| H1 Downsized U.S. Goals and Presence in Iraq Source: The Century Foundation Full Paper (PDF; 291 KB) by former National Intelligence Council vice-chair Ellen Laipson - Where does Iraq fit in America's strategic interests and agenda?" The US needs to end the exceptional nature of its role in Iraq and conceive of a more 'normal' relationship. From the Archive NSPD-1: Organization of the National Security Council System Rand Analytic Support to Intelligence in Counterinsurgencies Bush administration says it may not get Iraq deal this year Atlantic Monthly What Rumsfeld Got Right - How Donald Rumsfeld remade the U.S. military for a more uncertain world by Robert D. Kaplan Washington Post Iraqis Condemn American Demands Negotiations over the future role of U.S. military in Iraq turn into a bitter debate as Iraqi politicians denounce what they say are U.S. demands to maintain nearly 60 bases in their country indefinitely. Top Iraqi officials call for a reduction, confinement of U.S. military's role after U.N. mandate authorizing its presence expires in December Bush, E.U. Threaten New Sanctions Against Iran Editorial Saving Doha Why an obscure Frenchman may be the last hope for global free trade. YOU HAVE probably never heard of Pascal Lamy, but he might be able to save the world. New York Times The End of Intervention By MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT Is the international system a collection of legal nuts and bolts cobbled together by governments to protect governments, or is it a framework intended to make the world a more humane place? THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Obama on the Nile It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Democrats’ nomination of Barack Obama as their candidate for president has improved America’s image abroad. Foreign Policy Mismarriage of Convenience Iran and Israel are stuck in a dysfunctional relationship that neither party can escape on its own. Here’s how to break up their fight The Times Exclusive: Bush regrets his legacy as man who wanted war In an exclusive interview with The Times, President Bush admits he is troubled about how his country has been misunderstood Scandal as Iranian old guard accused of corruption Unprecedented allegations are seen as a daring challenge to Iran’s ruling establishment by the intensely ambitious president Analysis: the solution or part of the problem? President Karzai is facing unprecedented public and private criticism from politicians, soldiers and officials in the West BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions A BBC investigation estimates that about $23bn may have been lost, stolen or not properly accounted for in Iraq. Gallup Daily: Obama's Lead Stabilizing Slate Listening to Dissent How should a president handle uncertainties or disputes on intelligence? Fred Kaplan The Johnson Test Will Obama show us the instruction manual for his new kind of politics? John Dickerson What Is the Bilderberg Group? And Why Doesn't the Press Cover It? Los Angeles Times Re-upping in Iraq By Max Boot We need a pact that protects our troops, and Baghdad isn't cooperating IHT A muted last hurrah By WILLIAM DROZDIAK The hope that the next U.S. president will infuse new life into the Atlantic partnership is generating palpable excitement among leadership circles across the continent Financial Times Sustaining growth is the century’s big challenge Jeffrey Sachs has produced an analysis that manages to be both pessimistic and optimistic at the same time. One might not be quite as optimistic about the solutions. But one must recognise the salience of the challenges, writes Martin Wolf Rhetoric will never feed the world’s hungry We make the poor better off not by holding back technical and economic progress, but by accelerating it, writes John Kay Let the markets solve the energy crisis High prices say we need more investment: in efficiency and new production, technology and energy sources, writes Tony Hayward Irish PM makes final push for Lisbon treaty Irish voters were warned by Brian Cowen not to think they could extract a better deal from their EU partners by rejecting the Lisbon treaty West warns of tighter Iran bank curbs The US and European Union are threatening to impose tighter sanctions on Iranian banks unless Tehran suspends its uranium enrichment programme WORLD NEWS: Bush adopts multilateralist tone Merkel emerges as Germany’s anchor The chancellor has proved Europe’s foremost political leader, defying pessimists. The test now is whether she can turn that authority into a platform for a second term in office China’s Thirst for Oil,* the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines China’s need for energy and assesses the impact of Beijing’s energy policies on the resolution of conflict by looking at Sudan and Iran as case studies Independent An ominous warning that the rise in oil prices has only begun The chief executive of the world's largest energy company has issued a dire prediction that oil will hit $250 per barrel "in the foreseeable future". Guardian Oil to hit $250 a barrel, says Gazprom chief Chairman predicts prices will spiral despite Opec's assured stance Why talk to al-Qaida? Raffaello Pantucci: Negotiation worked in Northern Ireland, but with al-Qaida we must address the causes of radicalisation Former NSC Iran hand Gary Sick contextualizes sweeping new corruption accusations in Iran being levelled by Ahmadinejad and allies EurasiaNet Iran: Conservatives Trying to Get President Ahmadinejad to Moderate Behavior BY KAMAL NAZER YASIN As Bush lobbies European Union leaders for tighter economic sanction against Iran, conservative elements in Tehran are taking steps to moderate the behavior of Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Sadr's Special Groups By: Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Bill Roggio | The Weekly Standard
In the past month, Iraqi and coalition forces have succeeded in their fight against the Mahdi Army's "special groups." On May 3, the U.S. military destroyed a special groups command center in Sadr City, killing a wanted leader in the attack. Christian Science Monitor As Bush launches farewell tour, Europe warms up The US-German relationship is perhaps the clearest example of improving ties since the Iraq war began Syrian Economy Requires a Peace Deal with Israel - Sami Moubayed (Gulf News-Dubai) Aggressive OPEC: In an editorial, the paper says OPEC should undertake a far more aggressive effort to explain the realities of the oil market and its effects on the global economy France's Strategic Posture: NATO Reingtergration and European Defense By: Juda Gunstein | World Politics Review Since Gen. De Gaulle, France's posture towards the United States can be summed up in the familiar expression, "Friend, ally, non-aligned." A source of French pride and American distrust, the formula has haunted France's stormy relationship with NATO, and served as the geopolitical expression of l'exception française, France's cultural identity of exceptionalism Bush, European allies threaten tougher sanctions against Iran Distance Does Matter Rising freight and oil prices might boost the trend of making products closer to the market Who is Making Tehran’s Iraq Policy? Farideh Farhi Next 'Weapon' Against Iran May Be Gasoline by Eli Lake Israel and Hizballah: 2006 and 2008, The Washington Institute Lebanon fault lines, MESH Time Playing the Veepstakes
Roubini Global Stagflation Ahead? The Interplay of Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply Shocks McClatchy U.S. security talks with Iraq in trouble in Baghdad and D.C. A proposed U.S.-Iraqi security agreement that would set the conditions for a defense alliance and long-term U.S. troop presence appears increasingly in trouble, facing growing resistance from the Iraqi government, bipartisan opposition in Congress and strong questioning from Barack Obama. Taliban’s Sanctuary Bases in Pakistan Must Be Eliminated
Source: RAND Corporation As China's power grows, the diaspora starts to flex its worldwide muscle Martin Jacques: Poverty once drove their mass emigration, but the overseas Chinese now revel in the status and wealth of their homeland Russia to Punish Azerbaijan for Pro-Western Policy - Expert Ha’aretz – No good reason for Gaza op Calm should be tried and its success judged with the passage of time, rather than trying war and judging its outcome after hundreds of casualties Top Syrian plays down chances of direct talks with Israel Carnegie Arab Reform Bulletin: June 2008 Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia
The Atlantic Cover Story The Sky Is Falling by Gregg Easterbrook The odds that a potentially devastating space rock will hit Earth this century may be as high as one in 10. So why isn't NASA trying harder to prevent catastrophe Cato The Future of Copyright We-Think: the power of mass creativity
Mr. Murdoch Goes to War Rupert Murdoch wants his Wall Street Journal to displace The New York Times as the world’s paper of record. His ambitions could be good news for the newspaper industry— or another nail in the coffin of serious journalism. [Web only: Video: "Rupert Murdoch: The Last Hope for Journalism"] by Mark Bowden The 11 1/2 Biggest Ideas of the Year A thumbnail intellectual history of the year | H2 Henri Barkey Where Have Old Friends Gone? U.S.-Turkish Relations Since the Iraq War ) Video link to the annual Campagna-Kerven lecture at Boston University. Morton Abromowitz ABD'de konuşulan Türkiye-3 IHT Fighting for Turkey's soul By Zeyno Baran Ideologues are pulling Turkey apart, and the West makes matters worse. ABD Seçimleri (ppt) – Şanlı Bahadır Koç Cobban – “Joost Hiltermann has just published what has to be the very best assessment in the English language of the situation of Iraq's Kurdish minority” (repeat) Guardian Turkish PM fights for survival Erdogan looks to end feud that threatens to split the country, close his party and oust him from office Not the first ban, not the last Explainer: Turkey has a long history of shutting down political parties. Twenty-four parties have been closed since 1962, when rules were tightened up following a military coup Turkish PM says court must explain scarf ruling ‘Türkiye artık ABD’nin güvenilir müttefiki değil’ Türkiye güzel ama yalnız değil VIncent Boland Minister Babacan meets with Obama aides in Washington Soner Çağaptay Turkey's Changing Landscape Jane's Islamic Affairs Click here to download a PDF of this article. ABD’de ‘laiklik’ şikâyeti Ermenilere söz verme Turkey should join European Union, Bush says Fransa: Türkiye'ye Refeandum Şartı Kalkıyor Turkey’s attack helicopter saga may come to an end Delivery of spy planes delayed to Turkey Scarves unveil Turkey's turmoil
Chicago Tribune 'The Constitutional State is in Danger'
Spiegel Online Soner Çağaptay Turkey's Initiative for Syrian-Israeli Peace
Joost Hiltermann on Iraq's Kurds
USAK: "Obama 1915 olaylarına soykırım diyebilir" "McCain başkan olursa İran'ı vurabilir" Paper Claims Kurdish Emigration to Azeri Exclave "Time Bomb" Türkiye’yi yalnız bırakan Kemalist ideoloji 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 Cevdet Aşkın Kuzey Irak'a Yunan ilgisi, CHP'den Kürt inisiyatifi Paper Claims Kurdish Emigration to Azeri Exclave "Time Bomb" DTP'de "şahin - güvercin" tartışması Türk, radikal DTP'lileri 'tüysüz şahin'e benzetti
Güvenlik anlaşması
ABD'nin Irak'ta daha uzun kalıp ayrıcalıklara sahip olması öngörülüyor Investment Boom in Kurdistan
Asharq Alawsat Jetler K.Irak'ı vurdu Turkish PM to met Maliki soon Middle East Times Irak bölgesel Kürt yönetimi, BM'nin ihtilaflı bölgeler raporunu beğenmedi Suriye-İsrail Zirvesi yarın DTP: Dini kurallar bile değişiyor, Anayasa değişmiyor
Irak hükümet sözcüsü: Erdoğan'ın ziyareti çok anlamlı Iraqi official underlines Turkish PM's visit to Baghdad Official: Turkey warplanes strike Kurdish targets Turkish warplanes strike northern Iraq Kuzey Irak'a bir operasyon daha Iraqi Kurd oil sales, signing bonus waiting for Baghdad Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık Beril Dedeoğlu Kıbrıs’ın önemi ABD'de yeni dönemde Türkiye'yi neler bekliyor? PACE invites Babacan to urgent session ABDÜLHAMİT BİLİCİ - Avrupa'nın yargı raporundaki hata Babacan'a acil gel çağrısı 'Türkiye kara listeye girebilir' PKK'yı koruyan Fransa, Kızıl Tugayları iade etti
Le Monde: Erdoğan Anayasa Mahkemesi'nden hesap soruyor
SABAH yazarı Soli Özel FT'de Türkiye’nin AB üyesi olması gerektiğine inancımız tam Turkey profits from Oil Pipeline Armenia terminates Turkey’s full influence on South Caucasus
Christofias attacks Turkish military for ‘reactionary’ stance Bush says Turkey should be a member of EU Nabucco gas line preps for open season interest ‘Mediterranean Union without Turkey would be stillborn’ Soccer-Euro-Little margin for error for Switzerland and Turkey Diyanet’ten itiraf: Kadını karanlığa gömdük Aytmatov yaşamını yitirdi Efes’te sağlam hedef kalmadı
Gelinim başını açsa karışmam
ABD'deki 40 radyo, Gülen programı yayınladı TURKEY: ONE-MAN PEACEKEEPING FORCE TRIES TO END BLOOD FEUDS
EurasiaNet Some of Turkey's ATMs offer lira, euros and even dollars Meral Tamer Denizciler, dünya tersanelerini gezerek Tuzla’daki ölümlere çözüm arayacakmış! Rumi and Sufism Turkish Greens to establish a new political party Kömürlükten bomba çıktı ‘Terminatörler’ hiçbir hedefi kaçırmadı Murat Demirel’e zimmetten 12.5 yıl
11 Haziran 2008 Basın Özeti | H3 Erdoğan'ın AK PARTi TBMM Grup Toplantısı'nda yaptığı konuşmanın tam metni: Erdoğan: Yargının yaptığı nereden dönecek? Erdoğan ile Baykal birbirine, Bahçeli herkese yüklendi Yargı yanlış yapınca nereden dönecek?
Bu trenden inen bir daha binemez Kararın gerekçesiz açıklanması anayasa suçu
Bahçeli, Yaşar Büyükanıt'a çattı Önemli olan ‘makulun’ ilamı
7. Liderlerin 'Milli İrade Kimde' tartışması Kılıç: Gerekçeli karar en kısa sürede açıklanacak Herkese göre suç A ve B planımız tabii ki var ‘Derin anayasa’ yorumu 'İnönü millet düşmanı' lafı TBMM'yi karıştırdı AK Parti'nin kapatılacağından emin: Gün gelir haklarınız iade edilir Erdoğan'a göre CHP olmasa her şey yolunda gidecek Konuşmaları kimin sızdırdığını bilmiyorum Anayasal denetim parlamento kayyumluğu değildir Yargının yaptığı nerden dönecek Ben değil ’Hadi yürü aslanım’ diyenler kuyunu kazıyorlar Tonio Arcaini devrede dev anlaşma öncesi Siemens, Bakan’la yemekte 'Ben yaptım oldu kimyayı bozuyor' Baykal: Arabayı devirdin, haddini bil, kararı hazmet 'Anayasal denetim kayyumluk değildir' Mahkeme'yi 'toplumu bölmekle' suçladı, Org. Büyükanıt'ı eleştirdi
Gül: Herkes kendi sınırları içinde olmalı Yüzbaşı: Dink cinayetini biliyorduk ama... Yüzbaşı Yıldız da ‘albay suikastı biliyordu’ dedi Papaz, Kara Kuvvetleri personeli çıktı Bürokrattan darbeye haddini bildirme yazısı DTP: Demokrasisiz Cumhuriyet tıkandı Siyasi risk ve küresel krizin Hazine'ye faturası 54 milyon YTL Adalet Bakanlığı'na üç ayrı dava
Özok, Taraf Gazetesi'nde yer alan kendi adınında geçtiği iddiaya ilişkin ateş püskürüdü Son Dakika Milliyet Hürriyet Zaman Cengiz Çandar Türkiye nereye gidiyor? “Dove va la Turchia?” Ahmet Taşgetiren Ne yapmalı? Ruşen - Çakır Ne boyun eğiyor ne mücadele ediyor MUHARREM SARIKAYA Trenden inenler... Taha Akyol Türkiye’de yargı sorunu Fikret Bila Başbakan’ın sorduğu iki soru Hasan Cemal Murat Yetkin Erdoğan çatışma yolunu seçmedi İsmet Berkan Uzun bir patinaj dönemine hazırlanalım Fehmi Koru Empati yapma zamanı Taha Kıvanç Uçuk-kaçıklar benden uzak dursun Şamil Tayyar Mandela gibi dönebilir
Erdoğan B planı için düğmeye bastı... Ali Bayramoğlu Ahlaki düşüklük… Yasemin Çongar Ertuğrul ÖzkökO sorunun cevabını biliyordum Serdar Turgut Empatik anayasa HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN Türban demokrasi ve siyaset NAZLI ILICAK Güvercinler kazandı Ahmet Hakan Türkiye nasıl rahatlar M Ali Birand Asker topluma kırgın… Cüneyt Ülsever Başbakan’ı dinlerken Asker itham ediyor
MEHMET ALİ KIŞLALI Yargı kılıf işlevi görmeye başlarsa!.. AVNİ ÖZGÜREL Enis Berberoğlu Nuh Gönültaş Dış düşmanı değil, 'iç düşmanı' fişleme... İsmail Küçükkaya
Türbana bir de bu açıdan bakalım [Yorum - M. Naci Bostancı] Kutsallaştırılan siyaset KÜRŞAT BUMİN MHP ne öneriyor? Eser Karakaş Velev ki esastan denetlesin Nuray Başaran Başbakan'ın beklenen konuşması İBRAHİM KARAGÜL Almanya'da yangınlar durdu: Ergenekon dosyası kapanır! MUSTAFA ÜNAL - Meclis sesini yükseltti; gerisi gelmeli ALİ BULAÇ - Yeni aktörler
Oktay Ekşi Yetki aşıldı mı? Mustafa Akyol Devlet milletten akıllı mıdır?
Seçim davulu Yalçın Doğan Halk yargıya sarılıyor Özdemir İnce Mehmet Y YılmazYasama yetkisine tecavüz eden edene MUHARREM SARIKAYATrenden inenler... ERDAL ŞAFAK Güçler ayrılığı
ENGİN ARDIÇ ERGUN BABAHAN EMRE AKÖZ Şer şebekesi Umur Talu Gülay Göktürk Cumhuriyet Çalışma Grubu Oray Eğin
Ergun Babahan’a açık mektup Hakan Aygün ABD, AKP'yle ipleri kopardı Ankara’dan mantıksızlık şaheserleri
HALUK ŞAHİN MEHMET BARLAS MAHMUT ÖVÜR YAVUZ DONAT Herkes gitti Meclis'e biz gittik Etlik'e Yusuf KANLI
War of two Turkeys! Sezer ve Kanadoğlu yemekte buluştu Erdoğan: Benim ailemde de başı açık var
Ekonomi Ege Cansen Para kaçar korkusu Deniz Gökçe
Kaşınmanın sonuçları! İ.Hüseyin Yıldız
Büyümenin analizi ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Ercan Kumcu Fiyat istikrarı testi Hurşit Güneş Belirsizlikler azaldı mı? Erdal Sağlam Siyasi risk ve küresel krizin Hazine'ye faturası 54 milyon YTL Turkey says gets 10 bids for power grid tenders Akışa bıraktık: ‘Dava var’!
UĞUR GÜRSES Murat Yülek Policy constraints in the second half of 2008 |
| H4 New York Times The End of Intervention By MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT Is the international system a collection of legal nuts and bolts cobbled together by governments to protect governments, or is it a framework intended to make the world a more humane place? THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Obama on the Nile It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Democrats’ nomination of Barack Obama as their candidate for president has improved America’s image abroad. MAUREEN DOWD Mincing Up Michelle It’s good news for Barack Obama that Hillary Clinton is out of the race. But it’s also bad news. Now Republicans can turn their attention to demonizing Michelle Obama. News Analysis: Elusive Starting Point on Harsh Interrogations In Germany, Bush Protests Lose Appeal Spain Arrests 8 It Says Aided a Qaeda-Linked Cell Bomb on Car Kills Leader of Hussein’s Tribe Strong Action Urged to Curb Warming Pakistani Lawyers Demand Reinstatement of Judges European Leaders Back Bush on Iran Obama’s Long Short List At least one surprising name reportedly on Barack Obama's possible-running-mate list. 2 New-Style Candidates Hit Old Notes on the Economy Senators John McCain and Barack Obama want to portray themselves as willing to break with party orthodoxy, but the economy has them echoing their party lines. Editorial Another Failure on Climate Change No one ever said that dealing with climate change would be easy or cost-free. But we expected better from the Senate. China’s List of Olympic Don’ts To win the right to host the Games, China promised to improve its human-rights record. It keeps moving mostly in the opposite direction South Koreans Assail U.S. Pact, Shaking Leader Outrage over beef imports is hobbling the country’s president and his efforts to improve relations with the U.S. | H5 Washington Post Iraqis Condemn American Demands Negotiations over the future role of U.S. military in Iraq turn into a bitter debate as Iraqi politicians denounce what they say are U.S. demands to maintain nearly 60 bases in their country indefinitely. Top Iraqi officials call for a reduction, confinement of U.S. military's role after U.N. mandate authorizing its presence expires in December Bush, E.U. Threaten New Sanctions Against Iran McCain, Obama Clash on Economy Candidates' Tacks Differ Sharply Editorial Saving Doha Why an obscure Frenchman may be the last hope for global free trade. YOU HAVE probably never heard of Pascal Lamy, but he might be able to save the world. A Vote for McBama By Robert J. Samuelson, We have learned enough about both candidates to temper excitement. Fuel Protests Erupt in Asia As Oil Hits $139 a Barrel Two Protesters Die In Strikes in Europe Egypt's President Urges Family Planning Campaign Launched Amid Economic Difficulties, Unrest Over Food Prices White House Fails Self-Examination By Dan Froomkin Qatar's Gusher Steven Mufson | A rosy view from the other end of the oil pipeline. The McCain Miracle By Michael Gerson The political and personal miracle of John McCain has been largely overshadowed. Obama's Choice of Insider Draws Fire Republicans Assail Head of VP Vetting Democrats Still Struggling With Whole 'Party Unity' Thing Billing The Grandkids By Ruth Marcus, This is the first extended war fought under the banner of supply-side economics Don't Ask Nunn By Jonathan Capehart, If Obama taps Sam Nunn for VP, he risks alienating gay men and lesbians. | H6 Guardian Oil to hit $250 a barrel, says Gazprom chief Chairman predicts prices will spiral despite Opec's assured stance Why talk to al-Qaida? Raffaello Pantucci: Negotiation worked in Northern Ireland, but with al-Qaida we must address the causes of radicalisation A handbrake turn Editorial: Hugo Chávez has asked Colombia's largest rebel group to lay down arms after four decades Take the Fed's rosy outlook with a hefty grain of salt Larry Elliott: Brown and Darling will welcome the American optimism. But things seem sure to get worse before they get better Bush regrets macho rhetoric on Iraq US president insists warmonger image was far from the truth as farewell visit to Europe gets under way Poverty and inequality worse under Labour Gap between richest and poorest families wider despite government efforts Security fears halt Afghan census plans Cancellation of project is a serious blow to humanitarian aid and economic opportunities A legacy of division David Cesarani: We shouldn't forget the role played by British action – and inaction – in the events of 1948 and the fate of Palestinians A friend in need Mark Almond: Turkey is a strategically crucial country, at an important juncture. Can the EU afford to snub it? The Magna Carta question Michael White: The importance of proper treatment in detention: 'have you been tortured?' is as relevant a question as it was in 1215 Ireland's Chance to Speak for England By: Mary Kenny | The Guardian
Never before -- and probably never again -- will the Irish people have so much power over their 500 million fellow Europeans as they have this week. For if Ireland votes no to the Lisbon referendum on Thursday June 12, then the whole EU constitutional project is, as Terry Wogan would say, "banjaxed". As China's power grows, the diaspora starts to flex its worldwide muscle Martin Jacques: Poverty once drove their mass emigration, but the overseas Chinese now revel in the status and wealth of their homeland 120 feared killed in Sudan plane crash Airbus 310 engulfed by huge fire on runway after landing at Khartoum during dust storm |
| H7 Former NSC Iran hand Gary Sick contextualizes sweeping new corruption accusations in Iran being levelled by Ahmadinejad and allies US Security Agreements and Iraq - Greg Bruno, CFR SOFA Update - Dr. iRack, Abu Muqawama Changing Iran: An Interview with Akbar Ganji - Boston Review In Iran, Things Can Always Get Worse American neoconservatives have consistently downplayed differences among Iranian leaders and, as a consequence, ignored the impact their own words have on Iranian politics. Sadr's Special Groups By: Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Bill Roggio | The Weekly Standard
In the past month, Iraqi and coalition forces have succeeded in their fight against the Mahdi Army's "special groups." On May 3, the U.S. military destroyed a special groups command center in Sadr City, killing a wanted leader in the attack. Syrian Economy Requires a Peace Deal with Israel - Sami Moubayed (Gulf News-Dubai) SyriaComment News Round Up (10 June 2008) Economic and Political Isolation of Syria Crumbling Fast Aggressive OPEC: In an editorial, the paper says OPEC should undertake a far more aggressive effort to explain the realities of the oil market and its effects on the global economy MB in the Gulf - Marc Lynch, Abu Aardvark Morocco Islamic, Secular Feminists Shun Cooperation, Share Goal By: Daniel Williams | Bloomberg News
The two advocates battle violence against women while campaigning for their education and the ability to participate in politics. The pair is nonetheless separated by a divide that, according to both, makes it impossible for them to work together, weakening the drive for equality in the Middle East. Will it be 'Obama's war'?
The next United States president, regardless of party, will face powerful foreign pressures, notably from Saudi Arabia, and pro-Israel groups to keep a major US commitment in Iraq, despite strong public support in the US for withdrawal. Stay too long in Iraq, though, and the president risks going down in history with his name attached to the war, just as Vietnam became "Nixon's war". Venezuela: TIME looks at the political evolution of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. Does Syria consider itself Iran's Israel ? • The Economics of Democracy in Muslim Countries | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Iraq to Conduct General Census - Sameer Yacoub, Associated Press Gulf Arabs eye Iraq role to counter Iran Security Pact Can be Finalized in July - Bushra Juhi, Associated Press The Best General in the Iraqi Army? Bush and Allies Embrace Possible Sanctions - Deb Riechman, Associated Press US Open to More Talks With Iran on Iraq - Adrian Croft, Reuters Iraq Foreign Minister Upbeat on Move By Arab States to Open Embassies in Baghdad EU, U.S. Ready Crackdown on Iranian Banks Ahmadinejad Orders Iran's Banks to Move Assets to Beat EU Freeze - Con Coughlin Iran Building Seven Refineries to End Petrol Imports Saudi Paper Reports on Iraqi Prime Minister's Talks in Iran Egyptian Radio Comments on Arab Countries Stand on Joining Mediterranean Union GCC: Gulf Arab central bankers yesterday agreed to steps that would move them toward a monetary union (Arab News), but also said the adoption of a common currency is not imminent. Permanent crisis Egyptian views on another two years of emergency law Head of Saddam tribe blown up in car bomb blast | H9 Ha’aretz – No good reason for Gaza op Calm should be tried and its success judged with the passage of time, rather than trying war and judging its outcome after hundreds of casualties Top Syrian plays down chances of direct talks with Israel Top MI officer: Hamas fears broad IDF operation in Gaza Israeli company develops system that allows users to see through walls Camero CEO says company has already sold the system to armies and police forces around the world Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer to deliver a lecture at Hebrew U. and to a Gush Shalom forum [ ZAKI COOPER The Price of Poverty Income gap in Israel - a threat to social
stability Yedioth Ahronoth Poll: 67% of Israelis Oppose Full Withdrawal from Golan Heights (Ynet News) Olmert warns new US administration may not be as 'friendly' Syria talks resume next week Officials say negotiators to meet in Turkey, Arab media believes fate of Shebaa farms on agenda Death of a vision Time has come to admit there will be no friendly, peace-loving Palestinian state, writes Uri Elitzur Is Obama up to the test?/ Ettinger Will Obama exploit rare combination of political-economic-security circumstances? Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine From Prospect, when historians matter: On Israel's 60th anniversary, Avi Shlaim, one of the country's revisionist "new historians", looks back on how their work changed the debate over 1948. WINEP Israel and Hizballah: 2006 and 2008 - Israel and Hizballah: 2006 and 2008 First test of Israel’s Tamir short-range missile interceptor Wednesday
Proudly Israeli, Even With a Second Passport Yossi Alpher Abbas's misbegotten peace bid PALESTINIAN Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been chalking up quite a few frequent flyer miles lately. On Sunday, Abbas met with Saudi King Abdullah in Jeddah. The following day he traveled to Egypt for meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The purpose of both trips was to secure Arab support for a new initiative aimed at ending the Middle East ... (By Sara Bjerg Moller, Boston Globe) Attack on Gaza Looking More Likely Pledging Allegiance to AIPAC Israeli leadership to debate course on Hamas Israeli officials say Syria talks resume next week Arab Countries Complicate Med Union Plan By: Elitsa Vucheva | EU Observer
A number of Arab countries are worried that if they join the EU's planned Mediterranean Union together with Israel, it would imply a normalisation of bilateral relations, with the Algerian foreign minister stressing that an overall vision for the project still has to be agreed A Divide Even Among Israel's Supporters By: H.D.S. Greenway | The Boston Globe When Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee recently he got a big hand when he denounced Iran, but less of a one when he mentioned "difficult decisions" that will have to be made for peace with the Palestinians Reports of US Embassy Moving to Jerusalem "Dangerous Development" - Editorial |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor As Bush launches farewell tour, Europe warms up The US-German relationship is perhaps the clearest example of improving ties since the Iraq war began Subsidies: a big culprit in high gas prices Gasoline would be cheaper if countries ended their oil subsidies and let markets rule. New battlegrounds for McCain and Obama Obama sees potential in traditional red states such as Virginia, Colorado, and North Carolina. McCain looks to target blue states including Pennsylvania and Michigan. Senate blocks Big Oil windfall profits tax bill High-profile votes on the energy issue are likely to continue until the fall election, say lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. For some Iraqi war refugees, business is booming Better security and infrastructure have created new opportunities for some of the 250,000 war refugees still living in Jordan. ASIA Facing inflation, Asia gets more aggressive As social unrest grows over rising food and fuel prices, policymakers from Thailand to Indonesia are raising interest rates. China stumbles in Russia gas deals
China, its demand for energy to fuel its fast-growing economy outpacing its local productive capacity, is handily placed next door to energy-rich Russia. It should be an ideal partnership, but inept negotiating by Beijing is slowing development of a much-needed gas partnershp. - John Helmer Spotlight on China, darkness in Tibet Tibet is shouting. But China isn't listening. South Korea's beef protests: Lee's woes deepen The cabinet offered to resign June 10 amid weeks of protest against a US beef trade deal. Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia Taliban’s Sanctuary Bases in Pakistan Must Be Eliminated
Source: RAND Corporation As China's power grows, the diaspora starts to flex its worldwide muscle Martin Jacques: Poverty once drove their mass emigration, but the overseas Chinese now revel in the status and wealth of their homeland WORLD NEWS: US signals end of road for India agreement PM Says "Stable" Afghanistan in Best Interest of Pakistan, Regional Peace | H11 IHT A muted last hurrah By WILLIAM DROZDIAK The hope that the next U.S. president will infuse new life into the Atlantic partnership is generating palpable excitement among leadership circles across the continent. Bush, on final tour of Europe, pushes for wider Iran sanctions President George W. Bush, in Slovenia on Tuesday, won European support to consider additional punitive sanctions against Iran France and Germany vow joint response if Irish reject EU treaty By STEPHEN CASTLE In an admission that they are contemplating a possible Irish no vote on the European Union's Lisbon treaty, the two countries have promised a joint response if the result of the referendum Thursday in Ireland plunges the bloc into political crisis. EUROPE European press review France's Strategic Posture: NATO Reingtergration and European Defense By: Juda Gunstein | World Politics Review Since Gen. De Gaulle, France's posture towards the United States can be summed up in the familiar expression, "Friend, ally, non-aligned." A source of French pride and American distrust, the formula has haunted France's stormy relationship with NATO, and served as the geopolitical expression of l'exception française, France's cultural identity of exceptionalism Lisbon Treaty Referendum: Fate of the European Union Lies with Ireland
Bush in Germany on 'final tour' George W Bush arrives in Germany on the latest leg of what is expected to be his last official tour of Europe. Text of President Bush's appearance in Slovenia Bush, European allies threaten tougher sanctions against Iran Troubled Elections in Macedonia By: Karl Rahder | ISN Security Watch
Early parliamentary elections in Macedonia give the ruling coalition a landslide victory but leave one dead and others wounded Arab Countries Complicate Med Union Plan By: Elitsa Vucheva | EU Observer
A number of Arab countries are worried that if they join the EU's planned Mediterranean Union together with Israel, it would imply a normalisation of bilateral relations, with the Algerian foreign minister stressing that an overall vision for the project still has to be agreed Back in step After strains over Iraq, the EU and US are united again EU to act over UK budget deficit The UK faces disciplinary proceedings from the EU which says its budget deficit is growing too large. A Dark Corner of Europe - Michael Totten, Middle East Journal Mardell's Europe Irish No vote could leave key EU treaty dead in the water Brutal welcome Pressure on Greece as asylum seekers claim serious abuse | H12 RFE/RL Google News Azerbaijan Russia to Punish Azerbaijan for Pro-Western Policy - Expert Georgian Leadership Says Has Scored Diplomatic Victory Over Russia Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Union Could Start Working By 2010 - Eurasec Head Astrakhan Region to Broaden Transport Ties With China - Governor Putin Visits Paris, Leaves Medvedev at Home and Urges French Distance From U.S. By: Richard Weitz | World Politics Review Although he is no longer Russia's president, Vladimir Putin led the high-level Russian delegation that visited France beginning May 29. Putin's change of office has not apparently led him to change his views. The Master and Medvedev Why Vladimir Putin’s successful effort to handpick his replacement may backfire by Jeffrey Tayler EDM AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT, OMV JOINING GAZPROM’S SOUTH STREAM PROJECT, UNDERCUT NABUCCO
- SOUTH STREAM, NORTH STREAM INCREASINGLY SEEN AS EXCEEDING GAZPROM’S SUPPLY CAPACITY
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| H13 The Times Exclusive: Bush regrets his legacy as man who wanted war In an exclusive interview with The Times, President Bush admits he is troubled about how his country has been misunderstood Scandal as Iranian old guard accused of corruption Unprecedented allegations are seen as a daring challenge to Iran’s ruling establishment by the intensely ambitious president Analysis: the solution or part of the problem? President Karzai is facing unprecedented public and private criticism from politicians, soldiers and officials in the West Rumour and suspicion threatens Afghan aid Allegations surrounding President Karzai's brother are leading donor countries to question further funding EU referendum: The Luck of the Irish The Irish should vote to free us all from the Lisbon Treaty and the loss of sovereignty it represents What have the Eurocrats ever done for us? In Ireland's case, a lot. But voters may still reject the Lisbon treaty Fintan O'Toole 42 Days: No to the Politics of Fear Gordon Brown is confusing security and job security Wall Street Journal Global Inflation's Bite Worsens Inflation worries are heating up around the world and jolting financial markets in the process. In the U.S., investors sold off Treasurys, as many grow convinced that the Fed may have to raise rates Putin Associate Emerges as Czar of Oil Trading Gennady Timchenko, the world's most powerful independent trader of Russian oil, says he's too busy to see his old acquaintance Vladimir Putin. The two deny there are close ties, but Putin's old allies are often in a position to wield influence over key areas of Russia's economy. Friends of Barack
Is this what he means by bringing change to Washington? Sarkozy Tries Again
A test of nerve for France's unpopular president. Muslim and Indonesian
Jakarta rejects a moderate religious minority. Review & Outlook Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s hearings on the foreign policy implications of sovereign wealth funds. Oil imports increase US trade gap The soaring cost of importing foreign oil widened America's trade gap in April to $60.9bn, the biggest for 13 months. CFR A Crossroads for Microfinance | H14 Financial Times Sustaining growth is the century’s big challenge Jeffrey Sachs has produced an analysis that manages to be both pessimistic and optimistic at the same time. One might not be quite as optimistic about the solutions. But one must recognise the salience of the challenges, writes Martin Wolf Rhetoric will never feed the world’s hungry We make the poor better off not by holding back technical and economic progress, but by accelerating it, writes John Kay Let the markets solve the energy crisis High prices say we need more investment: in efficiency and new production, technology and energy sources, writes Tony Hayward Irish PM makes final push for Lisbon treaty Irish voters were warned by Brian Cowen not to think they could extract a better deal from their EU partners by rejecting the Lisbon treaty West warns of tighter Iran bank curbs The US and European Union are threatening to impose tighter sanctions on Iranian banks unless Tehran suspends its uranium enrichment programme WORLD NEWS: Bush adopts multilateralist tone WORLD NEWS: World Bank sees inflation threat to poor nations A template for tax The goal for European fiscal policymakers should be enhancing genuine competition among economies. Any moves France can make in that direction during its presidency will be welcome Merkel emerges as Germany’s anchor The chancellor has proved Europe’s foremost political leader, defying pessimists. The test now is whether she can turn that authority into a platform for a second term in office Merkel celebrates social market modelGermany’s chancellor has recalibrated her message for a country increasingly ambivalent about globalisation Markets move on fears of inflation crackdown Fears that central banks around the world are planning a crackdown on rising inflation saw bond and futures markets move sharply, with a series of interest rate rises now priced into markets in the US, the eurozone and the UK Plan for closer ties an insult, says Gaddafi The Libyan leader attacks the French-backed plan for co-operation between the EU and Mediterranean countries, telling other states that the bloc is ‘taking us for fools’ WORLD NEWS: McCain vows to restrain big business Inclusive iPhone While the introduction of subsidies is a sensible move, it is also an admission that Apple’s device has failed to change the industry’s business model | H15 Los Angeles Times Re-upping in Iraq By Max Boot We need a pact that protects our troops, and Baghdad isn't cooperating Democrats in Congress rally around Obama Editorial Food diplomacy works First in a series on why and how the U.S. should outdo the Islamists at charity while fighting world hunger. The end of the Clinton-Bush era? Is it over for the Clintons? What about the Bushes? The debate continues Gates working to make Pentagon's postelection transition smooth Michael Mullen says action unlikely against militants in Pakistan |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism What Rumsfeld Got Right How Donald Rumsfeld remade the U.S. military for a more uncertain world by Robert D. Kaplan The Principles of War: 5. Surprise American Civil-Military Relations - US Army, CSPAN Rand Analytic Support to Intelligence in Counterinsurgencies Beyond the Joint Force - American Enterprise Institute National Security Presidential Directive and Homeland Security Presidential Directive: Biometrics for Identification and Screening to Enhance National Security
Source: White House Office of the Press Secretary (via Federation of American Scientists Deterring Terrorists By: Shmuel Bar | Policy Review Israel has been waging a “War on Terror” since before it was established, with a high degree of success. However, during most of this period, the conventional wisdom there (as elsewhere) was that terrorists cannot be “deterred” and, therefore, that the strategy against them should focus on prevention, disruption, and offensive action in order to eradicate them Taliban’s Sanctuary Bases in Pakistan Must Be Eliminated
Source: RAND Corporation Why talk to al-Qaida? Raffaello Pantucci: Negotiation worked in Northern Ireland, but with al-Qaida we must address the causes of radicalisation Global Military Spending Soars 45% in 10 Years Harboring al Qaeda By: Thomas Joscelyn | The Weekly Standard
The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee has once again released a report claiming that the Bush administration hyped prewar intelligence. The so-called Phase Two report is supposed to investigate the Bush administration's handling of prewar intelligence. In reality, the report is little more than yet another attempt by partisan Democrats to make political hay. Gates Freezes Out Air Force’s ‘Fighter Mafia’ - Westhawk, Westhawk Crime Statistics 2007: The Preliminary Numbers
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation Morocco jails terror cell members A Moroccan court jails 29 men for forming a terror group with intent to carry out attacks and recruiting Iraq fighters. Robert D. Kaplan comments on what it takes to earn the highest award the military can bestow—and why the public fails to appreciate its worth. DIA Reports on Loss of Jose Padilla Interrogation Video The psychological fog of war THE HARSH emotional and mental costs of sending troops to frequent and long deployments in wars without clear battle lines became apparent last month, when the Pentagon released data on suicides and cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2007, there were 115 suicides among active duty service members, an increase over a total of 102 in 2006 and the highest ... (Boston Globe) LTC Gentile at World Politics Review - Misreading the Surge Threatens U.S. Army's Conventional Capabilities: | H20 Slate Listening to Dissent How should a president handle uncertainties or disputes on intelligence? Fred Kaplan The Johnson Test Will Obama show us the instruction manual for his new kind of politics? John Dickerson What Is the Bilderberg Group? And Why Doesn't the Press Cover It? Webb's the Man? The New Republic and New York Review of Books on the possible Barack Obama/Jim Webb ticket. Green Peace: Energy, Europe and the Global Order by Stephan Faris Climate-change litigation is heating up. Will the legal strategy that brought down Big Tobacco work against Big Oil? CEPS Positive Incentives for Climate Change Action: Some Reflections Science, Technology, and American Diplomacy: Background and Issues for Congress (PDF; 111 KB)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists) Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress (PDF; 221 KB) Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists | H21 The Atlantic Cover Story The Sky Is Falling by Gregg Easterbrook The odds that a potentially devastating space rock will hit Earth this century may be as high as one in 10. So why isn't NASA trying harder to prevent catastrophe Cato The Future of Copyright We-Think: the power of mass creativity
Mr. Murdoch Goes to War Rupert Murdoch wants his Wall Street Journal to displace The New York Times as the world’s paper of record. His ambitions could be good news for the newspaper industry— or another nail in the coffin of serious journalism. [Web only: Video: "Rupert Murdoch: The Last Hope for Journalism"] by Mark Bowden The 11 1/2 Biggest Ideas of the Year A thumbnail intellectual history of the year Is Google Making Us Stupid? What the Internet is doing to our brains by Nicholas Carr The great seduction By DAVID BROOKS The most rampant decadence today is financial decadence, the trampling of decent norms about how to use and harness money SuperMedia as "networked journalism" , Charlie Beckett 'Like Chess, Only without the Dice': German Football's Greatest Sayings From THES, does the Google generation, which has grown up with a deluge of data just clicks away, lack the independence of thought and critical rigour needed for higher study? Humans evolved to live in small isolated groups and are finely tuned to seek people of common values. Hence we care about race... more» We may make snap judgments, or mull things carefully; why and when do we use the brain systems behind these decision-making styles? For Muslim women in Europe, a medical road back to virginity Caught between the freedoms that European society affords and the deep-rooted traditions of their parents' and grandparents' generations, more and more women are asking cosmetic surgeons to replace their hymens. Has science made belief in God obsolete? Two scholars debate the Templeton Foundation's latest Big Question. A review of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Utility: Happiness in Philosophical and Economic Thought by Anthony Kenny & Charles Kenny How to save money, as a woman. How to be a creative spirit, or find balance, as a woman. How to buy a house, as a woman. Why all these books?... more» NBA hopes Celtics-Lakers rivalry can respark the fans But current finals lacks superstar matchup of Bird vs. Magic. In praise of ... cheap laptops Editorial: Three years ago no corporation thought there was a profitable market for cheap computers for poorer people, least of all in the developing world Getting a kick out of Pelé? Rob Smyth: The Brazilian footballer has agreed to a film of his life. He may be a sporting genius but his story doesn't merit a movie
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