| H1 Iraq after the Surge, a set of two companion reports from the International Crisis Group, examines the security and political aspects of the surge. The New Sunni Landscape, uniquely based on extensive interviews with insurgents, describes the sweeping changes affecting Sunni tribes, al-Qaeda in Iraq and the insurgency. The Need for a New Political Strategy analyses reasons for the current deadlock and suggests a way forward. Both point to the importance of devising a different approach that focuses on pressuring the Iraqi government to agree to political compromise, engaging in negotiations with a fuller range of Iraqi actors, including still-active insurgents, and altering the regional climate. U.S. State Department Country Reports on Terrorism - Strategic Assessment What War? By: Niall Ferguson | Los Angeles Times At home, the economy soars and Americans let the good times roll. Meanwhile, Iraq burns. TLS Whatever happened to Old Europe? The struggle to understand how even a united continent is far from a place at the centre of the world by Mark Mazower The Case Against the West By: Kishore Mahbubani | Foreign Affairs
The West is not welcoming Asia's progress, and its short-term interests in preserving its privileged position in various global institutions are trumping its long-term interests in creating a more just and stable world order. Wall Street Journal Republican Brand Sinks to Record Low McCain continues to run nearly even with Democrats Obama and Clinton, even as only 27% of voters have positive views of the Republican Party, according to the latest WSJ/NBC poll. An unprecedented 73% of voters believe the U.S. is on the wrong track. (Results) Fed Cuts Rate, Signals Pause Ahead The Fed delivered its seventh interest rate cut since the credit crisis began last July but signaled the aggressive rate cutting campaign will likely pause for now. Two voters again dissented, preferring no change. (Statement) Readings on Military Intelligence The Times Could oil mania be coming to an end? Speculation has driven up prices - but things could be about to change Anatole Kaletsky Gas Price Formation, Structure and Dynamics IFRI This 35-page French paper focuses on gas price evolution and mechanisms in importing countries Nicolas Sarkozy's Foreign Policy: Gaullist by Any Other Name \"Survival\" INSS Syria, the NPT, and the IAEA - Ephraim Asculai (Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University)
An Israeli article examining the impact of the newly-released information about the Syrian reactor on the non-proliferation regime Freedom House's 2008 report on press freedom shows a clear decline in both authoritarian countries and established democracies. NYRB The Truth About Putin and Medvedev By Amy Knight The Arab Spring, and After By Max Rodenbeck On Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East by Robin Wright. The Financial Crisis: An Interview with George Soros April 30, 2008 Quarterly Report to Congress Source: Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Full Report (PDF; 10 MB) Or download in sections (PDFs). Iraq Reconstruction Five Years On (PDF; 90 KB)
Source: Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
One-page graphic provides info about provincial status, troop training and security incidents, construction funding and completed projects, oil revenue and exports, security funding.
Shiite-Sunni Rift: Political, Media Hype? - Nicholas Blanford, Christian Science Monitor
NATO Accuses Russia of Stirring Tensions in Rebel Georgia Areas Financial Times How Europe can shape the global system The end of the unipolar moment, underlined by the American fiasco in Iraq and by the ascendancy of China, Brazil and India, raises again questions about how Europe fits within. Focus on specific issues, urges Zaki Laïdi A profitable Union The EU expansion of four years ago helped streamline decision-making – though not to everyone’s liking EU to create new diplomatic service The EU is set to acquire a so-called External Action Service uniting officials in Brussels with diplomats from national foreign ministries The contrast of the Arab world's two faces Ever since oil was discovered, the Arab world has been split between those who have too much capital and those with too little Iran-Europe gas deals anger Washington The US and its allies are worried the sanctions regime against Tehran is under threat from a possible new wave of European investment in Iran’s strategically important gas sector Washington Post Russia's Moves Add To Strains With Georgia Buildup in Separatist Area Follows Downing of Drone Editorial A Separate Peace? Pakistan's new government negotiates with the militants who harbor al-Qaeda and target U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Building Bridges in the Back of Beyond By David Ignatius In the far reaches of Afghanistan, the U.S. Army is gradually learning how to fight a different kind of war Guardian It was fun, but 1968 left us sybaritic, self-absorbed and ruled by the right Geoffrey Wheatcroft: The Paris riots 40 years ago prompt nostalgia on the left, but even the alleged cultural victories had unintended effects Deployment of aircraft carrier a US 'reminder' to Iran, says Gates US defence secretary denies the arrival of a new carrier represents an escalation in tension Russia inflames tensions with Georgia Rapid build-up of troops in Abkhazia threatens Georgia's territorial integrity, Nato warns Are these Syrian nuclear pictures faked? Ewen MacAskill: Doubts about the authenticity of three aerial photographs published by the CIA have been raised by the head of anthropology at the University of Minnesota Things Are Moving, But the U.S. Is Absent By: Rami G. Khouri | The Daily Star One of the important developments in Middle Eastern diplomacy that becomes more obvious with every passing month is the continued marginalization of the United States Human Rights and the Basis for EU Sanctions against Iran, The Washington Institute Debka Kabul Shambles Makes Sorry Spectacle for US, NATO | H2 The American Turkey's Uncertain Future: A Symposium Five views on whether the ruling political party in Turkey is a threat to that country's democracy Washington Institute Tackling Turkey's Image Problem in the European Union By Antonia Ruiz Jimenez Turkish AKP not seeking extension in court case | World | Reuters WORLD NEWS: Ankara eases free speech law to pacify EU , Senior-level talks with Iraqi Kurds in the offing Internal uncertainties impede success on foreign policy issues Turkey to Loosen 2008 Budget to Boost Spending on Dams, Roads Bloomberg Baghdad and Kurds Close the Gap
Council on Foreign Relations ERDAL ŞAFAKKuzey Irak açılımı Sami Kohen Türkiye K. Irak’a açılıyor Semih İdiz Türkiye’nin Suriye-İsrail barışını sağlaması zor CSIS Reviving Turkey’s Stalled EU Drive? CSIS'tan Türkiye-AB değerlendirmesi US pressures Turkcell to abandon $1 bln Syria deal TURKEY HOLDS JOINT AIR FORCE EXERCISES WITH PAKISTAN
Eurasia Daily Monitor Fatma Müge Göçek -Through a Glass Darkly: Consequences of a Politicized Past in Contemporary Turkey Full Text (PDF) Free Dört füze kalkanından ikisi İstanbul ve Ankara’ya
İç Basında Türk Dış Politikası Dış Basında Türkiye - BBC Turkish 0700 VOA Turkish Press Review Google News Turkey TurcoPundit Google News Fırat News Agency KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect Dış Basında Irak BBC Monitoring Inter-national Kırıkkale’nin 148. şehidi Senior-level talks with Iraqi Kurds in the offing Baghdad and Kurds Close the Gap
Council on Foreign Relations - Leader of pro-Kurdish party in Turkey resigns Irak’la başbakan düzeyinde diyalog Conjectural not structural adjustment: Turkish u-turn policy
Kurdish Globe Kurdistan's judicial power to have autonomous budget KRG accepts Turkish initiative for dialogue PKK’ya terörist demem Öcalan Kürt halk önderi PKK’lıya taziye çadırı DTP’den Irak’la stratejik diyalog zamanı
Türkiye birkaç gün içinde Kuzey Irak Kürt yönetimiyle ilk resmi temasını gerçekleştirecek Şırnak’ta 20 PKK’lı kıstırıldı Investigations opened into DTP fraternity night upheaval Turkey plans to set up strategic dialogue mechanism with Iraq Cevdet Aşkın Erbil'den 'PKK'ya tetik çekmeyiz' mesajı Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık Washington Institute Tackling Turkey's Image Problem in the European Union By Antonia Ruiz Jimenez Revisiting NATO-ESDP Relations: Part II SDA
The 32-page second part of a discussion paper on NATO-ESDP relations Asli Bayram: out of the wings on to centre stage - Times Online The German beauty queen and actress whose Turkish father was killed by neo-Nazis tackles Anne Frank on stage EU welcomes 301 amendment but calls for more Avrupa Birliği ile ekonomide de yolun sonu mu? SİNAN ÜLGEN -
Tony Angastiniotis, Natasha Quandour
Akdeniz Birliği dünyayı değiştirecek
Rauf Denktaş Su meselesi Avrupa, AKP'nin kapatılmasını affetmez
Francısco Veıga The Economics Of The Isolation Of Turkish Cypriots The Associated Press: Turkey's parliament softens law restricting free speech Turkey: Parliament Approves 'Cosmetic' Free-Speech Reform - RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY EU hails Turkey free speech move German deputies on fact finding mission to Turkey We will repel attacks against Turkey and Azerbaijan together” Eleştiri dozu artınca bu fotoğraflar ortaya çıktı Dünya gıda krizi sadece spekülatör işi değil MEHMET HÜSEYİN BİLGİN Asli Bayram: out of the wings on to centre stage - Times Online The German beauty queen and actress whose Turkish father was killed by neo-Nazis tackles Anne Frank on stage American intellectuals researching Turkish hospitality, culture Cüppeli Hoca’dan ücretli ’sanal’ TV Serdar Turgut Rakamların gizemi Tecavüz erkekliğin şanından!
Kızı suçlamanın tam Vakit'i 1 Mayıs 2008 Basın Özeti | H3 AKP’nin derinliklerinde son durum AK Parti, savunmasında Venedik ve Kopenhag Kriterleri'ni referans aldı AKP ön savunmasını Anayasa Mahkemesi’ne verdi Savunmadan general çıktı İşte AK Parti'nin ön savunması
İşte Kamu bankalarından Sabah-atv için aldığı kredi ile tartışılan Çalık'a piyasanın biçtiği faiz oranı... Serpil Yılmaz Çankaya, Şam gezisi için ne diyor? Ergenekon Savcısı için HSYK’ye şikayet MILLIYET Siyaset Güncel Dünya Taksim kuşatması İşte provokatörün planı Anayasa Mahkemesi'nden önemli açıklama Bugün demokrasinin 1 Mayıs'la sınav günü Milliyet Son Dakika Cengiz Çandar Türkiye’nin 1 Mayıs’ı; Türkiye’nin dünyadan kopuş günü... Ahmet TaşgetirenBaykal ve Kesici Ruşen - Çakır İşi uzatmak istemeyen Erdoğan kafasını giyotine uzatıyor HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE - Ergenekon, Amerika ve AK Parti... Taha Akyol Neyin savaşı? Fikret Bila Bu korku niye? Hasan Cemal 1 Mayıs’a şiddet ve kan bulaşmasın! Murat Yetkin Velev ki Taksim 1 Mayıs simgesi İsmet Berkan AKP pazarlık mı arıyor? Fehmi Koru Duvar Noose around the neck Taha Kıvanç SOLİ ÖZEL Mayıs'ın 1'i Şamil Tayyar Ali BayramoğluAK Parti adeta bir yalnızlık arayışı içinde… Yasemin Çongar Ertuğrul ÖzkökAile fotoğrafından taşanlar İsmail Küçükkaya
Yargının zirvesinden gündeme bakış...
Ahmet HakanDamat meselesi M Ali BirandTürkiye kendini imhaya götürüyor (2) Cüneyt Ülsever1 Mayıs 1977! Enis Berberoğlu Oktay EkşiDoğru olan EKREM DUMANLI - Bugün bir damla kan akarsa Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. ŞAHİN ALPAY - Alkollü içki ve modernlik Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. MÜMTAZ'ER TÜRKÖNE - 1 Mayıs: Provokasyonlara açık olmak Tamer Korkmaz: Bunca kanıtı yok saymanın dayanılmaz “ağır”lığı! Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Akif Emre: Barışın Türkiye'ye maliyeti Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Yasin Doğan: CHP demokratikleşmeden Türkiye demokratikleşemiyor Vahit Erdem, Cemil Çiçek, Abdüllatif Şener
Hasan Celal Güzel – Özdemir İnce Şükrü Küçükşahin Kim uyarırsa AKP inanır Can Dündar Solduyu lazım! Mehmet Y Yılmaz Yalçın Doğan 2008’de 1928’i özlemek MUHARREM SARIKAYA ERDAL ŞAFAKKuzey Irak açılımı ENGİN ARDIÇArş yiğitler! ERGUN BABAHANAnkara'dakiler krizi hissetmez EMRE AKÖZ1977'den 2008'e: Ya yine yaparlarsa?
Umur Talu HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN NAZLI ILICAK1 Mayıs'ta restleşme MEHMET BARLASHem partili hem de özeleştirici olmak bu düzende günahtır...
MAHMUT ÖVÜR1 Mayıs'tan daha ne kadar korkacağız YAVUZ DONATKöksal Toptan: "Lütfen sağduyu!.."
İstanbul'a OHAL
Ömer Lütfi Mete Yalancı hukukla bize sövenlere
Burak BEKDİL
1 Mayıs kutlu olsun
Altan Öymen 1 Mayıs 'İşçinin Emekçinin Bayramı'
Nuray Mert Kurultay bitti sıra İstanbul’da Ergenekon savcısına suiistimal suçlaması!
Devlet kendisine meydan okutmaz Serdar Turgut İşçi fetişi üzerine
Nuh Gönültaş İlhan Selçuk’un ‘Güzel Amerikalı’sı
Murat Birsel MİT Başbakan’a haber verir (mi?) Mustafa Erdoğan Yanaşma siyaseti değil cesaret ve onur AK Parti, savunmasında Venedik ve Kopenhag Kriterleri'ni referans aldı Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Savunmayı 3 kişilik heyet teslim etti Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. İstikrar tekerine çomak sokanları millet iyi biliyor Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. İki yıl tartışılan 301 Meclis'ten 13 saatte geçti Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. 'Gül, gerginliğin giderilmesi için aktif rol üstlenecek' Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. CHP il başkanından skandal sözler Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Kayıp trilyonlar Yıldız'ı koltuğundan etti, yeni sayman seçilecek Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil. Jandarma er Demirtaş, DTP liderliğinden istifa etti May Day tension mounts, İstanbul on high alert Sebahattin Önkibar Her derde deva Ergenekon ! İsrafil Kumbasar Milliyetçilik, işçiyle emekçiyle meydanlara inmek değil midir? ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Bundan sonra faizler de yüksek olacak Para politikası sıkışacak, enflasyonda fiili hedef yüzde 9,3 Ercan KumcuDış açıkların artması elimizde mi Erdal Sağlam CB: 4 percent inflation possible in no less than 2 years Deniz Gökçe
2008 Mart sonu kamu borcu OKAN MÜDERRİSOĞLU
Enflasyon yıl sonu % 9.3 olur, hedef 2011'de tutar Hurşit Güneş Türk Telekom kelepire mi gidiyor? Metin Münir Bazıları Katar sever Turkey to Loosen 2008 Budget to Boost Spending on Dams, Roads
Bloomberg Turkey consumes most expensive gas in the world Bu nasıl kriz?
Mahfi Eğilmez Bankalar kredilerini neden artırdılar?
Fatih Özatay – Seyfettin Gürsel İstihdam paketinin dört boyutu |
| NATO Accuses Russia of Stirring Tensions in Rebel Georgia Areas Editorial | H5 Washington Post Russia's Moves Add To Strains With Georgia Buildup in Separatist Area Follows Downing of Drone Editorial A Separate Peace? Pakistan's new government negotiates with the militants who harbor al-Qaeda and target U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Building Bridges in the Back of Beyond By David Ignatius In the far reaches of Afghanistan, the U.S. Army is gradually learning how to fight a different kind of war. Gas Tax Gotcha Sen. Obama's courageous stand in favor of fuel conservation CIA Chief Sees Unrest Rising With Population Mullen Cites U.S. 'Vulnerability' Transition to New President in Wartime Concerns the Military Obama Catches Up In Support From Hill Endorsements in Congress Meet Clinton's Reacting to Sanctions, Belarus Expels 10 More U.S. Diplomats Attacks on U.S. Troops in Iraq Push April Death Toll to 48 Obama's Misplay By Robert D. Novak, Obama's reaction to Rev. Wright's rhetoric may not have been swift enough. A Pastor's Influence By David S. Broder, Barack Obama risks political damage by leaving vague what it was that attracted him to Rev. Wright | H6 Guardian It was fun, but 1968 left us sybaritic, self-absorbed and ruled by the right Geoffrey Wheatcroft: The Paris riots 40 years ago prompt nostalgia on the left, but even the alleged cultural victories had unintended effects Deployment of aircraft carrier a US 'reminder' to Iran, says Gates US defence secretary denies the arrival of a new carrier represents an escalation in tension Russia inflames tensions with Georgia Rapid build-up of troops in Abkhazia threatens Georgia's territorial integrity, Nato warns Are these Syrian nuclear pictures faked? Ewen MacAskill: Doubts about the authenticity of three aerial photographs published by the CIA have been raised by the head of anthropology at the University of Minnesota Wright and wrong Leader: The rift between the pastor and Barack Obama runs deeper than words. It is a generational conflict Fed cuts key rate to 2% but urges caution over inflation US central bank cuts interest rates for the seventh time since last summer in bid to deal with market US economy growth beats prediction Pakistan's coalition leaders in crisis talks Coalition government leaders meet for talks in Dubai to avoid a damaging split Blood on His Hands By: Ann Clwyd | For some, Tariq Aziz is the benign face of the Ba'ath regime in Iraq. Not so: he is as culpable for its crimes against humanity as other senior leaders. Crude logic Leader: There is a puzzle over oil prices - and it is not what is driving them up |
| H7 Things Are Moving, But the U.S. Is Absent By: Rami G. Khouri | The Daily Star One of the important developments in Middle Eastern diplomacy that becomes more obvious with every passing month is the continued marginalization of the United States Human Rights and the Basis for EU Sanctions against Iran, The Washington Institute The pros and cons of a Lebanese dialogue by Michael Young MESH ‘Freedom’s Unsteady March’ Iran-US talks await new leadership era
It is unlikely that either the George W Bush administration or hardliners in Tehran will initiate serious bilateral talks prior to the US presidential elections in November. The prospect of dialogue with Iran seems plausible after the vote, but only if the next US president is willing to risk strengthening President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's hand before Iran's 2009 presidential polls Commentary: Wilderness of mirrors By ARNAUD DE BORCHGRAVE (UPI) -- "Every lie contains a truth and every truth contains a lie" is a safe rule of thumb when Shakespeare's powers of observation are applied to the Middle East. With each shake of the kaleidoscope, the configuration of the key players becomes a wilderness of mirrors. The dictators are back, and we don’t care: With the fall of communism and the rise of globalisation in the 1990s, the West believed democracy had won — how wrong it was (and a profile of Robert Kagan, a neocon by any other name) Iraq Reconstruction Five Years On (PDF; 90 KB)
Source: Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
One-page graphic provides info about provincial status, troop training and security incidents, construction funding and completed projects, oil revenue and exports, security funding. Syria, the NPT and the IAEA INSS
An Israeli article examining the impact of the newly-released information about the Syrian reactor on the non-proliferation regime Bashar al-Assad rushes to hug Washington
RIA Novosti Pope Benedict XVI on the World Stage: What He Said at the U.N. By: Jonas Clark | World Politics Review
The visit to the United States earlier this month of Pope Benedict XVI, the spiritual leader of more than 60 million Americans and 1 billion people worldwide, was a whirlwind affair. For all his meetings with American dignitaries, political leaders, and the like, however, Benedict's most important moment was not focused on America, per se, but rather the entire community of nations. The emerging ‘New Middle East’ by JOSCHKA FISCHER* Chalabi, RAND and the Iraq War | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq April has been the deadliest month for U.S. troops since Sept. 2007. Offensive Casts oubt on Iraqi Forces – Warships 'to Remind Iran of US Power' – Egypt eyes public sector pay rise
President Mubarak promises a 30% pay rise for public sector workers to compensate for price increases. Lebanon: Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper reports that Syrian fighters are traveling to isolated military encampments in Lebanon belonging to Palestinian groups. | H9 Ha’aretz – Holocaust Remembrance Day / Understanding the Holocaust Many out there still do not fathom the horror, uniqueness and significance of the Nazi Holocaust Talking about war with Iran is not necessarily bad U.S. officials: Bush to wait to present final-status guidelines Abbas reportedly disappointed by inability to convince U.S. to press Israel harder on final status issues Islamic Jihad: Willing to accept truce only if Gaza siege lifted Bahrain's only Jewish lawmaker rumored to be the country's next ambassador to the U.S. Rosner's Guest: symbolic return of Palestinian refugees is needed The superdelegates are in a quandary The long-term question is how the Democratic party will resolve the rifts that have formed in its delicate fabric Truce Deal / Hamas claims victory State Department report says Iran supporting several Palestinian groups, including group loyal to Fatah. Carter's Hamas hug haunts Obama America's next leader must have both Carter's idealism and Bush's anger By DANIEL PIPES Biographical details suggest the presidential candidate has not always been a Christian Rattling The Cage: For a cease-fire with Hamas [ LARRY DERFNER Washington Watch: It's still a crime [ DOUGLAS BLOOMFIELD Yedioth Ahronoth 'What if Hitler had nukes?'
National ceremony marking commencement of Holocaust Remembrance Day held at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Peres: What would have been left if Nazis had WMDs? Olmert: To deny the Holocaust is to deny Israel's right to exist Palestinians Reject Israeli Peace Deal Map Failing the test of history/ Sherman Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine The EU, Israel and Hamas CER A 22-page paper proposing a means of resolving the stalemate between Israel and Hamas The Nuclear Defense of Israel - Gregory Scoblete Israeli Leader Warns Against Golan Giveaway Rice Sees Little Chance for Syria-Israel Peace Deal A New Pro-Israel Voice in Washington By: Peter Buxbaum | ISN Security Watch J Street, a new pro-Israeli lobby group in DC, seeks to promote the voice of mainstream Jewish Americans who feel a new approach is needed in US policy What’s Behind Olmert’s Flirtation With Syria? New York Jewish Week Why Syria Matters to Israel
Arab News Exclusive: Damascus co-opted to Hamas-Cairo talks on Gaza truce |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Iraq's Army - not ready yet As US troops draw down, Iraqi forces are taking the lead. Reviews so far are mixed. Is the Sunni-Shiite rift mostly politics and media hype? A panel discussion Tuesday in Doha, Qatar, was dominated by the perception that the Western media hypes up tensions by focusing too much on the minority of radicals. U.S. death toll rises as it digs in against Iraq's Shiite militias At least 47 US soldiers were killed in Iraq in April, making it the deadliest month since September. Many of the casualties are a result of the recent assault on the Mahdi Army. Blacks wrestle with Obama-Wright rift Many understand, but some may doubt Obama's 'blackness.' Economy growing ... but just barely GDP rose at a 0.6 percent pace in the first quarter, the US government reports. As Britain votes, Gordon Brown faces first big test The prime minister's Labour Party, the dominant force in British politics for over a decade, is trailing the Conservatives by as much as 18 percent ahead of Thursday's local elections. US Digs in Against Shiite Militias - Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor
Shiite-Sunni Rift: Political, Media Hype? - Nicholas Blanford, Christian Science Monitor
The real US deficit with China – knowledge As China returns as a world power, Americans should update their impressions. U.S. eyes shift away from corn ethanol Worried about high food prices, Congress tries to push the biofuel industry to use nonfood crops. Pakistani leaders' rift strains stability Top parties missed a joint deadline Wednesday to reinstate judges deposed by President Musharraf. A 10-year timeout for global warming, study says The German research effort is one of the first to attempt 10-year climate forecasts. ASIA Three Chinese banks in world's top four... A Failure to Influence Bush By: Kevin Rafferty | The Japan Times
As the U.S. squanders its wealth, power and influence, the implications for Japan are grave. The Case Against the West By: Kishore Mahbubani | Foreign Affairs
The West is not welcoming Asia's progress, and its short-term interests in preserving its privileged position in various global institutions are trumping its long-term interests in creating a more just and stable world order. China Focus of US Attention in Asia Central Asia: Water Woes Stoke Economic Worries By: Joanna Lillis | Eurasianet
After enduring extreme cold this past winter, Central Asia is bracing for what some officials say will be a dry summer. Those predictions, in turn, are stirring fears of prolonged power shortages that seriously impair economic functions. Iran holds key to India's energy insecurity
In terms of its energy needs, India has woken to the simple fact that nearly all roads lead to Tehran, both as a source of energy as well as an outlet for other countries' energy exports to India. This could be the first step in a whole gamut of economic, trade, cultural, political and even security cooperation. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi US's Pakistan policy under fire
Appeals are growing in the United States for the George W Bush administration to reassess its "war on terror" and Pakistan's place in it. In particular, US policymakers are being asked to place more confidence in Islamabad's plans to make deals with tribal leaders, even though these play into the hands of the Taliban. - Jim Lobe Is Afghanistan Worth It? - Dennis Tabbernor, Globe and Mail opinion
Pakistan Key to War in Afghanistan - Greg Sheridan, The Australian opinion
China: Is Political Reform Possible? Afghanistan A changing war Becoming more like Iraq State of Korean Democracy By: Peter M. Beck | The Japan Times
Recent elections in South Korea showed the country to be one of most dynamic democracies in the world, but one whose First World economy could easily be dragged down by Third World politics Iranian President’s Visit a Test for India By: Somini Sengupta and Heather Timmons | The New York Times With a nuclear energy deal with the United States snagged over its domestic politics, energy-hungry India hosted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a brief but highly symbolic visit Tuesday evening, keeping alive its prospects of securing natural gas and nurturing its relations with an increasingly isolated government in Tehran China-Taiwan: A new briefing from the Economist Intelligence Unit looks at the awkward but growing ties between China and Taiwan. Shortage of Laborers Plagues India India has a chronic labor shortage in the area where it needs workers most. So many infrastructure and construction projects are now under way that the pool of workers with even the most basic skills is running dangerously dry, which may slow India's economic growth. Push comes to shove in Afghanistan In his latest assessment, US President George W Bush admits it's going to be a "long struggle" in Afghanistan (this after seven years of fighting the Taliban). US Marines, fresh in the country, are venturing into uncharted territory, while more coalition troops are being deployed. For the Taliban, having made space for themselves in their strategic backyard in Pakistan through dubious peace deals, a new battle has now begun. - Syed Saleem Shahzad | H11 IHT EUROPE European press review TLS Whatever happened to Old Europe? The struggle to understand how even a united continent is far from a place at the centre of the world by Mark Mazower BBC Mardell's Europe
From the Baltic to the Deep Black Sea: Another European bloc Revisiting NATO-ESDP Relations: Part II SDA The 32-page second part of a discussion paper on NATO-ESDP relations Trends in European Defense Spending, 2001-2006
Source: Center for Strategic & International Studies NATO Alarm Over Russian Troop Build-up - Will South Stream push EU off course?
European Voice From the latest issue of Ethics & International Affairs, Philip Coyle and Victoria Samson on Missile Defense Malfunction: Why the Proposed U.S. Missile Defenses in Europe Will Not Work Irish Party says U.S. 'Opposed to EU Integration' By: Simon Roughneen | The Washington Times
The party once led by the current European Union ambassador to Washington is claiming that the U.S. is actively opposing European integration, posing a potential embarrassment as Prime Minister Bertie Ahern prepares to address a joint session of Congress today Postcards from the Balkans by Michael Totten Walker's World: French births soar (UPI) -- France has overtaken Ireland to boast the highest birthrate in Europe, which is bad news for anti-immigrant parties | H12 RFE/RL BBC Russia warned over Georgia move Nato says Russia's troop build-up in Georgia's two breakaway regions risks escalating tension in the area. Georgia's separatism woes Q&A: Russia-Georgia ties The Economist Russia and Georgia rattle sabres Tension grows over the breakaway region of Abkhazia How to Conquer Georgia By: Yulia Latynina | The Moscow Times
Over the weekend, Russian Foreign Ministry official Valery Kenyaikin cautioned Georgia against using NATO forces to resolve the territorial conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, saying Moscow would take ""all possible measures to protect its citizens if fighting broke out"" in these areas Turkmenistan Doubles Natural Gas Price to Iran By: John C. K. Daly | Eurasia Daily Monitor
Nearly four months after a pricing dispute shut down Turkmen natural gas deliveries to Iran, the pipelines are again open. The bad news for Tehran is that the new price per thousand cubic meters (tcm) is nearly twice what it paid Ashgabat in 2007 From NYRB, a review of Putin: The Results: An Independent Expert Report by Boris Nemtsov and Vladimir Milov LA Times 3 immigrants killed in Russia amid wave of ethnic violence Racially motivated attacks have risen sharply as white supremacists wage a violent campaign to drive out immigrants Google News Azerbaijan Russia Will Send More Troops to Abkhazia By: Matt Siegel | The Moscow Times
The Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday that Russia would bolster its peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia in response to Georgian plans to invade the breakaway region What the Russian papers say A diplomatic deal on Nagorno-Karabakh is the wisest path to take
European Voice |
| H13 The Times Could oil mania be coming to an end? Speculation has driven up prices - but things could be about to change Anatole Kaletsky Super-delegates waver on Obama Successive missed chances to finish off Hillary Clinton have reinforced doubts over his ability to transcend US divisions Nato alarm over Russian troop build-up Kremlin and the West square up over Georgia as Russia is accused of planning "military aggression" against its former Soviet satellite EU boys living in the Kabul bubble The Afghan police need more help than they are getting if security is to be established Richard Beeston The problems of agreeing on justice for judges The issue of the reinstatement of judges sacked by Musharraf may be lethal: to the coalition, to the judiciary and to Pakistan’s Constitution Bronwen Maddox Why It Matters Despite appearances, a vote in local elections is well worth casting Wright Hook Obama's toughest test yet could be the making of his candidacy Wall Street Journal Republican Brand Sinks to Record Low McCain continues to run nearly even with Democrats Obama and Clinton, even as only 27% of voters have positive views of the Republican Party, according to the latest WSJ/NBC poll. An unprecedented 73% of voters believe the U.S. is on the wrong track. (Results) The Big Easy
When in doubt, the current Fed always cuts interest rates. Democrats and the Killing Fields
By Arthur Herman
The world cannot afford to have America discredited again. The Darfur War Crimes Test
By Mia Farrow and Eric Reeves
Will the U.N. fail yet again to put justice before sovereignty? Where Were Obama's Friends? By Daniel Henninger
Wonder Land: In his crucible, not one Obama ally came forward. Further cut in US interest rates The Federal Reserve makes a further cut in US interest rates, reducing them from 2.25% to 2.0%. Opinion: Five reasons why the Fed is done cutting interest rates Oil in 2012: $200 or $50?
The US broad money supply by one measure has increased at an annual rate above 30% for most of this year. Maintained, that could triple prices within four years and oil would look moderate at US$200 a barrel, with gold hitting $2,000. Good sense by the US Fed and politicians might save the day, or a full-scale revolt by bond dealers. - Martin Hutchinson | H14 Financial Times How Europe can shape the global system The end of the unipolar moment, underlined by the American fiasco in Iraq and by the ascendancy of China, Brazil and India, raises again questions about how Europe fits within. Focus on specific issues, urges Zaki Laïdi A profitable Union The EU expansion of four years ago helped streamline decision-making – though not to everyone’s liking EU to create new diplomatic service The EU is set to acquire a so-called External Action Service uniting officials in Brussels with diplomats from national foreign ministries The contrast of the Arab world's two faces Ever since oil was discovered, the Arab world has been split between those who have too much capital and those with too little Iran-Europe gas deals anger Washington The US and its allies are worried the sanctions regime against Tehran is under threat from a possible new wave of European investment in Iran’s strategically important gas sector Militants offer Israel six-month truce A dozen Palestinian factions back the latest ceasefire proposal, which is aimed at calming the situation in Gaza and comes as a result of Egypt’s mediation efforts A deal for Serbia The EU must stay the course, despite pressures to go slow on enlargement. Leaving the Balkans out of the union would leave a dangerous hole in the heart of Europe Fed hints at pause as rates cut to 2% The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point to 2 per cent and signalled its preference to pause at its next meeting in June Half of east Europe migrants go home Study suggests that fears of an expanding migrant population are unfounded as half of the 1m central and eastern Europeans who came to work in Britain since 2004 have left US warns over battle against al-Qaeda The west is struggling in the ideological battle against radical Islam and has failed to provide an effective response to extremist propaganda, the US said Eurozone is strong but not immune Certain national leaders may press the ECB for lower rates, even if the area as a whole continues to prosper. Their pleas should be ignored UN seeks Gulf boost to aid The United Nations is trying to nudge the rich countries of the Gulf into channelling more foreign aid through international institutions and away from bilateral projects that often favour the Arab and Islamic world Growth fails to allay recession fears The US economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the first three months of this year, avoiding outright contraction owing to a build-up in business inventories and continued support from exports The return of high-risk optimism Only at the Milken Institute Global Conference would the one song played between financial debates be Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds, writes John Gapper. “Don’t worry ’bout a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be alright” Gideon Rachman’s blog Obama, Wright and judgement: Barack Obama’s long dalliance with Jeremiah Wright, while understandable, is a rather calculating act for a man who claims to represent a new sort of politics House draws line on North Korea A key congressional committee approved legislation that could complicate US efforts to reach a denuclearisation deal with North Korea Clinton exploits furore over pastor’s views Hillary Clinton fanned the flames surrounding Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright when she voiced outrage over “anti-American” remarks by her rival’s former pastor WTO slaps down US anti-dumping procedure A method known as “zeroing” used by the US in anti-dumping investigations and reviews was slapped down by the top court of the World Trade Organisation | H15 Los Angeles Times Editorial What War? By: Niall Ferguson | Los Angeles Times
At home, the economy soars and Americans let the good times roll. Meanwhile, Iraq burns. Death toll in Iraq jumped in April |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism Revisiting NATO-ESDP Relations: Part II SDA
The 32-page second part of a discussion paper on NATO-ESDP relations Balancing the Pendulum of Freedom (PDF; 317 KB)
Source: U.S. Army War College (via DTIC) Trends in European Defense Spending, 2001-2006
Source: Center for Strategic & International Studies Full Report (PDF; 334 KB) Readings on Military Intelligence - Norfolk, The Norfolk Blog Secret spy court approved record number of wiretaps in 2007 Al-Qaeda 'Greatest Threat' to US – Russell D. Howard and Erik Iversen of Tufts University write that the United States is fighting the "global war on terrorism" in the wrong way. The key to defeating al-Qaeda, they say, doesn't lie in trying to undermine its extremist ideology but in defeating its strategy. | A new poll shows McCain is the most liked of the three remaining candidates.
Chadwick Matlin An Exploration of Technology Diffusion
Source: Harvard Business School Working Papers Full Paper (PDF; 774 KB) | The mystery of how migratory birds exploit the Earth's magnetic field using an internal compass may have been solved by scientists who have discovered how molecules in the eye can be orientated by weak magnetic lines. They are accused of some of the worst war crimes of the 20th century. Now a final bid has been launched to bring them to justice before they die. In Peter Gay’s reading, modernist thinking is reduced to a psychological impulse: the lure of heresy. Yes, but... more» Civil War At The Wall Street Journal 'When sunbeams struck his face, he squealed loudly' 'Downstairs family' start the adjustment to a world they have never experienced A review of Sneaker Wars: The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and Puma and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sport by Barbara Smit. The all-England European Cup final marks a new flowering for English football
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