| H1 Washington Post U.N. Imposes New Sanctions on Iran Administration Must Settle for Watered-Down Resolution Analysis by Dan Balz 8 Questions That Today's Primaries Could Answer Editorial The Gaza Dilemma As long as Hamas uses the territory to attack Israel, the peace process will stall. Financial Times Medvedev will not declare cold war Russian interests are too deeply entangled with the west to make a straightforward policy of confrontation feasible, writes Gideon Rachman . The Russian state now effectively controls the most ’strategic’ bits of the Russian economy. However, using this power as a political weapon is harder than it sounds Los Angeles Times Clear win, uncertain times in Russia Some wonder how long President-elect Medvedev would be willing to share power with his mentor Putin. Analysis: Mideast situation heats up
By CLAUDE SALHANI (UPI) -- Like a macabre jigsaw puzzle, the pieces for a generalized Middle East flare-up are slowly -- and dangerously -- falling into place. Army Manual Stresses Nation Building Army Unveils New Field Manual for Operations Source: U.S. Army (Army News Service) Full Manual (PDF; 7.4 MB) “We must emphasize doctrine as the driver for change,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. “You can’t cement change in the organization until you adapt the institutions. That change begins with doctrine.” The rise of transnational terrorist networks, religious radicalism, ethnic genocide, sectarian violence, criminal networks and failing nation-states all imperil the United States and its national interests. Guardian US plotted to overthrow Hamas after election victory Vanity Fair magazine reports of secret project for removal of Islamist government in Gaza David Rose / Vanity Fair: The Gaza Bombshell — After failing to anticipate Hamas's victory over Fatah in the 2006 Palestinian election, the White House cooked up yet another scandalously covert and self-defeating Middle East debacle: part Iran-contra, part Bay of Pigs. With confidential documents CFR Albright: Next US President Must Deal Quickly with Iran Nuclear Program Iran’s Regional Revolution IHT Time for a new Russia strategy By NIKOLAS GVOSDEV The U.S. approach to Russia must be based on realistic expectations. How to end the U.S.-Iran standoff By WILLIAM LUERS, THOMAS PICKERING AND JAMES WALSH The best of numerous bad options for dealing with the Iran nuclear issue. Ahern emerges as possible candidate for EU presidency Bertie Ahern, the prime minister of Ireland, has emerged as a possible candidate for the Europe Union's first full-time president amid uncertainty over whether the bloc is seeking a global figure like Tony Blair FT Editorial Take a chance and talk to Medvedev But there must be no retreat from western principles. Whoever is Russia’s president, the west must remain committed to fostering liberal democracy in the former Soviet Union Guardian The post-dictator era Lionel Beehner and Paul Cruickshank: Old-school despots are giving way to a new generation of rulers more open to the west, whose authoritarian tendencies are stymied by globalisation The bad or the worse Aluf Benn: Ehud Olmert faces two risky options to halt the violence in Gaza, but he must choose one now The great threats to Europe are sclerosis and illegitimacy David Clark: There is a way to make the necessary changes to the treaty, but it requires a degree of daring that won't come naturally
Wall Street Journal An Inordinate Fear of Terrorism?
By Bret Stephens Global View: Barack Obama sees the Islamist threat as just one among many. Obama's Border Incident
His trade policy loses something in translation. Election Season in Russia
By Garry Kasparov Will the next U.S. president turn a blind eye to Kremlin abuses? Iran's Nuclear Threat
By Zalmay Khalilzad Violations of Security Council resolutions not only continue, but are deepening. • The Meaning of Medvedev By DMITRI TRENIN • Pakistan's New Frontier The World Has Plenty of OilBy Nansen G. Saleri We can pump 100 million barrels of crude a day till the end of the century.
The Chinese military is increasingly developing capabilities, including counter space programmes, to conduct military operations beyond any conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the Pentagon said EurasiaNet Washington Provides the Glue that Binds Iran and Russia BY RICHARD WEITZ Although Tehran and Moscow both wish to curb US influence in the Caspian Basin, important differences continue to trouble Iranian-Russian relations. RFE Armenia: Will Violence Fuel Passions Further? Christian Science Monitor Can Clinton slow Obama-mentum? She faces heavy pressure in Texas and Ohio primaries. Iran reformers hemmed in ahead of elections Hard-liners consolidate their hold as March 14 parliamentary polls approach. U.S. warship stirs Lebanese fear of war The USS Cole has deployed off the coast of Lebanon as that nation's political crisis deepens. Independent Mary Dejevsky: The old Soviet traditions still endure in Russia Leading article: An election in name only | H2 Turkey May Launch New Incursion in Iraq "Operasyon siyasi amaçlıydı" Karayılan AFP'ye operasyonu anlattı US seeks to balance Turkish, Iraqi Kurdish interests Turkish offensive's gains outweigh downsides, defense analysts say Reflections on the February 2008 Turkish Operation in Northern Iraq
Counterterrorism Blog Bulent ALİRIZA Mar 4 SD# 1858 - PKK Military Wing Commander: Turkey May Become 'Exact Replica of Iraq' OxAn TURKEY: AKP Kurdish policy risks polarisation The Struggle for Kirkuk Institute for War and Peace Reporting, PKK TRIUMPHANT AS ANKARA RETREATS FROM NORTHERN IRAQ Eurasia Daily Monitor Turkey in Iraq: Not over but out ISN İzmir Turkey’s global city Le Monde Diplomatique After almost of century of Turkish dominance, and decades of ruination followed by neglect, Izmir has regained its modern, Mediterranean, international identity. Europe and Asia intertwined here in the past, and maybe will do so again in the future By Philip Mansel
New York Sun Editorial The Northern Front
Turk army chief says more Iraq operations possible GOOD MORNING --TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON MAR 03 Google News Fırat News Agency KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect Dış Basında Irak BBC Monitoring Berat Özipek Diyarbakır sivil anayasayı bekliyor MELİHA OKUR
Irak'ta yeni anahtar Musul olabilir mi? The explosive Turkey/Iraq/US "threeway" situation explained Iraqi Kurdish Party to Present Petition to Parliament for Reopening Offices PKK Official Says Iraqi President Aided Turkey's Military Incursion - Paper Cevdet Aşkın PKK'nın tasfiyesinde askeri yönteme devam Birileri söyledi! Baykal, "Kuzey Irak’a kara harekâtı ABD’nin isteği üzerine sonlandırılmadı" açıklamalarını kabul etmedi “PKK ve PEJAK'a karşı beraber savaşmalıyız” Özcan Yeniçeri Türkiye'nin operasyonu ve Amerikan tutumu! İsrafil Kumbasar 'Girmek' için özel izin isteyenler, 'hemen çıkın' denilince de çıkarlar Sıra psikolojik harekatta İran'a Yeni Yaptırım Paketi Onaylandı Hakan Aygün "Çekilme"deki gerçek yalanlar! Nasreddin Hoca eşekten düşmüş, `Zaten inecektim' demiş' Mine G. Kırıkkanat Operasyon mu, epilasyon mu? Security officials seize 2 tons of drugs smuggled by PKK Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık Guardian Cypriot get-together? James Ker-Lindsay The election of Cyprus's new president offers hope for the islands reunification but there are many difficult issues that will need to be negotiated first M Ali Birand AKP, Avrupa'ya sırt mı dönüyor? Government to revive EU bid in spring Hasan Cemal Türkiye’yle AB’de barış ve demokrasi iç içedir! Akdeniz Birliği kuruluyor Cyprus President speaks to ANA-MPA
Athens News Agency
Rauf Denktaş Hadi Uluengin'e cevap Çiçek’ten aydınlara: Her yasaya AB için mi diyelim
Sylvia TİRYAKİ
Yalçın Doğan ’Bir adam vardı yangında’ Ankara'nın dışladığı Paris, Nabucco'ya Bükreş üzerinden girmeye çalışıyor Sarkozy’den Türkiye’ye Romanya üzerinden mesaj Call for Conference: EU-Turkey: The Strategies Of Intercommunication Turkey's President Gul visiting Romania amid differences over ... Nabucco gas project facing a cascade of defections İslam karşıtı film, NATO'yu ayağa kaldırdı Rival Turkish, Greek Cypriot leaders to meet this month: UN 1 milyar $’lık hata Milyar dolarlık projeler yürüten BOTAŞ’ın trajik hali gizli raporlarda ortaya çıktı Andrew Finkel Geoffrey Lewis AKP’li başkan suç makinesi çıktı! Irkçı hadis ayıklaması Küresel ısınma Türkiye'de en çok nereleri vuracak? Küçük ‘fotomontaj’ dedi ama savcı ikna olmadı Operasyonun adı KKTC’de darbe • Akreditasyon utancı Bilirkişi Evcil'den korkup çekildi 103 sivil toplum kuruluşundan birleşme kararı Danıştay: Bu müfredatla din dersi zorunlu olamaz 4 Mart 2008 Basın Özeti | H3 İspatlasınlar üniformamı çıkarayım Vereceğimiz dersler var PKK ile AKP arasındaki gidiş gelişi Iraklı Kürtler sağlıyor Kandil itirafları-2 İran PKK’dan Türkiye’deki ABD üssünü vurmasını istedi Baykal: Benim kaygım, “İşte kara harekatı da yaptın olmadı, bu işi başka yolla hallet’ diyebilirler
Cevat Öneş PKK'nın işi nasıl biter? Çözüme Türk bakışı Prof. Dr. Özbudun: “Cumhurbaşkanı’na fazla yetki veren anlayışı değiştirip, yetkilerini azaltacağız” Taha Akyol Harekât ve hamaset Fikret Bila Vereceğimiz dersler var Cengiz Çandar Önümüze bakalım; ölü saymayalım, şiddet dilini terk edelim Ahmet Taşgetiren Zaafsa hangi zaaf? Ruşen - Çakır Hükümetten ‘terör paketi yok’ mesajı
İbrahim Karagül: Büyükanıt'ın üniforma resti ve 98 milyar dolarlık satış! Hasan Celal Güzel - Harekât başarılı olmuştur Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Murat Yetkin - 'ABD ima bile etmedi' ŞAHİN ALPAY - PKK öldürmekle bitmez Bir şeyler yapmalı Nuray Mert Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. MÜMTAZ'ER TÜRKÖNE - Askerî harekât bitti, sırada siyasî harekât var Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Hakan Albayrak: Aysel Tuğluk'un cevabına devam Birileri sonuna kadar gitmemizi engelledi
Berat Özipek Diyarbakır sivil anayasayı bekliyor MAHMUT ÖVÜR Kürt ekseninde AK Parti-DTP savaşı!
MELİHA OKUR Irak'ta yeni anahtar Musul olabilir mi? Şimdi 'akıllı gücü' kullanma zamanı NEJAT ESLEN Serdar Turgut Büyükanıt'a teessüf ederiz İlter Türkmen Düğmeye kim bastı? M Ali Birand AKP, Avrupa'ya sırt mı dönüyor? Cüneyt Ülsever Kadrolaşmanın vardığı boyutlar Enis Berberoğlu Sağ gözü kapalı asker 'Kürt sorununa barışçı çözüm!'
Murat Belge Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Özdalga: Güç kaybedenler rahatsız Başında silahlı, sonunda silahsız kuvvetler var Alevi öğrenci zorunlu din dersinden muaf Danıştay’dan zorunlu din dersine veto çıktı
AKP’nin seçim yatırımı KÖYDES ile BELDES
MUHARREM SARIKAYA "Siyasi açılım!..." Nuray Başaran Madrid'in perde arkası ve türban gerçeği 2008 yaralar ama öldürmez ekonomide asıl darbe 2009'da Fehmi Koru: Başörtüsü bakın neyi gizliyormuş... Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Ali Bayramoğlu: Bu ülkede 'kimi kararları' kimler alıyor? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Taha Kıvanç: Kına yakarsınız Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Tamer Korkmaz: Zat-ı şahaneleri neden susuyor? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Fatma K. Barbarosoğlu: Kazanan kim? Kazınmakta olan ne? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Akif Emre: İran'la 'Mikro Soğuk Savaş' Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Özlem Albayrak: Güçlü haklı olmuş, dünya susuyor İsmet Berkan - 'Sivil çözüm' mümkün değil mi? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Türker Alkan - Muhasebe Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Nuray Mert - Bir şeyler yapmalı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Hakkı Devrim - Bush gösteriş yaptı demek ki... Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Namık Kemal Zeybek - Darbeciler din devleti mi istiyorlar? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. İHSAN DAĞI - Meşru devlet mi, vahşi devlet mi? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. LEYLA İPEKÇİ - Üniversiteye tarikatlar girecek diye çeteler mi girsin? Ertuğrul Özkök Bahşedilmiş özgürlük demokrasisi Ahmet Hakan Oktay Ekşi Gerçekten çok yazık Bekir Coşkun Paşama sorum yok... Özdemir İnce 3 Mart 1924 Mehmet Y Yılmaz Duvarları örmeye başlayan kimdi?
Hadi Uluenegin Kim, ne bekliyordu ki Ali Bulaç Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. ERDAL ŞAFAK Gençlerimiz
ENGİN ARDIÇ ERGUN BABAHAN Ermeniler imam astı! EMRE AKÖZ İşte bu bildiri imzalanır!
Umur Talu Değişir, dönüşür HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN NAZLI ILICAK ABD'nin çifte standardı [Yorum - Yusuf Çağlayan] Modernleşme, rejimi savunmak olunca... MEHMET BARLAS
Herkesin farklı gündemi medyanın ortak gündemidir YAVUZ DONAT Sami Selçuk Şimdi susma zamanı Can Dündar Üniversite daha çok karışmadan Savaş Süzal Egemenlik kayıtsız şartsız ABD mi? Eski savcıdan şok ifşaat: 9 Mart cuntası, 3 milyon kişiyi öldürecekti Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Altın dışarıda da içeride de kurtarıcı Ercan Kumcu Enflasyonla mücadeleyi daha ciddiye almalıyız Erdal Sağlam ’Bütçeye uyacağız’ demekle güven sağlanmaz Hurşit Güneş Tüketici güveni Mart 2003 düzeyine düştü! Yaman Törüner Kurullara yeni operasyon Güngör Uras Halk için önemli olan gıda fiyatlarının ayda yüzde 5.05, yılda 11.91 artması Seyfettin Gürsel Küresel düzeltme piyasanın insafına kalınca Güven Sak 'Genç tüketiciler' hangi krizden rahatsız Altın, petrol ve döviz Mahfi Eğilmez Deniz Gökçe Sosyal Güvenlik Reformu “olmazsa olmaz”! Türkiye dünya devlerine teknoloji üssü olacak Ali Tezel Deniz abi, bu reformu istiyor olamazsın İşte Şubat ayı enflasyonu
Gila Benmayor Turizmcilerin 2023 hedefi 50 milyar dolar |
| H4 New York Times Democratic Rivals Clash Before Pivotal Primaries Hillary Rodham Clinton accused Barack Obama of deception and faulted his Senate record as new evidence of discord surfaced within her own camp. Security Council Adds Sanctions Against Iran Companies Are Piling Up Cash The total cash held by companies in S.&P.’s industrial index exceeded $600 billion in February, up from about $203 billion in 1998. Memo Gives Canada’s Account of Obama Campaign’s Meeting on Nafta | H5 Washington Post U.N. Imposes New Sanctions on Iran Administration Must Settle for Watered-Down Resolution Analysis by Dan Balz 8 Questions That Today's Primaries Could Answer Editorial The Gaza Dilemma As long as Hamas uses the territory to attack Israel, the peace process will stall. U.N. Adds Third Layer to Iran Sanctions Obama, Clinton In Key Face-Off Texas, Ohio Results May Determine Campaign's Future Obama Tends Toward Mainstream on Foreign Policy Clinton, Obama Recast Their Message on Iraq As Voters Increasingly Focus on Economic Concerns, War Becomes a Proxy for Other Issues The Battle That Clinton Didn't Expect By E. J. Dionne Jr., One wonders what would have happened if Clinton had adjusted to Obama's candidacy earlier. Rice to Raise Humanitarian Issues With Israelis The New Art of War If there were any doubts that the United States is preparing for war in space and cyberspace, testimony before the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee last week would have wiped them away. Early Warning: Iran and Iraq: A Healthy Friendship William M. Arkin A Surge To Help Afghanistan By Joe Lieberman The Afghan army needs a surge in support from Washington Israel Pulls Ground Troops Out of Gaza Hamas Keeps Up Rocket Attacks U.S. Strike in Somalia Targets Terror Suspects Russian Election Lacked 'Freedom,' Monitor Says Forecasts for Crude Oil Rise to $105 on New Trading High Renewing 'Made in the USA' By Susan Helper Rather than abandon manufacturing, we could make the sector a showcase that leads the way toward better jobs. The Mandate Debate Examining the key difference between the Clinton and Obama health plans Taking the Call on Black Men By Richard Cohen It is a subtle but pernicious form of racism to turn one's back on what is happening to young black men. Global Warming Skeptics Insist Humans Not at Fault | H6 Guardian The post-dictator era Lionel Beehner and Paul Cruickshank: Old-school despots are giving way to a new generation of rulers more open to the west, whose authoritarian tendencies are stymied by globalisation The bad or the worse Aluf Benn: Ehud Olmert faces two risky options to halt the violence in Gaza, but he must choose one now Olmert threatens more Gaza attacks As troops pull out of Gaza, Israeli PM warns of aims to 'weaken' the Islamist movement Hamas US had secret plan to overthrow Hamas Israel's only option Jonathan Spyer Israel is engaged in a long, exhausting war and has little choice but to pursue its current course of action in Gaza The great threats to Europe are sclerosis and illegitimacy David Clark: There is a way to make the necessary changes to the treaty, but it requires a degree of daring that won't come naturally Iran faces new sanctions after UN vote Security council tightens sanctions on country for refusing to suspend enrichment of uranium Super Tuesday, again Leader: Overwhelmingly the mood among ordinary Democratic voters seems to be a confident "Either of the above" Clinton ready to fight on past Texas Campaign team hints Hillary Clinton will remain in Democratic race even if she loses Texas primary Russia set to keep anti-West stance Medvedev signals he will continue hawkish policies, as riot police crush anti-election protests in Moscow Western leaders offer wary welcome Back to the Days of Kremlinology By: David Hearst | The Guardian
Dmitry Medvedev is only in power to keep the seat warm for Putin -- but what if he is too successful and becomes his own man? For Kosovo, history depends on which historian you ask Dr Dejan Djokic: The newly independent state has been a central part of Serbia for most of its existence Journalism squeezed as censors close in on satellite channels Arab governments seek to censor existing satellite TV channels BBC enters a crowded marketplace as it unveils new Arabic TV channel Germany urges EU to get tough with secretive countries Germany will today demand that Europe gets tougher with tax havens such as Switzerland and Liechtenstein Who's listening to the Muslim moderates? Haroon Siddique |
| H7 Asia Times Iran makes its mark in Iraq Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad is making the most of his red-carpet treatment in Iraq, handing out platitudes as well as the offer of a US$1 billion loan. Baghdad's government needs all the support it can get, and plenty comes from Tehran. What it does not need is Iran's backing of the al-Qaeda-backed insurgency. But for Iran, this is a separate issue that has everything to do with Afghanistan. - Syed Saleem Shahzad The 'laptop of mass destruction'
The "laptop documents" - 1,000 pages of data allegedly stolen from an Iranian computer - have been the US's hardest evidence of Iran's supposed intentions to build a nuclear weapon and an obstacle to the International Atomic Energy Agency declaring that Iran has resolved all questions about its nuclear program. Now there are indications the documents were obtained from Israel's Mossad via a terrorist organization. - Gareth Porter Let's talk about bombs Matthew Bunn, non-proliferation expert
Given Iran's extended period of violating its nuclear safeguards agreement, says US award-winning Bunn, many countries will probably not accept Tehran's claim that all of the information that suggests weaponization activities is fabricated and baseless. Nevertheless, there is still room to negotiate, he tells Kaveh Afrasiabi U.N. sanctions Iran for nukes program The U.N. Security Council approved a third round of sanctions against Iran today with near unanimous support, sending a strong signal to Tehran that its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment is unacceptable and becoming increasingly costly. The UN Security Council is expected to approve a third round of international sanctions against Iran today. (AP). Here is a copy of the February 21 draft sanctions resolution Laura Rozen obtained. Daily Star Iraq could be a venue for Iran to build a new relationship with America Development and reform of the Iraqi police forces (PDF; 287 KB)
Source: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College NYRB A Solution for the US–Iran Nuclear Standoff By William Luers, Thomas R. Pickering and Jim Walsh The recent National Intelligence Estimate's conclusion that Tehran stopped its efforts to develop nuclear weapons in 2003, together with the significant drop in Iranian activity in Iraq, has created favorable conditions for the US to hold direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program. The Bush administration should act on this opportunity, if for no other reason than that its current position is growing weaker, and without such an initiative, Iran will continue its efforts to produce nuclear fuel that might, in the future, be used to build nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia: Al Qaeda’s Third Front Strange Love Between the Far Left and Hizbullah By: Michael Young | The Daily Star Recently, when the Hizbullah commander Imad Mughniyeh was assassinated in Damascus, the collateral damage was felt in academic departments, newsrooms, think-tanks and cafes far and wide. Suffering and Suffrage in Iran - Shirin Ebadi, London Times Should Egypt embrace Iran's overtures?
By Claudia Schwartz Gulf Times In an editorial, the paper comments on Sunday’s visit to Iraq by the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, describing it as a diplomatic coup and an historic high-profile meeting of minds with his counterpart Jalal Talabani. 5 Years Ago: Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld Scoffed at Dangers of Postwar Iraq by Greg Mitchell Michael Totten: The Moderate Muslim Supermajority Neighbours cut ties with Colombia Venezuela and Ecuador take new diplomatic measures in response to a Colombian cross-border raid. | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq UN approves new sanctions on Iran The UN Security Council votes to impose a third round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme. Military worried violence will return as troops leave Iraq US Launches Missile Attack in Somalia Ahmadinejad: US should leave Iraq FACTBOX - Trade between Iraq and Iran IRAN MAY SHUTDOWN INTERNET DURING ELECTIONS... King Abdullah II of Jordan - policy address Iraq Eyes New Oil Targets As Security Improves, Deals Close 50BILLION NEEDED TO TURN IRAQ'S OIL INDUSTRY AROUND Chicago Tribune U.S. Wary of Iran's Growing Activity in Iraq - Sons of Iraq By: Pete Hegseth | National Review Saint John’s -- one of about two dozen Chaldean Catholic parish churches in Baghdad -- is located in East Rashid, a Sunni neighborhood described by both Iraqi and American officers as “former al-Qaeda headquarters | H9 Ha’aretz – Israel: Latest sanctions against Iran not enough Olmert: All military options for Gaza are on the table PM says IDF incursion not a one-time event, but stresses talks will continue with the PA The end of the beginning of the operation Rice urges PA to resume talks with Israel, reach deal in 2008 What to Read: What was Samantha Power thinking? Talk to Hamas For the first time, resolution bans trade with Iran in goods with both civilian and military uses; Libya and South Africa vote "yes". Editorial Two Irans, or two Iraqs While more UN sanctions are welcome, what is critical is for Europe to stop its foreign trade with Iran. Defeating Hamas Facts are simple: Israel is fighting to stop bombardment of its cities. 'Bush approved plot to oust Hamas' 'Vanity Fair' magazine reveals an initiative to topple Hamas's gov't after the 2006 elections. Sound and fury signifying incompetence [ CAROLINE GLICK 'Jewish vote could swing Ohio primary' Tuesday's primaries, especially in Texas and Ohio, could help push Obama ahead of Clinton. Yedioth Ahronoth Obama: No talks with Hamas Democratic hopeful says US shouldn't negotiate with Hamas as it does not recognize Israel Urban warfare discussed Defense, legal experts debate legality of strikes in populated areas used to launch rockets 4 achievements in Gaza Gaza op had gains but may have prepared Hamas for next round, writes Ron Ben-Yishai Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine David Rose / Vanity Fair: The Gaza Bombshell — After failing to anticipate Hamas's victory over Fatah in the 2006 Palestinian election, the White House cooked up yet another scandalously covert and self-defeating Middle East debacle: part Iran-contra, part Bay of Pigs. With confidential documents Rice urges Mid-East talks renewal The US secretary of state calls on Palestinians to resume peace talks with Israel as she begins a Mid-East tour. Asymmetric fight
The killing in Gaza will not end as long as the rockets keep on firing
Unpalatable choice
What are Israel's options if Gaza rocket fire continues? Give Palestinians a Chance to Implement the 'Road Map' By: Yossi Alpher | The Daily Star
Under the circumstances, and by comparison to its predecessors, the current Palestinian Authority (PA) government in Ramallah led by President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is making reasonable progress toward fulfilling its "road map" phase I security obligations. Israel's Statement to the Security Council on Palestinian Rocket Fire from Gaza - Daniel Carmon (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs) TIME says a large-scale assault would have grave consequences for peace talks, including the planned visit to the region this week by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. From LRB, Yonatan Mendel on how to become an Israeli journalist Forward Obama, Clinton Tout Dueling Endorsements From Ex-Ambassadors to Israel |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Can Clinton slow Obama-mentum? She faces heavy pressure in Texas and Ohio primaries. Iran reformers hemmed in ahead of elections Hard-liners consolidate their hold as March 14 parliamentary polls approach. U.S. warship stirs Lebanese fear of war The USS Cole has deployed off the coast of Lebanon as that nation's political crisis deepens. U.S. coal power boom suddenly wanes Worries about global warming and rising construction costs give the edge to natural-gas and renewable-energy plants. Russia's less-than-sure thing There's no surprise in Russia's newly elected president – or is there? ASIA China is caught between misguided socialism and crony capitalism, says Wang Hui, and suffers from the worst elements of both. He has a solution... more» FT China looks to build up military, says US The Chinese military is increasingly developing capabilities, including counter space programmes, to conduct military operations beyond any conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the Pentagon said Will 'Rebirth' of China Level the Field? By: Frank Ching | The Japan Times Although Mao Zedong called for constant class struggle, today's leaders in China seek a "comfortable society." The 2008 Olympics does no less than signify this rebirth U.S. Policy Shifts Can Encourage Dawn of New Era in Pakistan By: Timothy D. Hoyt | World Politics Review The results of Pakistan's parliamentary elections provide a genuine opportunity for Pakistan and the United States to rebalance their relationship. Slate Dispatches From China's Wild West Xinjiang is like Tibet, without the Dalai Lama or the Beastie Boys. Joshua Kucera U.S. 'Exaggerating Nuclear Threat From North Korea' By: Anne Penketh | The Independent International nuclear experts have accused the White House of exaggerating North Korea's nuclear threat to support its claim that the communist state was part of an "axis of evil" – just as it did with Iraq's before the 2003 invasion Malaysia: A working paper from a Singapore research institute profiles Malaysia’s upcoming general elections (PDF). | H11 IHT Time for a new Russia strategy By NIKOLAS GVOSDEV The U.S. approach to Russia must be based on realistic expectations. How to end the U.S.-Iran standoff By WILLIAM LUERS, THOMAS PICKERING AND JAMES WALSH The best of numerous bad options for dealing with the Iran nuclear issue. Ahern emerges as possible candidate for EU presidency Bertie Ahern, the prime minister of Ireland, has emerged as a possible candidate for the Europe Union's first full-time president amid uncertainty over whether the bloc is seeking a global figure like Tony Blair. Macedonia's name dispute with Greece could scuttle NATO aspirations Greece has threatened to block Macedonia's NATO entry if it does not relinquish its claims to a name Athens says is exclusively Greek. Serbia reclaims stretch of rail line in Kosovo The surprise move is in line with the Belgrade government's instructions to the Serbian minority to shun any contact with Kosovo's government. Conspiracy theories will always remain about death of Diana By JOHN F. BURNS Opinion polls have shown that as many as 30 percent of Britons believe there was something more to the crash than the conclusion reached separately by the official inquiry in France and the Stevens investigation in Britain. EUROPE European press review Declaring Something a Lot Like Dependence By: Graham Bowley | The New York Times In the Balkans, many things did not change when Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. But from the point of view of Europe, a lot did Serbia Divided on Approach to EU Der Spiegel Tension in Serbia and Kosovo has not erupted into widespread violence so far. But in Belgrade, the government is split on what to do about a European Union that is pro-Kosovo indpendence. Do Muslims Have More Children Than Other Women in Western Europe? Source: Population Reference Bureau Protectionism: European Commission President Manuel Barroso issued a stiff warning in an interview with the Financial Times that protectionist pressures appear to be on the rise across Europe. Torture: A scholar from the British Chatham House think tank looks at a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that ended British efforts to relax a torture ban. Ministers support EU climate plan EU environment ministers broadly back a plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least a fifth by 2020. War is emptying Britain's wallets By Michael Glackin IMF chief says euro is overvalued... | H12 RFE/RL Raising The Stakes Soldiers are patrolling the streets of the Armenian capital, Yerevan, after weekend clashes between police and opposition demonstrators left at least eight people dead. With the country under a state of emergency, the government and the opposition are blaming each other for the violence Armenia: Will Violence Fuel Passions Further? Russia: Medvedev Election Greeted Coolly Abroad Russia: Gazprom Reduces Gas Supply To Ukraine Russia: Medvedev's In, So What Next? BBC Muted welcome for Russia leader Western leaders congratulate Dmitry Medvedev, but the new Russian president's huge win draws some criticism. Profile: Dmitry Medvedev World watching for change Will power shift from Kremlin? Who is the boss?
Putin may boost PM's role after leaving as Russian president
Forward march
Russia's new president inherits an economy at a tipping point
Washington Provides the Glue that Binds Iran and Russia BY RICHARD WEITZ Although Tehran and Moscow both wish to curb US influence in the Caspian Basin, important differences continue to trouble Iranian-Russian relations. EDM WILL PRIME MINISTER PUTIN SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF PRESIDENT MEDVEDEV?
- PUTIN’S PLAN PROGRESSES, BUT THE MEANING OF MEDVEDEV REMAINS OBSCURE
- NAZARBAYEV WATCHES FOR SIGNS OF MEDVEDEV’S LEADERSHIP STYLE Google News Azerbaijan Walker's World: After Russia's election Russia's Medvedev Moment By: Nicolai N. Petro | Open Democracy
Those seeking to categorize Dmitry Medvedev, the presumptive next president of Russia, have quickly settled into two camps: pessimists, who dismiss him as a puppet of Vladimir Putin, and optimists, who cling to the slim hope that he might someday develop his own agenda. Complaints of Fraud, Bribery and Pressure By: Nabi Abdullaev | The Moscow Times Voters and opposition parties complained of ballot stuffing, bribery and intimidation in Sunday's presidential election, in which Kremlin-backed candidate Dmitry Medvedev appeared set for a landslide victory. CFR’s Stephen Sestanovich says Putin’s preference for Medvedev—a businessman outside ordinary Russian political factions—has exposed deep divides within the country’s political hierarchy. A new Daily Analysis adds that the elections come with Russia’s economy at a crossroads—showing heady recent growth, but also fraught with potential landmines. Moscow Times Vladimir Ryzhkov, a former deputy in the State Duma, describes Sunday’s presidential election in Russia as the latest, and most significant, chapter in a whole series of actions taken by the Kremlin to eliminate free and fair elections in the country President 'Whatever' of Russia - Wall Street Journal editorial
Russia's New President Draws Questions - USA Today editorial
What if Russia's new puppet starts pulling the strings? By Nina Khrushcheva New Yorker Smoke on the Water
by David Remnick Maybe it has something to do with the vastness of Russia’s geography or with the bloody absolutism of its history, but it’s always been easier to contemplate a new master of the Kremlin by seizing on homey anecdotes… Vladimir Frolov, president of LEFF Group, disagrees. While acknowledging that the choice appeared to be limited and the election not really contested, he believes this was caused mostly by a lack of credible alternatives to Putin's course rather than by the Kremlin's manipulation. Armenia: Is a Government Cover-Up In Progress? In the center of the Armenian capital Yerevan, the debris left by the March 1 violent clash between opposition protesters and security forces is being carted away. Outside of the country, meanwhile, political analysts and human rights activists are wondering whether Robert Kocharian’s administration is also striving to cleanse the narrative of the March 1 events. With the government controlling all channels of information, it is difficult to determine the extent of the brutality. However, the initial impression of some observers is that state security forces used excessive force. |
| H13 The Times Iraq: for once there's hope A lot of Iraq is not functioning well, but all around you today are encouraging signs Martin Fletcher Gaza: back to the future for the Middle East Violence in Gaza calls into question plans for a Palestinian state 'Desperate' Clinton accuses Obama of dishonesty Hillary Clinton pounced on a leaked memo suggesting that Barack Obama had not been truthful in his campaign rhetoric Obama's army: marching in different directions Iran shows off power with $1bn Iraq loan President Ahmadinejad took his chance to embarrass the United States over its failure to rebuild Iraq’s power infrastructure Israel threatens Gaza return after new attacks With over 100 dead Hamas proclaimed victory and launched more missiles as Israel pulled most of its ground forces out Soviet oil firm fuelled fears of revolution The Russians planned to create a spy network in the late 1920s by setting up an oil distribution firm Profile: Dmitri Medvedev The Times's Moscow Correspondent profiles Russia's youngest leader since Nicholas II was crowned Tsar in 1894 Medvedev succeeds Putin - but was this democracy? Russia’s voters dutifully endorse Medvedev in a presidential election boycotted by Western observers as undemocratic Wall Street Journal An Inordinate Fear of Terrorism?
By Bret Stephens
Global View: Barack Obama sees the Islamist threat as just one among many. Obama's Border Incident
His trade policy loses something in translation. Election Season in Russia
By Garry Kasparov Will the next U.S. president turn a blind eye to Kremlin abuses? Iran's Nuclear Threat
By Zalmay Khalilzad Violations of Security Council resolutions not only continue, but are deepening. • The Meaning of Medvedev • Pakistan's New Frontier The World Has Plenty of OilBy Nansen G. Saleri We can pump 100 million barrels of crude a day till the end of the century.
Preliminary Report on Foreign Holdings Of U.S. Securities At End-June 2007 Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury In an editorial the Journal debunks the notion that the new Russian president, Dmitri Medvedev, will be a liberal champion. NYRB Chairman Greenspan's Legacy By Benjamin M. Friedman Alan Greenspan's tenure as head of the Federal Reserve lasted for eighteen and a half years, second only to that of William McChesney Martin, whose time in office, from 1951 to 1970, lasted barely a few months longer. None of the nation's other leading economic policymakers has ever served for so long, whether as head of the Federal Reserve or in any other public office. Evaluating Greenspan's performance is therefore valuable for understanding a sizable period of American economic history. | H14 Financial Times Medvedev will not declare cold war Russian interests are too deeply entangled with the west to make a straightforward policy of confrontation feasible, writes Gideon Rachman . The Russian state now effectively controls the most ’strategic’ bits of the Russian economy. However, using this power as a political weapon is harder than it sounds Editorial Take a chance and talk to Medvedev But there must be no retreat from western principles. Whoever is Russia’s president, the west must remain committed to fostering liberal democracy in the former Soviet Union Medvedev quick to signal hardline intent Russia indicates it will continue its tough approach to opposition and the west under a new president by cutting natural gas supplies to Ukraine and detaining demonstrators West offers Medvedev qualified support International leaders are critical of Russia’s election, but they are reaching out to its new president amid hopes that he will adopt a different stance from Vladimir Putin UN agrees new sanctions against Iran A third package of sanctions was imposed against the Islamic republic on Monday, targeting individuals most closely involved with its alleged nuclear weapons programme Iran president attacks US presence in Iraq Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad wrapped up a landmark two-day visit to Iraq with a call on US-led foreign forces to withdraw from Iraq. Israel pulls out as Hamas claims Gaza ‘victory’ Israeli troops pulled out of the Gaza Strip after a US appeal to end days of fighting that killed more than 100 Palestinians and rescue peace talks. Israel ‘s incursion was the biggest offensive in years against Hamas Violence in Gaza sparks fury in West Bank The death of a Palestinian teenager who was shot in Ramallah has triggered a wave of anger against Israel, a sign that the mood in the West Bank is reaching boiling point Contests are seen as 'D-Day' for Clinton WORLD NEWS: Climate change poses 'security risk' WORLD NEWS: Ahmadi-Nejad urges Iraq pull-out WORLD NEWS: Opec likely to stand firm as oil hits record Obama under fire over Nafta memo A senior adviser to Barack Obama told the Canadian government the Democratic frontrunner’s campaign rhetoric on free trade should be viewed as “political positioning”, according to a leaked memo Buffett warns on US recession and dollar The US is in recession by ‘any common sense definition’ of the word, the country’s most successful investor said, while the former Fed chief said the rate of growth was ‘effectively zero’ FT China looks to build up military, says US The Chinese military is increasingly developing capabilities, including counter space programmes, to conduct military operations beyond any conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the Pentagon said Texas promises more tears for candidates Even if Hillary Clinton wins Tuesday’s nominating contest in Texas, the state’s uniquely complex voting system could leave Barack Obama ahead on delegates Obama’s free-trade credentials top Clinton’s Jagdish Bhagwati on Democrats and free trade Kiev row flares as Gazprom limits supply The standoff between Russia and Ukraine deepened after the gas supplier cut shipments to Kiev by a quarter over unpaid bills and Ukraine accused Moscow of ‘blackmail’ Brazil’s lesson for China: do not ignore inequality Latin America has suffered from cosy pacts between business elites and politicians, but what sort of elite is Beijing creating, asks Geoff Dyer Economy at centre of Spanish election debate José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the prime minister, emerged as the winner in viewer polls in the final debate with Mariano Rajoy that focused on the economy and immigration Swedish pledge to fight EU protectionism Stockholm has vowed to make combating anti-free trade practices a cornerstone of its presidency of the European Union in the second half of next year Porsche pushes for €150bn empire in Europe Sports-car maker Porsche will soon control a €150bn car and trucks empire that would be Europe’s largest | H15 Los Angeles Times Clear win, uncertain times in Russia Some wonder how long President-elect Medvedev would be willing to share power with his mentor Putin. Israel pulls its troops from Gaza Officials say airstrikes against militants will continue. The ground incursion had led to a halt in peace talks On Iraq trip, Ahmadinejad cites common history The Iranian president focuses mostly on economic ties with his western neighbor, but also manages to get a jab in at the U.S Editorial Russian election protesters detained Car bombings kill 26 in Baghdad, Iraqi officials say Clinton continues to press Obama on NAFTA She says he gave Canadians "the old wink-wink" by secretly telling them not to be irked by his criticism of the pact. Blog: Memo flap hits Obama at bad time |
| H16 American Politics End of the road?
Will Texas and Ohio be the last stop for the Clinton campaign?
Obama camp: Hillary needs double-digit wins or 'it's over'... Canada defends Obama over NAFTA flap... Back to the wall, Clinton bets it all on Tuesday Zogby: Reuters/C-SPAN/Houston Chronicle Poll: Too Close To Call! Obama Barely Overtakes Clinton in Ohio and Retains Small Edge in Texas Clinton leads in Ohio, but Texas remains a dead heat Polls The Raw Story: Clinton widens lead Peter Nicholas / Los Angeles Times: How did the Clinton campaign get here? NY Daily News: Goodwin: Tuesday night might be Barack Obama's last chance to knock Hil out Clinton Aims to Fight On Clinton faces a tough choice if she garners anything less than decisive triumphs in Ohio and Texas, following 11 straight losses to Obama. But the latest polls suggest a murky outcome that may prompt a debate over how to interpret the results. realclearpolitics memeorandum ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp A Possibly Super Problem
By Michael Tomasky
How likely is it that the Democrats are in for a bitter nomination fight, even on the floor of their convention in Denver in late August? Perhaps not very The Yeldarb effect Michael Tomasky: US elections 2008: Barack Obama has consistently outperformed opinion polls because they underestimate his support among white voters Carothers: US Presidential Selection Process Transparent but Dominated by Money | H17 Daily Telegraph UN approves new sanctions on Iran Security Council sends signal over nuclear activities. Obama's credibility called into question On the eve of key primaries in Texas and Ohio, Obama accused of misleading voters over plans to renegotiate trade deal Russian election arrests Police arrest opposition supporters as Western observers call elections "neither free nor fair". West relations top agenda American attack on al-Qa'eda in Somalia | H18 Independent Mary Dejevsky: The old Soviet traditions still endure in Russia Leading article: An election in name only Europe vs the super-rich Weary of losing billions of tax euros, the European Union's economics and finance ministers are meeting in Brussels today to agree a strategy aimed at bringing the continent's tax havens under control. Israel warns it will be back as Gaza incursion is ended The Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, made it clear last night after Israeli ground forces withdrew from Gaza that a 48-hour incursion which claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives was not a "one-time event". Russia's post-Putin era kicks off with demonstrations and a police crackdown Dmitry Medvedev spent yesterday savouring his overwhelming victory in Russia's presidential election but what should have been a joyous day was soured by allegations of manipulation and vote-rigging. Obama's campaign in Ohio hit by double-dealing claims With polls showing Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a dead heat in Texas and Ohio, Mrs Clinton has been ratcheting up her attacks on Mr Obama on issues ranging from free trade to national security. |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism Army Unveils New Field Manual for Operations Source: U.S. Army (Army News Service) Full Manual (PDF; 7.4 MB) “Today’s Army is about half the size it was in 1970, but the U.S. military’s involvement around the world has tripled since the collapse of the former Soviet Union.” “The next several decades, according to many security experts, will be an era of persistent conflict that will generate continuing deployments for our Army.” “We must emphasize doctrine as the driver for change,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. “You can’t cement change in the organization until you adapt the institutions. That change begins with doctrine.” The rise of transnational terrorist networks, religious radicalism, ethnic genocide, sectarian violence, criminal networks and failing nation-states all imperil the United States and its national interests. Joint Force Quarterly: Book Review of "Salvaging American Defense: The Challenge of Strategic Overstretch" Analysis: Einstein and U.S. cybersecurity (UPI) -- The Einstein program -- the most significant element yet unveiled of the classified multibillion-dollar cybersecurity initiative President Bush signed last month -- will still leave the U.S. government's IT security lagging the private sector, say lawmakers and industry experts
Development and reform of the Iraqi police forces (PDF; 287 KB)
Source: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Issues and Arguments (PDF; 391 KB)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists) Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons and Missiles: Status and Trends (PDF; 192 KB)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists) CSM No more Pentagon budget games Real security needs, not an arbitrary baseline, should drive the numbers. The New Art of War If there were any doubts that the United States is preparing for war in space and cyberspace, testimony before the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee last week would have wiped them away. Women in combat compendium (PDF; 3.8 MB) Source: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College The President’s Intelligence Advisory Board Torture Shocks - James Carroll, Boston Globe Superior genre fiction: An Ordinary Spy “GAO Can Assist the Congress and the Intelligence Community on Management Reform Initiatives” (pdf), and those of the other witnesses at the February 29 hearing may be found here. “Interagency Task Force Report on Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Information” (pdf), CIA Directorate of Science and Technology, 25 March 2002. “Leaks: How Unauthorized Media Disclosures of US Classified Intelligence Damage Sources and Methods” (pdf), Foreign Denial and Deception Committee, 24 April 2002. | H20 Slate Words Matter Cliché, not plagiarism, is the problem with today's pallid political discourse.
Christopher Hitchens Slate's Delegate Calculator Predicting what Clinton needs to happen next if she wins convincingly on Tuesday.
Chadwick Matlin and Chris Wilson Shaky Support Obama's fans are more likely to jump ship than Clinton's in Texas. UNEP Yearbook 2008
Source: United Nations Environmental Program (via UN Pulse) Full Document (PDF; 6.9 MB) The Global Flat Tax Revolution: Lessons for Policy Makers
Source: Center for Freedom and Prosperity | H21 A review of Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing? 23 Questions From Great Philosophers by Leszek Kolakowski Computers that are able to reasonArtificial intelligence got nowhere in 50 years but Silicon Valley is working on presenting online data in ways that make better sense Ethnonationalism is not just a detour in European history: it’s an enduring propensity of the human spirit that must be faced... more» NYRB The Charms of Wikipedia By Nicholson Baker Wikipedia is just an incredible thing. It's fact-encirclingly huge, and it's idiosyncratic, careful, messy, funny, shocking, and full of simmering controversies—and it's free, and it's fast. In a few seconds you can look up, for instance, "Diogenes of Sinope" As a Taurus, Hitler was doomed from the start How MI5 was conned into believing Hitler was obsessed with astrology The 40,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S. come to more than the number of Burger Kings, McDonald’s, and KFCs combined... more» Black defiant as he begins jail term Conrad Black starts sentence still pleading innocence. Wave-power proposals alarm locals US waters could supply up to 10 percent of electric needs but fast-track permits anger communities. The Mind of the Market Michael Shermer |
