| H1 New York Times Deals With Iraq Are Set to Bring Oil Giants Back Four Western oil companies are in talks with Iraq’s Oil Ministry for no-bid contracts to service the country’s largest fields. Washington Post The Right Iraq Footprint By David Ignatius, We may be entering into a period of transitional diplomacy in Iraq Iran on Its Heels In Tehran's Setbacks, an Opportunity in Iraq By Vali Nasr, Tehran's setbacks offer an opportunity in Iraq. Foreign Policy's Best Hope By David S. Broder, Joe Biden and Richard Lugar offer a promising partnership on American foreign policy. Editorial Truce in Gaza A Middle East conflict is postponed Boston Globe What's next for Iraq? THE MONTH OF May saw the lowest US casualties in Iraq since early 2004. But counterinsurgencies are not won on points, otherwise Algeria would be part of France and South Vietnam would be an independent country. Progress in Iraq can only be judged by a close examination of political trends, indeed of whether the US strategy in Iraq is producing ... (By Barry R. Posen) MESH ‘A Choice of Enemies: America Confronts the Middle East’ Saudis, oil, and US elections Wall Street Journal Israel's Truce With Hamas Is a Victory for Iran
By Michael B. Oren Moderate Palestinians are losers too. Pivoting to Victory
By James Taranto Is Barack Obama preparing to sell out Democrats who crave defeat in Iraq Obama, McCain Divide on a Key Strategy Point by Eli Lake Independent Hamish McRae: Happy birthday to the euro – but the real test for the currency lies ahead Adrian Hamilton: This meeting in Saudi Arabia won't solve oil prices Leading article: An uncertain step towards peace RFERL Washington's Dilemma -- To Negotiate Or Not? One of the most hotly debated issues in the current U.S. presidential campaign has been how to deal with Tehran. We asked two leading U.S. analysts about the options Guardian Instead of bullying the Irish, Europe should be working on plan D - and E Timothy Garton Ash: As Britain moves to ratify the Lisbon treaty, EU politicians are wrong to threaten Ireland. We're all in the same boat Europe holds the key to Iran Ilan Berman: If Europe is serious about preventing a nuclear Iran, it should put its money where its mouth is Rare opportunity to talk Editorial: The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is good news from a theatre of war that rarely fails to produce the bad variety Dividends of truce Ian Black: Only a foolhardy observer would predict peace is about to break out in the Middle East Expanding American Oil Production - President George W. Bush Ha’aretz ANALYSIS / For truce architect, Israel chose lesser of two evils Top Israeli negotiator Gilad thinks face-off with Hamas is inevitable, but Israel must exhaust other options 'Post' learns Israel not opposed to idea since it could lead to Arab countries taking responsibility for Gaza, Fatah regaining control. 'Israel-Syria direct talks not far away' Olmert tells French paper negotiations could open once precise agenda, issues to discuss decided on Yedioth Ahronoth 'Proof Syria built reactor' Le Monde reports IAEA has evidence proving Damascus was developing nuclear reactor Financial Times What dream will Europe dream now? The French, Dutch and Irish voted No to Europe because they have no other means to express displeasure with the way it is being run. European citizens would be less cynical if they were regularly invited to choose the people who run its affairs, says Charles Wyplosz French defence: knowledge is key The French do not change their national security strategy often but, when they do, they change it in radical ways, writes François Heisbourg Saudi Arabia faces an oil dilemma Investment in Middle East refineries is needed. But, with Riyadh fearful that would lead to a price collapse, do not expect relief soon Time to focus on Europe’s success Enlargement has been a success story. If that positive story is not told, there is a danger of a backlash that will tie the region up in nationalist knots Bloc urged to show it still has muscle France will call on the EU to back measures against rising oil and food costs and show citizens its capacity for action in spite of Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty Christian Science Monitor Hamas, Israel truce greeted with skepticism and hope The temporary cease-fire deal bids to end attacks from Gaza militants and the Israeli army and improve life in the impoverished coastal strip Asia Times Attacking Iran: The last resort The wrong questions are being asked in the debate over whether to undertake "preventive" military action against Iran's nuclear program, according to a new report by a Washington think-tank. And should the correct questions be asked, the United States would then need to get the international community firmly on board, the report says. - David Isenberg Egypt’s Muslim Brothers: Confrontation or Integration?,* the latest report from the International Crisis Group General who probed Abu Ghraib says Bush officials committed war crimes General who probed Abu Ghraib says Bush officials committed war crimes "There is no longer any doubt as to whether the current administration has committed war crimes," retired Army Major Gen. Antonio Taguba wrote in a new report on medical evidence that U.S. troops abused prisoners in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo. "The only question that remains to be answered is whether those who ordered the use of torture will be held to account." MEMRI The Iranian Roots of Hizbullah - Nimrod Raphaeli Understanding the Correlation between Oil Prices and the Falling ... - Council on Foreign Relations Movement in Middle East Peace Talks - Council on Foreign Relations Joseph A. Palermo: John McCain and the "Project for a New American Century" McCain on Iran: Bush all over again An alarmist John McCain is using Iran as a political weapon against Barack Obama -- even as he misjudges our Middle East adversary.
By Hooman Majd Rising Risk of a Military Confrontation between Israel and Iran?
| H2 Newsweek Commentary: Is Turkey Headed for a Coup? All Turks want is peace and prosperity, but they may soon have to stand up to the generals by Grenville Byford WSJ Turkish Regress
An experiment in liberal Muslim democracy goes awry. McClatchy Genocide issue may cloud Armenia envoy nominee's hearing Semih İdiz AKP’yi kapatma kararı AİHM’den döner
Jamestown PJAK Intensifies Its Struggle for Iranian Kurdistan Pentagon'un son senaryosu: Asker darbe yaparsa... 'TSK ve İçişleri Arasında Çekişme Var' 'Soykırım Sözcüğünü Tercih Etmiyoruz' Türkiye ile mevcut sınırı tanı House Committee on Foreign Affairs The Caucasus: Frozen Conflicts and Closed Borders The Honorable Howard L. Berman , The Honorable Daniel Fried Webcast Şükrü Küçükşahin Dışişleri gizli Bakanlığı EDM TURKISH GENERAL PILLORIED BY THE FUNDAMENTALIST PRESS Fransa'da Türkiye'ye Destek Fransa: "Erdoğan jest talep ederse inceleriz" Iraq Kurdish PM Appeals to Khamene'I to Stop Iranian Shelling of Border Areas Türkiye’de gerçek demokrasi yok CEVAT EL BEŞİTİ 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 PKK’nın asimetrik avantajı bitiyor Talabani ve Barzani, maksimumu elde etmek konusunda korkunç bir baskı altındalar Zebari Rice'la Görüştü [YORUM - DR. HÜSEYİN YAYMAN] GAP Paketi çözüm olabilir mi? Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights 18 Jun 08 Oytun Orhan İsrail-Suriye Barış Görüşmelerinin Geleceği Arif Keskin İran-AB İlişkileri Gerginleşebilir Islamic states welcome Turkey-brokered peace talks Cevdet Aşkın Analysis: Future of Kirkuk field unknown İbrahim Kalın Target Iran! Sami Kohen İyi haber bombardımanı Turkish troops fight PKK in east -sources 3 PKK'lı öldü 8'i teslim oldu Kirkuk field production stymied by Baghdad-Erbil fight and unclear ...
Iraq Oil Report Türkiye'nin BM Güvenlik Konseyi geçici üyeliğine İKÖ'den destek BBC Kurdish child singers face prison Members of a Kurdish children's choir go on trial in Turkey for allegedly spreading rebel propaganda. Independent Transsexual singer faces jail after questioning Turkey's military TAMER KORKMAZ Ardan Zentürk ‘Avrasya savaşı’ öncesi Pentagon’da... Irak'ta yasadışı ilan edilen Halkın Mücahitleri, BM'den yardım istedi Fikret Ertan Sürdürülemez statükonun getirdiği ateşkes Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık SOLİ ÖZEL AB'de yol kazası Seyfettin Gürsel Referandum laneti Türkiye masaya yatırılacak ama Bakan Babacan katılamayacak
Suat Kınıklıoğlu Sarkozy’s Turcophobia AB krizdeyken Türkiye adım atmalı Yüksek petrol fiyatları BTC'ye uğramıyor
Babacan unlikely to attend key PACE meeting on Turkey AB üyeliğinde zorluk çıakrtan Fransa'nın kaderi Türkiye'nin elinde. UN confident Cyprus peace process will achieve reunification Athens to appeal ECHR ruling in favor of Turkish minority Bahadır Koç Başkan Bush’un Avrupa Gezisi ve Transatlantik İlişkileri Fillon: Türkiye’ye referandum doğru değil Mesut Yılmaz: Kapatma iptidai bir ceza; ama Türkiye'de olmalı KKTC ve Rum liderleri gelecek hafta görüşecek Erdoğan Putin Türkiye Rusya değil Türkiye karşıtlarına başbakandan 'rest' 'Türk derneği' ismi temyize gidiyor Obama'nın 'soykırım' tavrı aynı Ermeni Patrikliği için küresel diplomasi Rauf Denktaş Tarafsızlık mı? Yunanistan, 'Türk' kelimesini kabul etmemekte direniyor CHP ile DSP, Avrupa Birliği üyelik sürecinde aktif rol alacak Ermeni iddialarına desteğini yineledi Fillon, Türkiye teklifine tepkili Ms. Zeyno Baran OIL, OLIGARCHS, AND OPPORTUNITY: ENERGY FROM CENTRAL ASIA TO EUROPE Kıbrıs’ta ’Denizler bizim’ tatbikatı Derin işlere girmediğim için huzurevindeyim! - TSK’dan Q, W, X’e hayır Tayyip Erdoğan ile Fatih Terim Türkiye'ye aynı gözlükten bakıyor Jandarma'ya göre Hrant Dink cinayeti terör değil asayiş olayı Chingiz Aitmatov: Leading novelist of Central Asia writer 19 Haziran 2008 Basın Özeti | H3 Gül “adap, usul ve düzey” isteğini tekrarladı 'Kapatma davasıyla ilgili karar tarihi verilemez' Karar için temmuz başı, sonu demek mümkün değil Ekonomik programın mimarı aktif siyasete geri mi dönüyor? Erdoğan’a ‘terör destekçisi’ diyecek
3 ankette de Şener çıkıyor Yılmaz: Tehlike büyük
Mesut Yılmaz, Strasburg’da VATAN’a özel açıklamalar yaptı İşte Türkiye'deki Masonların toplam sayısı... Özcan, imam hatip için 'zıkkım' dedi
Gül kararı hukukçuları böldü Oy gelsin de her yer gecekondu olsun! JİTEM'den maaşlı Poyraz'ın kitabı kapatma delili Dava ne zaman biter belli olmaz
AP toplantısında utandıran diyalog Baykal: Sistematik yıpratma kampanyası var AKP altın fırsatı kaçırdı 8 rektöre ikinci dönem şansı "Vahim bir akıl tutulması" Girişim ertelendi
TÜSİAD'ın hamlesine iki büyük sendikadan ilginç tavır Erdoğan bugün Tuzla toplantısı düzenliyor 'Atabeyler'de karar, 'Ergenekon' savcısının cevabına göre verilecek
Son Dakika Milliyet Hürriyet Zaman Cengiz Çandar Anayasa Mahkemesi kararını 'temmuz sonu-ağustos başı' verirse Ahmet Taşgetiren Ana tartışma: Nasıl bir laiklik? Gündemi doğru okumak Ruşen - Çakır Laiklik artık yurttaşlık hakkı olmuştur Taha Akyol Hangi laiklik? Fikret Bila AKP türban kararına sevindi mi? Hasan Cemal Allah futbolda taraf tutar mı?.. Murat Yetkin Gül neden konuştu? İsmet Berkan Bir soruya iki cevap Fehmi Koru Erken uyarı Talk of the town Taha Kıvanç Şamil Tayyar Ali Bayramoğlu Anayasayı ve ahlakı askıya almak --- Asker ile yargıç baş başa ne yapar? --- Bazı laikler beyaz ırkçılar gibi! Yasemin Çongar Ertuğrul Özkök Medya patronu olmak Şahin Alpay Unutmayın: Medya dördüncü kuvvettir Mümtazer Türköne 'Rejimin bekçi köpeği' Hüseyin Gülerce Gülen'e Alevi vefası
Ahmet Hakan Sahtekárlığın belgeleri M Ali Birand Başbakan Erbil'de de dursa ne olur? Meral Tamer TÜSİAD, Derviş’li toplantıyı neden yapıyor? İsmail Küçükkaya Operasyon Erdoğan Yalçın Doğan Kapatmak yok ama ceza var Lale Sarıibrahimoğlu Soft coup already under way, hard coup possible [YORUM - ETYEN MAHÇUPYAN] Yoksa darbe normal mi? İBRAHİM KARAGÜL Sabahattin Önkibar İsmi çizilen Erdoğan'ın koalisyon hesabı! Güler Kömürcü ‘Türkiye’de sistem çok güçlü, bu krizi de kolaylıkla çözer’ YASİN DOĞAN Siyasal İslam yükseliyor mu? Cüneyt Ülsever Çek maçı örnek olabilir mi? Enis Berberoğlu Oktay Ekşi Amacı ne? Özdemir İnce Kerim Balcı 12 giant men Andrew Finkel Politics: a game of two halves Mehmet Y Yılmaz El Sabah’ın yalakasına yanıt Güneri Civaoğlu Paksüt çekilirse Korkunun ecele faydası yok
HASAN CELAL GÜZEL Demokrasi-laiklik, tavuk-yumurta TARHAN ERDEM
Erdoğan olmazsa belediyeler var! Erdoğan, Menderes ile Özal’ın yaptığını yapabiliyor mu?
ALTAN ÖYMEN AKP’nin kendini feshetmesi çözüm mü? FETHİ GEDİKLİ Gülay Göktürk Ağlama Duvarı MUHARREM SARIKAYA ERDAL ŞAFAK Utandıran bir rekor ENGİN ARDIÇ Daha ne işte ERGUN BABAHAN 30 Ağustos ve YAŞ EMRE AKÖZ Hırlayan bürokrasi Umur Talu Yer gök dinlesin! HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN Tarih tartışması
NURAY MERT NAZLI ILICAK Güneşin doğuşu MEHMET BARLAS İnsanoğlu nelere alışmamış ki bu duruma alışamasın... Mustafa Erdoğan Yavuz hırsızlar MELİHA OKUR Postmodern 28 Şubat! MAHMUT ÖVÜR Kaçak yapıda önce devrim sonra af YAVUZ DONAT Cemil Çiçek: "Kapatma davası... Maçın 75'inci dakikası..."
Alevilerden Doğan'a tepki Ekonomi ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM 'Hedef bir kez değişir' Ercan Kumcu Değirmenin suyu daha ne kadar akar Erdal Sağlam Bağımsız Merkez Bankası daha açık konuşmalı Yabancı yatırımcının korkusu parti kapatma değil, resesyon Serdar Turgut Yaprak oynamıyor söylemi Lipsky'den "tedbirli mali politika" önerisi Neredeyiz?
MAHFİ EĞİLMEZ IMF ile ilişkiler Bağımsız denetçiler hem IMF'ye hem de Türkiye'ye karne verecek ‘Economic reforms on track’ S&P says closure of Turkey’s AKP not enough to decrease rating UPDATE 1-Turkey to decide on IMF soon-PM Erdogan |
H4 New York Times Deals With Iraq Are Set to Bring Oil Giants Back Four Western oil companies are in talks with Iraq’s Oil Ministry for no-bid contracts to service the country’s largest fields. NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Strengthening Extremists If the U.S. and Israel had formed a Joint Commission to Support Hamas Extremists and Bolster Iranian Influence, they could hardly have done a better job. ROGER COHEN The Muck of the Irish When it comes to sheer electoral crassness, forget George W. Bush. It’s hard to beat what the Irish have just done with the Lisbon Treaty. Sue OPEC By THOMAS W. EVANS With the help of our antitrust laws, President Bush has the power to attack OPEC. Isn’t starting a lawsuit better than starting a war? U.S. Blames Shiite Leader for Deadly Baghdad Blast Israel Offers Lebanon Talks on Peace, and Land Editorial The Big Pander to Big Oil President Bush’s decision to ask Congress to end the federal ban on offshore drilling along much of America’s continental shelf is cruelly misleading. Mr. Smith Goes to War With KBR A Pentagon contract manager learns the risks of confronting the Bush administration’s most favored defense contractor. In the end, Goliath wins. | H5 Washington Post The Right Iraq Footprint By David Ignatius, We may be entering into a period of transitional diplomacy in Iraq Iran on Its Heels In Tehran's Setbacks, an Opportunity in Iraq By Vali Nasr, Tehran's setbacks offer an opportunity in Iraq. Foreign Policy's Best Hope By David S. Broder, Joe Biden and Richard Lugar offer a promising partnership on American foreign policy. Editorial Truce in Gaza A Middle East conflict is postponed General Accuses WH of War Crimes
By Dan Froomkin Israel Proposes Peace Talks With Lebanon Israel seeks to add another initiative to an already burgeoning diplomatic roster that includes talks with some of the state's foremost adversaries Defend Europe Now Nikos Konstandaras | Stand up for yourself, Europe, or watch your hard-earned Union erode. E.U. Moves to Standardize Immigrant Policy: Illegal Residents Could Be Jailed for as Long as 18 Months Pending Deportation U.S. Blames Shiites for Lethal Blast In Baghdad GAO Criticizes U.S. Strategy on Afghan Forces Troops Battle Taliban Fighters Soldiers from Afghan and Canadian armies launch attacks against insurgents in Kandahar province Paulson to Urge New Federal Reserve Powers Treasury secretary wants central bank to be given new, explicit powers to intervene in workings of Wall Street firms to protect financial system Cockeyed Optimists Again By Harold Meyerson, The Obama campaign offers a revival of hopefulness. That's Classified Excessive secrecy in handling official information does more harm than good. KNOWLEDGE IS power. But in government, if knowledge isn't shared between agencies and with others to whom the information could be vital, the consequences can be -- and have been -- deadly My Friend and My Source By Robert D. Novak Tim Russert's political and journalistic gifts made him unique among Washington personages. | H6 Guardian Instead of bullying the Irish, Europe should be working on plan D - and E Timothy Garton Ash: As Britain moves to ratify the Lisbon treaty, EU politicians are wrong to threaten Ireland. We're all in the same boat Europe holds the key to Iran Ilan Berman: If Europe is serious about preventing a nuclear Iran, it should put its money where its mouth is Rare opportunity to talk Editorial: The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is good news from a theatre of war that rarely fails to produce the bad variety Dividends of truce Ian Black: Only a foolhardy observer would predict peace is about to break out in the Middle East France presses for EU plan deadline Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to find a way out of Europe's crisis of confidence runs into resistance Israel seeks Lebanon talks Agreement hoped to be reached with Hizbullah over Israeli soldiers captured at start of 2006 Lebanon war France marches back into contention Robert Fox: President Sarkozy's move back into Nato is canny: it will rescue the country's antiquated forces and increase its world clout Explainer: Why casualties are up The war in Afghanistan is entering a crucial stage as Taliban leaders resort to "terrorist" tactics with the help of foreign fighters exposing British troops to greater danger, analysts said yesterday The Bush legacy Jim Godfrey: With less than seven months to go, the president is softening his Republicanism so Europe will remember him kindly Superiority and separation Priyamvada Gopal: Orientalism at 30 In a world divided and made unequal by economic and military subjugation we need to think about points of commonality Study to force ministers to review climate change plan Exclusive: Rush to develop biofuels plays 'significant' role in rise of food prices Bush calls for lifting of Alaska ban President proposes overturning decades-old drilling bans for the US to claim extra oil supply |
| H7 RFERL Washington's Dilemma -- To Negotiate Or Not? One of the most hotly debated issues in the current U.S. presidential campaign has been how to deal with Tehran. We asked two leading U.S. analysts about the options Is there an ideal oil price?
GulfNews By Amir Taheri Egypt’s Muslim Brothers: Confrontation or Integration?,* the latest report from the International Crisis Group UPI Egypt needs to end Muslim Brothers clash A report by the International Crisis Group says the Egyptian government could end its clash with the Muslim Brothers through political integration. MEMRI The Iranian Roots of Hizbullah - Nimrod Raphaeli WSJ Oil States Sprout Financial Hubs The oil-rich Arab leaders of the Persian Gulf are racing to build financial oases in the desert. Western financiers are coming in -- Citigroup is transferring a top investment banker to Dubai. Yet, it's far from certain the region can sustain a world-class financial center Kuwait's Empowered Islamists Question All Things Western By: Jamie Etheridge | The Christian Science Monitor Kuwait is seeing a surge in conservative Islamist legislative proposals just one month after the country's Salafi Islamists and tribal candidates gained a majority in its National Assembly. With 29 out of 50 seats, this newly empowered bloc appears to be testing its political capital and could succeed in making an already conservative country even more socially strict Is Being Asked to Leave Iraq Good Thing or Bad? Asia Times Attacking Iran: The last resort The wrong questions are being asked in the debate over whether to undertake "preventive" military action against Iran's nuclear program, according to a new report by a Washington think-tank. And should the correct questions be asked, the United States would then need to get the international community firmly on board, the report says. - David Isenberg Mixed US messages to Iran
Even as the six nations (including the United States) dealing with Iran on its nuclear program are locked in negotiations that might yet produce results, the George W Bush administration acts counter to this initiative. Call it bad-faith diplomacy or apprehensions about the outsourcing of Iran policy, it does not bode well for the unity of "Iran Six" diplomacy. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi A missed opportunity US Representative Henry A Waxman With US President George W Bush in lame-duck land, many Democrats in Washington believe a new approach is needed toward Iran. Among their ranks is Waxman, who feels some sort of "grand bargain" is possible between the countries and that using the term "axis of evil" is just plain stupid. Nor has he ruled out a photo-op with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad Bloggingheads: Iraq and Vietnam Joshua Cohen, left, of Stanford University and Brink Lindsey of the Cato Institute look at the parallels between the Iraq and Vietnam wars. The Arab Initiative and the New US Administration | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Iraqi Sunni, Shii Politicians Discuss US-Iraq Security Agreement - Al-Jazeera Awakening councils want political voice The Sunni Awakening movement is positioning itself as a political force in Iraq but faces challenges in a crowded arena, U.S. officials say. Al-Sharqiyah TV Interviews Al-Sadr's Aide Al-A'Raji on US-Iraq Pact Iraqi army 'preparing offensive' Security forces are reportedly massing in southern Iraq in preparation for an operation to drive out Shia militia groups. U.S. drops immunity from Iraqi SOFA Maliki urges restraint with Sadr forces Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Wednesday ordered military forces to avoid making needless arrests of Sadrist fighters in the provincial capital of Maysan. | H9 Ha’aretz – Israel-Hamas truce takes hold in Gaza Strip ANALYSIS / For truce architect, Israel chose lesser of two evils Top Israeli negotiator Gilad thinks face-off with Hamas is inevitable, but Israel must exhaust other options Olmert: Gaza cease-fire is fragile, may not last Aspiring to a lengthy cease-fire The welcome cease-fire that is supposed to come into effect Thursday at 6 A.M. can succeed, and it is necessary to give it a real chance instead of looking for disadvantages Moshe Arens: Israel has nothing to fear from next U.S. administration Olmert to French daily: Israel, Syria not far from direct talks Rosner's Domain / The Joe Lieberman dilemma Man who used to be Democrats' No. 2 now thorn in their side; senator seeking to convince Jews to vote McCain The darkest anti-Semitic period in U.S. history 'Post' learns Israel not opposed to idea since it could lead to Arab countries taking responsibility for Gaza, Fatah regaining control. 'Israel-Syria direct talks not far away' Olmert tells French paper negotiations could open once precise agenda, issues to discuss decided on [ DANIEL PIPES Encountering Peace: The Road Map Can Work By: Gershon Baskin | The Jerusalem Post Remember the road map? For some time it was the only game in town and then Ariel Sharon declared that there was no partner and declared the unilateral disengagement from Gaza. Then came Mahmoud Abbas, elected with a large majority to rule the Palestinian Authority and once again the road map showed up as the plan to guide the sides back to the table. Yedioth Ahronoth 'Proof Syria built reactor' Le Monde reports IAEA has evidence proving Damascus was developing nuclear reactor 'Direct talks with Syria near' PM Olmert tells France's Le Figaro Jerusalem, Damascus closer to holding direct negotiations Knesset to vote on Golan referendum Alliance of the weak Truce deal taking shape because two weak governments want ceasefire Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Israel and Hamas ceasefire begins A truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza begins, despite a last minute flurry of cross-border attacks. Timely truce What impact will Israel-Hamas deal have? Al-Arabiya TV Reports on Syrian-Israeli Talks Who for me? - Times Literary Supplement What has Jewish opposition to Zionism got to do with self-hatred? Toby Lichtig Don't Hold Your Breath By: Ian Black | The Guardian
The Hamas ceasefire is a positive sign, but even if it sticks, there are plenty of questions still left to answer Hamas Feels It Benefits More From a Truce Than Israel By: Shaul Arieli | The Daily Star
The policy of "throwing away the keys" that characterized the Israeli withdrawal and removal of settlements from the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2005 played right into Hamas' hands as it sought to achieve political and social objectives based on a strategy of "armed struggle" and non-recognition of Israel. Poll: Palestinians Support Rocket Fire, Armed Attacks Inside Israel (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research) Gaza, Israel launch rockets, airstrikes ahead of cease-fire Hamas's Khalid Mish'Al Cited on Palestinian Reconciliation, Syrian- Israeli Talks |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Hamas, Israel truce greeted with skepticism and hope The temporary cease-fire deal bids to end attacks from Gaza militants and the Israeli army and improve life in the impoverished coastal strip US says Baghdad bombing was meant to reignite sectarian violence The military blamed a little-known Shiite cell leader for Tuesday's attack in the Shiite neighborhood of Hurriyah that killed at least 63 people. Battle for independent voters begins With McCain also claiming the centrist mantle, moving to the middle may be more crucial for Obama. Pentagon ponders transition in time of war Officials want to ensure the change to a new administration goes smoothly ASIA Asian Regionalism, Strategic Evolution and U.S. Policy in Asia Brookings Institution LA Times Who'll lead in Asia? By Kim Holmes and Walter Lohman Occasionally, a simple remark reveals far more about the state of American leadership than any speech, policy statement or white paper. During an official visit to Beijing in late May by Lee Myung-bak, the new South Korean president and stalwart American friend, China's foreign ministry declared the U.S.-South Korea alliance a "historical relic." India-Pakistan peace on track, somehow
With Pakistan mired in political uncertainty and security problems, there is still wide public sentiment in favor of peace with old foe India. Citing a generational shift, experts say Pakistani hostility towards India is waning, as are bitter memories of partition and religious differences. Delhi's role in the democratization of its neighbor now depends on talks this month China's Responsibility to Protect By: David C. Gompert | The Washington Post
Because of the world's failure to stop the butchering of 800,000 Rwandans, and other atrocities of the 1990s, the United Nations in 2005 adopted a principle known as the responsibility to protect. China is big enough to be a world leader. But it is it principled enough? Is the India and China Hype True? By: Brahma Chellaney | The Japan Times It's commonplace to speak of India and China as two emerging great powers challenging the Western domination of the world. But history hasn't always favored the apparent giants For Indonesia's President, Standing Up to Islamists Would Be a Political Winner By: Fabio Scarpello | World Politics Review
Opinion polls indicate that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono remains Indonesia's most popular politician. This is not little comfort for the man who has helmed the country for the last four years and is set to contest for a second term in 2009 Exporting the Asian Miracle to Africa By: Adam Wolfe | ISN Security Watch Japan's Africa conference last month was the latest in a series of events demonstrating growing Asia-Africa ties, but can Asia help pull Africa out of poverty Are we all North Koreans now?
The global economy is reeling from the triple whammy of soaring energy and food prices and extreme weather stress, and as long as policymakers don't address all three of these trends as one major crisis, it could get a whole lot worse. Just ask North Korea, which in the 1990s was the world's canary. The famine there that killed as much as 10% of the population was a harbinger of the crisis that now grips the globe - though few saw it that way at the time. - John Feffer | H11 IHT Roger Cohen: The EU in an Irish bog EU history is full of acts of ingenuity that have kept the Euro bicycle from toppling. The months ahead should be used to find one to deal with the ungrateful Irish. A fair fight for Lebanon's army By NICHOLAS NOE Better to arm the Lebanese Army than to leave the field open to Hezbollah. EU votes to unify rules on detention of migrants U.S. may seek to base missile shield in Lithuania New location for interceptors is possible as talks with Poland lag. But an approach to the Baltic state is likely to stir tensions with Russia. Bush v. the Bill of Rights If the U.S. Congress can't fix the Surveillance Act, it should leave it to the next president. A nightmare of loose nukes Pakistan must make A.Q. Khan, the so-called father of the country's nuclear bomb, available to tell IAEA inspectors who bought the nuclear weapons design he had obtained from his country's military EUROPE European press review Senate FRC OIL, OLIGARCHS, AND OPPORTUNITY: ENERGY FROM CENTRAL ASIA TO EUROPE Walker's World: France's new military The Quiet Rebellion in Europe - John O'Sullivan, New York Post Details of new European Union immigration rules Ukraine Proves It’s Committed to the Alliance By: Nikolay Filchenko | Kommersant The Ukrainian government claims that after the present NATO visit Kiev is likely to get the long-awaited membership action plan at the summit of the Foreign Ministers of the alliance’s states this December From Sign and Sight, why Ukraine has no place in the EU: Ukraine likes to conjure up the magic word "Galicia" to create an identity of European belonging Richard Wagner picks apart this myth-cum-trademark. Who speaks for Europe? An article on the PC defenders of the West. Royal Navy Warships May Form Part of EU Fleet By: James Kirkup | The Telegraph The French proposal would see a British aircraft carrier placed at the heart of a new EU naval group. The prospect of such close co-operation between two navies whose clashes include the Battle of Trafalgar is likely to outrage eurosceptics and is already said to have caused concern among British admirals. Elusive Finality: Despatch from Newly-Independent Kosovo IFIMES Europeans eye U.S. models to ease school segregation A diverse area in Amsterdam weighs assigning students based in part on race, class, and parents' education level. Bulgaria moves closer to visa-free travel Referenda: democracy vs elites, Gisela Stuart
| H12 RFE/RL US: Russia putting dangerous pressure on Georgia European Union: Democratization Key to Conflict Resolution in South Caucasus BY JEAN-CHRISTOPHE PEUCH The European Union views the establishment of democracy and rule of law in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan as being critical elements in the resolution of post-Soviet conflicts of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh. Central Asia: Bush Administration Seeks to Shortchange Region on Democratization Aid A leading democracy watchdog group is calling on the US Congress to block budget cuts proposed by the Bush administration that would hamper civil society development in Central Asia. Kazakhstan: Early Parliamentary Poll on the Cards Mounting speculation that Kazakhstan will call an early parliamentary election was fuelled last week when an official from President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s administration dropped heavy hints that a fresh vote is expected as the country gears up to assume the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2010 House Committee on Foreign Affairs The Caucasus: Frozen Conflicts and Closed Borders The Honorable Howard L. Berman , The Honorable Daniel Fried Webcast EDM UKRAINE PREPARING LEGAL PROCEDURES FOR RUSSIAN FLEET'S WITHDRAWAL ON SCHEDULE
- RUSSIA STALLING TALKS ON FLEET WITHDRAWAL FROM UKRAINE
- MEDVEDEV REPORTEDLY SET TO NAME AN ANTI-CORRUPTION AIDE Google News Azerbaijan Gazprom's Dirty Secret By: Roman Kupchinsky | The Moscow Times
Did Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, while serving as chairman of Gazprom, know that the company might have been linked to organized crime through the Swiss-based intermediary company RosUkrEnergo? I believe that he knew this but ignored it Four charged for killing Politkovskaya Russian investigators round up four men in connection with journalist's murder but doubts remain |
| H13 The Times Israel: compromised Olmert reaches out The Israeli Prime Minister may be seeking distractions from his problems at home, but he is at last seeking progress abroad It's not as bad as the Sixties We have dealt with inflation before - and if we learn the lessons of the past we can do so again Anatole Kaletsky It won't be Hillary Obama's big clue that Clinton won't be his Vice President Pressure on Czechs and Poles to say 'yes' Pressure grows on EU leaders as Eastern European countries prepare to follow Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty Israel pursues prisoner swap with Hezbollah Israel pushes multiple diplomatic initiatives amid hopes that a Gaza truce with Hamas will hold when it comes into force Mann names Thatcher as coup plotter Old Etonian mercenary on trial for coup plot in Equatorial Guinea says Margaret Thatcher's son was more than financier Wall Street Journal Israel's Truce With Hamas Is a Victory for Iran
By Michael B. Oren Moderate Palestinians are losers too. Pivoting to Victory
By James Taranto Is Barack Obama preparing to sell out Democrats who crave defeat in Iraq The Future Is in the Pipeline
By Edward Lucas Bookshelf: Reagan's warnings about the political dangers of Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas now seem prescient. Obama and McCain Spout Economic Nonsense
By Karl Rove Is knowledge or consistency too much to ask? By Mark Dubowitz
Islamic countries have found the ideal forum to muzzle free speech: the U.N. | H14 Financial Times What dream will Europe dream now? The French, Dutch and Irish voted No to Europe because they have no other means to express displeasure with the way it is being run. European citizens would be less cynical if they were regularly invited to choose the people who run its affairs, says Charles Wyplosz French defence: knowledge is key The French do not change their national security strategy often but, when they do, they change it in radical ways, writes François Heisbourg Saudi Arabia faces an oil dilemma Investment in Middle East refineries is needed. But, with Riyadh fearful that would lead to a price collapse, do not expect relief soon Time to focus on Europe’s success Enlargement has been a success story. If that positive story is not told, there is a danger of a backlash that will tie the region up in nationalist knots Bloc urged to show it still has muscle France will call on the EU to back measures against rising oil and food costs and show citizens its capacity for action in spite of Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty Shaky truce begins between Israel and Hamas Both sides voiced doubt over how long the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire might hold, as truce begins after another day of cross-border violence Mideast foes take hard line on eve of truce Israeli has reiterated a call for direct talks with Lebanon, at which all issues dividing the two countries could be ‘put on the table’. PA faces tough test in wild West Bank The Palestinian Authority pledge to impose “one law, one authority and one gun” on the occupied territories is facing one of its sternest tests in the West Bank city of Jeni US forces blame Shia militia for Baghdad bomb US forces have blamed a rogue Shia militia group seeking to stir up sectarian violence for a devastating truck bombing that killed 63 people in Baghdad Dana aims to power Iraqi needs Sharjah’s Dana Gas is investing $650m into the largest private sector project to date in postwar Iraq as it aims to complement the state-backed oil groups of the Middle East ‘Anxiety’ Moscow over US-Lithuania talks A senior Russian lawmaker warned that discussions between the US and Lithuania over co-operating on Washington’s missile defence system “could not but provoke anxiety” in Mosco Could Asia buckle under inflation? Countries across the region will have to sacrifice growth if they are to mount an effective response Bush backs McCain on oil drilling President George W. Bush offered support to John McCain’s plan to lift the ban on fresh oil drilling off the US coast and accused Democrats of contributing to record fuel prices by restricting domestic productionillin | H15 Los Angeles Times Shiite behind Iraq bombing, U.S. says The U.S. military asserts that a hard-liner protecting a real estate scheme in the Baghdad district was responsible for Tuesday's attack, which killed 63 people Is famine coming? Paul Roberts says the global food shortage is already here. Jacob Grier argues the crisis demands freer trade. Discuss Torture began at the top Tim Rutten Apart from understanding how and why the Bush/Cheney administration tricked the American people into going to war in Iraq, no question is more urgent than how the White House forced the adoption of torture as state policy of the United States. With stakes high, oil crisis fuels blame game Speculators, consumers, Saudi Arabia, environmentalists, the Bush administration and congressional Democrats have come under fire . U.S. trainers have key mission in Afghanistan An Army officer from California heads a team working to train police in a country where the officers often are corrupt 4 Afghanistan villages wrested from Taliban Insurgents who moved into a rural area near Kandahar over the weekend still hold about six villages. Elsewhere, a bomb kills four British troops. |
| H16 American Politics Obama, The Post-Post 9/11 Candidate - Philip Klein, American Spectator
Using 9/11 For Partisan Gain - Michael Scherer, Time
Obama leads McCain in key states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, polls say Battle for independent voters begins Moving to the middle may be more crucial for Obama. realclearpolitics memeorandum ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp | H17 Daily Telegraph UK allies must do more in Afghanistan The loss of four soldiers in a roadside bombing near Lashkar Gah in Afghanistan on Tuesday brings the British death toll to 106 Britain ratifies EU Treaty Britain has become the 19th European Union country to ratify the Lisbon Treaty without a referendum, after the EU Amendment Bill completed its passage through Parliament Our EU masters have no sense of shame Euro-sceptics should not despair of reforming our relationship with Brussels, argues Iain Martin. Things will get worse, warns Bank governor Families will see their standard of living stagnate this year while the value of their homes will fall further, Mervyn King has warned Israel hints at peace with Hizbollah | H18 Independent Hamish McRae: Happy birthday to the euro – but the real test for the currency lies ahead Adrian Hamilton: This meeting in Saudi Arabia won't solve oil prices Leading article: An uncertain step towards peace Israelis cautiously welcome news of truce with Hamas The Big Question: Why are Dutch soldiers being sued for the massacre at Srebrenica? Michelle Obama counters her critics by hosting TV chat show Michelle Obama went on daytime television yesterday to reveal that she likes Laura Bush, does not like wearing tights ("they hurt") and – oh, yes – is very, very proud of her country and always has been |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism Analysis: USAF counterinsurgency, Part 2 To make the U.S. Air Force more relevant to the military's new counterinsurgency mission, experts say, the new leadership of the service has to "reinvent itself," look for alternatives to high-cost, high-tech, fuel-guzzling aircraft, and break out of its decades-long planning and procurement cycle to become a more agile, diverse force. A review of Creating the National Security State: A History of the Law That Transformed America by Douglas T. Stuart. Intelligence Agencies Undermine Nuclear Smuggling Trial By: Juergen Dahlkamp, John Goetz and Holger Stark | Der Spiegel
An engineer is on trial in Germany for allegedly attempting to help Libya develop a nuclear bomb. But the network the man was allegedly part of was under surveillance by intelligency agencies, with the CIA getting involved early on. The Swiss government has even gone so far as to eliminate evidence by secretly shredding thousands of documents Boumediene v. Bush and the Role of the Courts in the War on Terror By: Geoffrey S. Corn | World Politics Review In the wake of Boumediene v. Bush, a more robust judicial role in the process of establishing a legally acceptable definition of the critical term "enemy combatant" is now a certainty Waterboarding, Slapping, Sensory Deprivation – All on US Tactics List Spain and SA 'backed coup plot' Spain and South Africa "gave the green" light for a failed coup in Equatorial Guinea, a British mercenary tells a court. US-held terror suspects 'abused' Examinations of 11 former detainees at US military jails show evidence of torture, a human rights group says Easing of laws that led to detainee abuse hatched in secret The framework under which detainees were imprisoned for years without charges at Guantanamo and in many cases abused in Afghanistan wasn't the product of American military policy or the fault of a few rogue soldiers. It was largely the work of five White House, Pentagon and Justice Department lawyers who, following the orders of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, reinterpreted or tossed out the U.S. and international laws that govern the treatment of prisoners in wartime, according to former U.S. defense and Bush administration officials. The Supreme Court now has struck down many of their legal interpretations. The lawyers drafted legal opinions that circumvented the military's code of justice, the federal court system and America's international treaties in order to prevent anyone — from soldiers on the ground to the president — from being held accountable for activities that at other times have been considered war crimes. » read more General who probed Abu Ghraib says Bush officials committed war crimes General who probed Abu Ghraib says Bush officials committed war crimes "There is no longer any doubt as to whether the current administration has committed war crimes," retired Army Major Gen. Antonio Taguba wrote in a new report on medical evidence that U.S. troops abused prisoners in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo. "The only question that remains to be answered is whether those who ordered the use of torture will be held to account." | H20 Slate It Was Top Down, Stupid The Bush administration's "bad apples" theory goes sour.
Phillipe Sands Public Sector Reform: What Works and Why
World Bank This 120-page study evaluates public sector reform in developing countries Arctic sea ice melt 'even faster'
After a cold winter, Arctic sea ice has melted quickly, suggesting that summers could be ice-free within five to 10 years U.S. Weighs Emissions Trading By: Fiona Harvey and Stephanie Kirchgaessner | Financial Times
Devoid of American participation, the international market in carbon dioxide emissions is a partly formed creature whose health remains uncertain. When President George W. Bush took office he refused to ratify the United Nations’ Kyoto protocol on climate change and attempts to set up a domestic system of trading emissions have been thwarted Productivity and Potential Growth in the United States and Europe
Source: The Brookings Institution Full Document (PDF; 250 KB) The Coming Population Bust By: Jeff Jacoby | The Boston Globe
Thomas Malthus has been dead for 170 years, but the Malthusian fallacy - the dread conviction that the growth of human population leads to hunger, shortages, and a ravaged environment -- is unfortunately alive and well. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: History, Perspectives, and Issues (updated June 6, 2008) (PDF; 119 KB)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists) Is there any hope for the UN to do good? Shmuel Rosner and Adam LeBor debate | H21 Why do government efforts to correct problems so often seem to make things worse? Because people are the problems... more» An interview with Steven Pinker, evolutionary man. From Der Spiegel, a special report on how speculators are causing the cost of living to skyrocket If politicians were angels, we wouldn't need smart voters — but they aren't. A public health issue, says psychiatrist. How Celtics, Lakers rebuilt themselves – a trade at a time Can other NBA cities do the same? It's a daunting task, experts say. |
