.S.-Turkish Relations: A Strategic Relationship Under Stress" (pdf) By John C.K. Daly The Economist The Kurdish conundrum Avoid that quagmire Turkey's latest assault on Kurdish guerrillas in Iraq is understandable but unwise The Kurds Turkey invades northern Iraq With scores of fighters on both sides killed, the latest battle between Turkey and its rebel Kurds with havens in Iraq may get out of hand CSM Will an extended Turkish offensive further destabilize Iraq? President Bush wants a limit to the Turkish campaign against rebels, but Turkey says no to a timetable. The Times A bad time for mixed messages to Turkey The US encouragement for Turkey in its pursuit of militants in northern Iraq has come at a fragile time for Iraq Bronwen Maddox NYT Turkey Resists Gates’s Call to End Its Iraq Offensive Turkey’s Operation Gunes Attempts to Eliminate the PKK Threat Jamestown Foundation FT US raises pressure on Turks over Iraq incursion Bush says the Turks ‘need to move quickly, achieve their objective and get out,’ as they decline to assure a quick end to their military incursion in Iraq PKK: 18 Turkish Troops Killed in Northern Iraq Harekat öncesi özel anlaşma! "Kürtler muhatap alınmalı" 07:45 Egemen Bağış ABD'de konuştu: Sizin için El Kaide ne ise bizim için PKK o Iraq's Kurds deserve better neighbours
New Statesman There is obvious fellow feeling between Kurds in Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria, but the PKK's actions do the Kurds no favours Bush's Call for Turks to Leave Northern Iraq 'Quickly' Falls on Deaf Ears in Ankara Turkey: Iraq Invasion May Last a Year PKK: Talabani Is the Trojan Horse in the Kurdish Movement Guardian Head on Stephen Kinzer The repeal of Turkey's headscarf ban is a sign of democracy, but it must be accompanied by a commitment to free choice Turkey and the Kurds: Politics and military action ISN Gates: Turkish Leaders Heard Message About Ending Offensive In Iraq Turkish Army to set up security corridor in northern Iraq after ... Turkey continues stepped-up military effort as US urges quick end ... Google News Fırat News Agency KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect Dış Basında Irak BBC Monitoring "Kürtler muhatap alınmalı" Mustafa Akyol The Kurdish question: The Achilles' Heel of Turkey Who are the Kurds? Huffington Post PKK’lı hainlerin peşmergelere yalvardığı an
Kandil’i Saddam bile ele geçiremedi
Mehmet Metiner Hatalar ölüm olarak dönmesin artık Bağdat'a PKK'nın kanıtları sunuldu PKK peşmerge ile karşı karşıya geldi Yeni hedef Hakurk Fresh Clashes between Turkish Forces and PKK Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Kurds in US to Rally against Turkish Incursion into Kurdistan Region Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Bush Calls for Quick End to Turkish N.Iraq Operation Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Kirkuk: Kurdistan Women Union Protests against Turkish Military Offensive Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Jabar Yawar Expects Situation between Iraq and Turkey to Calm Down Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Al-Hashimi Demands Iraq -Turkey Security Treaty to be Reviewed Dizayi:Qendil’e 50 bin asker bile yetmez ! Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Gates: Türkiye'nin kendini savunma hakkı ile Irak'ın toprak bütünlüğü arasında denge kurmalı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Türk ordusunda kırılma devam ediyor: 81 asker öldü çok sayıda kayıp var Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Büyükanıt: ''Süre konusunda bilgi verdim. Anlayışla karşılandı'' Turkey operation targets Kurdish region: Kurdish official Neronlar bir gecede tam 17 aracı yaktı Kandil düşmeden dönüş yok Iraqi Kurds OK Force if Turks Go Near Civilians Rebels Claim Death of 15 Turkish Soldiers in Iraqi Kurdistan Clash Turkish star probed over war view (By Nicholas Birch) Time Turkey's Anti-War Diva Even the most popular Turkish celebrities suffer caustic criticism when they take on Turkey's invasion of northern Iraq Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık EDM NABUCCO GAS PROJECT FACING A CASCADE OF DEFECTIONS The Economist Cyprus A Communist to the rescue A new Greek-Cypriot president raises hopes for a new unification plan Turkish-Armenian relations and the European Union (2) Turkey key to Cyprus unity, says Christofias Morality, justice and women's rights: a portrait of Islam for the 21st century -Times Online Why Ankara should rethink its stance on Kosovo - Turkish Daily News Feb 28, 2008 BBC Family danger
The German Muslim women in fear of "honour" killings
Dink Komisyonu Cerrah’ı Ankara’da da dinleyecek
İstanbul police failed to protect Dink, claims Trabzon police chief Seri katil Anucin’e Ergenekon sorgusu BBC claims of hadith reworking unfounded Waiter, there's a fly in my raki!
Compensation culture is taking hold in Turkey, where some say it's a progressive step for consumers' rights in a country where problems are generally sorted out far from the embarrassment of courtrooms. Consider Turkey's most famous plaintiff, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has lodged 71 cases in the past three years and won a fist-full of money. - Fazile Zahir | H3 İşimiz bitince döneriz Ne kadar gerekirse o kadar kalacağız Devletin zirvesinden ortak mesaj: İşimiz bitince çıkarız Zap kampı alındı Zap'ın stratejik bölgeleri TSK'da Ali H Aslan Why all the noise? Fikret BİLA Gönül'ün Gates'e verdiği iki mesaj Sami KOHEN Harekât sonrası seçenekler Cengiz Çandar Üç soru Ahmet Taşgetiren• Din faktörü ( 29.02.2008 ) Ruşen Çakır Serdar Akinan Sadece anla... Serdar Turgut Bölgenin ‘Büyük Abi’si Kandil düşmeden dönüş yok Cevdet Aşkın ABD'den Kuzey Irak'ta 'ayar kaçmasın' baskısı Faruk Şen Gözler Türkiye'nin üzerinde Mehmet Altan ABD’li bakan neden geldi? Nasuhi Güngör Türkiye planladı, Türkiye yapıyor Şamil Tayyar Ergenekon, 28 Şubat’ın devamı mı? Eser Karakaş Mütekabiliyetçiler Güneri CIVAOĞLU Harekâtın jürisi olmaz Güngör URAS 'Ordunun masrafı büyük' BİR GÜNDE 7 CENAZE Peki, kendisi neden Santoro'yu korumadı? Rüşvet alana da verene de ceza Operasyonun hedefi Kandil Silahların gölgesinde hayat Laik ülkeye İslam hukuku korkusu Tarım Müdürlüğü'nde mescit açtılar 'Popstar Alaturka'ya RTÜK'ten Ersoy uyarısı Bardakoğlu: İslamda reform olamaz Kara harekâtına destek mitingi Fehmi Koru: Bir daha anlatmaya çalışayım Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Ali Bayramoğlu: Diş tortuları… Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Taha Kıvanç: Mutlu, mesut ve bahtiyar oldum Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Hayrettin Karaman: Sağırlar, dilsizler ve körler Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Tamer Korkmaz: “Zorba Rektörler”in Çıkmaz Sokağı! Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. İbrahim Karagül: Almanya 'Ergenekon'u ne zaman çökertilecek? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Fatma K. Barbarosoğlu: Müzakere demokrasisi ve 'en çağdaş kadınlar' Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Yusuf Kaplan: Suçluluk, azınlık ve sömürgeci psikolojisi Türker Alkan - Kaos! Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Hasan Celal Güzel - Kaos değil suiniyet Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. İsmet Berkan - Başlangıçtan geriye düşmek Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Murat Yetkin - Talabani'nin sevgisi... Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Hakkı Devrim - YÖK Başkanını kim seçer? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. H. Gökhan Özgün - Medeniyet dediğin... Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. M.Ali Kışlalı - Kimin cumhurbaşkanı? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Namık Kemal Zeybek - Kamu görevleri ehline verilmeli Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Murat Belge - Nominalizm-sembolizm BÜLENT KORUCU - Anlayamıyorum Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. MUSTAFA ÜNAL - Başkaldırı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE - Biz seni cephelerde sevdik... Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. MÜMTAZ'ER TÜRKÖNE - Laikliğin itibarı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. İHSAN DAĞI - Operasyonda başarının şartı
Gülay Göktürk Sular durulunca... Ertuğrul Özkök Bugün susuyorum, yarın konuşacağım Ahmet Hakan Kamunun türbanlısı M Ali Birand Türban’ı çözmek daha zorlaştı Taha AKYOL Hukuk ve vicdan Cüneyt Ülsever Enis Berberoğlu Oktay Ekşi Önemsiz saydıklarına bakın Tufan Türenç Tarih onlar için şaşmaz hükmünü verecek Özdemir İnce Fethullah Gülen İskandinavya’da Mehmet Y Yılmaz Zavallı mankeni asacaklar! Yalçın Doğan Robot resim hálá yok MUHARREM SARIKAYA Melleler Birliği... ERDAL ŞAFAKÇekilme takvimi ENGİN ARDIÇ ERGUN BABAHAN EMRE AKÖZ Asıl siz istifa edin! Umur Talu Savaşın maliyeti hayatın cinneti HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN Kuzey Irak ve Türkiye-2 NAZLI ILICAK Malezyalılaştırabildiklerimizden misiniz?
MEHMET BARLAS Küçük kaoslara takılıp büyük kaosa yakalanmayalım...
MAHMUT ÖVÜR Abdüllatif Şener ne yapmak istiyor? YAVUZ DONAT Kapalı kapılar ardında Ankara Rektörler, Özcan'ı istifaya çağırdı Kritik dosya raportörde Mahalle öfkesi Bakan gördüğüne de inanmadı Vakıfları da türban böldü Bir gün önce Erdoğan'la görüştüler Bush: Türkiye mümkün olan en kısa sürede çıkmalı Dünya harekâtın süresini konuşuyor Meclis'te belediye kavgası Özcan hakkında işlem başlatıldı ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Dünya 4'üncülüğüne alkış dayak ve ölümlere hayır Ercan Kumcu Enflasyon artışına izin vermek Güven Sak Yoksa bankacılık krizi Türkiye'yi etkilemeye mi başladı Erdal Sağlam World Bank approves 4-year $6.2 bln Turkey program | Markets | Bonds News | Reuters FT BAT on acquisition trail Deniz Gökçe Dani Rodrik yanılıyor! Gulfnews: Turkey finds Dubai's progress in realty sector worth emulating |
| H4 New York Times 1 in 100 U.S. Adults Behind Bars, New Study Says By VICTOR EROFEYEV For better or for worse, Dmitri A. Medvedev is the last hope for me and for the Russia I love World Group Tells Banks to Beware Deals With Iran Editorial The Global AIDS Fight It is important that Congress appropriate the full $50 billion if possible on foreign aid programs to combat AIDS and related diseases. | H5 Washington Post New High in U.S. Prison Numbers United States leads the world in both number and percentage of residents incarcerated, report shows. Growth Attributed To More Stringent Sentencing Laws Despite Problems, Iraqi Leader Boasts of Success Rivals See Maliki's Confidence as Rash, but Publicly Deny a Move to Topple Him China's Latest Frontier Power Barometer | The Middle East is becoming China's new playground Islam's Advance: Progress and the Koran Kin-ming Liu: Kosovo Is Taiwan Power Barometer: Who Controls Afghanistan? Missile Strike in Pakistan Kills 10 At Suspected Taliban Safe House In Defense of Lobbying By Charles Krauthammer Everyone knows the First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly. How many remember that, in addition, the First Amendment protects a fifth freedom -- to lobby? Personality Matters By Eugene Robinson If you're among those who believe the news media have focused too much on the presidential horse race and the personalities of the candidates -- and not enough on vital issues of state -- let me submit that you're wrong. Across a Nation, Olympic Fervor Chinese See Games as Global Recognition of Country's Progress Bush Assails Democratic Candidates' Foreign Policy Views William Arkin A 'Surge' Isn't Right for Afghanistan Don't Get Around Much Anymore Michael Gerson: Obama is the next great communicator.
E.J. Dionne Jr.: As such he faces the same criticism as Reagan.
Bernanke Dismisses 'Stagflation' Fed chief paints a generally dour outlook, says downturn may cause small banks to go under. Not All of the Old Clinton Gang Is Backing Another Clinton Strikes in Gaza Kill 18 Palestinians; Hamas Rocket Barrage Injures 2 Israelis Obama, Clinton Rewrite Fundraising Records Clinton says she has raised $35M in February, by far her biggest one-month total of the campaign; Obama has not yet announced his total for month Angelina Jolie / Washington Post: Staying to Help in Iraq — A Life Athwart History By George F. Will Prince Harry's Seeing Combat, And British Media Kept Quiet | H6 Guardian Afghanistan mission close to failing - USAfter six years of military support and billions of pounds in aid, security is 'deteriorating' The Prophet and Politics By: Ali Eteraz | The Guardian The Prophet Muhammad was the first person to establish an Islamic state -- and he should have been the last. Role was 'carrot' to avoid resignation Deployment intended to stop prince from leaving army after being refused permission to fight in Iraq Full text: Army chief Sir Richard Dannatt's statement Background: Harry's life on the frontline How the story was kept secret Timeline: Harry's war Fairness is forgotten in a culture of tax avoidance that shames Britain Polly Toynbee: Big firms and the wealthy contribute as little as they can. Labour must speak up for those who work and pay their dues Our inner heroes could stop another Abu Ghraib Philip Zimbardo A situation that inflames evil in some people can inspire heroism in others. We must learn to nurture the good within us |
| H7 Long War Journal Inside Iraqi politics – Part 5. A look at legislative progress: Sunnis’ and states’ rights The Anticipated Regional War Will Not Take Place By: Huda al Husseini | Asharq Alawsat
In the wake of the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh, the threat of “open war” that accompanied it has surpassed the “battlefield” and we are now witnessing a race between the desire to bypass the acute embarrassment felt by Syria, Iran and Hezbollah on the one hand and the attempt to slip away on the other, especially on the part of Hezbollah and Iran AEI Iran's Parliamentary Elections and the Revolutionary Guards' Creeping Coup d'Etat
By Ali Alfoneh The Economist Nuclear proliferation Why not just blow your whistle? Its latest Iran report highlights the problems of the UN's atomic watchdog Missing the Point in Lebanon's Stalemate By: Michael Young | The Daily Star Rarely a day goes by without someone writing an article protesting against the incapacity of Lebanese politicians to come to an agreement on the future of their country. Why can't they just all get along? That's the lament running through these principled and naive pleas. Sovereign Wealth Funds: The Economist Intelligence Unit looks at suspicions over mainly Arab oil-state sovereign wealth funds, noting the political backlash the funds have drawn in the west. U.S.: Intelligence Chief Assesses Security Threats From Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan Arab Economies at a Tipping Point Peterson Institute An 11-page US paper making the case for an economic revitalization of the Arab world Peter Berkowitz reviews Walter Russell Mead's God and Gold. The World in 2009 - Victor Davis Hanson, RealClearPolitics America's global challenges will not disappear when Bush leaves office Kosovo: Coming soon to a theater near you Ha'aretz If Albanians in Kosovo deserve an independent state, then maybe so do Kurds, Turkish Cypriots, Druze, Romany, Basques - the list can be endless Reactions to Euro's Record High: 'There's No End in Sight'
White House: Press Conference of the President Cuba After Fidel By: Duncan Currie | The Weekly Standard
In January 1959, during the early days of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro declared, "Behind me come others more radical than me." It was a reference to the hardcore Stalinists such as his younger brother, Raúl, and also a warning of what might ensue should Fidel be assassinated Same Old Guard By: Marifeli Perez-Stable | Miami Herald
What happened in Havana on Sunday reminded me of Moscow in the early 1980s. After Leonid Brezhnev's passing, two old men -- first, the more open-minded Yuri Andropov, then the mummified Konstantin Chernenko -- ruled the Soviet Union. "Iraq" Falls Apart CounterPunch Al Hayat Kuwait, Lebanon and the Damascus Summit! Hassan Haydar - Usually, Arab summits have two sessions: one is an opening session for speeches, and the second is a concluding session, whereby resolutions and stances are announced. The formulas, settlements and actual negotiations about a given issue are taken up by foreign ministers in bilateral or multilateral deliberations that either precede or accompany the summit. | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Iraq-Iran relations core to historic visit Regional analysts see the upcoming visit to Iraq by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a sign of the larger geopolitical dynamic. Iraq Press Roundup Saudi Arabia Transfers Its Ambassador Out of Syria (MEMRI) US warship sails towards Lebanon
The US orders a warship into position off the coast of Lebanon as a "show of support for regional stability". Iraq: Is Rising Dinar An Attractive Investment? Top officer warns candidates on rapid Iraq exit Sectarian strife
Bahraini Shia call for release of jailed and 'tortured' activists Iraq Provincial Law Rejected By: Borzou Daragahi | Los Angeles Times
Iraq's presidential council Wednesday rejected a law on the powers of local government that was approved by parliament and touted by the Bush administration as a sign of reconciliation between the country's ethnic and religious groups. Iran ‘number one world power’: Ahmadinejad Iran UN Sanctions Vote Seen Likely Saturday Can Israel and Syria Break the Middle East Deadlock? Iraq presidency rejects law on provincial elections Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will likely make an ostentatious show of influence on his upcoming trip to Iraq, analysts say. UK Thwarted Plot to Kill Saudi King - The Baghdad Bureau of the New York Times has a new blog. Jordan Times In an editorial, Michael Jansen writes that Turkey’s major military offensive in northern Iraq has put the U.S. in an awkward position as the country’s occupier and, allegedly, defender of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Daily Star Neither Hamas nor the Israelis have much to lose by agreeing to talk The Price of Faithlessness: Iran to Punish Apostasy with Death | H9 Ha’aretz – Editorial: Decision on Gaza operation should be daring and level-headed ANALYSIS / Long-range strikes could spark Gaza invasion Barak: Large-scale Gaza operation is 'real and tangible' Knocking on haven's doorIn the worldwide migration pattern, in which poor people from politically unstable countries migrate to democratic, capitalist ones, Israel falls into the latter category Toward true dialogue Madeleine K. Albright It is a mistake to conceive of the Mideast as divided between people who do no wrong and those who do no right; between moderates and extremists, secular and religious, evil and good Eldar The Arab boycott Defense sources: Possible Gaza invasion likely to entail paralyzing Hamas government's ability, may extend to "regime change." 'What's lost by embracing a tyrant who puts his people in prison because of their political beliefs? UNSC to vote on new Iran sanctions Britain and France considering suggestions for changes; Libya to vote against the current draft One on One: Closing ranks JCCA's Alan Solow: Israel and Diaspora have a lot to learn from each other. IDF: Without Presence in West Bank, Hamas Would Take Over in Days Yedioth Ahronoth Barack Obama's plan for Iran US senator articulates his ideas to contain Islamic state, keep close US-Israel relations The price of restraint/ Fishman The price of restraint/ Fishman IDF prepares for Gaza op
Artillery battery, dozens of tanks positioned just north of Gaza to reinforce infantry forces already in Strip ahead of possible large-scale ground operation. PM returns from Japan, updated on Ashkelon rocket attacks Report: Abbas Does Not Rule Out Resuming Armed Conflict with Israel Rice Tells Olmert She's Concerned about Gaza Civilians Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine BBC Israeli forces pound Gaza Strip Israel presses on with attacks on Gaza where at least 32 militants and civilians have died in the past 48 hours Cat and mouse
Israeli town becomes used to dodging rocket fire from Gaza Strip
Daily Star Neither Hamas nor the Israelis have much to lose by agreeing to talk High-Trajectory Weapons and Guerilla Warfare: Adjusting Fundamental Security Concepts - Gabriel Siboni (Strategic Assessment/Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Is Israel Bound by International Law to Supply Utilities, Goods, and Services to Gaza? - Abraham Bell (Institute for Contemporary Affairs/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) KOSOVO`S INDEPENDENCE AND ISRAEL Israel e News Time Israel's Gaza Trap As fighting escalates, pressure mounts for a ground invasion. But that may be exactly what Hamas wants American Prospect Breaking the Gazan Impasse
Top Prosecutor in AIPAC Case Departs for Private Sector Job
Israel Prefers Hillary |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor After Pakistan vote, US eyes options Some White House officials want to embrace victors in parliament; others don't want to abandon Musharraf. Oil for nukes – mostly a bad idea Bartering nuclear technology for oil is a path to the spread of nuclear weapons. On a fence at the U.S.-Mexican border Resistance to fencing on the US southern border is building. Washington must stand firm. Russian election: Medvedev set to become president in Sunday vote Polls indicate more than two-thirds of voters plan to vote for Vladimir Putin's longtime aide, despite little campaigning. ASIA Gates Says U.S. Isn't Trying to Outmaneuver China By: Peter Spiegel | Los Angeles Times Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wrapped up a six-day visit to three regional democracies Wednesday, working to strengthen ties and upgrade the militaries of all three, which have increasingly complex relationships with a burgeoning China U.S. and India to Strengthen Security Ties By: Mark Mazzetti and Somini Sengupta | The New York Times
With a landmark nuclear energy pact between the United States and India stalled, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Wednesday that the nations would nonetheless strengthen their security ties as India looked to embark on a closer — and still contentious — level of military cooperation with the United States. Revolutionary communism contributed to China's boom
By John Delury BBC Bridge builder?
Indonesia under pressure to beef up its Middle East role The Economist Indian politics Beginning the long goodbye It could last more than a year, but the election season has already opened, and may determine the fate of India's nuclear deal with America Pakistan Coming to terms Musharraf is down but not out; Zardari is up but not in Seven Questions: Bittersweet Symphony in Pyongyang Newsweek Asia's Achilles Heel As China and India lose control of their economies, they are failing to provide reliable power to their citizens. How will they manage to curb carbon emissions? Carnegie A New Era? What to Make of the 17th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party China's one child only rules face extinction The adored only children born out of the one-child family planning policy, are set to disappear after a single generation Beijing dismisses rights fears Business in South-East Asia The tigers that lost their roar A river in central China turned red due to toxic pollution, leaving 200,000 people without water. China`s Brave New World and Other Tales for Global Times The Politics of Piracy in China and Russia Asian Security: A report from a Danish think-tank examines the role regional bodies like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) play in addressing regional security concerns. You can download the report here. Indonesia: A report from the International Crisis Group examines the influential media arm of the Indonesian militant group Jemaah Islamiyah. Bush Administration Reluctance to Recalibrate Pakistan Policy Draws Criticism from Democrats
BY JOSHUA KUCERA A top US official has signaled that there will be no major policy shift on Pakistan in the aftermath of elections that dealt a serious blow against the US-backed president there, Pervez Musharraf. India: The Financial Times reports that a new environmental survey due out today ranks India’s two largest cities, Mumbai and New Delhi, as having the worst air quality in the world. U.S. opposes Pakistani plans for talks with militants China`s Brave New World and Other Tales for Global Times The Politics of Piracy in China and Russia
Japan's Aid Policy: Doing Less With Less By: David Pilling | Financial Times
For a chequebook diplomat, Japan’s cheque does not carry the punch it used to. Tokyo, the world’s mightiest aid donor as recently as 2001, has been slipping alarmingly down the league tables AEI Strengthening Freedom in Asia A Twenty-First-Century Agenda for the U.S.-Taiwan Partnership By Dan Blumenthal, Randall Schriver In Northwestern Pakistan, Where Militants Rule By: Mark Sappenfield | The Christian Science Monitor
Every so often, the world witnesses the malice that lives in Pakistan's northwestern tribal belt – bombings in London and Madrid and the plot to blow up airplanes over the Atlantic, all had ties to terrorists there. | H11 IHT A new Gorbachev? By DANIEL VERNET Only an apparatchik can acquire enough power to institute reform Dmitri's choice By VIKTOR EROFEYEV For better or for worse, Medvedev is the last hope for me and for the Russia I love. EUROPE European press review BBC Why we say No
Europe's politicians speak out against Kosovo independence Kosovo divide widens as Serb police quit force The World Is Changing; NATO Needs a New Strategy By: Henk Van den Breemen, Peter Inge and Jacques Lanxade | The Daily Star The North Atlantic Treaty Organization needs a new strategy. We, five former defense chiefs of staff, recently published a booklet containing proposals for such a new strategy, as well as a comprehensive agenda for change. WSJ George Weigel, of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, in response to a recent article by the former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt, suggests ten ways for Americans to respect Europe again. If Europe Could Vote By: Ulf Gartzke | The Weekly Standard
Europeans, like much of the rest of the world for that matter, are following the U.S. presidential election campaign very closely. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and even Mike Huckabee have all pretty much become household names across Europe Five former defense chiefs of staff contribute an op-ed in which they say NATO needs a new strategy, and present what they call a comprehensive agenda for change. EU Unity To Be Tested Over U.S. Visa-Free Regime By: Renata Goldirova | EU Observer EU interior ministers are gathering in Brussels for what is likely to be a heated battle over how the European Union should react to new US travel security demands, with member states split between those who enjoy visa-free travel to the United States and those who do not. France-Europe: Deutsche-Welle reports that French President Sarkozy has irked some of his fellow European leaders through “go-it-alone” policies. The Economist Serbia The road of discontent For now Serbia remains torn about whether to pursue its European vocation—but it is likely to return to it eventually Cyprus A Communist to the rescue A new Greek-Cypriot president raises hopes for a new unification plan German politics On death and dying Spain's election Spanish customs Charlemagne Winners and losers Europe is a big winner from globalisation. If only politicians would say so America, Europe and the management of danger A hazardous comparison Americans like the idea (though not always the reality) of risk more than comfortable Europeans do. To Russians, both lots seem hyper-cautious wimps Europe's Time to Choose By: Europe's Time to Choose | The Washington Times During the past two centuries, three major European continental nations have tried to impose their will on the rest of the continent, indeed, on the globe. First France in the early 19th century, then Germany in the first half of the 20th century, and finally Russia. CEPS What lessons can be learned from the EU emissions trading scheme? EU Migration Policy: An A-Z CER | H12 RFE/RLRussia: Oil Wealth Trickling Down -- But Not Far Enough Russia: Political System Could Drag Economy Down Armenia: Defeated Presidential Challenger Rejects Calls For Cooperation The Economist Russia's uneasy handover Russia's new president, Dmitry Medvedev, faces an unpalatable legacy Russia's economy Smoke and mirrors As Vladimir Putin stands aside (sort of), how much has he to do with Russia's booming economy—and how long can it last? Russia's new president The name's Dmitry Newsweek Experts Assess Putin’s Legacy Chechnya and the north Caucasus And they call it peace Vladimir Putin's presidency began in Chechnya; the region is restive as it ends Time Putin's Presidency Ends, Not His Rule Google News Azerbaijan Wider Black Sea: Concept and Reality By: Haroutiun Khachatrian | ISN Security Watch As the US and EU promote the concept of a new 'Wider Black Sea' geopolitical region, economics may be the key to common identity and security. Russia Revolutionises Its Jet Industry By: Duncan Bartlett | BBC News
Russia is hoping to make a giant come-back in civil and military aviation. Dmitry Medvedev is "creating his own public identity according to a choreographed script," C.J. Chivers reports for the New York Times Washington Times Management reshuffle? By Ariel Cohen Vladimir Putin might be the prime minister in a President Medvedev administration, but he will be the senior figure in terms of political capital and the execution of government policy. BBC Moscow official admits media bias As Russia's presidential campaign enters its last day, the electoral chief admits media coverage is unequal. Russia awaits new Putin role Multilingual debate: Putin's Russia Putin repeats threat on missiles Uzbekistan and the EU's 'Engagement' Policy By: Gulnoza Saidazimova | Radio Free Europe
Some believe that international pressure has prompted the release of opponents of the Uzbekistan government from prison, while others believe it's 'just window dressing.' SPIEGEL Pub Quiz Russian Election Edition: 'Medved, Medvedova, Whatever'
The Medvedev moment, Nicolai N Petro
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| H13 The Times Luke Skywalker v Darth Vader Sadly the presidential contest between Obama and McCain is being ridiculously caricatured Gerard Baker Responsible Sovereignty China must face up to its diplomatic obligations Prince Harry aborts Afghan mission after web leak Tour de Force The public should salute Prince Harry's deployment in Afghanistan Wall Street Journal Cut and Run and Then Run Back
By James Taranto Barack Obama's strategy for Iraq On Kosovo's Fields
By Fouad Ajami America has become the provider of order of last resort in Muslim lands. The Bernanke Reflation
The Fed Chairman throws price stability to the wind. May We Not Lose His KindBy Peggy Noonan
Declarations:
William F. Buckley, Jr. was the complete American original, a national treasure whose energy was a kind of optimism Trade Tirade
By Kimberley A. Strassel
Potomac Watch:
Democrats worry about where this debate is headed. Watching Sovereign Wealth The first chapter from The Next Great Globalization: How Disadvantaged Nations Can Harness Their Financial Systems to Get Rich by Frederic S. Mishkin Did globalisation cause the "Great Divergence" between rich and poor economies? CFR A new Daily Analysis notes that some prominent economists now say that the chance of a deep recession—while still limited—is growing. The Staggering Fiscal Costs of Bailing Out a Financial System in Crisis
| H14 Financial Times The quiet rise of Dmitry Medvedev Will the man set to be Russia’s next president surprise those who have called him studious but seldom inspiring? Arab leaders press Syria over Beirut impasse Several Arab states are threatening to boycott an upcoming regional summit if Damascus fails to influence its allies in Beirut to resolve Lebanon’s presidential stand-off Iranian official reports record oil revenues Iran’s oil revenues reached a record $62bn for the first 11 months of this Iranian year - an increase of 31 per cent over the same period the previous year, according to a senior Iranian oil official. Gaza air strikes follow Hamas rocket attack Israel stepped up air strikes in the Gaza Strip, killing five Palestinian gunmen after the first death in Israel in nine months from a rocket attack launched from the Hamas-controlled territory Democrats’ cheap shots at Nafta The most disturbing aspect of the US primary season is the Democratic consensus that liberal trade is opposed to the national interest Brussels bungles energy unbundling A fully liberalised European energy market would be a great prize. The EU Commission should stick to its power reforms Gideon Rachman’s blog Who is the unfairest of them all? March will be a bad month for those who prefer their elections free and fair, with polls in Russia, Iran and Zimbabwe looming Military, industrial and complex World trade is a constant interaction of force and commerce, according to this witty and wide-ranging history Promising applause for an American in Pyongyang Kim Jong-il has opened North Korea’s door an inch or two, but we should not get carried away with New York Phil’s appearance. It is too early to draw parallels with the ping-pong diplomacy that heralded the Sino-American thaw in the 1970s, writes Philip Stephens Europe must fight back in the battle for ideasThere are still some heavyweight thinkers around in Europe with novel things to say – but they are few and far between, writes James Harkin Comment: Bad news if climate sceptics are right Greater uncertainty means the changes might be less bad than we fear, but it also means they might be much worse, writes Paul Klemperer Sarkozy seeks new defence entente with Africa France is to renegotiate all defence agreements with its former colonies in Africa in a bid to transform the country’s stance towards the world’s poorest continent ‘Nimbyism’ blamed for Italy’s woes Both main Italian political parties are promising in their election campaigns to tackle the ‘not in my backyard’ culture that is blamed in large part for the country’s economic decline and lack of infrastructure Falling jobless data signal German strength A steep fall in unemployment suggests a positive outlook among mid-size businesses, just as a wave of job cuts at large companies raises concerns that the labour market recovery could soon peak Right sows doubt among waverers Spain’s opposition Popular party hopes to win the general election with a campaign strategy aimed at persuading Socialist sympathisers to abstain from voting Clinton on course to raise $35m Hillary Clinton’s advisers said she was on course to raise $35m in February, the highest monthly total of her presidential campaign and more than double her total for January | War and peace, the Army way Rosa Brooks Another 100 years of U.S. troops in Iraq? Conservatism's contrarian By Jacob Heilbrunn William F. Buckley shaped a movement for the right, which then left him behind. EDITORIAL: Buckley, in his own right EditorialDeal with the trade-offs Despite the Democratic candidates' positions, NAFTA and similar pacts benefit the U.S. in the long run. |
| H16 American Politics Why women over 50 are Hillary Clinton's loyal supporters The Economist Obamanomics Hope and fear Democratic economic policy sounds worryingly populist Lexington The Buckley effect An Ivy League saint Ian Williams William F Buckley's arrogant, aristocratic brand of conservatism was designed simply to protect America's elite How Hillary's Think Tank Went For Obama Pew Research Center: Obama Has The Lead, But Potential Problems Too Name calling campaign to undermine Obama Republicans have begun to emphasise Barack Obama's middle name Hussein in an attempt to spread doubts that he is a closet Muslim NYT: MCCAIN'S BIRTHPLACE IN CANAL ZONE RAISES ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS... realclearpolitics memeorandum ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp Clinton raises $35 million in February Obama and His Wonks Commentators take a close look at the Democratic front-runner’s policy shop. In red-state Texas, new signs of rising Democratic tide The drawn-out fight for a Democratic presidential nominee is driving left-leaning Texans into the open, infusing them with a sense of relevance for the first time in a generation. | H17 Daily Telegraph Vladimir Putin's poodle may yet bite There is a school of thought that suggests it would be wrong to underestimate Dmitry Medvedev's desire to be his own man in Russia, argues Con Coughlin. Russians see continuity in Medvedev Moscow, the Russian capital, is hardly in the grip of election fever. But then to describe Sunday's exercise as an election would be stretching a point Prince Harry has been fighting the Taliban It was disclosed yesterday that Prince Harry has been fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, the first member of the Royal Family in 25 years to serve on the front line. | H18 Independent Putin's heir struggles to come out of his master's shadow It should have been the moment when Dmitry Medvedev finally staked an aggressive claim to the Russian presidency and implored Russians to vote for him. Leading article: A farcical contest, and the need for a united stand |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism High-Trajectory Weapons and Guerilla Warfare: Adjusting Fundamental Security Concepts - Gabriel Siboni (Strategic Assessment/Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Safe at Home: A National Security Strategy to Protect the American Homeland, the Real Central Front Source: Center for American Progress Executive Summary (PDF; 1.6 MB) + Full Report (PDF; 5.4 MB) + Chart: Our Top 10 National Security Priorities + Chart: Homeland Security Policy Priorities for the Next Administration and Congress + Timeline: Homeland Security Since 9/11 (.gif) Hearing: An Uneasy Relationship: U.S. Reliance on Private Security Firms in Overseas Operations New Sharia study documents Islamist threat Source: Center for Security Policy Al-Qaida deputy releases video condemning 'revisionists' War and Peace, the Army Way By: Rosa Brooks | Los Angeles Times
This week, the Army released a new version of FM 3-0, the Army Field Manual on Operations. The first revision since 9/11, it offers what the Army -- which is not an institution prone to exaggeration -- calls "a revolutionary departure from past doctrine." The army learns its lesson Matthew Harwood The US army's new field manual represents a stern rebuke of the Bush administration's military policies but may shift too far in the opposite direction FBI Documents Contradict 9/11 Commission Report The Fading Jihadists By: David Ignatius | The Washington Post
Politicians who talk about the terrorism threat -- and it's already clear that this will be a polarizing issue in the 2008 campaign -- should be required to read a new book by a former CIA officer named Marc Sageman. Analysis: New cyber chief faces Hill anger (UPI) -- The new job of Scott Charbo, the man President Bush has picked to head up the protection of U.S. computer networks, involves countering threats from Russian hackers, Chinese cyber spies and Internet Jihadis. But perhaps his most immediately dangerous adversary is the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. Analysis: Germany stops Big Brother law (UPI) -- The decision by Germany's highest court Wednesday to annul a controversial state law allowing secret computer searches for security and anti-terror investigations rightfully puts civil rights above security interests, experts say By Jed Babbin Mr. McCain has married himself to the troop surge, which Gen. David Petraeus is leading magnificently. But what happens afterward? Feature: Coalition, al-Qaida set stage (UPI) -- The U.S. and Iraqi military campaign to route al-Qaida terrorists from their last urban stronghold is in motion, with troops fanning out to new combat operations posts. The Long War: Send in the Marines | H20 Slate Welcome to the Quagmire The next president may be stuck with more problems in Iraq than Bush ever faced. Fred Kaplan Kinsley on Intellectual Honesty Bill Buckley had it, journalism should strive for it, and politics needs more of it. Whose Jerusalem Is It, Anyway? Should diaspora Jews have a say in the political negotiations about Jerusalem?
Shmuel Rosner The Global Poor Will Suffer the Worst Ethanol Hangover By: Henry I. Miller | World Politics Review
The headlong rush in many parts of the world to replace oil with biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) illustrates how the best of intentions can run afoul of the law of unintended consequences. Foundation Giving Trends, 2008 Edition (PDF; 522 KB)
Source: Foundation Center Faith and tolerance THE PEW Forum on Religion and Public Life released this week the most comprehensive survey of the American religious landscape ever conducted. We can now say, with reasonable certainty, that almost half of Americans switch religious affiliation in the course of their lives and that only slightly more than half (51.3 percent) identify themselves as Protestants. (By Alan Wolfe, Boston Globe) | H21 John Rawls argued that public reason cannot be based on the “comprehensive accounts” of reality religion gives us. Martha Nussbaum agrees... more» It’s not just fads and fashions in the likes of shoes or music that spread through social networks. There are also states of mind – happiness, loneliness, altriusm... more» A Great Leap Forward By CHRIS TURNEY Now that we’re in the 21st century, and time is measured according to oscillations of vaporized atoms, why do we still need something as oddly quaint as leap year? Drudge: world's most powerful journalist Matt Drudge shot to prominence when he threatened to bring down Bill Clinton's presidency by breaking news of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The Drudge Report: clever headlines, and eye for the news jugular 1 in 100 U.S. Adults Behind Bars, New Study Says Pew Report Finds More than One in 100 Adults are Behind Bars
Source: Pew Center on the States Full Report (PDF; 636 KB) The destiny of species chronicled on the Web The Internet-based Encyclopedia of Life is an exciting effort to chronicle the names of and facts about the planet's 1.8 million known species, as well as species that will be discovered. The human brain What a piece of work William F. Buckley, architect and builder of modern conservatism, is dead... Nat’l Review memorials ... AP ... NYT ... WP ... old columns ... Sam Tanenhaus ... Slate ... Wash Times ... Moderate Voice ... Boston Globe ... Books by Buckley ... Guardian ... Roger Kimball ... Myron Magnet ... Chron Higher Ed ... Time ... David Boaz ... Conrad Black ... Cap Weinberger ... Nat’l Post ... Reason ... Buckley vs Mailer ... John McCain ... Rick Perlstein ... Telegraph ... London Times ... Clive Crook ... Robert Semple ... John Miller ... John Bogert ... Julia Keller ... Michael Seringhaus ... Andrew Malcolm ... Taki Barack Hussein Obama, Omar Bradley, Benjamin Franklin and other Semitically Named American Heroes
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