| H1 Guardian Thousands die in
Chinese earthquake Rescuers struggle to reach victims as state media put death toll at 10,000 in worst affected province Daily Star Four days that changed the Middle East Rami G. Khouri writes that the consequences of what has happened in the past week in Lebanon may portend an extraordinary but constructive new development: the possible emergence of the first American-Iranian joint political governance system in the Arab world. Foreign Policy Brain Trusts: McCain Advisers Council on Foreign Relations Financial Times Oily truth about US foreign policy In 1973, the US imported 33% of its oil; today it imports about 60%. So far, US politicians have responded to this problem with a mix of wishful thinking and anger, writes Gideon Rachman MIDDLE EAST FOCUS: Can the Arabs pull Lebanon back from the brink? Food investment, not imperialism There is a risk powerful nations will use aggressive foreign policies to secure food supplies and exclude competitors, but it has not arrived yet Showdown between Hizbullah and Beirut - David Schenker
Sadly, for Washington, there are few realistic policy options to reverse the Hizbullah coup. (Washington Institute for Near East Policy) The Times Who's afraid of big bad China? Why? Chinese success is good for the world. And the more we discover about China the better Chris Patten Preventing an Arms Race in Outer Space By: James Carroll | The Boston Globe The American Academy of Arts and Sciences recently published "Russian and Chinese Responses to US Military Plans in Space," a stark look at where the American project is taking the world. Download the Paper (952 KB) Debka Exclusive: Syria hardens positions, retracts peace feelers to Israel Wall Street Journal From Lebanon to HezbollahstanBy Bret Stephens
Global View: When did the transformation begin? Christian Science Monitor Medvedev's test case with the West Russia's new president inherits a tinderbox in Georgia, a NATO aspirant. The Danger of Isolationism By: Andrei Kortunov | The Moscow Times Russia has only two allies -- its army and navy."" This phrase, which was originally uttered 150 years ago by Tsar Alexander III, has become quite popular over the past several years to describe Moscow's shortage of allies. China's Energy Security Moves It Closer to the Middle East By: Weiming Zhao | The Daily Star
Energy consumption in China is growing as fast as the rapidly growing Chinese economy. China has changed from a net oil exporter to a net oil importer. In recent years, 40 to 50 percent of the oil that China consumes is imported. Of that, 60 percent comes from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and Sudan are the main suppliers. Asia Times China's weakness
the greater danger
Claims that China is an emerging superpower overlook the reality that the ineffectually governed country will struggle for decades to get and stay beyond subsistence. The West, rather than fearing China's expansion, should be preparing for a dramatic setback in Chinese economic growth and resulting breakdowns in domestic order. WSJ The Challenge From ChinaBy Mark Helprin
Americans would be foolish to take our military superiority for granted.
NYT DAVID BROOKS The Neural Buddhists The cognitive revolution is not going to undermine faith in God — it’s going to challenge faith in the Bible. Washington Post Editorial Inauspicious VisitPresident Bush's tour of the Middle East is timed to highlight his failures U.S. Outlook Is Worst Since '92, Poll Finds Results Give Democrats Edge Weak and Failing States: Evolving Security Threats and U.S. Policy (Updated 18 April 2008) (PDF; 197 KB) Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists) Ha’aretz – Bush to Haaretz: Peace process not contingent on one man U.S. president offers words of support for Olmert, saying he is 'an honest guy' and a 'strategic thinker.' Interview with Bush: the transcript Lebanese army says will use force from Tues. to stop fighting Country embroiled in worst crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, as death toll reaches over 80 ANALYSIS / In Lebanon, the new reality has taken over Jerusalem Post 'Accept truce, or resistance will go on' Hamas says negotiations over Schalit's release will begin only after Israel agrees to hudna proposal America's elusive search for Arab-Israeli peace By AARON DAVID MILLER Its optimistic, split-the-difference world view doesn't suit the regional reality. Our World: How Lebanon was lost [ CAROLINE GLICK Palestinian state - as elusive as ever Palestinians still blaming their suffering on everyone but themselves. Obama should thank Hillary If Obama is lucky, Americans will be more concerned with the economy. The Other Mideast Talks
Newsweek Yedioth Ahronoth How Syria hid the reactor US report warns tactics employed by Damascus to conceal nuclear facility may be used by others The Syrian option/ Yaron London As Hizbullah inches closer to Lebanon takeover, we must reassess new options WSJ Brazil Joins New Economic Powers Brazil seemed out of its league when compared to dynamic emerging economies of Russia, India and China. But without great fanfare, Brazil's economy has turned a big corner. Already a power in agriculture and natural resources, it has added an elusive ingredient: a currency with staying power. Lebanon's Sunni Bloc Built Militia, Officials Say By: Borzou Daragahi and Raed Rafei | Los Angeles Times The Future movement used a security firm to assemble a private force, officials say. But the fighters were no match for the Shiite group Hezbollah. PostGlobal Israel Will Thrive, Flaws and All Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Israel Must Adapt To Survive Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Arabs Must Accept Israel Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Israel Must Accept Status Quo | H2 Web exclusive: 'We are all Kemalists' by Nicholas Birch | Prospect Magazine May 2008 issue 146 Turkey's supposedly antagonistic "democratic Islamists" and "authoritarian secularists" are actually cut from the same cloth Reuters Can Turkey survive without an IMFcrutch?
Turkish jets bomb northern Iraq for 3rd straight night EDM TURKS BECOMING MORE PESSIMISTIC AND INTROSPECTIVE Gen. Başbuğ to be more restraint but... Turkey’s Military and its Role in Politics FT MARKETS & INVESTING: Türk Telekom in record fundraising Clinton Kapatma davasını izliyoruz, Türkiye'de demokrasiden tarafız Terörle mücadele için ‘İran’la işbirliği yapılabilir’ mesajı
· Ambassador Wilson’s interview with Mustafa Balbay, Cumhuriyet Newspaper, Ankara (May 8, 2008) Ambassador Wilson’s interview with Fikret Bila, Milliyet, Ankara (May 8, 2008) 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 4 ajanı yakalandı Four Iraqi Kurdish agents arrested at southeastern border PKK is fighting back but without Iraqi Kurdish backing PKK Irak’tan tasfiye ediliyor sıra Türkiye’de Cevdet Aşkın İlnur Çevik PKK is fighting back but without Iraqi Kurdish backing Hasan Cemal Kuzey Irak’ta başlayan olumlu süreci devam ettirmek için... 3 bin 500 PKK'lıya sivil operasyon - Haşim Söylemez PKK kendi devlet sistemini kurmuş - Gamze Polat Kürtler kime oy verecek? Kerim Balcı What if there was peace in the Middle East Yalçın Doğan İnmek için dağa çıkanlar
Bilal Çetin Terörle mücadelenin “öteki” boyutu... Mahir Kaynak Geri çekilme Iraqi Kurds say Turkey resumes bombing PKK targets in N. Iraq Teslim olan iki PKK’lı serbest Iraqi officials: Turkey hits Kurdish bases in Iraq
Hüsnü Mahalli İsrail gerçeği Apo'yu öve öve bitiremedi Barzani ajanları askeri sırlarla birlikte yakalandı İran ordusundan PJAK’a operasyon
Ajanlar tutuklandı! İran’dan PKK’ya operasyon ‘Yeni bombardıman’ iddiası Tamer Korkmaz: Haritaları ellerinde kaldı! Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
İbrahim Karagül: Hizbullah Beyrut'u aldı, ABD Lübnan'ı kaybetti Bilgiler geçici olarak kullanılabilir değil.
Hakan Albayrak: Siyonistlerin yanlış hesabı
Türkiye, Golan ihtilafı için ideal bir arabulucu; ama çözüm zaman alacak Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık M Ali BirandTürkiye'nin gerçek muhalefeti: AB ERDAL ŞAFAK AB'nin rüşvetleri İlter Türkmen Talat-Hristofyas ikilisi ve çözüm Cengiz Çandar Kıbrıs’ın iki yanında... Modern Müslüman demokrasisi cesaretlendirilmeli
BARÇIN YİNANÇ
Silvia TİRYAKİ Ariana FERENTINOU
Turkish political crisis bodes ill for Cyprus Cyprus Mail Lessons from the motherlands
Cyprus Mail
Derya Sazak Talat, AB, asker TTK: We have documents refuting Armenian claims OIC head İhsanoğlu condemns ‘unjust embargo' on KKTC Can Dündar Sırbistan dersleri Hasan Kanbolat Queen makes official visit to Turkey Nuh Gönültaş CHP, Deniz Baykal ve arkadaşları nasıl AB düşmanı oldular! Ermenistan’a ilk Türk kafilesi AB Türkiye için hazır olmalı Güler Kömürcü
Kraliçem sen çok yaşa... Atina’dan, Türk Dışişleri internet sayfasına tepki Finlandiya AB yolunda güçlü destekçimiz Benimsemediği Lenin’i örnek almış Hedo Okur Tuncay Nihat Altintop
Neden saklıyorsunuz? Türk Telekom’dan hisse alan yabancının kimliği ‘SIR’ kaldı ÖSS’de katsayı yerine puan sistemi Sabancı Üniversitesi’nden Hotamışlıgil’in laboratuvarına Ruşen - Çakır Nedir bu “Galatasaray ruhu?” Diva’nın cenazesinde medeniyetler ittifakı Erdoğan’a ’attığını vuran’ müdür Ercan: Birikmiş gerginlik depremle boşalacak Beni korkunç gösteriyorlar Smokin giyecek Hastane: İyileşti, taburcu ettik Danıştay’da başkan yarışı Dünyanın besin merkezi Türkiye! Anadolu'nun girişimci ruhu kraliçeleri kendine çekiyor 'Vurgun 58'de 14 gözaltı Yayınevi cinayetinin kilit ismi olayı hatırlamıyor!
İki şanslı enişte daha VATAN'ın dün manşetten duyurduğu "Eniştelere kıyak terfi" atamalarına iki örnek daha... Asker kaçakları vatandaş kalacak Leyla Gencer, Turkish-Born Soprano and a Popular Star of La Scala, Dies 13 Mayıs 2008 Basın Özeti | H3 Ak Parti'de 31 Temmuz seferberliği 3 bin 500 PKK'lıya sivil operasyon - Haşim Söylemez PKK kendi devlet sistemini kurmuş - Gamze Polat
Ulusalcı kale düştü Tuncay Özkan'dan ilk açıklama Tuncay Özkan kaç kişiyi şaşırttı.com Beni kenara koymak kolay değil Genelkurmay, CHP'yi de fişlemiş Yekta Güngör Özden’den 'ajan' suçlamasına tepki
Pastörün isyanı
ÖSS'ye İngiliz modeli
Lüks otoda suikast silahı Susurluk gibi Milliyet Son Dakika Murat Yetkin Genelkurmay PKK’ya yol gösteriyor Cengiz Çandar Kıbrıs’ın iki yanında... Ahmet Taşgetiren Sömürge valisi söylemi Ruşen - Çakır Taha Akyol Deniz Gezmiş efsanesi Fikret Bila Hasan Cemal Kuzey Irak’ta başlayan olumlu süreci devam ettirmek için... Murat Yetkin Genelkurmay PKK’ya yol gösteriyor İsmet Berkan Demokrasi kurmak Fehmi Koru Kıbrıs'ta çözüm hem yakın, hem uzak Taha Kıvanç Cumhurbaşkanı ve redingotu Tek yol: Referandum HASAN CELAL GÜZEL Eyüp Can Ankara’da yeni senaryo: AK Parti kapatılmayabilir Şamil Tayyar Ali Bayramoğlu Siyasi kriz ve sonrası Yasemin Çongar Ertuğrul Özkök Oray Eğin Bir satışın anatomisi ‘Batı’ gözüyle laiklik (1)
NURAY MERT Ahmet Hakan M Ali BirandTürkiye'nin gerçek muhalefeti: AB Cüneyt ÜlseverDünyadaki devinimler ve kapatma davası (I) Enis BerberoğluKim, neden uzatır?
Gül yerinde kalabilir mi? Erdoğan aday olabilir mi? Mehmet Altan Sabancı’yı kim öldürdü? Berat Özipek En kötü senaryo Nuray Başaran Herkes terk ettiğinde Andrew Finkel Politics of change or changing politics? Yalçın Bayer Türkiye bu ilginç sözleri konuşuyor Oktay EkşiYargı reformu Özdemir İnce Lagendayık Enişte Erdoğan’ın yerine oynuyor Mehmet Y YılmazOrtalama Türklerle ilgili bir araştırma MUHARREM SARIKAYA'Tavuk oyunu...'
Kemalizmi dinin alternatifi gibi görmek
Kanaltürk’ün İpek’e satılmasını, Tuncay Özkan’la konuştum! Perinçek'in paşaları -
Şener: “AK Parti benden vazgeçemez, ben de AK Parti’den vazgeçemem” Eser Karakaş Güvenlik sektörü krizi ERDAL ŞAFAK AB'nin rüşvetleri ENGİN ARDIÇ ERGUN BABAHANYeni dünya düzeni EMRE AKÖZYalanları deşifre etmek kabahat mi?
Umur TaluSüper benzin yoksa süper güç de yok!
“Beni beğenmeyenler gitsin, kendi partilerini kursun...”
ALTAN ÖYMEN Basın ve önyargılar
TÜRKER ALKAN Hadi Uluengin Sansürlendim mi HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN NAZLI ILICAK Çörtoğlu ve juristokrasi MEHMET BARLASBizi Penelope mi, tavus mu, Phoenix mi, Sisyphus mu simgeliyor? MAHMUT ÖVÜR Merkez sağcılar da 'Zeytin Dalı' peşinde! YAVUZ DONAT Medya
Sabahattin Önkibar Yargı'ya darbe hazırlığı! ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM En renkli simanın çarpıcı sözleri: Borsa beladır küçüklere yer yoktur Ercan Kumcu Enflasyonla kaynak yaratılmaz Seyfettin GürselKüreselleşme, enflasyon ve para politikası Güven Sak Brezilya'nın yaptığı ama bizim yapamadığımız nedir Erdal SağlamIMF’siz ekonomi yönetimi şimdi görülecek Merkez Bankası'ndan üçlü uyarı Turkey Raises $1.9 Billion in Telekom Share Sale, Biggest IPO Murat Yülek Fiscal policy at critical juncture East-West gap in Turkey widening IMF urges Turkey speedy decision on future relations Turkey's Akbank says doesn't expect Citi stake sale Sıra vergiye geldiğinde işadamları yoksul çıktı Türkiye, hedge fonlar için yolgeçen hanı Politikasız Türkiye...
KORKMAZ İLKORUR Çiçek: MB’yle aramızda sorun yok Telekom dünyanın beşinci büyük halka arzı Deniz Gökçe
Faiz dışı fazla neden indi? Bu yasa hatalı
MAHFİ EĞİLMEZ OKAN MÜDERRİSOĞLU
Faiz artırım talebine ABD örnekli savunma |
| H4 New York Times Powerful Quake Ravages China, Killing Thousands An earthquake struck in China, toppling thousands of buildings and killing at least 10,000 people. Editorial Not a Time for Rivalry Political leaders who have Pakistan’s interests at heart should be able to find a compromise that restores its dismissed judges and promotes judicial reform. DAVID BROOKS The Neural Buddhists The cognitive revolution is not going to undermine faith in God — it’s going to challenge faith in the Bible. A Two-for-One Campaign By GEORGE McGOVERNTo reduce the risk of the kind of divisions that afflicted Democrats during my campaigns, I have a proposal that I hope Senators Clinton and Obama and our party will consider. | H5 Washington Post Editorial Inauspicious VisitPresident Bush's tour of the Middle East is timed to highlight his failures U.S. Outlook Is Worst Since '92, Poll Finds Results Give Democrats Edge Quake in China Kills Thousands 7.9-Magnitude Temblor, Centered in Sichuan, Is Country's Worst in Decades Study Says Foreigners In U.S. Adapt Quickly Climate Change in Washington At least on global warming, there will be no third term for the Bush administration The Right Path With N. Korea By Siegfried S. Hecker and William J. Perry, It's the plutonium, stupid Pakistani Party Quits Cabinet Over Justices Sharif Pulls Out After Talks Break Down Putin Chooses Cabinet, Retaining Key Officials Post-Crucible Clinton By E. J. Dionne Jr Hillary Clinton still has a lot to win this year, but not the presidency. For Obama, the General Election Is Calling With Clinton Poised To Win W.Va., He Turns To Battleground States McCain Breaks With Bush on Climate Policy Racist Incidents Give Some Obama Campaigners Pause | H6 Guardian Thousands die in
Chinese earthquake Rescuers struggle to reach victims as state media put death toll at 10,000 in worst affected province Bush offers to share spy satellite data World CO2 levels at new high - UN Scientists say carbon dioxide levels now at 387 parts per million, up almost 40% since industrial revolution Hizbullah capture strategic village Niha provides crucial link between Iranian-backed group's stronghold and bases in Beirut suburbs The chasm within David Landau: A stripped-down welfare state plus migration have opened up ominous new divisions in Israeli society US delegation gets cool reception over offer of help for Burma Military team leaves empty-handed after regime refuses to give firm commitment about aid Clinton eyes landslide primary win But Obama now just 159 delegates short of the 2,025 needed to secure the Democratic nomination The uses and abuses of intervention Simon Tisdall: It would be easier to face down the Burmese regime's defiance if we hadn't intervened in the wrong ways elsewhere Facing up to our responsibilities Gareth Evans Given the Burmese regime's inflexibility so far, there may be a case under international law for forcing it to accept disaster relief The survivors' stories leave no doubt: Guantánamo makes us all less safe George Monbiot: Official accounts reveal with chilling clarity that acts carried out in the name of the war on terror have backfired dreadfully Wrong then, wrong again Dean Baker: The same economists who failed to spot this year's financial meltdown are now predicting that everything will soon be fine Not paying their dues Prem Sikka Global companies are evading tax in the developing world. The money lost could go towards alleviating poverty and saving lives |
| H7 Daily Star Four days that changed the Middle East Rami G. Khouri writes that the consequences of what has happened in the past week in Lebanon may portend an extraordinary but constructive new development: the possible emergence of the first American-Iranian joint political governance system in the Arab world. Middle East: Are Iran, Syria Playing Any Roles In Lebanon Fighting? TIME says Sadr has won another round Islam in Africa (PDF; 67 KB)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists) Human Security and Human Development in the Arab Region Helena Cobban Earth to GWB: The Lebanese Army isn't on your side any more! The Other Mideast Talks
Newsweek Al Awsat Iran and the Fearful Arabs : Tariq Alhomayed Hezbollah's street fight just a first step
Hezbollah, in taking its political grievances to the streets, was able to take military control of Beirut in less than 48 hours, while the Lebanese army looked on. The display of force by the opposition Shi'ite group does not leave the government much margin for maneuvering Al Hayat Columnist Elais Harfoush describes Hezbollah’s “victory” in Beirut as one tainted with bitterness. Tony Karon, a New York-based analyst, writes that last week’s events in Lebanon suggest that the Bush administration remains intent to the very end on repeating the strategies that have failed in Gaza and Basra and Sadr City, expecting that the result in Beirut would somehow be different. The Lesson of Lebanon - Noah Pollak | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Lebanon's Sunni Bloc Built Militia, Officials Say By: Borzou Daragahi and Raed Rafei | Los Angeles Times
The Future movement used a security firm to assemble a private force, officials say. But the fighters were no match for the Shiite group Hezbollah. Attacks persist despite cease-fire Iraq Shi'ite gunmen are continuing to attack U.S. and Iraq's security forces in Sadr City despite the announcement of a new cease-fire agreement between the government and the militia of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Rising inflation poses challenge to Iran -IMF Hizbullah Leaves West Beirut After Beating Lebanese Government Challenge Druze plead for U.S. help in Lebanon Druze Lebanese, under fire from Hezbollah fighters, pleaded with the United States for an emergency airlift of weapons over the weekend, illustrating growing fears among Christians, Sunni Arabs and Druze that the hard-line Shi'ite militia was preparing to take over the entire country. | H9 Ha’aretz – Bush to Haaretz: Peace process not contingent on one man U.S. president offers words of support for Olmert, saying he is 'an honest guy' and a 'strategic thinker.' Interview with Bush: the transcript Lebanese army says will use force from Tues. to stop fighting Country embroiled in worst crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, as death toll reaches over 80 ANALYSIS / In Lebanon, the new reality has taken over Israel on alert as clashes rage across Lebanon for sixth day Obama: Jewish state is a fundamentally just idea (WTR) "Double-ness, lying and imposture have a special significance for an American Jew" Jerusalem Post Bush to the Post: Abbas is a viable partner for peace US president tells Israeli journalists there must be a Palestinian state, says Olmert is "an honest guy," calls Iran "the biggest threat." 'Accept truce, or resistance will go on' Hamas says negotiations over Schalit's release will begin only after Israel agrees to hudna proposal America's elusive search for Arab-Israeli peace By AARON DAVID MILLER
Its optimistic, split-the-difference world view doesn't suit the regional reality. Our World: How Lebanon was lost [ CAROLINE GLICK Palestinian state - as elusive as ever Palestinians still blaming their suffering on everyone but themselves. Obama should thank Hillary If Obama is lucky, Americans will be more concerned with the economy. Yedioth Ahronoth How Syria hid the reactor US report warns tactics employed by Damascus to conceal nuclear facility may be used by others The Syrian option/ Yaron London As Hizbullah inches closer to Lebanon takeover, we must reassess new options Jerusalem says truce 'viable'
Israel to refrain from military response to deadly Qassam attack in hopes of allowing Egyptian truce initiative genuine chance. State officials say agreement an opportunity to free Shalit while blocking Hamas' growth in Gaza Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine SPENGLER Why Israel is the world's happiest country
At the 60th anniversary of its founding, it could be said that Israel is the happiest nation on Earth. It is one of the wealthiest, freest and best-educated; and it enjoys high fertility and life expectancy rates. The light heart of the Israelis in face of continuous danger is a singularity worthy of a closer look Goldberg: Obama on Zionism and Hamas See also David Frum What is Obama's Stance on Israel? - Philip Klein, The American Spectator
Can Israel Survive for Another 60 Years? - Christopher Hitchens, Slate
Hamas condemns the Holocaust Bassem Naeem: We are not engaged in a religious conflict with Jews; this is a political struggle to free ourselves from occupation and oppression |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Medvedev's test case with the West Russia's new president inherits a tinderbox in Georgia, a NATO aspirant. 1968: the year the dream died The jig was up, and social revolution fell apart. Pro-European tilt in Serbian vote The Democratic Party received 39 percent of the vote to Radicals' 29 percent. But coalition-building maneuvers mean the shape of the next government is still unclear. China moves quickly in quake zone The country's deadliest quake in three decades hit central China Monday. ASIA Asia Times Another Pakistani D-Day over militants The peace deals between the Pakistani government and militants in the tribal areas have been exposed for what they were, a delaying tactic for the Taliban to send fresh fighters into Afghanistan. The new government in Islamabad, provided it staves off a political crisis, and its United States ally now have to make the hard decision whether to fight fire with fire or risk losing the battle against militancy. - Syed Saleem Shahzad Dawn In an editorial on Pakistan’s relations with the rest of the world, the paper says overdependence on the U.S. does not serve Pakistan’s interests, adding that what common sense suggests is a broadening of Pakistan’s relations with other, equally important, players on the global stage. China's Energy Security Moves It Closer to the Middle East By: Weiming Zhao | The Daily Star
Energy consumption in China is growing as fast as the rapidly growing Chinese economy. China has changed from a net oil exporter to a net oil importer. In recent years, 40 to 50 percent of the oil that China consumes is imported. Of that, 60 percent comes from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and Sudan are the main suppliers. China's weakness
the greater danger
Claims that China is an emerging superpower overlook the reality that the ineffectually governed country will struggle for decades to get and stay beyond subsistence. The West, rather than fearing China's expansion, should be preparing for a dramatic setback in Chinese economic growth and resulting breakdowns in domestic order. China and Japan tiptoe into a 'warm spring'
Chinese President Hu Jintao's five-day visit to Japan was an important step towards stabilizing relations between the two powers. Clearly, a positive Sino-Japanese relationship serves the interests of the region - and the United States - but territorial disputes, food safety issues and rising nationalism in both countries remain unresolved. - Jing-dong Yuan China's earthquake death toll reaches 8,500 New consumer price data shows Chinese inflation continuing to rise (Xinhua). Indian Communists to block nuclear dealThe country’s main Communist party has vowed to continue to block a landmark civil nuclear deal with the US, saying it will not be ratified before George W. Bush leaves office China and Japan: the symbolism of politics , James C Farrer Gvosdev Not Misreading India Let the Asians Push Aid to Burma By: Ramesh Thakur | The Japan Times
If the Asians come on board, political progress will be swift in unblocking obstacles in Burma to the effective delivery of aid to survivors of a devastating cyclone People’s Daily In an editorial, the state-run newspaper reiterates China’s “solemn commitment” to hold a successful Olympic Games, and says it is upholding that commitment with a more self-confident posture and more openness of mind, so as not to disappoint the world. Afghanistan: A Critical Battle in the Country’s Culture War Looms BY DEIRDRE TYNAN
On the battlefields of southern and eastern Afghanistan, Islamic insurgents are struggling to persevere in the face of the formidable firepower of NATO and American forces. In the country’s culture war, however, religious radicals are poised to achieve a spectacular victory, according to two self-styled free speech advocates. | H11 IHT Serbian vote result sets up a showdown The coalition determined to bring Serbia into the European Union made a surprisingly strong showing in parliamentary elections, but it faces a protracted power struggle with nationalist rivals who vowed to join forces to form a government. Putin, as prime minister, keeps his inner circle intact Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced the formation Monday of a new Russian government, reappointing several top ministers and maintaining the power of his inner circle. FARMING FOR THE FUTURE Change we can stomach By DAN BARBER When it comes to nutrition and our agricultural future, bigger isn't better. Apostate president? By EDWARD N. LUTTWAK Obama's conversion to Christianity is the worst of all crimes that a Muslim can commit, worse than murder. Sarko and the spirit of '68 By SERGE SCHMEMANN Not surprisingly, May '68 and Nicolas Sarkozy's first year as president of France are being treated quite differently. The lucrative arts of war and not paying taxes Companies enriched by taxpayers in the war boom should not be able to compound their profits by not paying their fair share of taxes in the U.S. INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE Fifteen years of progress By ARYEH NEIER Despite some notable successes, the prevention of war crimes remains elusive. EUROPE European press review EU: Green Light for Galileo By: Ekrem Krasniqi | ISN Security Watch
The EU clears the last political hurdle for the launch of the Galileo satellite navigation system by 2013. “U.S.-French Commercial Ties,” updated April 7, 2008. Kosovo: RFE/RL reports that not much has changed in the bitterly divided Kosovo city of Mitrovica since the Serb province declared independence three months ago. Europe by degrees Giuliano Amato Europe needs pragmatists to ask the right questions of the reform treaty: otherwise it will fail the EU's founding ideals Send in the clowns Ian Buruma Europeans like to sneer at American politics, but candidates in the US have a much better understanding of the power of comedy to ask questions FT Greying Germany finds pensions a political issue With over-50s making up half the electorate, politicians are scared of alienating the silver vote | H12 RFE/RLGeorgia: Visiting EU Delegation Offering Support, But Little Else The Danger of Isolationism By: Andrei Kortunov | The Moscow Times
Russia has only two allies -- its army and navy."" This phrase, which was originally uttered 150 years ago by Tsar Alexander III, has become quite popular over the past several years to describe Moscow's shortage of allies. Google News Azerbaijan Official to US: Azerbaijan "Proceeding on Its Own Path"
Six months ahead of Azerbaijan’s presidential elections, American criticism of President Ilham Aliyev administration’s political practices suggest that the normally strong relations between Washington and Baku have hit a speed bump. Some local analysts contend that the sharp exchanges are not that unusual during a campaign season, and have little significance for long-term relations Georgia: US and EU support for Tbilisi Grows amid Escalating Tension with Russia
With Georgian-Russian tension over the break-away territory of Abkhazia continuing to rise, the United States and European Union are stepping up diplomatic intervention efforts. EDM UNCONVENTIONAL GAS EXTRACTION IN HUNGARY
- HOW LONG CAN MEDVEDEV AND PUTIN SHARE POWER?
WILL PRESIDENT MEDVEDEV’S FIRST CRISIS BE GEORGIA? Further delays likely at Kazakh oil field The start of production at one of the world’s biggest oil fields faces further delays as oil companies developing it battle with the Kazakh government over timing and budget THE WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL The pro-Western Georgian government bordering Russia needs the assistance of the West in order to combat Russia's growing assault on its territorial integrity. |
| H13 The Times Who's afraid of big bad China? Why? Chinese success is good for the world. And the more we discover about China the better Chris Patten Socialists hold key to power in Serbia Pro-EU alliance emerges as biggest party after yesterday's polls, but may need Socialists to form government Good morning Serbia Brussels must move swiftly to reward the victorious Democratic Party China death toll mounts as landslides hinder rescue Almost 10,000 confirmed to have died but tens of thousands more are feared to have been been killed in one town alone Pakistan plunges into fresh political crisis Government future in doubt after Nawaz Sharif said he was pulling his ministers out of the coalition over the judges stand-off Burma accused of 'crime' against its people Disaster relief agencies say that by keeping its borders closed to aid the junta is guilty of humanitarian crimes Burma - the case for intervention Ignore the mealy-mouthed arguments that blame the West rather than the pernicious junta David Aaronovitch Clinton talks unity as defeat sinks in West Virginia primary expected to deliver Hillary Clinton a resounding victory but she is said to have accepted she cannot win Wall Street Journal From Lebanon to HezbollahstanBy Bret Stephens
Global View: When did the transformation begin? McCain's Climate 'Market'
His cap and trade proposal is Obama lite. A 'Special' Relationship
By Daniel Schwammenthal State of the Union:
Germans should make the case for Israel out of shared values. Possessions now sold in US credit crisis Gary Becker, Myron Scholes, Michael Spence, Ed Phelps discuss the depth of the U.S. financial crisis, its effect on the rest of the world and the commodity price rises. | H14 Financial Times Oily truth about US foreign policy In 1973, the US imported 33% of its oil; today it imports about 60%. So far, US politicians have responded to this problem with a mix of wishful thinking and anger, writes Gideon Rachman MIDDLE EAST FOCUS: Can the Arabs pull Lebanon back from the brink? Food investment, not imperialism There is a risk powerful nations will use aggressive foreign policies to secure food supplies and exclude competitors, but it has not arrived yet Pro-EU alliance wins Serbia election The pro-EU alliance led by Boris Tadic, Serbia’s president, faces a struggle to form a government after winning the advantage over hardline nationalists in snap elections as a sizable chunk of voters demanded EU integration despite the loss of Kosovo Serbs opt for EU Assuming a pro-western coalition can be formed, it must maintain the positive momentum generated by the polls through EU-oriented reforms Putin moves allies to his new cabinet Vladimir Putin has shifted several of his most powerful former presidential officials to the Russian government, reinforcing the impression that as prime minister he will remain the centre of power in Russia Further delays likely at Kazakh oil field The start of production at one of the world’s biggest oil fields faces further delays as oil companies developing it battle with the Kazakh government over timing and budget Lebanese PM stands firm Fouad Siniora warns that Hizbollah undermined its own ability to confront Israel when it used weapons against its rivals at home and deepened the divisions in the country US alerts banks to risks of Iran support The Bush administration is seeking to broaden the scope of its enforcement tools to rein in Iran’s nuclear programme, including greater scrutiny of global banks that may be violating US export control rules by financing prohibited transactions Unskilled workers struggle with tide of job losses US payrolls have declined for four consecutive months, but job losses have to date been moderate compared with previous recessions. Lay-offs have been concentrated in manufacturing, retail and construction Diary of a nobody The Blair years have escaped proper scrutiny in memoirs. But there are questions relating to the Iraq war that deserve scrutiny now Beware parallels between America and Japan Takatoshi Ito sees differences between the crises McCain makes climate change pledge John McCain vowed to put the US at the heart of international efforts to tackle global warming, proposing aggressive targets to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of a cap-and-trade system to encourage investment in green technology Coalition presses Congress over ethanol The global food crisis is inspiring a broad new coalition on Capitol Hill seeking to change US policies on ethanol production China quake death toll nears 10,000 Hundreds of children buried as schools collapse Salmond’s winning hand Following the lead of nationalists in Quebec, the head of the Scottish Nationalist party can wrench ever more power from Westminster without forcing a break, writes Philip Stephens Wages the least of Europe’s worries The ECB should stop trying to put out the inflation fire and instead end the growth freeze by cutting interest rates, writes Andrew Watt HSBC sees further pain in US housing The bank, one of the first to suffer from the subprime mortgage meltdown, said any recovery in the US housing market was unlikely this year as it revealed it had set aside $5.8bn as a result of the credit turmoil in the first quarter | H15 Los Angeles Times Israel at 60 Judea Pearl and George Bisharat look back at six decades of Israeli-Palestinian relations. Editorial Lebanon's Sunni Bloc Built Militia, Officials Say By: Borzou Daragahi and Raed Rafei | Los Angeles Times The Future movement used a security firm to assemble a private force, officials say. But the fighters were no match for the Shiite group Hezbollah. Lebanon reaches out for international help Dispute over judges deepens rift in Pakistan ruling coalition The agreement clears the way for Iraqi soldiers to operate in the Baghdad slum largely controlled by a radical cleric. But will all groups adhere to the accord? |
| H16 American Politics Gallup Daily: Obama Pulls Ahead of Clinton, 50% to 43% Dems to Clinton: Don't Say Anything to Hurt Us Superdelegates put Obama within reach of nomination Goldberg: Obama on Zionism and Hamas Remarks By John McCain on Climate Change Policy Post-Crucible Clinton - E. J. Dionne, Washington Post
The Obama Rules - Rich Lowry, National Review
Will Whites Vote for Obama? - John Judis, The New Republic realclearpolitics memeorandum ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp Tom Matzzie / The Huffington Post: How John McCain Can Rescue the Republican Party — The winds of change have brought Democrats a big advantage in the races for the White House, U.S. House and Senate in 2008. The opportunity for the emergence of a governing Democratic majority is unprecedented. McCain's judicial confusion Dylan Loewe: US elections 2008: Fears of a right-wing Supreme Court will bring disillusioned Democrats back to the party Bob Barr joins battle for presidency as Libertarian The former Republican would be a wild card in race and could hurt Sen. John McCain | H17 Daily Telegraph 'Tens of thousands' dead in China quake Tens of thousands of people are feared dead after the biggest earthquake in three decades struck China. Hillary Clinton 'about to quit' Referral to next president as "he" fuels speculation. Lebanese army to 'impose order' The Lebanese army, which has virtually watched Hizbollah militants take control of parts of Beirut unopposed, has vowed to use force to impose law and order today. It's so British to let firms become foreign Tracy Corrigan asks: what is it that makes a company British? Where it pays tax, who owns it, what cricket team it sponsors? | H18 Independent Frantic search for thousands trapped by Chinese quake China was last night facing the fallout from its worst natural disaster in three decades with at least 9,000 people known to have been killed in a massive earthquake that struck the mountainous province of Sichuan. Tens of thousands more people are feared dead or trapped in the rubble with 80 per cent of buildings reportedly razed to the ground in many areas. Al-Sadr ceasefire allows troops to enter Shia slum Putin's hardliners keep places in new cabinet Vladimir Putin, in his new role as Russia's Prime Minister, announced a new cabinet of ministers yesterday that appears to bear out predictions that he will remain the real centre of power in the country. Violence grips Lebanese city as peace talks loom Housing market worst for 30 years Confidence in Britain's housing market has sunk to its lowest level for more than 30 years, new figures reveal, as property prices continue to fall and mortgage lenders restrict home loans. |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism Preventing an Arms Race in Outer Space By: James Carroll | The Boston Globe The American Academy of Arts and Sciences recently published "Russian and Chinese Responses to US Military Plans in Space," a stark look at where the American project is taking the world. Download the Paper (952 KB) Congressional Research Service “Defense: FY2009 Authorization and Appropriations,” May 5, 2008. Organizing the U.S. Government for National Security: Overview of the Interagency Reform Debates (PDF; 133 KB) Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists) “Strategic Airlift Modernization: Analysis of C-5 Modernization and C-17 Acquisition Issues,” updated April 15, 2008. “Director of National Intelligence Statutory Authorities: Status and Proposals,” updated April 17, 2008. Virtual Iraq When Travis Boyd agreed to become a subject in the Virtual Iraq clinical trial, in the spring of 2007, he became one of about thirty-five active-duty and former members of the military to use the program to treat their psychological wounds Program Tracks Nuclear Materials Worldwide How to Be All That You Can Be: A Look at the Pentagon’s Five Step Plan For Making Iron Man Real
Source: 21st Century Defense Initiative, Brookings Institution Coll The Bin Ladens The mental suffering of American soldiers The alarming rates of trauma and suicide among war veterans cannot be neglected. | H20 Slate The List: The World’s Most Dangerous Gangs
Think Again: The Peace Corps
By Robert L. Strauss In the eyes of Americans, no government agency better exemplifies the optimism, can-do spirit, and selfless nature of the United States than the Peace Corps. But according to this former Peace Corps country director, it has never lived up to its purpose or principles Unjust Debt Robs Poor Nations of Better Future By: Desmond Tuto | Miami Herald
Too many of the world's poor children needlessly starve or go without education because too many impoverished nations -- even after the laudable debt relief provided to date -- are still funneling scarce resources to multilateral banks instead of paying for needs at home. Nuclear Power’s Role in Generating Electricity
Source: Congressional Budget Office | H21 Radar goes inside the world's elite secret societies Has science made belief in God obsolete? An excerpt from The Big Questions in Science and Religion by Keith Ward. Scientists know better than you, even when they're wrong: Why fallible expertise trumps armchair science—an interview with Harry Collins From New Statesman, a special issue on 1968, including humanity's last rage: Peter Wilby wonders whether 1968 changed everything — or nothing at all; and more by Eric Hobsbawm and more by Noam Chomsky Teen rappers drop some verse about The Economist Should philosophy have something to say to non-philosophers? Should philosophy be pursued only by those trained in philosophy? Cogito poses some big questions to four British and US philosophers. Britain having hottest May since 1772 Google triumphant Its lead in advertising on the web seems assured now Microsoft has dropped its Yahoo bid The revenge of e.e. cummings We had to LOL when we read how txt-msg lingo is replacing stndrd english in student academic pprs. |
