| H1 Video Obama's 'A More Perfect Union' Speech (38 min) Text NYT Editorial Mr. Obama’s Profile in Courage What is evident is that Barack Obama not only cleared the air over a particular controversy — he raised the discussion of race and religion to a higher plane. Washington Post What if The Fed Fails? By David Ignatius, One has to ask what's next if this week's rescue measures aren't successful. 5 Years In Iraq Iraqis and Americans Offer Perspectives on the War Financial Times The Fed risks doing too much It is hard to escape a growing sense of disquiet about the dangers and consequences of the US Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy Washington’s dilemma over troop surge Five years after the start of the war, George W. Bush and the Pentagon are grappling with whether they should sustain troop levels beyond the summer or whether the stress on the military requires a continued reduction in forces US pays price in power for Iraq role US power and prestige around the world continues to suffer from the war in Iraq and its aftermath, and the next president will struggle to repair the damage, many foreign policy specialists argue Khamenei emerges as supreme poll victorIran’s fundamentalists were the big winners in last week’s parliamentary elections but the biggest victory of all went to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Why today’s hedge fund industry may not survive Just as it is particularly difficult to know whether a manager is skilful rather than lucky, it is hard to distinguish talented managers from untalented, so the business is bound to attract the unscrupulous and unskilled, writes Martin Wolf The high cost of fighting a losing battle Linda Bilmes and Joseph Stiglitz on the Iraq war America must be a good role model John McCain calls for a League of Democracies INSIGHT - ALAN RUSKIN: The dollar's painful role in rebalancing the global economy U.S.: Stirring Up Minority Discontent in Iran By: Joshua Kucera | Eurasianet Representatives of Iran's ethnic and religious minorities told US elected officials that their people face various forms of discrimination, in what participants said was the first Congressional hearing focusing on internal minority issues in Iran Der Spiegel Nazi Atrocities, Committed by Ordinary People From doctors to opera singers, teachers to truant schoolchildren, the extermination of European Jews was the work of roughly 200,000 ordinary Germans and their helpers. Years of research -- not yet complete -- reveal how sane members of a modern society committed murder for an evil regime. Slate The Full Obama Barack Obama's sweeping speech on race. John Dickerson Five Years Gone What, exactly, has the Iraq war achieved? A lot? A little something? Nothing at all?
Fred Kaplan How Did I Get Iraq Wrong? I forgot that security must come first if democracy is to come later. Josef Joffe How Did I Get Iraq Wrong? I thought we had a chance to stabilize an unstable region, and—I admit it—I wanted to strike back.
Richard Cohen Can't We Ignore Race? Please? The trouble with Obama's speech. Mickey Kaus How Did I Get Iraq Wrong? I'm proud of my service there, but now it's time for us to leave. Phillip Carter Independent Robert Fisk: The only lesson we ever learn is that we never learn Five years on, and still we have not learnt. With each anniversary, the steps crumble beneath our feet, the stones ever more cracked, the sand ever finer. Five years of catastrophe in Iraq and I think of Churchill, who in the end called Palestine a "hell-disaster". Patrick Cockburn: This is the war that started with lies, and continues with lie after lie after lie Our legacy is a dark and forbidding place of militias Leading article: Five years after the invasion, the totality of our failure is clear Yedioth Ahronoth 'Occupation' can't last' Egypt's Mubarak says Israel 'will not achieve security through collective punishment, aggressiveness, raids, sieges, blockades and construction of settlements'. Israeli official: IDF will continue to operate against Hamas The Times Iraq: Five Years Hence What must happen for Iraq to be an established success in 2013 Obama attacks US state of 'racial stalemate' Barack Obama concentrates on race for the first time, describing it as the issue the 'nation cannot afford to ignore' Inside Blair's brain Lord Owen examines Tony Blair’s psyche - and is concerned Neocons: idealists with guns or evil ideologues? The rise and influence of the neocons was exaggerated – but so were the stories of their fall from grace, writes Gerard Baker International Crisis Group - Kosovo's First Month Barbara Slavin has posted her interview with Iran's recently departed nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Democracy in Retreat - Larry Diamond, Real Clear Politics Importance of Fallon's Fall - Michael Barone, Washington Times Daily Star Cheney's regional tour: returns to the scenes of the crimes Stalemate is increasing Hamas' popularity
By Rami G. Khouri What soccer tells us about the paradoxes of globalization
By Dani Rodrik Drezner - Disarming Hezbollah and American-Iranian Rapprochement : Huda al Husseini Interview with Dr. Alon Liel Reconciliation Conference Highlights Iraq’s Deep Political and Religious Fissures EDM Russia Mulls Stronger Energy Policies in Central Asia BY SERGEI BLAGOV
The upcoming political transition in Russia, in which Dmitry Medvedev will succeed Vladimir Putin as president, may possibly accelerate a trend in Central Asia, in which the Kremlin uses its abundance of energy as a lever to achieve its geopolitical aims. Cheney Promotes New US-Iraq Agreement Iraqi moderate?
How firebrand Shia cleric Sadr evolved in last five years
Lebanon: The lead article in the March edition of MERIA, an Israeli journal of international affairs, examines the ongoing political implications of what it calls the “unfinished” 2006 Israeli war with Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. Meet the Winner The Economist
The parliament returned by Iranians in nationwide voting on Friday March 14th appears at first glance to be a replica of the outgoing one. Conservatives who claim stricter adherence to the 1979 Islamic revolution’s ideals, and adopt a more combative tone with the outside world, retained a majority almost as crushing as the one they gained in the last parliamentary election, in 2004 Poll Shows Palestinians Now Favor Hamas Over Fatah By: Richard Boudreaux | Los Angeles Times During three months of foundering peace talks overshadowed by violence, the U.S.-backed Palestinian leadership in the West Bank has lost popular support and is now viewed as less legitimate than the Islamist government of rival group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to a poll released Monday Wall Street Journal Discovering Obama
The Senator tries to rehabilitate his image and rationalize his racial contradictions. Fed Cuts by Three-Quarter Point A divided Fed cut interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point to 2.25%, delivering less than the markets hoped for despite the magnitude of the move. (Statement) Inflation Dissent
The Fed's rate cut was less than some had predicted, but more than others were comfortable with. No Surrender
By Fouad Ajami
We've not always fought most wisely or skillfully. Five years on, Iraq still isn't perfect. But we've made it a better country. | H2 Steven A. Cook on Tough times for Turkey's generals FT AKP threat worsens turmoil in Turkey Turkey’s stock market fell 9 per cent after a judicial attempt to shut down the governing party rattled investors amid warnings that it would cause grave political instability [ANALYSIS] Russia, US battle for Turkish missiles BBC Dissident Muslims
The Alevi sect pushes for rights in Sunni-dominated Turkey Kuzey Irak'tan Türkiye'ye jest Cheney bizden ne istiyor? Cheney meets with Kurdish leader Barzani ahead of Ankara talks EDM AKP FACING THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS OF ITS FAILURE TO CREATE JOBS RFE Project To Revise Hadith Gets Mixed Reactions Western media have called it "revolutionary," "radical," even "21st-century Islam." But according to those involved, Turkey's project to reinterpret the Hadith, Islam's second-most-sacred source after the Koran, is anything but radical. Google News Fırat News Agency KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect Dış Basında Irak BBC Monitoring Inter – national Cheney to Troops: Mideast Needs Freedom Cevdet Aşkın Remarks By Vice President Cheney and Kurdish Regional Government President Barzani After Meeting A delicate balance of policy
Kurdish Globe "The Kurds in Turkey and Iraq: human rights, conflict, and the international community" Microeconomic Analysis of the Federal Region of Kurdistan Ayna'dan dobra dobra: Dağa çıkardım! Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
K. Irak'ta Türk ortak yoksa yatırıma izin yok Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Hüseyni, “dost ve komşu Türkiye'nin böyle bir projeye izin vermeyeceğine inanıyoruz” Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık News Analysis: New window of opportunity opens for Cyprus problem Özdemir: 'Yasak Çözüm Değil' Erdoğan’dan AB’ye Kıbrıs mektubu Amerika ve Avrupa, kapatma davasına eleştiriyi sürdürüyor Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Kapatma davası siyasî, mahkeme reddetmeli Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. NATO wants missile shield to protect Turkey, all of Europe İngiltere Dışişleri Bakanı Miliband, 'kapatma davasının endişe kaynağı' olduğunu söyledi The state versus the people by JOOST LAGENDIJK* AİHM’in türban kararına uyulmalı Avrupa’da duvarlara yer yok
Ergenekoncular hedef saptırmak için yeni eylemler planlamış Bakan Çelik: Kanı bozuklar olabilir NYT 3 Nations Told to Pay $57 Million to New York Turkey to establish second Confucius Institute Serdar Turgut Gündemin tamamen dışında bir yazı Polis, ‘Simsar Çetesi’ni ofsayta düşürdü 12. sınıflara Alevilik 10 sayfada anlatılacak Büyükelçilerin ataması tamam Oray Eğin Medyada büyük panik Türban kampustan önce liseye girdi Başkentte büyük gözaltı Elif Şafak, İngiliz Orange Ödülü'ne aday
Londra’yı Türk torun yönetecek Bankalar, kredi kartından yıllık ücret alamayacak Nükleer santralde ihale süreci başlıyor 19 Mart 2008 Basın Özeti | H3 Formül aranıyor RP , FP ve AKP arasında ne fark var? AKP: Bu öneride ciddi tuzak var AKP 'Partiyi kurtaran, ancak Erdoğan'a siyaset yasağı getiren' hiçbir düzenlemeye 'evet' demeyecek. MHP yolu kapattı Baykal, kapatmayı savundu; davayı eleştirenlere kızdı Gülay Göktürk Amaçları AK Parti'yi kapatmak değil! Bize tezgah hazırlandığını biliyoruz AKP ‘mini anayasa paketi’nde kararsız
Kavga küreselcilerle milliyetçiler arasında Uzmanlar: Partiler Yasası değişmeden çözüm olmaz Yarar mı yaramaz mı Partileri millet sandıkta tasfiye eder
AKP’de hedef ‘odak olma’
CHP lideri Baykal AKP'yi DTP'yle vurdu! Milliyet Son Dakika Şimşek: Turkey can forego IMF loans Cengiz Çandar Hedefte ekonomi, 'hukuk postu'nda siyaset Ahmet Taşgetiren • Menderes Hitler miydi? ( 19.03.2008 ) Ruşen - Çakır Bu gidişle kimse kazanmayacak, tüm Türkiye kaybedecek Taha Akyol Islahat, inkılap, Çanakkale Fikret Bila Başsavcı Yalçınkaya’ya yapılan haksızlık Murat Yetkin Kapatma davası Ergenekon soruşturmasına engel mi? Ertuğrul Özkök Anti-laik çete çökertildi Ahmet Hakan Meselenin özü M Ali Birand AKP de hoyratça davrandı... Hasan Cemal Görev: Halka yakışan bir demokratik devlet inşa etmek! Şamil Tayyar Büyükanıt karşısında neredeydiniz? İşte Ergenekon ile Danıştay bağlantısı Mustafa Akyol Bu laiklik, Sovyet laikliği Sebahattin Önkibar Ankara'da hesaplar, Tayyip Erdoğan sonrası için yapılıyor! Sadi Somuncuoğlu Ezberlediğimiz yanlışlar AKP davası
Avrupa'da siyasi partiler kapatılıyor mu? Prof. Bakır Çağlar'a sorduk
Siyasi tarihin ayıplı sayfaları
Avni Özgürel Tayfun Devecioğlu Ne iktidar aşkı ne düşmanlık sadece doğru GAZETECİLİK Serdar Akinan Vatan hainleri Siyasi yasaklı ‘bağımsız’ aday olabiliyor Türban AİHM ile uyumlu olmalı Rektör Öztürk'ten Veli Küçük'e: Her zaman emrinize amadeyim Fehmi Koru: Günah arayanlar için... Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Ali Bayramoğlu: Bu karaya ortak olmayın… Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Yusuf Ziya Cömert: NATO yeni görevlere hazırlanıyor Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Kürşat Bumin: Şaka son bulacak ve iddianame reddedilecek Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Taha Kıvanç: Yazar dediğin kodu mu oturtmalı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. İbrahim Karagül: Ekonomik Armageddon ve kıyameti beklemek… Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Hakan Albayrak: Numan Kurtulmuş'un asaleti Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Hüseyin Hatemi: Gastronomik nefaset Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Nazif Gürdoğan: Paradigma sarkacı
Yükleniyor... İsmet Berkan - Hukuksuz ceza olur mu? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Murat Yetkin - Kapatma davası Ergenekon soruşturmasına engel mi? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Haluk Şahin - Savaşın beşinci yılında bilanço Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. H. Gökhan Özgün - Taraf olanların dikkatine Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Hakkı Devrim - Sık sık İlter Bey'e danışırım Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Türker Alkan - Kargaşa ve yargı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. M.Ali Kışlalı - Biri bana anlatsa Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Avni Özgürel - Siyasi tarihin ayıplı sayfaları MEHMET KAMIŞ - Yapılan hiçbir iyi şey cezasız kalmaz Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. ABDÜLHAMİT BİLİCİ - AK Parti ne yapabilirdi? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. A. TURAN ALKAN - Parmağını kim 'üf' etti yavrum? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. MUSTAFA ÜNAL - Ergenekon'un rövanşı mı? Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. ALİ BULAÇ - MHP üzerine!. İsmail Küçükkaya Hangi demokrasi?
Mehmet Altan 12 Eylül ve AK Parti Eser Karakaş Yargı, ekonomi ve esas kriz Nasuhi Güngör Eş durumundan siyasi yasaklı olunur mu? Prof. Dr. Erdal Yavuz komployu 2 yıl önce köşesine taşımış Ahmet Kekeç Kuzu kuzu oturalım, öyle mi? İsrafil Kumbasar AKP iddianamesi üzerine borsada işlem gören 5 senaryo AK Party ready for any eventuality İLTER TÜRKMEN The European standard on party closures by YUSUF ŞEVKİ HAKYEMEZ* Hukçular: İddianame usulen hatalı
İlhan Selçuk açtı ağzını yumdu gözünü: AKP, iktidardayken bir İslamcı karşıdevrimi gerçekleştiriyor...
Mezarlıkta ıslık çalmayın durum çok ciddi! MHP’den ‘yargıya tırpan’a destek yok Cüneyt Ülsever Ekonomi alarm veriyor: Soğukkanlı bakan yok! Enis Berberoğlu Oktay Ekşi Kolaycılık sorun yaratır Bekir Coşkun Din ve siz... Tufan Türenç Siirt’teki tablo Erdoğan’a tekzip Özdemir İnce Bir önerim var! Yalçın Doğan Yeni şarkı telaşı Mehmet Y Yılmaz Belden aşağıya çalışma başladı Yavuz Baydar AK Party’s majestic failures and the only way out Gülay Göktürk Asıl ihtimal Anayasa Mahkemesi’nin reddetmesidir Nuh Gönültaş Eğer teslim olursa yazıklar olsun AK Parti’ye... Beril Dedeoğlu The banishment case Bülent Keneş Constitutional Court passing through a legal test Amanda Akçakoca Turkey’s radical secularists take desperate measures Burhan Ayeri
Önce Şener, şimdi Kesici MUHARREM SARIKAYA "MHP ile bir daha"
ERDAL ŞAFAK Akla gelmeyen başa gelince
ENGİN ARDIÇ Zilleri nerenize saklayacaksınız? ERGUN BABAHAN Şeriat hukuku EMRE AKÖZ Uzatmaları oynayanlar Umur Talu Al kalkanı ver al kanı HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN Kör düğümü: Hukuk, siyaset, demokrasi NAZLI ILICAK Parti mezarlığı MEHMET BARLAS Parti kapatılmasına kadeh mi kaldıralım biz de? MAHMUT ÖVÜR YAVUZ DONAT Alkışların siyasal tercümesi
Muhteşem bir geceydi. 2 bin kişi katıldı. Ve çok kişi de ayakta kaldı. "Turgut Özal belgeselinin" galasından ve "Özal ... Güneri Civaoğlu AYNA Hurşit Güneş AKP hukukla değil, ekonomiyle düşer MHP lideri Devlet Bahçeli: Partileri ancak millet kapatır Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Parti kapatmaya Meclis'ten izin alma şartı geliyor Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Baykal, kapatmayı savundu; davayı eleştirenlere kızdı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Başsavcının 'suç' tanımına göre CHP de kapatılabilir Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
İddianamede Sezer'e 15 kez atıf yapılmış Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
[HABER YORUM] 'Gazeteci Hayrettin Karaman' da kapatma gerekçesi Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Gazetecilerin Sağlık Bakanı'na yönelttiği soru bile dosyada Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
DTP'ye göre dava, demokrasi ayıbı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Genç Siviller, Başsavcı hakkında suç duyurusunda bulundu ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM 'Sanayici komisyoncu oldu' sözü bir dönemin sonu mu? Güngör Uras Dövizde çıkış artmasa da giriş aksayacak Ege Cansen Bir iltizam ihalesi: Ankara Gaz Ercan Kumcu Artık enflasyon hedeflemesini unutalım mı Erdal Sağlam İş dünyası kriz yıllarına geri dönmek istemiyor Parti kapatmaya Meclis'ten izin alma şartı geliyor Metin Ercan - Krize dair uyarılar Ekonominin zor günleri
Mustafa Aysan Bahanelere sığınmayalım!
Uğur Gürses İBRAHİM KAHVECİ 3. safhada hortumlar da başlayacak mı? Serdar Turgut Ekonomik kriz, sürpriz olmadı Mekanizma felce uğrayabilir Moody's: AKP case makes Turkey upgrade less likely İ.Hüseyin Yıldız
Dünyada ekonomik kriz European Bank for Reconstruction considers lending plan for Turkey Two New Nuclear Units Approved for Turkey Point CBS 4 |
| H4 New York Times Obama Urges U.S. to Grapple With Racial Issue Barack Obama confronted the divisions between black and white as he sought to dispel the furor over statements by his pastor.**VIDEO** | Text Editorial Mr. Obama’s Profile in Courage What is evident is that Barack Obama not only cleared the air over a particular controversy — he raised the discussion of race and religion to a higher plane. MAUREEN DOWD Black, White & Gray Overriding aides who objected to putting race center stage, Barack Obama addressed a painful, difficult subject straightforwardly with a subtlety and decency rare in American politics. Choose, or Lose in November If the Democratic Party lacks a clear presidential nominee when primary season ends on June 3, then a superdelegate primary should be scheduled. | H5 Washington Post What if The Fed Fails? By David Ignatius, One has to ask what's next if this week's rescue measures aren't successful. Editorial Moment of Truth Prompted by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama squarely addresses the issue of race. 5 Years In Iraq Iraqis and Americans Offer Perspectives on the War For the White House, a Different Milepost Officials now running the U.S. effort in Iraq express frustration that the gains wrought by their policies -- in particular, sharply reduced violence -- are continually weighed against the war's first four years. Major Iraqi Blocs Boycott Reconciliation Gathering Obama Urges U.S.: 'Move Beyond Our Old Racial Wounds' Fed Slashes Key Interest Rate, and Stocks Soar Central Bank Redefining Its Role Obama's Road Map on Race By Eugene Robinson, Obama not only ventured into the minefield of race and made it back alive, but he also marked a path for the rest of us to follow China's True Face The Host of the Olympics or the Thug of Tibet? By Wei Jingsheng, The Olympics will force China to show its true face. But what will we see? Editorial Tibet and the Olympics World leaders must hold China accountable for violating the commitments it made in order to host the Games. A Speech That Fell Short By Michael Gerson, Barack Obama is not a man who hates -- but he chose to walk with a man who does. Debate Dream Team By Ruth Marcus, The Democratic candidates should debate John McCain. Think of it as Lincoln-Douglas-Douglas. Behind Cheaper Credit, Inflation Fears Loom McCain Mixes Up Iraqi Groups Senator Misstates Which Extremists Are Aided by Iran Dalai Lama Airs Prospect of Quitting Exiled Spiritual Leader Says Further Violent Protests in Tibet Would Leave Him No Other Option | H6 Guardian A visitor to reckon with Leader:The last thing that both America and the world need right now is another blundering second-rater as US commander-in-chief Obama seeks to rise above pastor row US presidential candidate attempts to turn row into a wider debate on race relations Rev Jeremiah Wright's remarks McCain in foreign affairs gaffe A sore that still festers Gary Younge If Barack Obama were white, he'd never have had to make the speech he made yesterday Helpful for society, less so for the candidate Michael Tomasky: Barack Obama's speech on race was admirable but will it prove successful as a piece of politics Fed rate cut brings markets back from the brink Federal Reserve puts pressure on other central banks to follow its lead as it cuts US interest rates to 2.25% How the Fed tried to stop global meltdown 100 arrests as Lhasa brought to order Tibet claims 100 rioters surrendered to police, as China sought to underscore control of the region Spiritual leader threatens to resign over conflict Simon Tisdall: The three monkeys policy 'Helicopter Ben' and his 0% remedy for Depression Fed chief in the spotlight as he faces potentially worst financial crisis since the 1930s Democrats leap on McCain gaffe over al-Qaida Republican presidential nominee's comment undermines claims of most experienced foreign policy expert |
| H7 Barbara Slavin has posted her interview with Iran's recently departed nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Democracy in Retreat - Larry Diamond, Real Clear Politics Importance of Fallon's Fall - Michael Barone, Washington Times Daily Star Cheney's regional tour: returns to the scenes of the crimes Stalemate is increasing Hamas' popularity
By Rami G. Khouri What soccer tells us about the paradoxes of globalization
By Dani Rodrik A conflict paving the way for Iran's political violence
By Sadegh Zibakalam The Iranian Elections: A Blow to Whom? By: Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed | Asharq Alawsat
It is only natural for Iranian President Ahamdinejad to think that the [recent Iranian parliamentary] elections were great. He described them as a blow to the enemy. Most probably, he was referring to moderates, who lost the elections as a result of the regime disqualifying most of their candidates and allowing only a few of them to participate, so that it could announce that the opposition had participated in the elections What Has the Surge Really Achieved? - Jonathan Foreman, Pajamas Media Superpower sweats
John Simpson on how the Iraq war tests the limits of US dominance
Security Gains Reverse Iraq's Spiral - Gary Langer, ABC News
Poll: Iraqis See Progress - Tom Bevan, Real Clear Politics Is the Pentagon Policy Shop Funding Likudist Fronts? by Jim Lobe In the Wrong Place, for the Wrong Reasons By: Joseph L. Galloway | Miami Herald This week marks the beginning of our country's sixth year of war in Iraq, and still the questions are: Why? When will it end? President Bush is doing everything he can to ensure that whoever succeeds him next January will find him- or herself deeply mired in Iraqi quicksand Analysis: Iraq, 5 years and gaffes later By CLAUDE SALHANI (UPI) -- This Wednesday will mark the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Five years during which time America has been at war; make that wars, in the plural. While Iraq, due to the sheer scale of the conflict, seems to take center stage, there are two other wars being fought simultaneously. One is in Afghanistan against the resurgent Taliban who simply refuse to be beaten, and the other is the one President Bush likes to call "the war on terror." Clintonian dishonesty THE WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL Hillary Clinton served notice on Monday that she's perfectly prepared to demagogue the war in Iraq to maintain her own political viability. | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq U.S.: Stirring Up Minority Discontent in Iran By: Joshua Kucera | Eurasianet Representatives of Iran's ethnic and religious minorities told US elected officials that their people face various forms of discrimination, in what participants said was the first Congressional hearing focusing on internal minority issues in Iran Cheney Promotes New US-Iraq Agreement Iraqi moderate?
How firebrand Shia cleric Sadr evolved in last five years
Lebanon: The lead article in the March edition of MERIA, an Israeli journal of international affairs, examines the ongoing political implications of what it calls the “unfinished” 2006 Israeli war with Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. Meet the Winner The Economist
The parliament returned by Iranians in nationwide voting on Friday March 14th appears at first glance to be a replica of the outgoing one. Conservatives who claim stricter adherence to the 1979 Islamic revolution’s ideals, and adopt a more combative tone with the outside world, retained a majority almost as crushing as the one they gained in the last parliamentary election, in 2004 Arab Commentator Says Saudi-Syrian Ties at Rock Bottom, Notes US, Iran Factors BBC Monitoring Quotes From Middle East Arabic Press for 18 March 08 BBC Monitoring Headlines, Quotes From Iraqi Press 18 Mar 08 Cheney again links Iraq invasion to 9/11 attacks Israeli warship 'enters Lebanese waters'... Iraq War Costliest Since WWII Sunnis skip reconciliation meeting (By Qassim Abdul-Zahra) Iraqi Former PM Allawi Interviewed on Internal Politics, Talks With Iran, Other Issues "Stabilizing" Iran's Place in Energy Market, Investment in Oil, Gas Must - Paper McCain Was Right, Iran Works with Al Qaeda McCain sees Iraq success as key to all Middle East issues Trade in stolen Iraqi treasures 'fuels al-Qaida' Iraq murder charge for US marine A third US marine is charged over the deaths of unarmed Iraqi detainees in Falluja in November 2004. Merkel: World Doesn't Have to Prove Iran Has Nukes | H9 Ha’aretz – Security forces fear double Hezbollah revenge attack in Israel, abroad Intelligence fragments hint at plans for coordinated strike with Iran, Syria over death of terror chief Mughniyah ANALYSIS: Merkel condemns Qassams, but ignores Israel's wrongdoing Chancellor's support for Israeli policies oversteps the bounds of both German and Israeli public discourse Merkel's visit / With the zeal of a convert Merkel tells Knesset: Israel's security "non-negotiable," Shoah "fills us Germans with shame." Yedioth Ahronoth 'Occupation' can't last' Egypt's Mubarak says Israel 'will not achieve security through collective punishment, aggressiveness, raids, sieges, blockades and construction of settlements'. Israeli official: IDF will continue to operate against Hamas A question of priorities Who cares about Bibi’s UK hotel room when Israel faces existential threat, Eitan Haber asks Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Poll Shows Palestinians Now Favor Hamas Over Fatah By: Richard Boudreaux | Los Angeles Times During three months of foundering peace talks overshadowed by violence, the U.S.-backed Palestinian leadership in the West Bank has lost popular support and is now viewed as less legitimate than the Islamist government of rival group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to a poll released Monday McCain backs Israeli stance Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, on a swing through the Middle East, made a foray into Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking yesterday, expressing his support for Jerusalem as Israel's capital. BBC Monitoring Headlines, Quotes From Palestinian Press 18 Mar 08 BBC Monitoring Quotes From Israel's Hebrew Press 18 Mar 08 Head of Israel-Syria Peace Movement Optimistic on Peace With Syria Israel can't entirely eliminate the question of who's a Jew, but by disestablishing religion, it could make the issue less painful. Former ISOO Directors to Testify for Defense in AIPAC Trial Merkel tells Knesset of shame over Nazis Germany's chancellor pledges closer relations with Israel while five MPs stay away in protest Jordan Times The paper comments in an editorial that Mrs. Merkel’s statement that an attack on Israel is tantamount to an attack on Germany warrants a moment of reflection, and says there is fear that such a statement might result in serious misunderstanding. |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Is life for Iraqis improving? Five years after the US invasion, some see flickers of hope What will steady shaky financial system? Two keys: Stabilize home values while keeping Wall Street calm, analysts say. In Moscow, Rice signals warmer US-Russia ties High-level talks on contentious issues such as missile defense had a markedly different tone from past rhetoric. Israel's 'religious right' gains clout, complicating peace with Palestinians The Shas Party, a key part of Israel's governing coalition, is pushing settlement growth. Christians, Muslims move ahead on global talks Religious leaders plan to meet this year in the US, Britain, and at the Vatican to defuse tensions. Five years on: media's role in Iraq The press plays an unwitting role in the subtle battle to influence public opinion. Obama seeks to clarify his views on race His speech Tuesday distanced him from his pastor's views China's pollution nightmare is now everyone's pollution nightmare The environmental disaster springs largely from its emulation of the American way of life – so let's set a better example. ASIA Chinese Espionage By: J. Randy Forbes | The Washington Times
While there is little broad agreement about U.S. defense and trade policy toward China, there is widespread agreement among security experts that China is systematically seeking classified information about the United States. Taiwan Strait Tightrope By: Ted Galen Carpenter | The Wall Street Journal Ma Ying-jeou's impending victory in Taiwan's presidential election Saturday promises to usher in a period of relative calm in the island's turbulent relations with mainland China. God and Man in China By: Bret Stephens | The Wall Street Journal
The violent protests in Tibet that began last week and have since spread across (and beyond) China are frequently depicted as a secessionist threat to Beijing. But the regime's deeper problem in the current crisis is neither ethnic nor territorial. It's religious Asian markets lift after Fed cut Asian markets bounce back after the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates to ease ongoing economic turmoil. Analysis: Crisis affects us all Protesters 'surrender in Tibet' More than 100 people involved in anti-China rioting in Tibet hand themselves in, Chinese state media says. India moves to save nuclear deal with US China Calls on U.S., Japan Not to Back Taiwan's Aspirations for Independence Full Text of Chinese Premier's News Conference 18 Mar 08 Walker's World: China in Tibet By MARTIN WALKER (UPI) -- Tibet is no aberration; the world's worst human-rights offenders all find a friend in China.
China Terrorizes Tibet - New York Times editorial Demonocracy, not democracy? (By Arnaud de Borchgrave)
Crush Tibet: China's Only Path - Rosemary Righter, London Times
Tibet and the Ghosts of Tiananmen - Bill Powell, Time
Seeds of Rsistance Remain in Tibet - H.D.S. Greenway, Boston Globe
Beijing's Dread of Dissent - John Lee, The Australian
Cellphone Pictures In Lhasa - Anne Applebaum, Washington Post Taiwan: A new report from the Hoover Institution examines Taiwan’s upcoming presidential elections and argues the Taiwanese may be in the process of repudiating the party that has led them for the past eight years. Now the Tibet blame game begins Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on Tuesday assured that "social order" has all but been restored in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, which has been scarred by anti-Chinese demonstrations. Beijing is now left to limit the damage from the high-profile disturbances, and is doing so by squarely blaming the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan leader, for not only instigating the unrest, but also for trying to sabotage China's Olympic dream. - John Ng (Mar 18, '08)
China and India: Oh to be different Once again, with the unrest in Tibet, Beijing has been caught unprepared and has revealed its inability to deal with dissent and difference, despite the stated goal of creating a harmonious society. In direct contrast, India's diverse polity has flourished against all the odds precisely because of its ability to acknowledge difference. - Pallavi Aiyar (Mar 18, '08)
Two-horse race for Pakistan's hot seat The battle within the Pakistan People's Party, the dominant group in the new coalition government, is a race between Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto, and party stalwart Makhdoom Amin Fahim. Zardari carries a lot of baggage, while Fahim would be the preferred candidate of President Pervez Musharraf and Washington. The "street-smart" Zardari is up for the fight. - Syed Saleem Shahzad | H11 IHT Missile defense system hinders progress at Russia and U.S. talks Tangible results remained elusive as both sides agreed mostly that it was important to keep talking through the end of this administration and into the next, as President Vladimir Putin of Russia leaves office, followed by President George W. Bush. UN accuses Serbian officials of encouraging Kosovo riots Fending off a long, long slump By PAUL A. SAMUELSON Most of the proposals suggested in America and Europe only put off the day of reckoning. Greek military helicopter crashes, killing all 3 on boardThe Huey UH-1H Greek army helicopter went down in an uninhabited area near Lake Koroneia, some 20 kilometers, or 12 miles, east of the port city of Thessaloniki. The cause of the crash was unclear. Our right to bear arms By ROBERT A. LEVY People have the right to protect themselves when necessary EUROPE European press review Kosovo riots 'were orchestrated' A senior UN official in Kosovo criticises Serbia over unrest that caused the death of a Ukrainian UN policeman. Greek common-law marriage row The Greek Orthodox Church opposes government plans to give more rights to unmarried couples. Bulgaria Concerned Over Situation in Northern Kosovo Why Tax Havens Are a Blessing By: Daniel J. Mitchell | Foreign Policy
Smugly confident about the righteousness of their cause, European countries and international bureaucrats are pushing for a crackdown against tax havens. But their crusade will do more harm than good. Goodbye Cowboy Diplomacy: What can Europe expect from the next White House? Kaczynski Twins Threaten Polish Ratification of Lisbon Treaty By: Renata Goldirova | EU Observer The Polish opposition, led by former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has threatened not to approve the EU's Lisbon Treaty in the country's parliament unless the ratification bill contains legal guarantees respecting Poland's sovereignty and its constitution as the highest law in the country, out of worries about gay marriage "being imposed" on the country Power-sharing agreement does not resolve the root of the crisis: demands from the prosperous, Dutch-speaking North for more autonomy from the economically depressed, French-speaking South The Kaczynskis' Dual Blockade: Poland May be Forced to Hold EU Treaty Referendum | H12 RFE/RL A Destructive Culture Of Lies And Mendacity There's been a lot of talk about possible future crises in Russia -- be they political, constitutional, or economic. But a lone distinguished voice, Sergei Kovalyov, is talking about a present-day predicament: Russia's "shameful moral crisis." ... EDM U. N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION SEEKS TO FILL GAPS IN THE KARABAKH “PEACE PROCESS”
- YEREVAN CONTINUES POST-ELECTION WITCH-HUNT
- UZBEKISTAN, TURKMENISTAN EYE STRONGER PARTNERSHIP BASED ON ENERGY NEEDS Google News Azerbaijan Georgia: Government, Opposition Remain at Loggerheads Russia, U.S. fail to agree on missile defense shield in Europe Vladimir Putin used to be careful to pay lip service to democracy and the rule of law. That’s how every ruler of Russia had talked since Gorbachev. Who was fooled?... more» Moscow's Sinking Ship By: Alexei Bayer | The Moscow Times
In Russia, it is still business as usual. Even top executives remain sanguine. Even as the dollar fell below the Swiss franc for the first time ever and Bear Stearns disappeared, oil hit $111 per barrel and gold surpassed $1,000 per ounce Belarus Tells U.S. to Cut Embassy Workers Over Oil Sanctions By: Michael Heath | Bloomberg News
Belarus told the U.S. to cut personnel at its embassy in Minsk after earlier asking the ambassador to leave the former Soviet republic because of tighter American sanctions against a state energy company. |
| H13 The Times Iraq: Five Years Hence What must happen for Iraq to be an established success in 2013 Obama attacks US state of 'racial stalemate' Barack Obama concentrates on race for the first time, describing it as the issue the 'nation cannot afford to ignore' Inside Blair's brain Lord Owen examines Tony Blair’s psyche - and is concerned Neocons: idealists with guns or evil ideologues? The rise and influence of the neocons was exaggerated – but so were the stories of their fall from grace, writes Gerard Baker Calls for calm as Kosovo stands on the brink Condoleezza Rice led calls for restraint after 150 were wounded in the worst day of violence since Kosovo declared independence Tibet violence spreads as Dalai Lama accused Leader of Tibetan Buddhists denies orchestrating riots and says he will resign if violence on both sides does not stop Blackwater sells itself as peacekeeper Campaigners criticise new role of US security firm whose guards are accused of shooting dead 17 Iraqi civilians last year Wall Street Journal Discovering Obama
The Senator tries to rehabilitate his image and rationalize his racial contradictions. Fed Cuts by Three-Quarter Point A divided Fed cut interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point to 2.25%, delivering less than the markets hoped for despite the magnitude of the move. (Statement) Inflation Dissent
The Fed's rate cut was less than some had predicted, but more than others were comfortable with. No Surrender
By Fouad Ajami
We've not always fought most wisely or skillfully. Five years on, Iraq still isn't perfect. But we've made it a better country. Obama Confronts Statements on Race Obama tried to stem damage from divisive comments delivered by his pastor, while bluntly addressing anger between blacks and whites in the most racially pointed speech yet of his presidential campaign. (Complete coverage) • Text of Speech: 'A More Perfect Union' | Video • Wash Wire: Will Obama's Speech Work? • Political Perceptions | Keyword Analysis A New Deal for the New Economy
By Rahm Emanuel
Foreign competition isn't the real problem. European Democracy
Ireland and Poland annoy EU mandarins by considering votes on the Lisbon Treaty.
Review & Outlook Asia Times Bernanke running out of bliss space
US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke and his pack of merry pranksters, having given Wall Street yet more interest rate cuts, now have only a few months before they must conjure up other tricks to end the rot in the US economy as rate levels head toward their floor and inflation concerns mount. - Julian Delasantellis | H14 Financial Times The Fed risks doing too much It is hard to escape a growing sense of disquiet about the dangers and consequences of the US Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy Washington’s dilemma over troop surge Five years after the start of the war, George W. Bush and the Pentagon are grappling with whether they should sustain troop levels beyond the summer or whether the stress on the military requires a continued reduction in forces US pays price in power for Iraq role US power and prestige around the world continues to suffer from the war in Iraq and its aftermath, and the next president will struggle to repair the damage, many foreign policy specialists argue Khamenei emerges as supreme poll victorIran’s fundamentalists were the big winners in last week’s parliamentary elections but the biggest victory of all went to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Why today’s hedge fund industry may not survive Just as it is particularly difficult to know whether a manager is skilful rather than lucky, it is hard to distinguish talented managers from untalented, so the business is bound to attract the unscrupulous and unskilled, writes Martin Wolf The high cost of fighting a losing battle Linda Bilmes and Joseph Stiglitz on the Iraq war America must be a good role model John McCain calls for a League of Democracies INSIGHT - ALAN RUSKIN: The dollar's painful role in rebalancing the global economy Gideon Rachman’s blogBush and the financial crisis: Some people are good in a crisis. Unfortunately, President Bush isn’t one of them US stocks rally after Fed interest rate cut US stocks staged their biggest rally in more than five years as confidence in the stability of the financial system grew and the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 75 basis points to 2.25 per cent Greater discipline required on defence spending Gordon Adams urges a US strategic rethink No need to own the road: buy the tollbooth John Kay on capitalism without capital EBRD options The EU is mishandling the appointment of a successor as president of the EBRD, which will need an experienced head with a real commitment to eastern Europe Unbusinesslike Conservative proposals for greater corporate responsibility look confused and do not suggest genuine appreciation of employers’ role in the community Poland’s president in treaty tirade Warsaw’s efforts to ratify the Lisbon treaty were thrown into further turmoil following President Lech Kaczynski’s hard-hitting anti-German and anti-gay address to the nation US and Russia missile talks fail Russia and the US failed to bridge their deep differences on Washington’s plans to site elements of a missile defence shield in eastern Europe and on how to replace a key nuclear arms reduction treaty due to expire next year Experts assess the costs of a crisis There are still few signs that we have entered the vicious debt-deflation cycle that Wall Street fears | H15 Los Angeles Times Iraq sectarian groups boycott conference A two-day meeting on reconciliation is derailed before it starts as key Sunni and Shiite blocs refuse to participate. U.S. tries new tack with Russia Officials hope that combining more than a dozen issues in one document will breathe life into talks. A surge in Iraq gasbags By Christopher Cerf and Victor S. Navasky The experts all agree about the war's success, but does anyone else agree with them? High-tech and high anxiety in Iraq On a Baghdad street lined with electronics shops, freedom to access the world has fueled a boom in business, but one dogged by fear and violence China says Dalai Lama trying to ruin Olympics . Permission to speak? Was Adm. Fallon a heroic check on a warmongering administration or an errant officer who couldn't keep his opinions to himself Fallon's sin: disagreeing publicly By Phillip Carter Why Wright is wrong
for ObamaJonah Goldberg: The candidate's message of unity is suspect if he doesn't divorce himself from the controversial pastor A new national party By Robert E. Wright Democrats and Republicans offer no choice when it comes to the economy and bringing government spending under control. 'Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West' by Benazir Bhutto German chancellor says Israel's security is 'nonnegotiable' |
| H16 American Politics Obama: We can let race divide us or say 'Not this time' Clinton Widens Lead Over Obama In Pennsylvania, CBS Poll: Pastor's Remarks Hurt Obama Race relations
Did Obama's speech succeed in easing pastor controversy?
Yes, the conservative revolution did get its start in the 1970s, and yes, it did succeed. But not quite as completely as its champions would suggest... more» Clinton's Hopes for Florida Fade - Mark Halperin, Time 7 Questions About the Financial Crisis - David Brooks, New York Time A government cure to the sliding economy WHAT HAD been economic shivers have become violent chills as the credit contagion spreads. That crisis has Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke racing about like a doctor confronting a raging epidemic, scrambling to fortify the financial system, forestall panic, and prevent the problems from spreading. (By Scot Lehigh, Boston Globe) realclearpolitics memeorandum ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp Michael Crowley / The New Republic: Obama's Speech Was Brilliant, But — Will the complexity of his message reach the people it needs to? A review of Why We're Liberals: A Political Handbook for Post-Bush America by Eric Alterman | H17 Daily Telegraph Iraq's new army and Britain's soldiers Five years on from the invasion of Iraq, writes Thomas Harding, the apparent success of the American surge and growing stability in Basra are providing cautious grounds for optimism Barack Obama's great gamble Barack Obama had largely succeeded, until now, in presenting himself as the man running for president who just happened to be black. With his speech on race, he has become a black man running for president Brown accused of breaking Iraq promise The Prime Minister has been accused of breaking his promises on Iraq as troops were told a force of 4,000 would need to stay in the country until the end of the year India moves to save nuclear deal with US | H18 Independent Robert Fisk: The only lesson we ever learn is that we never learn Five years on, and still we have not learnt. With each anniversary, the steps crumble beneath our feet, the stones ever more cracked, the sand ever finer. Five years of catastrophe in Iraq and I think of Churchill, who in the end called Palestine a "hell-disaster". Patrick Cockburn: This is the war that started with lies, and continues with lie after lie after lie Our legacy is a dark and forbidding place of militias Leading article: Five years after the invasion, the totality of our failure is clear Recession casts shadow over US interest rate cut The United States has slashed interest rates in the latest attempt to shore up the global banking system and prevent the world from sliding into a deep recession. The Big Question: Who is the Dalai Lama, and why is he the focus of protests over Tibet? Obama speech aims to end race row with bold plea for harmony Dozens hurt as Serbs go on rampage in Kosovo Hundreds of UN police and Nato troops came under fire from Serb protesters yesterday in the worst violence since Kosovo declared independence a month ago |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism From The Washington Independent, a series by Spencer Ackerman on The Rise of the Counterinsurgents. The Iraq Legacy: Intelligence By: Richard Norton-Taylor | The Guardian Britain's most senior intelligence officials allowed their political masters to distort secret information for their own ends: it has done lasting damage Combating Terrorism Center's Sentinel - Drawing the Right Lessons from Israel’s War with Hizb Allah. 'Free CCTV access for security services' The security services could be given access to footage from CCTV cameras that will allow them to spy on people across the UK Securing America's Passenger Rail System Rand Corporation
A 142-page monograph offering a framework for security planners and policymakers to guide cost-effective rail security planning, especially against the risk of terrorism Narcotics: A new report from the International Crisis Group looks at counternarcotics efforts across Latin America and questions whether the region might be losing its campaign against the spread of drug trafficking. | H20 Slate The Full Obama Barack Obama's sweeping speech on race. John Dickerson Five Years Gone What, exactly, has the Iraq war achieved? A lot? A little something? Nothing at all?
Fred Kaplan How Did I Get Iraq Wrong? I forgot that security must come first if democracy is to come later. Josef Joffe How Did I Get Iraq Wrong? I thought we had a chance to stabilize an unstable region, and—I admit it—I wanted to strike back.
Richard Cohen Can't We Ignore Race? Please? The trouble with Obama's speech. Mickey Kaus How Did I Get Iraq Wrong? I'm proud of my service there, but now it's time for us to leave. Phillip Carter Pennsylvania Domination One poll has Hillary Clinton ahead by as many as 26 points. Threading the Race Needle After Obama's speech on race, identity politics may never be the same. The historical foundations of the narcotic drug control regime Source: World Bank Policy Research Working Papers Full Paper (PDF; 128 KB) Modernizing Foreign Assistance for the 21st Century: An agenda for the Next U.S. President
CGD | H21 From The Washington Post Magazine, here's a fond farewell to 209 once-common things that are either obsolete or well on the way. Arthur C Clarke dies aged 90 Spanish divorce to get best school places Separation can mean crucial extra points for offspring when allocation of places is decided
|
