| H1 New York Times Top Commander in Mideast Retires Adm. William J. Fallon’s public statements on Iran seemed to put him at odds with the Bush administration. US News 6 Signs the US May Be Headed for War in Iran Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: Fallon and the Two Persistent Stalemates ... Ha’aretz – Hamas-Israel deal would put Abbas' men at Gaza crossings Hamas: Israel must completely cease all acts of aggression in W. Bank, Gaza as prerequisite for truce Joseph Nye: Contextual Intelligence and the Next President LA Times Fallon didn't get it By Max Boot Los Angeles Times U.S., Iraq discuss post-mandate ties Esquire The Man Between War and Peace By Thomas P.M. Barnett Unlike the Bush Administration, Admiral William "Fox" Fallon, the head of U.S. Central Command, doesn't think we should go to war with Iran. This view might cost him his job. (repeat) Asia Times Fallon falls: Iran should worry Fallon's resignation as the United States' top commander in the Middle East removes one of the most outspoken opponents of the George W Bush administration's hard line on Iran. Defense Secretary Robert Gates immediately dismissed as "ridiculous" suggestions that Fallon's departure signaled that the US planned to go to war with Iran, but certainly now "all options" are back on the table. - Gareth Porter Fallon's Exit Provokes Concern Over War Iraq Attacks Lower, but Steady, New Figures Show Washington Post Top U.S. Officer in Mideast Resigns OPEC's Triumph Acting Like a True Cartel -- With America's Help By Robert J. Samuelson OPEC is acting like a true cartel -- with America's help. The New Face Of Hunger By Ban Ki-moon, Fast-rising food prices threaten the world's 'bottom billion’ Guardian To rescue the two-state solution, Israel must make peace with Syria Jonathan Freedland: A Damascus detente could cut through the cloud of cynicism. But it all depends on a change at the White House Speedo slows down Leader: Ten months after he came barnstorming to power, Nicolas Sarkozy is in some trouble Walking the plank
Why did US Mid-East commander Admiral Fallon quit? The Jerusalem PostIn a Cold War With Iran, Can Syria Become Israel's 'China Card'? [ DAOUD KUTTAB Foreign Policy Six Ways Not to Deal with Hamas Washington Monthly The Right Atitude Over time, the neocons' ideology has morphed. But their temperament has remained fixed. By Kevin Drum Reality and the Iraq War - Michael O'Hanlon, USA Today McCain's Veepstakes: An Obvious Winner - Fred Barnes, Weekly Standard UK Top Cop Who Led CIA Probe Found Dead Wall Street Journal The Pentagon vs. Petraeus
Admiral William Fallon has resigned. Now will President Bush start paying attention to the internal strife at the Pentagon?
An Interesting Option: Condi Rice for VP? - Hendrik Hertzberg, New Yorker
Financial Times Going, going, gone: a rising auction of scary scenarios A trillion dollars here, a trillion dollars there, and pretty soon you are talking real money, even for the US. Most of the losses will fall not on the financial sector but elsewhere, writes Martin Wolf Back to fundamentals Iran’s elections may be a contest between two conservative groups but voters could still deliver a rebuke to the president Voices from Tehran As Parliamentary elections approach in Iran, campaigning is limited to just a week. Some factions compain that they have been unfairly disqualified, leaving the contest between rival fundamentalist coalitions. Roula Khalaf reports from Tehran Bush’s commander in the Mideast resigns If Nato fails, so too does Europe on security If Afghanistan ends in unilateral pullouts, leaving just US and allies, this could end the Atlantic alliance, writes Benjamin Schreer and Asle Toje Let the Russians sort out Russia It may take decades, or even generations, for them to build their own version of democracy. But to argue that they cannot construct it is a kind of racism, writes Rodric Braithwaite 2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Source: U.S. Department of State Remarks on The State Department’s 2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices; Secretary Condoleezza Rice; Washington, DC
+ Remarks on the State Department’s 2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices; Jonathan Farrar, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy Iran in figures
The stats that give an insight into life in the oil-rich republic Cheney Says US Needs Missile Defense McClatchy Clinton's foreign experience is more limited than she says Asia Times Big bang or chaos: What's Israel up to? Whether Israel's military logic revolved around the "chaos theory" or the "big bang", its iron-fist intervention in Gaza was neither to send a message to the Israeli public nor to "commit genocide". Rather, Israel's plans are regional, with Gaza being a testing ground. - Ramzy Baroud Iran's Fear, Iraq's Chance - Amir Taheri, New York Post 'I HAVE lost hope of liberating Iraq and turning it into an Is lamic society." So said Muqtada al-Sadr in an open letter to his followers published last week. Light Diplomacy By: Mamoun Fandy | Asharq Alawsat Anyone who thinks that Amr Musa's diplomacy will resolve the crisis in Lebanon is dreaming. In today's world diplomacy can not be successful without power to support and consolidate it Iran's Elections: A Glass Half Full or Half Empty? By: Karim Sadjadpour | The Daily Star Does Iran's upcoming parliamentary election on March 14 deserve to be taken seriously? Or is it simply a sham vote for an emasculated institution? Did We Overreact to 9/11? - Scott MacLeod, Time • 'Weapon of Terror: Development and Impact of the Qassam Rocket' by Margaret Weiss, The Washington Institute The new geopolitics of crude oil
Khaleej Times Christian Science Monitor U.S. sees long fight to oust Al Qaeda in Mosul American soldiers say the battle for the northern Iraqi city is a complicated mix of counterterrorism, economic incentives, and political solutions. U.N.'s Ban Ki Moon emerges as dogged reformer In his 15 months as UN secretary-general, he has insisted that the UN come to embody two qualities not always associated with it: efficiency and responsiveness. In global capital markets, Russia eyes larger role The investment push, fueled by a new sovereign wealth fund and eager Russian businessmen, has raised concerns of Moscow meddling abroad. EurasiaNet Iran: US Government Planning Azeri-Language Broadcasts to Iran
BY JOSHUA KUCERA
The US government is planning to beam Azeri-language radio broadcasts into Iran, in a bid to influence opinion among the significant ethnic Azeri population there. IHT France's nuclear diplomacy By MICHELLE M. SMITH AND CHARLES D. FERGUSON French President Nicolas Sarkozy's nuclear diplomacy has come under particular scrutiny from those concerned about proliferation Asia Times A way to stave off Iran sanctions Indonesia, by abstaining from the United Nations Security Council vote to impose a third round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, showed up many of its fellow travelers in the Non-Aligned Movement. With their two-thirds majority at the UN, NAM states, given the political will, have the power to influence this major international crisis by pre-empting further UN action against Tehran. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi Zbigniew Brzezinski: “Armenian control over Nagorno Karabakh sharpens problem” The Times Why Serbia will join the EU Five years after the assassination of Zoran Djindjic, it is time to honour his wish Bernard Kouchner Citizenship Test Brown is trying to solve a problem that either does not exist or is not for him RFE Crisis Spotlights 'Karabakh Clan' Critics accuse outgoing President Kocharian and President-elect Sarkisian of promoting a tight-knit clan from their native Nagorno-Karabakh while the rest of the country suffers. Stratfor Asia’s Security Role Goes Global Daily Telegraph Oaths and flags do not a nation make As the weasel was supposed to drain an egg's yolk while leaving its shell intact, writes Daniel Hannan, so Government ministers hector us about patriotism while sacrificing our real national interests Report: National security agencies have failed in Iraq, Afghanistan From the Archive National Security Memorandum 200 The American Recession and the World's Emerging Economies
Is Obama Or Clinton The Better General Election Candidate? Presidential Transitions; Moving to the White House John McCain runs for George Bush's third term | H2 New York Times Turkey Set to Invest in Better Relations With Kurds Turkey plans $12 billion infusion for Kurdish region Asharq Alawsat Asharq Al-Awsat's Secret Trip into PKK Territory Aliza Marcus Operasyon test amaçlı yapıldı Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights 11 Mar 2008 Çantasında füze var Serdar Turgut Kıyamet için geliyor Washington Times EU wary of French initiative The French vision of an economic linkage of the 16 countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea is running into fierce resistance from other EU nations and potential participants Ha’aretz ANALYSIS/ Diplomatic bind not of our own making - for a change Gates, Türkiye'de füze savunma sistemini görüştü ABD Dışişleri: Kötü muamele dayak ve işkencede artış var Anayasadaki 'özgürlük' çelişkisi, ABD insan hakları raporuna girdi Google News Fırat News Agency KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect Dış Basında Irak BBC Monitoring Inter – national Kuzey Irak'a yine girdik Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights 11 Mar 2008 Emin Pazarcı Asker yine Kuzey Irak'ta Harekâtı Talabani gelsin diye mi yaptık
Diyalog isteyip Köşk’e gitti Cevdet Aşkın PKK'nın tasfiyesinde kritik dönem, MHP 'uyandı', CHP şaşkın PKK’nın yıllık geliri 500 milyon euro Belçika'da okullarda PKK propagandası Gates, Ankara'da füze savunma sistemini de gündeme getirmiş Ergenekon'cular PKK'ya silah satmış! İşte tuzaklarıyla Kandil "PKK çocukları kaçırıp eğitiyor"
Yalçın Doğan Bana bir bardak su, aman Çince olsun MUHARREM SARIKAYA Washington'daki PKK sigarası..
OKAN MÜDERRİSOĞLU
Bir gün fazla kaldık
Hulki Cevizoğlu BARZANİ İLE GÖRÜŞÜLÜYOR.. Arslan Bulut Dick Cheney'nin hayırsız ziyareti! Morell: Gates “PKK ile masaya oturup müzakerede bulunulmasını savunmuyor” Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık ‘Turkey, EU lack leaders to convey mutual value of Turkish membership’ FT Cypriot with the zeal of a convert Dost Kosova’dan düşmanca ifadeler
NATO'ya Rus tehdidi: Üye yaparsanızGürcistan özerk bölgelerini kaybeder AB’den Kuzey Irak’a Türkiye uyarısı
Türk ve Avrupalı gazeteciler AB sürecini değerlendirdi Greek Cyprus uses Hamas argument to oppose KKTC office in Israel ABHaber açıklıyor:Rumlardan AB’ye 'görüşmeler 8 Temmuz Mutabakatı üzerinde' olacak
Cengiz AKTAR
Gerçeği gizleyen düşmandır Ermeni soykırımı yapılmadı ERGUN BABAHAN Uzun, ince bir yol 'Türkiye'nin Desteği Önemli' Geoffrey Lewis Obituary: UK's leading authority on the language and culture of Turkey Women -- Is March 8 enough? by FARUK LOĞOĞLU
Kahraman ırkıma bir gül: İstiklal Marşı'nın hikayesi Aygün: Böcek fobisi hortladı İki öğretmen iki Türkiye Mahalle baskısı yüzünden ne oruç tutabildim ne cumaya gidebildim Demirel: Çocuklar kapkaççı olur YouTube korkusu herkesi James Bond gibi yaptı! Tele-kulaktan kaçış yok 3 zanlı, ellerinde bomba düzeneğiyle yakalandı
Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı’nın bu açıklamasıyla kadın dernekleri ayağa kalktı! Cumhuriyet'i alacaklarmış! Diyanet'e mor isyan
Gökçek: Kimseyle gizlice anlaşmadım, parayı bastıran Başkent Doğalgaz’ı alır
Tutuklanan Sedefçi’ye operasyonu 3 gün önce haber veren kişinin Ankara emniyetinden üst düzey bir yetkili olduğu öğrenildi İnternet sitelerinde onlarca çeşidi satılan ve kullanımı yasal olmayan dinleme aletleriyle konuşmalarınız, tedbir almadıysanız, herkes tarafından dinleniyor olabilir! Edirne'deki operasyon bir ihbarla başlatıldı... Türkiye'deki Antik kent suya gömülecek İnternet televizyonu için geri sayım başladı Türkiye rüşvette dünyada kaçıncı? Excerpt | Britain's Priority: Control of Oil Reserves 12 Mart 2008 Basın Özeti | H3 Şimdi de işçiyle kavgaya başladı Danıştay'dan YÖK Başkanı'na 'durdurma' Danıştay türbana bir kez daha ‘dur’ dedi Danıştay kararının başörtüsü serbestliği ile ilgisi var mı? Bu oyunu böyle hangi babayiğit sürdürebilir, yalan söylüyorlar Yılmaz Kıvrıkoğlu’na nasıl karşı çıktı? Serdar Akinan Akreple yelkovan Asker, yüksek yargı, vs... Süreci etkileyen bir oyuncu olmaktan çıkmıştır. Vaziyet Gülen cemaatinin ilan edilmeye muhtaç olmayan açık bir zaferidir. Avni Özgürel - ABD'yi ürküten ne? (2) Milliyet Son Dakika Cengiz Çandar Sakin olun beyler, 'akıllı' olun Ahmet Taşgetiren • Niye yokmuş! ( 12.03.2008 ) Ruşen - Çakır Baykal ile Bahçeli: Sanki tek partinin eşbaşkanları TAHA KIVANÇ Tanklar, sözcükler ve uzmanlar Güneri Civaoğlu Yarbay’dan Amiral’e Taha Akyol Laiklik, Müslümanlık, Hıristiyanlık Fikret Bila Büyükanıt ne dedi, ne demedi? Murat Yetkin Aile kavgası Mustafa KaraalioğluKim, neye dayanarak konuşuyor? Sadi Somuncuoğlu "Eşik" aşıldı- "Yeni dönem" başlatıldı Şamil Tayyar Ecevit’e Kıvrıkoğlu muhtırası [Ordu - Muhalefet gerginliğinin analizi] Kurumsal iletişimi öğrenmeliyiz EMRE AKÖZ Özkök gibi Büyükanıt'a da 'dinci' diyorlardır MHP, tansiyonu düşürdü: Terörle mücadelede sorumluluk hükümetin Yalman'ın önünü kestim! Meclis, 12 Mart'a direnseydi; darbe sözü tarih olurdu Ertuğrul Özkök Nedir bu ikinizden çektiğimiz Ahmet Hakan 7 yeni günah M Ali Birand Keşke, ağzımı açıp o soruyu sormasaydım... Cüneyt Ülsever Milli Eğitim Bakanı haklı mı? Serdar Turgut Büyük bir fırsat yakalandı
Mustafa Akyol Kur’an’da başörtüsü: Var mı, yok mu?
Women -- Is March 8 enough? by FARUK LOĞOĞLU Hasan Cemal Çok çocuk yapmaktan zorunlu din dersine! Trene bombayı jandarma mı koydu? TAHA KIVANÇ Tanklar, sözcükler ve uzmanlar FEHMİ KORU Tartışıyoruz, ama nasıl tartışıyoruz? İBRAHİM KARAGÜL PKK'nın cesetleri, psikolojik harp ve şiddetten haz almak ALİ BAYRAMOĞLU Resmî kadınlar… HAKAN ALBAYRAK Bu tartışma yanlış tartışma! Dışişlerinin üç büyük bakanı İsmet Berkan - Kıdem Tazminatı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Türker Alkan - Uygulaması nasıl olur? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Haluk Şahin - Hangisi asıl Amerika? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Murat Yetkin - Aile kavgası Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Hakkı Devrim - Truman-MacArthur çekişmesi Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
H. Gökhan Özgün - Liberaller yaşasın mı? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
M.Ali Kışlalı - Türbanlı yönetim Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. MEHMET KAMIŞ - Askerin durduğu yer Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
ABDÜLHAMİT BİLİCİ - İran Türkiye'yi geçti! Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
MUSTAFA ÜNAL - Kıvrıkoğlu, Özkök'ü neden istemedi? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. ALİ BULAÇ - Öteki ben! Enis Berberoğlu Oktay Ekşi Ya Basta! Bekir Coşkun Kendiliğinden memleket... Tufan Türenç Biz tartışıyoruz, atı alan Üsküdar’ı geçiyor Özdemir İnce AKP’nin gündelik hayat zorbalığı Mehmet Y Yılmaz Köşk’te bir yemek daveti Mehmet Altan Yargı ve askeriye... İsmail Küçükkaya Merkez Orduevi’nde neler konuşuldu? Nasuhi Güngör Kıvrıkoğlu gerçekten uzatma istemedi mi? Eser Karakaş Siyaset ve gerçekçilik Çölaşan ve CHP'nin farkı ne ERDAL ŞAFAK Su ve güvenlik ENGİN ARDIÇ Na to kafa ine na to mermeri EMRE AKÖZ Özkök gibi Büyükanıt'a da 'dinci' diyorlardır Umur Talu Soru var cevap var mı? HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN Din ve ahlak dersinden çakmak NAZLI ILICAK İyi ki Özkök atandı! Ece Temelkuran Oxford şahinleri Güneri Civaoğlu Yarbay’dan Amiral’e MEHMET BARLAS Olayın kendisi mi yoksa bunun algılanma biçimi mi daha önemli?
MAHMUT ÖVÜR YAVUZ DONAT Ankara'da "yeni bir süreç" başlıyor
ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Küresel dalgaya kritik eşikte toplu müdahale OKAN MÜDERRİSOĞLU
Başbakandan 3 bakana 'aydınlatın' görevi Ercan Kumcu Yeni milli gelirimiz Debate: 'Is Islam Compatible With Capitalism?' Ege Cansen Kişi başına milli gelirimiz: 17.486 dolar 34 sent Erdal Sağlam 'Eski hikâyeyi' bozmayalım!
Uğur Gürses Hurşit Güneş Bozuk saat bile günde iki kez doğruyu gösterir Petrol fiyatları nereye gidiyor?
Metin Ercan İBRAHİM KAHVECİ
İnsan öldüren borsa riski Deniz Gökçe Bir globalleşme sürprizi daha... Turkey starts talks on employment incentives Unveiling Turkey’s uncalculated richness Arcelik Falls to 3-Year Low as Net Plunges, Merrill Cuts Rating Energy firms eying Ankara’s gas distribution Sendikalara kızdı: Çalışanın hakkında gerileme olmayacak, yalan söylüyorlar Erdogan: Turkey cannot afford delaying social security reform any ... İ.Hüseyin Yıldız
Belediyelerin tahsil ettiği vergiler artırılıyor Salih Neftçi Dolar-YTL kuruna endeksli bir hafta Güngör Uras 3 çocuğu yapmak kolay da bakmak zor |
| Fed Hopes to Ease Strain on Economic Activity The Federal Reserve offered to let the biggest investment banks on Wall Street borrow up to $200 billion in Treasury securities Editorial Serbia’s Choice The Democratic Party of President Boris Tadic offers the most sensible policy among Serbia’s parties on how to proceed after Kosovo’s declaration of independence | H5 Washington Post Top U.S. Officer in Mideast Resigns OPEC's Triumph Acting Like a True Cartel -- With America's Help By Robert J. Samuelson OPEC is acting like a true cartel -- with America's help. The New Face Of Hunger By Ban Ki-moon, Fast-rising food prices threaten the world's 'bottom billion’ Roadside Bomb In Southern Iraq Kills at Least 16 Shiite Pilgrims Magazine Called Fallon 'Good Cop' on Iran Spitzer's Tragic Flaw By Ruth Marcus, The tragedy of the Emperors Club VIP Client 9, better known as Eliot Spitzer, is one of Greek dimensions. The AIDS Relief Miracle By Michael Gerson, How a last-minute, late-night outbreak of sanity saved funding for AIDS relief in Africa. Obama Is Victorious in Mississippi Meanwhile, Campaigns Clash Over Ferraro Comments Stocks Surge as Fed Offers A Boost Bush Moves to Bolster Support for U.S. War Effort He Says Politics Won't Sway Him Study Discounts Hussein, Al-Qaeda Link Pakistan Placed On High Alert After Blasts in Lahore Kill 31 Government Agency Targeted In Country's Cultural Capital State Dept. Rights Report Calls Record of Sudan 'Horrific' Croatian Generals Go on Trial For Campaign Against Serbs | H6 Guardian To rescue the two-state solution, Israel must make peace with Syria Jonathan Freedland: A Damascus detente could cut through the cloud of cynicism. But it all depends on a change at the White House Speedo slows down Leader: Ten months after he came barnstorming to power, Nicolas Sarkozy is in some trouble US Middle East commander quits Top military commander steps down after magazine reports he was trying to block US action against Iran Kosovo: once again a political pawn Michael Boyle Pristina's declaration of independence has allowed it to become a bargaining chip in overlapping political games Obama clinches Mississippi victory Frontrunner buoyed by African-American backing as Clinton distances herself from growing race row Richard Adams: Mississippi is another big win The next four presidential primary contests Egypt tries to broker Gaza ceasefire Israel has asks for 30-day 'trial period' of quiet, after which it will accept Egyptian calls for ceasefire Federal Reserve leads world central bank move by injecting $200bn Fresh action to ease credit crunch amid concerns financial turmoil has entered dangerous phase They preach citizenship, but are terrified of losing power Simon Jenkins: Real participation is not bestowed by politicians. New Labour needs to get over its obsessional aversion to voting Recession fear cuts Darling's budget options Global recession fears grow after the world's central banks act to head off dangerous escalation in credit crunch 31 killed in Lahore suicide bombings Enraged residents call for Musharraf to step down as suicide attacks are blamed on Islamist militants Pressure grows on governor to resign After being caught arranging a meeting with a prostitute, Eliot Spitzer could face impeachment Croat general on trial for war crimes Tribunal set to open window on the murky and ugly politics of the Balkans in the 1990s Fears of unrest as inflation in China hits 12-year high Jump in consumer price index to 8.7% sparks heated debate about causes, and potential response Accounting for war Robert Fox: The cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has escalated way beyond this government's rose-tinted platitudes Who should civilise children? Andrew Brown: If children are lacking basic moral guidance, how can parents or schools, provided with little themselves by government, show by example? Khartoum's boom Simon Tisdall Sudan is modernising quickly and oil revenues are turning the country's capital into an economic powerhouse |
| H7 Iran's Fear, Iraq's Chance - Amir Taheri, New York Post 'I HAVE lost hope of liberating Iraq and turning it into an Is lamic society." So said Muqtada al-Sadr in an open letter to his followers published last week. Light Diplomacy By: Mamoun Fandy | Asharq Alawsat Anyone who thinks that Amr Musa's diplomacy will resolve the crisis in Lebanon is dreaming. In today's world diplomacy can not be successful without power to support and consolidate it Iran's Elections: A Glass Half Full or Half Empty? By: Karim Sadjadpour | The Daily Star Does Iran's upcoming parliamentary election on March 14 deserve to be taken seriously? Or is it simply a sham vote for an emasculated institution? Did We Overreact to 9/11? - Scott MacLeod, Time The new geopolitics of crude oil
Khaleej Times Asia Times A way to stave off Iran sanctions Indonesia, by abstaining from the United Nations Security Council vote to impose a third round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, showed up many of its fellow travelers in the Non-Aligned Movement. With their two-thirds majority at the UN, NAM states, given the political will, have the power to influence this major international crisis by pre-empting further UN action against Tehran. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi Big bang or chaos: What's Israel up to? Whether Israel's military logic revolved around the "chaos theory" or the "big bang", its iron-fist intervention in Gaza was neither to send a message to the Israeli public nor to "commit genocide". Rather, Israel's plans are regional, with Gaza being a testing ground. - Ramzy Baroud Declining Support for Tough Measures against Iran Crisis Over Teheran's Alleged Nuclear Plans Nearing Climax
CASMII Islamic Finance: The Economist Intelligence Unit examines the Islamic bond market and questions whether it actually complies with Islamic sharia law Arab News In an editorial on the continuing rise of the global oil prices, the paper says oil at this price is not good for producers. It makes investment into less accessible oil deposits more viable, thus increasing global supply, while at the same time it encourages consumers to cut consumption. | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq US Mid-East commander quits The head of US forces in the Middle East, Adm William Fallon, resigns amid reported differences over Iran. Demise of an outspoken man Profile: William Fallon WATCH: US defence secretary
US Report Shows Uptick in Iraq Violence Since January GAO: 'Significant' US Funds for Iraq Go to Militias Iraq road bomb 'kills 16 people'
Political gridlock
John Simpson on the gloomy prospects for Iran's reformists BBC Monitoring Headlines, Quotes From Iraqi Press 11 Mar 08 (Package B) Iraq Spokesman Says "Full Coordinaton" By President, PM Over Summit Attendance STRATEGIC FORECAST FOR 2008: Iran Remains Biggest Threat to Israel. A Nuclear Teheran Likely By End of '09 * Gaza Violence Could Lead to Hizbullah Attack * Syria Could Leave Radical Axis for Full Golan Withdrawal From Golan Iraqi Foreign Minister Says Oilfields Discussed During Iran Leader's Visit Election won't shape Iraq withdrawal, Bush says US: Syria Backs Foreign Fighters in Iraq The U.S., Iran and the Iraqi "Messenger" By: Huda Husseini | Asharq Alawsat
A few years ago, the current Iraqi president Jalal Talabani eagerly hugged Saddam Hussein, the then president of Iraq who occupied and was forced out of Kuwait, and who caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Kurds Iran's Rise Owes Much to Bush's Wars U.N. official denied access to Iraq prisons Lebanon-U.S.: The Daily Star reports on sharp U.S. criticism following a sixteenth delay of Lebanon’s presidential vote. Tehran police chief nabbed Reza Zarei, who was in charge of 'moralizing the city,' caught naked with 6 prostitutes in brothel | H9 Ha’aretz – Hamas-Israel deal would put Abbas' men at Gaza crossings Hamas: Israel must completely cease all acts of aggression in W. Bank, Gaza as prerequisite for truce The third intifada is already here No king in Israel Qureia to Livni: PA 'shocked' at Israeli plan to expand settlement Israeli leadership: A mixture of paranoia and luck Presidential candidate says US and Israel have shared interest in stopping Iran develop nukes. [ DAOUD KUTTAB Yedioth Ahronoth 'Israel, Hamas agree on lull'
Now it's official: Despite Olmert's denials, defense official confirms agreement between Hamas, Israel worked out via Egyptian mediation; Israel to refrain from massive Gaza attacks in exchange for end to rocket fire Will Gaza lull last? Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Israel, Pull No Punches in Gaza - Richard Chesnoff, New York Daily News What Can I Do About the Crisis Facing Israel and the Jewish People? - Rachel Neuwirth (American Thinker) A review of Army of Shadows: Palestinian Collaboration With Zionism, 1917-1948 by Hillel Cohen. Lebanon's Ayatollah Fadlallah and the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva Attack in Jerusalem - Obama calls Livni, back's Israel's right for self-defense Belgium, Banks Put Together $170 Million Holocaust Fund Slaughter, jubilation, and the "peace process" THE SLAUGHTER of eight young yeshiva students and the wounding of nine others by an Arab terrorist in Jerusalem last week was a cold-blooded act of evil. It is difficult to make sense of the depraved fanaticism of someone like Ala Abu Dhaim, who calmly entered the school's busy library, took three guns from a box, and sprayed the room ... (By Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe) |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor U.S. sees long fight to oust Al Qaeda in Mosul American soldiers say the battle for the northern Iraqi city is a complicated mix of counterterrorism, economic incentives, and political solutions. U.N.'s Ban Ki Moon emerges as dogged reformer In his 15 months as UN secretary-general, he has insisted that the UN come to embody two qualities not always associated with it: efficiency and responsiveness. In global capital markets, Russia eyes larger role The investment push, fueled by a new sovereign wealth fund and eager Russian businessmen, has raised concerns of Moscow meddling abroad. U.S. commander for Middle East resigns Adm. William Fallon stepped down after an article in Esquire magazine portrayed his views on Iran as being at odds with those of President Bush. A new 'neighborhood watch': Azeri horsemen guard BP pipeline The $100 million effort stretches across 450 towns and is part of a growing push for corporate social responsibility. Will Spitzer make list of politicians who survive scandal? New York governor met little sympathy or support over sex scandal. Southern Baptist leaders urge climate change action But their unofficial call to action has kindled skepticism within the conservative denomination. ASIA Fears of unrest as inflation in China hits 12-year high Jump in consumer price index to 8.7% sparks heated debate about causes, and potential response China to Face Severe Unemployment, Says Minister China Plans to Keep Its One-Child Policy at Least 10 More Years Pakistan's political enemies (By Harlan Ullman) The Dawn - In an editorial on the coalition agreement reached between the two biggest parties in Pakistan, the paper writes that it has not been made clear how the two plan to govern the country together meaningfully when their stances on so many issues are poles apart Strategic affairs analyst Brahma Chellaney writes that India's priority today should be its security, given that it still does not have a minimal, let alone credible, nuclear deterrent against China, which is rapidly modernising its arsenal. Political Tsunami? The Economist
Glance at the front pages of Malaysia’s newspapers the day after the general election on Saturday March 8th and you would assume that the opposition had won. “Political tsunami” is how the Sunday Star summed things up. A new report from the RAND Corporation argues that a gradual push to modernize the North Korean political system—rather than rapid regime change—will better serve international interests in the region. U.S. Drops China From List of Top 10 Violators of Rights Democracy on the dragon's doorstep No matter what Beijing's censors say, Taiwan's presidential election on March 22 will be a reminder to mainland Chinese that a democratic society flourishes in the "renegade province". The important race, which could write a new chapter in cross-strait relations, has young mainlanders abandoning the hard line of their elders and calling for flexible attitudes and harmonious relations. - Cindy Sui Time The India-Pakistan Thaw Continues
Musharraf faces bench's fury
The alliance that plans to form Pakistan's new government has made it clear it will reinstate all 63 senior judges sacked for refusing to recognize an emergency order introduced by President Pervez Musharraf last year. Then Musharraf will be asked to step down, and if he refuses, impeachment proceedings will be started Although the political history of 1947 partition has featured prominently in Indian classrooms, personal stories have remained private for decades | H11 IHT France's nuclear diplomacy By MICHELLE M. SMITH AND CHARLES D. FERGUSON French President Nicolas Sarkozy's nuclear diplomacy has come under particular scrutiny from those concerned about proliferation Scaring Americans into justifying torture President Bush used his radio address on Saturday to try to scare Americans into believing they have to sacrifice their rights and values to combat terrorism. EUROPE European press review Der Spiegel Poland and the Missile Shield: What Did Tusk Accomplish in Washington? Washington Times Sarkozy the savior? (By Paul Belien) Southeastern European Defence Ministers Back NATO Open Door Policy Bosnia Struggles to Contain Sectarianism, Reform Government By: Tina Wolfe | World Politics Review Although it has received much less attention than the violence in Belgrade following Kosovo's declaration of independence last month, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia's neighbor to the west, has also seen violence in the wake of the Kosovo declaration Push for change
Can Sarkozy's reforms win support from French conservatives? Analysis: New threats for NATO (UPI) -- As threats become increasingly asymmetrical, NATO and national military powers are under pressure to update the look and feel of their armed forces Serbia's Next Move By: Ian Bancroft | The Guardian The European Union must tread carefully as Serbia goes to the polls on the twin issues of European Union integration and redrawing its borders. Reciting the EU Mantra By: David Cronin | The Guardian This week's Brussels summit is unlikely to amend the Lisbon strategy of putting European competitiveness ahead of social goals. Serbia: Kosovo or EU By: Igor Jovanovic | ISN Security Watch
Serbia's government collapses as coalition partners fail to agree on the country's future, with radicals saying there is no EU path without Kosovo, and democrats saying the EU is the key to Kosovo. EU Unity At Stake Over U.S. Visa-Regime Issue, Brussels Warns By: Renata Goldirova | EU Observer
The European Commission is stepping up pressure on those EU governments eager to sign up to a Washington-sponsored set of air security measures in exchange for visa-free travel to the US by saying "no member state will be allowed to violate EU legislation."
Could the Air Force Contract Cost European Jobs? By: Dinah Deckstein, Cordula Meyer and Gabor Steingart | Der Spiegel
US politicians are outraged by the Pentagon decision to have European plane builder Airbus deliver hundreds of tankers to the US Air Force. But could the deal actually result in an accelerated Airbus exodus out of Europe?
Croats in Hague war crimes trial Three Croatian ex-generals go on trial at the UN war crimes tribunal in one of its most high-profile cases. Profile: Ante Gotovina Croatia chooses co-operation | H12 RFE/RLFriendship That Pays A rare visit to Uzbekistan by the Turkmen president has underscored improving relations between the former foes. It's also shed light on how both gas-rich countries stand to profit if they can put past divisions aside Crisis Spotlights 'Karabakh Clan' Critics accuse outgoing President Kocharian and President-elect Sarkisian of promoting a tight-knit clan from their native Nagorno-Karabakh while the rest of the country suffers. How Kremlin Gets The 'Right' Results Kremlin politicos have long been masters of winning elections. But the end of political competition in Russia has allowed the Putin administration to achieve new levels of brazen falsification on a national scale. EurasiaNet Iran: US Government Planning Azeri-Language Broadcasts to Iran
BY JOSHUA KUCERA
The US government is planning to beam Azeri-language radio broadcasts into Iran, in a bid to influence opinion among the significant ethnic Azeri population there. Armenia: A Political World Turned Upside Down In 1995, Ashot Manukian was a candidate in Armenia’s parliamentary elections, and one of his campaign brochures contained a ringing endorsement from Robert Kocharian, the incumbent president and one-time leader of Nagorno-Karabakh. “If Ashot Manukian is elected to the National Assembly, we will be proud to call him one of our finest,” Kocharian proclaimed. Kazakhstan: The Emerging Middle Class Thinks Money, Not Democracy Conventional political wisdom holds that a growing middle class in any given state is often a harbinger of an expansion of civil society, as those with property seek the means to defend it from arbitrary state action. This principle has yet to manifest itself in Kazakhstan, where the substantial middle class that has emerged since the Soviet collapse in 1991 remains almost exclusively interested in economic affairs, according to an observer of Central Asian affairs Armenia: Authorities Advance Conspiracy Theory
Armenian leaders are now casting the March 1 bloodshed in Yerevan as the product of an international conspiracy that sought the revolutionary overthrow of the existing political order. Google News Azerbaijan BBC Monitoring Quotes From Russian Press Wednesday 12 March 2008 Eu Concerned About Possible Recognition of Abkhazia By Cis Zbigniew Brzezinski: “Armenian control over Nagorno Karabakh sharpens problem” Central Asian gas prices set to rise in 2009 Russia’s Gazprom announced that natural gas producers in Central Asia want to sharply raise export prices to ”European” levels starting in 2009, in a move that could complicate already tense energy negotiations between Kiev and Moscow and lead to higher prices for European consumers EDM U.S., NEW MEMBERS BACKING NATO MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLANS FOR GEORGIA AND UKRAINE
- HARD DEBATES AT NATO ON GEORGIAN MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLAN
- ARE KARABAKH SKIRMISHES MEANT TO DRAW ATTENTION FROM YEREVAN? Crude Propaganda vs. Human Capital By: Alexei Pankin | The Moscow Times However touching the friendship might appear between Russia's second and third presidents, life's vagaries will constantly place Dmitry Medvedev into situations that require him to make hard choices. Russia Between Democracy and Autocracy By: Ilter Turkmen | Turkish Daily News
The March 2 elections in Russia were certainly far from being democratic. It would be impossible to talk of democratic elections in a country, where the media is under complete state control and the opposition is not allowed to campaign freely Lavrov to Discuss Russian-Islamic Cooperation in Senegal Tashkent Quietly Allows U.S. to Return to Uzbekistan By: John C. K. Daly | Eurasia Daily Monitor
More than two years after being forced to evacuate its facility at Karshi-Khanabad (K-2), the U.S. Air Force once again has access to Uzbek air assets, as Tashkent has agreed to allow U.S. military aircraft to use aerial facilities at Termez on a “case by case” basis Baku Hopes Karabakh Officials Will Not Attend Duma Hearings on Frozen Conflicts |
| H13 The Times Why Serbia will join the EU Five years after the assassination of Zoran Djindjic, it is time to honour his wish Bernard Kouchner Citizenship Test Brown is trying to solve a problem that either does not exist or is not for him Obama sweeps to comprehensive Mississippi victory Severe racial divide sees Barack Obama take an easy primary win to put Hillary Clinton's campaign on the back foot again Admiral quits after clash with hawks Admiral William Fallon, the head of US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, resigns after disagreements over Iran policy Wall Street Journal The Pentagon vs. Petraeus
Admiral William Fallon has resigned. Now will President Bush start paying attention to the internal strife at the Pentagon? The Fed Rally
Reviving a market locked up by fear China's War on Terror • The Man With A Plan for the Bank of Japan Fed Offers Lifeline for Spurned Debt The Fed will lend dealers $200 billion in a move aimed at taking difficult-to-trade securities temporarily off their books. The offer is an attempt to counter the recent selling of mortgage-linked securities, but it won't reverse falling home prices or mounting mortgage defaults. (Statement) The next bubble must be large enough to recover the losses from the housing bubble collapse. How bad will it be? Some rough calculations... more» THE SHAPE OF US POPULISM, Part 1
A rich free-market legacy - for some
The sight of businessmen such as E Stanley O'Neal of Merrill Lynch and Citigroup's Chuck Prince pocketing millions of dollars as they quit companies losing billions in value sticks in the throat of those whose money has been lost. Even some congressmen have figured something is wrong with such rewards for failure. Fair game, say others. - Henry C K Liu | H14 Financial Times Going, going, gone: a rising auction of scary scenarios A trillion dollars here, a trillion dollars there, and pretty soon you are talking real money, even for the US. Most of the losses will fall not on the financial sector but elsewhere, writes Martin Wolf Back to fundamentals Iran’s elections may be a contest between two conservative groups but voters could still deliver a rebuke to the president Bush’s commander in the Mideast resigns Admiral William Fallon steps down following the publication of a magazine article that appeared to pit him against President Bush If Nato fails, so too does Europe on security If Afghanistan ends in unilateral pullouts, leaving just US and allies, this could end the Atlantic alliance, writes Benjamin Schreer and Asle Toje Let the Russians sort out Russia It may take decades, or even generations, for them to build their own version of democracy. But to argue that they cannot construct it is a kind of racism, writes Rodric Braithwaite Fed fights on with $200bn facility It should not bail out banks unless there is a systemic crisis, which will depend on how far house prices fall and how bad the real economy becomes Voices from Tehran As Parliamentary elections approach in Iran, campaigning is limited to just a week. Some factions compain that they have been unfairly disqualified, leaving the contest between rival fundamentalist coalitions. Roula Khalaf reports from Tehran Egypt aims to broker Gaza calm Officials are putting up a diplomatic effort to negotiate a ‘period of calm’ between Israel and Palestinian factions to halt the violence in the Mediterranean strip Obama beats Clinton in Mississippi Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama beat rival Hillary Clinton in the Mississippi primary, according to exit polls that pointed to divisions between the state’s heavily black electorate and its white voters, who backed Mrs Clinton Rights abuses cast doubt on US goals Fed leads $200bn liquidity boost US stocks staged their biggest advance in more than five years after the Federal Reserve took its most radical step yet to improve liquidity in financial markets, backed by smaller moves from other central banks China Inc looks beyond low costs The environment for exporters is getting tougher but many are finding ways to cope Oil price fails to spark merger activity $154bn in deals down slightly from 2006 Spitzer the sheriff dies by the sword His downfall reminds us of the limits of a one-man crusade compared with a consistent, clear law that does not depend on paragons for its enforcement Greek ship owners ready to decamp from UK Athens vows to maintain a favourable tax regime for its shipping community as it expects the return of a wave of expatriates fleeing UK’s tax crackdown on rich foreigners Central Asian gas prices set to rise in 2009 Russia’s Gazprom announced that natural gas producers in Central Asia want to sharply raise export prices to ”European” levels starting in 2009, in a move that could complicate already tense energy negotiations between Kiev and Moscow and lead to higher prices for European consumers. Spitzer seeks deal before resignation Eliot Spitzer, Democratic governor of New York, sought to reach an agreement with prosecutors investigating his involvement with a prostitution ring before making a final decision on leaving office Government report forecasts US recession A US government report has forecast for the first time that the country’s economy will enter recession in 2008 MARKETS & INVESTING: Emerging market bonds face risk aversion pressure | H15 Los Angeles Times U.S., Iraq discuss post-mandate ties The patriot gap Jonah Goldberg: If liberals can't even say the word, how can they claim to love their country? A religious left? How can Democrats lure religious voters with the same success as Republicans? Should they even try? Editorial U.S. commander in Mideast steps down Bush presses allies for more help in Afghanistan |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism Re-Thinking Counter-Terrorism The FBI as a Foreign Intelligence Organization From Esquire, Thomas P.M. Barnett on Admiral William "Fox" Fallon, the man between war and peace. Transcript: Gates News Briefing About Fallon Resignation US Military Admits 'Limited' Understanding of Chinese Aims Air Force Air Refueling: The KC-X Aircraft Acquisition Program (PDF; 762 KB)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists) Al-Qaeda Online Supporters Lash Out at Taliban for Not Remaining Loyal to the Global Jihad (AP/FOX News) Middle East commander resigned by phone from Iraq War Costs: In a new CFR.org podcast, the economist Joseph Stiglitz and Robert Hormats, vice chairman of Goldman Sachs International, discuss to what extent the costs of the Iraq war will affect the U.S. economy $3 Trillion Iraq War Estimate Doubted by Pentagon When the Money Stops, Military Reform May Start by William S. Lind Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Issues and Arguments CRS Aviation Security
CRS Bush's Tortured Veto - Los Angeles Times editorial
Tortured Logic - San Francisco Chronicle editorial
Waterboarding Veto - Philadelphia Inquirer editorial
Anti-terror Conundrum - Joshua Sinai, Washington Times
Did We Overreact to 9/11? - Scott MacLeod, Time
Boeing makes formal protest over EADS deal Aviation firm lambasts US air force over decision to award $35bn contract Friend of 7/7 bombers jailed for possessing al-Qaida CD Father of three jailed for 16 months after downloading al-Qaida training manual Guantanamo detainees allowed to make phone calls to families No Silver Bullet, No Brass Ring: SOF and Attrition-Based Strategy Al-Qaeda's Deadly Return Raises Fears By: Deborah Haynes | The London Times
The attacks underscored the fragility of a 60 per cent drop in violence across the country at a time when US commanders are studying plans to reduce force levels further after July when more than 20,000 troops will have redeployed. More on Blood and Rage: A Cultural History of Terrorism by Michael Burleigh. Al-Qaeda Spies Believed to Have Infiltrated British Police (Evening Standard-UK) | H20 Slate OECD Environmental Outlook to 2030 Executive Summary (PDF; 291 KB) | H21 A look at 7 insane conspiracies that actually happened An unsanitised history of washing: To modern Westerners life without showers is unimaginable, but mankind somehow survived before the advent of soap and deodorants Happiness: we can choose it Emotions like happiness are far too complex and variable to conform to the lazy notion that we are defined by our genes Magnus Linklater children are growing up too fast, but was childhood ever innocent? From TLS, historian of the future: An intellectual, a realist and an optimist, E. H. Carr respected power over all illusions of liberal morality Lacking a vivid imagination, Peter Mark Roget was a practical man. And what more practical tool for writers than a list of synonyms?... more» Prof. Edmundosaurus has a new policy: starting this year, no more laptops in his classroom. You can leave them home or check ’em at the door... more» Move over Galileo, it's Science 2.0: A look at how the Internet is changing the scientific method. Israeli Scientists Reveal Electronic Structure of DNA (Science Daily) Wikipedia co-founder in donations row The co-founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, has been accused of offering to edit an entry on the online encyclopaedia site in return for a donation. Americans May Be Getting Enough Sleep After All, Report Says The Future of Reading Meets the Future of Search |
