082808f - FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW (FPR) - ‘Relevant news, views, comments and analyses for informed debate’ Compiled by Şanlı Bahadır Koç U.S. / Britain / Turkey / Magazines / Think-tanks / Blogs / Misc /Books / Quickread / Numbers / Reports - Subscribe to FPR FPR Table - H4 NYT WP GU H7 ME Isr H10 CSM IHT Eur FSU Asia H13 Times WSJ FT LAT H16 USP DT Ind H19 Mil Int Ter Wonk H21 Misc

H1 New York Times Obama Wins Nomination; Biden and Bill Clinton Rally Party A unanimous vote made Barack Obama the first African-American to become a major party nominee for president, bringing to an end a two-year political struggle.

Speech Text: Biden | Clinton

Editorial Mr. Obama’s Moment

Barack Obama needs to be clear about what he stands for, and about why — in such dire times — Americans should trust him and his party with their futures.

NATO Ships in Black Sea Raise Alarms in Russia

Christian Science Monitor

Russia's case on Georgia territories: Like Kosovo or not?

Tuesday, after invoking Kosovo to recognize two separatist republics, Russia changed its tack.

Syria eyes an edge amid Russia-U.S. rift Damascus is seeking an arms deal with Moscow, a move that would bolster its position in the Middle East

Clinton speech moves Democrats toward unity, but hasn't clinched it Her words to the Democratic faithful Tuesday night are a first step, not an end point, toward bringing diehard Clinton fans around to Obama.

Guardian Georgia is the graveyard of America's unipolar world Seumas Milne: Russia's defiance in the Caucasus has brought down the curtain on Bush senior's new world order - not before time

The story's great, the rhetoric soars, but soon Obama must heed Canute Timothy Garton Ash: Look beyond Denver's schmaltzfest and you see how the relative power of a US president is diminishing on all sides

Europe must stand up
to Russia says UK Miliband says west must re-examine every aspect of relations with Moscow

US and Russia deploy warships in Black Sea

Any country could be next, warns Ukraine president

Poti: the hottest place in the new cold war Luke Harding: The Black Sea town of Poti has been a port for 2,500 years. But now it has a new claim to fame

TNI Make a Deal with Iran

by Nikolas K. Gvosdev With instability in the Middle East now compounded by a resurgent Russia, the time is ripe to push for a major breakthrough in U.S.-Iran relations.

Washington Post Editorial Russia's Delusion A flurry of presidential statements on Georgia mix lies with a dangerous new doctrine.

7 Years to Climate Midnight

By Carlos Pascual and Strobe Talbott Urgent and drastic action by the international community is required, and the United States must take the lead.

U.S. to Hand Over Security Duties in Anbar to Iraqi Forces Move Frees More Marines for Afghanistan

U.S. Military Ship Delivers Aid to Georgia Vessel Shifts Course, Avoids Port Where Russians Are Posted

The surge and its contradictions by ROBERT OLSON*

Asia Times The Biden factor in US-Iran relations The Democratic ticket in the US presidential race holds with it the possibility of a serious change in American foreign policy, especially with regard to Iran. Senator Joseph Biden is a strong advocate of engagement with Tehran and a vocal opponent of any military action against it as a result of its nuclear program. Iran has already indicated it would respond positively to a softer US approach. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi

Biden's stumble over Iraq In response to the consequences of the US invasion of Iraq and the resulting weakening of popular support for the war, Senator Joseph Biden has recently joined the chorus of Democrats calling for the withdrawal of most combat forces. Yet Biden's key role in making possible the US Congress' authorization of the 2003 US invasion will not convince the anti-war constituency. - Stephen Zunes

Shi'ite Resistance to Sunnis Threatens Progress of Surge By: Shaun Waterman | United Press International The Iraqi government is resisting U.S. efforts to incorporate former Sunni insurgents into Iraqi security forces, threatening a strategy that helped make the surge a success thus far and could allow U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraqi cities next year

Asia Times Sectarian clashes flare in Iraq A United States-backed security operation meant to target al-Qaeda has instead focused only on Iraqi cities with large Sunni populations. Sunni residents claim the operations are clearly sectarian and also blame Shi'ite militias backed by the government in Baghdad. - Ahmed Ali and Dahr Jamail

Financial Times Moscow’s plan is to redraw the map of Europe

Mikheil Saakashvili says Russia is empire-building

Russia could push China closer to the west Moscow and Beijing may both be pursuing forms of authoritarian capitalism but they are not automatic bedfellows, writes Geoff Dyer

West will need to look again at pipeline routes

Expect another action-reaction missile incident

Iraq revives oil deal with China

If finalised, the deal with CNPC, Asia’s biggest oil and gas company, to develop al-Ahdab oilfield would mark the first important commitment to Iraq by a foreign company since Baghdad nationalised its industry in 1972

Daily Star Might Lebanon face what Georgia did?
By Michael Young

What would Biden's Middle East policy look like? SHMUEL ROSNER

Foreign Policy Seven Questions: Russia’s Big Mistake Paul A. Goble

Independent Crimean peninsula could be the next South Ossetia

Leading article: Both sides should cool the Cold War rhetoric

Adrian Hamilton: We need an old approach for the new global politics

Jerusalem Post Israel walks tightrope as US and Russia dispatch ships to Georgia Post learns J'lem unlikely to join chorus of condemnations coming from the West over Moscow's recognition of breakaway republics

The Times Miliband must stop playing with fire It takes two to start a cold war and Russia has so far been provoked pointlessly into confrontation Robert Skidelsky

Reckless Russia By recognising two separatist Georgian provinces, Russia has redrawn the map of the Caucasus by force. It has also damaged itself immeasurably

Russian-backed rebels in 'ethnic cleansing' Georgians in a Russian army buffer zone are being subjected to a campaign of violence and murder, officials tell The Times

Newsweek Hirsh: How Biden Would Compare to Cheney

RFE/RL Georgia Woes Could Have Ripple Effect Russia's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia could have severe repercussions on peace efforts in other "frozen conflicts" areas where Moscow has strategic interests. More

Russia Pushing Weapons Sales in Middle East and Beyond By: Nilita Petrov | The Middle East Times
Three events came together independently to produce an intrigue that is hooking politicians and media in the Middle East

Abkhazia's card, Russia's game, Zygmunt Dzieciolowski

Los Angeles Times Georgia looks for the silver lining Despite devastating losses from the war with Russia, leaders think the West now sees Moscow's true colors and will redouble support.

How Reagan would've dealt with Georgia By Henry R. Nau When diplomacy isn't enough and force is too risky, a policy of conservative internationalism is best.

Ha’aretz – Bradley Burston: What really scares us about Barack Obama

Diplomat: Russia to up naval presence in Syrian ports Diplomats in Damascus say, however, Russia not keen to sell arms that may change Mideast power balance

Haaretz TV: Iran-Israel arms race heats up, both boost naval capabilities

Benn A casually deployed radar system

The deployment of a U.S. radar system in the Negev will constitute the first American base on Israeli territory

Knowing when to strikeIf Israel is determined this time, actually only if it is determined, perhaps a preemptive strike will not be necessary

Wall Street Journal How the Georgian Conflict Really Started By Melik Kaylan Russia's version of events doesn't jibe with the facts.

The Master Has ArrivedBy Peggy Noonan Convention Notebook: Bill Clinton Makes the Case, and Obama Gets Ready to Gamble

Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: How Far Will the Caucasus Conflict Go? The next move in the Caucasus belongs to the United States. The question is how far Washington and Moscow will push the issue.

Iraq, U.S.: 2011 Withdrawal Was Compromise From 2015 The planned 2011 withdrawal date of U.S. troops from Iraq was a compromise between a U.S. request to remain until 2015 and an Iraqi request to have troops out by 2010

Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: Abkhaz and South Ossetian Independence, the Russian Motive

The New Map of Georgia By: BenJudah | ISN Security Watch
Moscow redraws the map of Georgia, recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as the dust settles and it becomes clearer where power lies on Europe's borderlands

Why is No One Talking About Georgia and Iran? by Marty Peretz

H2 Montrö faturası

Suskun ama etkili

Soli Özel| Zor denge

GMF After Georgia: Turkey's Looming Foreign Policy Dilemmas by Ian Lesser

Yasemin Çongar “Ahlaksız adam” Türkiye için de bir şans sayılmalı

Biden ve Türk-Amerikan ilişkileri

Asia Times Turkey has a
rough road ahead Turkey is trying to develop an autonomous foreign policy, including deeper energy ties with Iran, in unprecedented conditions, among them war on its doorstep. Yet its regional Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform will not solve the country's basic economic problems and the outlook cannot be optimistic amid the worldwide downturn. - Robert M Cutler

Semih İdiz Rusya KKTC’yi ne zaman tanıyacak?

Türkiye’den düşük profil

Georgia crisis to constrain Turkey's 'engage all' foreign policy, says expert

Talat: Bağımsızlık kararına saygılıyız

Sami Kohen Türkiye için sıkıntı ve açmaz...

Seyfettin Gürsel Batı'nın zayıf halkası Türkiye

Çankaya'da Erivan muhasebesi sürüyor

Türkiye: Kafkasya Platformu çökmedi

İstanbul adeta küçük Kafkasya

Crisis in the South Caucasus: Turkey's Big Moment?
AMBERİN ZAMAN

Ergenekon linked to 2001 assassination

İç Basında Türk Dış Politikası Dış Basında Türkiye - BBC Turkish 0700 VOA TSİ 06:30 Turkish Press Review Google News Turkey TurcoPundit

Google News Fırat News Agency KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect Dış Basında Irak BBC Monitoring Inter-national

Talabani advisor says president had successful surgery

Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights (in Arabic) 27 Aug 08

Iraqi Kurdish Press Highlights (in Arabic) 26 Aug 08

Cevdet Aşkın TSK'dan yeni yasa talebi, PKK'dan şiddeti yayma taktiği

Okay Gönensin

PKK'yı karıştıran skandal

Miting gibi cenaze

Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık

Büyükanıt: Montrö'ye aykırı durum yok

Güngör Uras Rusya’yı rahatsız edemeyiz

Rauf Denktaş Olmaz olmaz!

Can Dündar Karnı ağrıyan...

New Kosovos emerge in the Caucasus
İLYAS KAMALOV

Ankara cold to Russian ambassador's BSEC idea

Presidential guards preparing for Yerevan mission

Envoy: Kosovo set precedent for South Ossetia, Abkhazia

Sıra Kırım'da mı?

Rusya'nın Güney Osetya ve Abhazya'yı tanıması Ukrayna'yı kaygılandırdı

Turkey to host last Cyprus summit before Sept. talks

Güney Osetya’nın bağımsızlığı ve Uluslararası Ceza Mahkemesi

Gürcistan’da tarih yeniden başladı NEJAT ESLEN

Ardan Zentürk Savaş yayılır mı

Ege’deki uçuşlara müdahale

Kıbrıs'ta feribot tartışması

Cypriot, Syrian Ministers Discuss Illegal Migration, Shipping Routes

İbrahim Kalın World order tested in the Caucasus

İBRAHİM KARAGÜL

Füzeler ateşleniyor: Hiç bu kadar kötüsü olmadı

MELİHA OKUR
Gürcistan "mücbir" sebep sayılsın!

Mete Çubukçu İran-Gürcistan arasında

Hedo Okur Tuncay Nihat Altintop

Türkiye'de her dört evden birinde internet var

Hurşit Güneş Gelirleri artırmak için turizm mevsimsellikten kurtulmalı

Statue of Emperor Is Uncovered in Turkey

Çocuk pornosuna erişim yüzde 98 engellendi

Şükrü Küçükşahin Atalay’ın altı yıldır söyledikleri

YouTube: Ne açık ne kapalı

Festival için Başbakanlık'tan tek kuruş almadık

700 bin traktör hurdaya çıkacak, yabancılar Türkiye'ye akın ediyor

Başbakan'ın olduğu yerde şarkı söylemem

Çok sevdikleri şarkıcıdan AK Partilileri şok eden cevap.

Serdar Turgut
Yazarlık üzerine ve kendimle hesaplaşma

Başkaldıran bir entellektüel! Bilinmeyen yönleriyle Cemil Meriç-7

H3 Org. Başbuğ'dan önemli açıklamalar

Gül: Yeminime sadığım, vicdanım rahat

‘Laiklikte tarafız’

Eşimi istifaya zorluyorlar

Asıl hedef beyefendi

Gerekçeli karar Eylül’de

Laik devletin korunmasında

Anayasa tartışması tekrar alevlendi

Başıma bu işi Turhan açtı

Yeni komutandan 'şahin' başlangıç

Saçan, kilit isim Tuncay Güney'i de yurtdışına kaçırdı

'İçki dayağında' AKP de devrede

Adliyeden çıkış garantim yok

Paksüt: Ergenekon’la ilgim yok, hedef eşim

Demirel’e göre AKP aklanmadı, suçlandı

Citibank: Mr. Anderson diye biri bizde çalışmıyor

İçki satan büfelere baskı iddiası

30 Ağustos davetiyesi için Başbuğ formülü

Sürpriz bağlantı

Zihinleri kurtaran Ergenekoncu!

Uzlaşma turlarına çıkabilirim

'Rektörleri Çankaya seçmemeli'

AK Party skeptical about MHP proposals

TOBB da anayasa değişikliği istedi

Son Dakika Milliyet Hürriyet Zaman GH Türkiye

Cengiz Çandar

Ahmet Taşgetiren MHP’nin duruşu

Ruşen - Çakır

Taha Akyol

Fikret Bila Jandarmanın rahatsızlığı

Hasan Cemal Türkiye'de AB'ye sırtını dönerek demokrasi olmaz!

Murat Yetkin ‘Gül’ün ziyaretine çok önem veriyoruz’

İsmet Berkan Birbuçuk kutuplu dünyaya devam

Fehmi Koru Yeni dönemde medya

Taha Kıvanç

Şamil Tayyar

Ali Bayramoğlu

Yasemin Çongar “Ahlaksız adam” Türkiye için de bir şans sayılmalı

Ertuğrul Özkök Bir fincan kahvenin hatırı

Ahmet Hakan

M Ali Birand TSK'da farklı bir süreç başlıyor

İsmail Küçükkaya
TSK’da paradigma değişimi...

MHP’nin demokrasi açılımı
HASAN CELAL GÜZ

MAHMUT ÖVÜR AK Parti'nin 'yerel irade' sınavı

Cüneyt Ülsever Ergenekon davasına bakış açım

Enis Berberoğlu

Sabahattin Önkibar Bahçeli AKP'ye tuzak mı kuruyor, omuz mu veriyor?

Oktay Ekşi Rusya’nın faturası

Bekir Coşkun Tek parti dayağı...

Özdemir İnce

Mehmet Y Yılmaz Bir değerlendirme de benden olsun!

Yalçın Doğan Af zincirinde bir yıldönümü

Fatih Altaylı Keşke "Bu yazı Aydın Doğan'a" deseydi

Yılmaz Özdil Yurt’sever...

MUHARREM SARIKAYA

ERDAL ŞAFAK Hatırladınız mı?

Mehmet Tezkan

Gül’ün sözleri tatmin etmedi..

Güngör Mengi

Bu da terör!

Aydın Ayaydın

TMSF’nin Karamehmet’e verdiği süre bugün bitiyor

Solu mahkûm etmek
NURAY MERT

ENGİN ARDIÇ Bu mudur yani? Budur yani.

ERGUN BABAHAN

EMRE AKÖZ Karanlık Bir Akşam

Umur Talu Öğretmen sınıfı

HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN

NAZLI ILICAK Şahin, dosyalardan bunaldı

MEHMET BARLAS Bazen kesin tutum belirlememek de doğru bir politikadır...

YAVUZ DONAT

YASİN DOĞAN

Hüsn-ü zan esas olmalı…

Mustafa Erdoğan Anayasal yenilenme ihtiyacı

Dayak CHP komplosu

Ekonomi

ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM

Genel gidiş iyiye reel kesim kötüye

Ercan Kumcu

Erdal Sağlam Mühim olan çıkan paranın değerini korumak

Serpil Yılmaz Türktan: 6 milyar dolar yatırdık karşılığını alamadık

İBRAHİM KAHVECİ

Özel sektörde sorunun farkında mısınız?

Nükleer ihalesinden çekilebiliriz

Sarmalda zaman kaybettik...
KORKMAZ İLKORUR

Döviz müdahalesi
FATİH ÖZATAY

İşçi maliyeti bizi zorla Mısır’a taşındırtacak

Sabancı Holding Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Güler Sabancı uyardı

H4 New York Times Obama Wins Nomination; Biden and Bill Clinton Rally Party A unanimous vote made Barack Obama the first African-American to become a major party nominee for president, bringing to an end a two-year political struggle.

Speech Text: Biden | Clinton

Editorial Mr. Obama’s Moment

Barack Obama needs to be clear about what he stands for, and about why — in such dire times — Americans should trust him and his party with their futures.

NATO Ships in Black Sea Raise Alarms in Russia

For a New Political Age, a Self-Made Man Even before he entered public life, Barack Obama began honing his political, mental and emotional skills.

Military Sending Foreign Fighters to Home Nations

More than 200 militants captured in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past two years have been handed over to their countries’ intelligence services, U.S. officials said.

Russia Adopts Blustery Tone Set by Envoy Russia’s representative to NATO, Dmitri O. Rogozin, often derided for his forceful style, is now taken more seriously.

U.S. to Hand Over Security in Anbar to the Iraqis

U.S.-Pakistani Brainstorming on Border Violence

Johnson’s Dream, Obama’s Speech By ROBERT A. CARO

Barack Obama’s speech — and in a way his whole candidacy — might not have been possible had President Lyndon Johnson’s address to Congress in 1965 not been given.

Reading Between Hillary's Lines

By DAN SCHNUR There was only one thing missing from Hillary Clinton’s speech: Barack Obama.

Bloggingheads: Biden’s Pros and Cons Robert Wright of Bloggingheads.tv and Mickey Kaus of Slate debate Barack Obama’s selection of Joe Biden as his running mate.

NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Media’s Balancing Act The job of the news media is supposed to be to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. Instead, I managed to afflict the afflicted

11 Are Dead After Siege Concludes in Kashmir

U.S. Officials Describe Afghan Airstrike

45 Years Later, Witnesses to Dr. King’s Dream See a New Hope

At least five veterans of the March on Washington in 1963 traveled to Denver this week as Democratic delegates.

McCain Has Made His Pick and Is Set to Tell on Friday

GAIL COLLINS The Torch Passes. Really. The Clintons did everything they were supposed to do and in politics, like so much of life, feelings are irrelevant to everyone except the persons doing the feeling.

ROGER COHEN Obama’s From Main St., Ain’t He? Is Barack Obama more beer than Chardonnay? Is he a Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks guy? Is he one of us despite having what his wife Michelle called “that funny name?”

The Kerry Surprise

By CHRIS SUELLENTROP

To some observers, Joe Biden was good, but John Kerry was even better.

H5 Washington Post Editorial Russia's Delusion A flurry of presidential statements on Georgia mix lies with a dangerous new doctrine.

7 Years to Climate Midnight

By Carlos Pascual and Strobe Talbott

Urgent and drastic action by the international community is required, and the United States must take the lead.

U.S. to Hand Over Security Duties in Anbar to Iraqi Forces Move Frees More Marines for Afghanistan

U.S. Military Ship Delivers Aid to Georgia Vessel Shifts Course, Avoids Port Where Russians Are Posted

Georgia War Shows 'Weak' Russia, U.S. Official Says

For Veteran Speaker, the Challenge of a Lifetime Before a Huge Crowd, on a Historic Date, Obama Will Accept the Nomination in a Highly Anticipated Address

A Step Forward Seen For Blacks in America

Obama Begins to Reach Out To Pelosi Ties Seen as Important For His Legislative Goals

Democrats Press Battle For 60 Seats In Senate

McCain Steps Up Attacks on His Opponent's Foreign Policy Credentials

McCain Is Said to Be Set to Unveil Running Mate Tomorrow

Poll Shows That Choice of an Abortion Rights Backer Would Be Risky

The Devils in His Details By George F. Will, When Obama descends from soaring rhetoric to practicalities, he runs into trouble.

Obama's Feel-Your-Pain Moment

By Ruth Marcus Obama needs to find a way to convey a sense of identification with voters without seeming phony

Democrats Nominate Obama

Candidate Gets Boost From the Clintons as He Becomes The First African American to Lead a Major-Party Ticket

Obama Team Works With Hill Democrats

Charlie Wilson's Peace By Charles Wilson, How would the world be different today if we had done the right thing after the mujaheddin's victory?

Women at Center Stage

By David S. Broder, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton are two impressive women -- and there are a lot more like them.

Peaceful Protests In Kashmir Alter Equation for India Tough Response Criticized as Outmoded

Editorial Tough Decision Coming

Barack Obama is inching away from his party's orthodoxy on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Bush's Big Nyet By Dan Froomkin

H6 Guardian Georgia is the graveyard of America's unipolar world Seumas Milne: Russia's defiance in the Caucasus has brought down the curtain on Bush senior's new world order - not before time

The story's great, the rhetoric soars, but soon Obama must heed Canute

Timothy Garton Ash: Look beyond Denver's schmaltzfest and you see how the relative power of a US president is diminishing on all sides

Europe must stand up
to Russia says UK Miliband says west must re-examine every aspect of relations with Moscow

US and Russia deploy warships in Black Sea

Any country could be next, warns Ukraine president

Poti: the hottest place in the new cold war Luke Harding: The Black Sea town of Poti has been a port for 2,500 years. But now it has a new claim to fame

The Big Dog can still hunt Jonathan Freedland: Bill Clinton did brilliantly what other Democrats had failed to do - make the case for President Barack Obama

It's turnout versus the news cycle

Michael Tomasky: Obama's campaign manager says his ground operations will triumph over John McCain's attack ads

Democrats, get your act together

Marc Steiner: Events in Denver this week won't satisfy Clinton's supporters, but hopefully they'll come around by election day

Pakistan's political soap opera

Ali Eteraz: The Taliban is trying to destroy Pakistan – but the country's leadership is too preoccupied with power games to stop them

David Hearst: Miliband steps into a minefield In lecturing the Russians about Ukrainian sovereignty, the British foreign secretary appears not to know what he's talking about

Interactive: the Georgia/Russia conflict

Clinton passes the torch to Obama

The former president answers critics and heaps praise on Barack Obama at the Democratic convention

A delicate unity Editorial: This week's Democratic convention builds towards open-air speech by Barack Obama

'People still see in black and white'

Ed Pilkington: Barack Obama's presidential run has thrown a new spotlight on the issue of race in the US

Obama speech will promise to deliver Address to Democratic convention in Denver aims to show voters he can rescue US economy

Showboating over Gaza

Ron Prosor: Protesters who came ashore last week should blame Hamas, not Israel, for territory's ills

The West and the Rest By: Edward Pearce | The Guardian
The world's pundits are once again pitting Russia against its old foe -- but what is 'the west'? Is it Nato, or something more?

An academic's duty is to truth, not trends Bjorn Lomborg: Gary Yohe says I am a global warming naysayer – but just because a political movement has clarity, doesn't mean it's smart

Egypt is ablaze with conspiracy theories Jack Shenker: Cynics suspect government involvement in a fire at the Shura council in Cairo: a sign of how volatile the country has become

H7

Shi'ite Resistance to Sunnis Threatens Progress of Surge By: Shaun Waterman | United Press International The Iraqi government is resisting U.S. efforts to incorporate former Sunni insurgents into Iraqi security forces, threatening a strategy that helped make the surge a success thus far and could allow U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraqi cities next year

Asia Times Sectarian clashes flare in Iraq A United States-backed security operation meant to target al-Qaeda has instead focused only on Iraqi cities with large Sunni populations. Sunni residents claim the operations are clearly sectarian and also blame Shi'ite militias backed by the government in Baghdad. - Ahmed Ali and Dahr Jamail

Daily Star Might Lebanon face what Georgia did?
By Michael Young

Russia's Security Ties in Asia - Council on Foreign Relations

Russia Pushing Weapons Sales in Middle East and Beyond By: Nilita Petrov | The Middle East Times
Three events came together independently to produce an intrigue that is hooking politicians and media in the Middle East

The Way Out of Iraq ; Movement Toward Withdrawal Pact Warrants Some Cautious Optimism

Lebanese Defense Policy Vague, but Guarantees Unity By: Charles Chuman | The Media Line
The Lebanese cabinet recently formed under Prime Minister Fuad Siniora released its governing policy statement on August 12. The statement was issued after days of committee dialogue and stormy parliamentary debate. Despite gaping legal loopholes and text some consider contradictory, the statement seems to have placated all Lebanese parties and sets a tone of conciliation for the new government prior to parliamentary elections in 2009

The Gulf States, Change You Can Invest In By: Rami G. Khouri | The Daily Star
In the world of nation-states, the small Arab emirates and states of the Gulf region have been peculiar beasts since their birth in the middle of the last century in the wake of the retreating British. They've transformed into wealthy, glittering, bustling city-states, in a matter of decades in some cases.

In the Gulf, Trust in the Dollar Peg Persists

SyriaComment New Round UP (27 August 2008)

H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq

U.S.-Iraqi deal paves way for other deals

With the 'sons' Meeting the Sunni militia driving Iraq's new security policy

Iran Paper Says America's New World Order "Coming to an End"

Iraq Press Roundup

Gaddafi charged over cleric kidnap Lebanon indicts Libya's leader over the disappearance of a revered Shia cleric during a visit to the country 30 years ago.

H9 Ha’aretz – Bradley Burston: What really scares us about Barack Obama

Diplomat: Russia to up naval presence in Syrian ports Diplomats in Damascus say, however, Russia not keen to sell arms that may change Mideast power balance

Haaretz TV: Iran-Israel arms race heats up, both boost naval capabilities

Benn A casually deployed radar system

The deployment of a U.S. radar system in the Negev will constitute the first American base on Israeli territory

Knowing when to strikeIf Israel is determined this time, actually only if it is determined, perhaps a preemptive strike will not be necessary

The Livni paradox Tzipi Livni is the most fascinating of the four Kadima candidates, because she embodies hope and offers change

Moshe Arens: Gov't must act now to eliminate rocket threat against Israel's cities

Gideon Levy / The last of the dreamers of peace Abie Nathan was perhaps the only Israeli who experienced feelings of guilt over 1948

Jerusalem Post Israel walks tightrope as US and Russia dispatch ships to Georgia Post learns J'lem unlikely to join chorus of condemnations coming from the West over Moscow's recognition of breakaway republics.

Russia to up naval presence in Syria Russian official: "Vessels will be visiting Syria and other friendly ports more frequently."

McCain TV ad blasts Obama on Iran Ad mocks Obama for trivializing threat posed by Teheran; Obama campaign: Ad a distortion of truth.

Civil Fights: The three monkeys do Lebanon By EVELYN GORDON
Commander of UNIFIL force in Lebanon neither sees nor hears any evil - except on the part of Israel.

Pols warn of Obama challenge to woo Florida Jews

By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER, DENVER
Politicians concerned campaign not doing enough to counter negative attitudes of state's Jewish voters

Democrats try to woo the faithful

Party's new focus on religion has some, but not all, saying amen.

Yedioth Ahronoth Olmert's swan song

Departing prime minister determined to end his term in office on a positive note, says Roni Sofer

Europe: The veiled continent/ Haber Wealthy Muslims are proceeding to buy Europe, as well as its conscience

Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine

Egypt urges end to Israel threats

Egypt is trying to defuse growing tension between Israel and Lebanon, its foreign minister says.

H10 Christian Science Monitor

Russia's case on Georgia territories: Like Kosovo or not?

Tuesday, after invoking Kosovo to recognize two separatist republics, Russia changed its tack.

Syria eyes an edge amid Russia-U.S. rift Damascus is seeking an arms deal with Moscow, a move that would bolster its position in the Middle East

Clinton speech moves Democrats toward unity, but hasn't clinched it Her words to the Democratic faithful Tuesday night are a first step, not an end point, toward bringing diehard Clinton fans around to Obama.

Obama's rapid rise to eminence

He'll make his speech in Denver Thursday as the first African-American to win his party's nod.

Democrats' new drive in red states

Colorado, Virginia, New Mexico, and other states are now in play.

A president, not a savior

Why do we look to the White House for all the answers

ASIA

Pakistan’s political turmoil: Musharraf and beyond, Shaun Gregory

Afghanistan: A Down Year for Opium Production, But Is the Trafficking Threat Receding? Afghanistan experienced a 19 percent decrease in the land under opium poppy cultivation in 2008 in comparison with the previous year, according to a report prepared by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. But even as the Afghan government lauds the decline, UN experts worry about another spike in production. This concern is underscored by the fact that actual production of opium declined only by 6 percent in 2008 over the previous year, the UNODC report states.
A EurasiaNet Q&A with UNODC Afghanistan Country Chief Christina Oguz

Opium cultivation in Afghanistan down by a fifth
Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime + Full Report (PDF; 2.1 MB)
+ Map (PDF; 681 KB)

China's post-Olympic challenge: finding a certain moral force
By Orville Schell

Japanese Women Shy From Dual Mommy Role

In numbers that alarm governments across the region, Asian women delay marriage, postpone childbirth in what is perhaps primary reason for plunging regional birthrates.

Stratfor Afghanistan: The Russian Monkey Wrench

Russia could make Western operations in Afghanistan more difficult, but doing so would carry risks for Moscow

Al Hayat NATO's Quagmire in Afghanistan Abdullah Iskandar - Except for the US, no one, including officials of states participating in NATO, disputes the fact that NATO has not achieved any success in Afghanistan. Currently, the discussion is over redefining the mission of these forces in the hope of covering up the bitter truth that the war on terror in Afghanistan is now stuck in a dangerous slippery slope.

H11 IHT In Georgia, no bullets and no peace When the Europeans meet next week, they should agree to put on hold a trade and security deal with Moscow so long as it continues to occupy Georgia.

NATO ships cause alarm in Moscow

Russian commanders said they were growing alarmed at the number of NATO warships sailing into the Black Sea, conceding that NATO vessels now outnumbered the ships in their fleet anchored off the western coast of Georgia.

Russia's NATO envoy, big on bluster, modifies his tone

Roger Cohen: Obama's from Main Street, ain't he? Democrats need to prove their candidate's a regular guy, more beer than Chardonnay.

A jihad grows in Kashmir

By PANKAJ MISHRA A new generation of politicized Kashmiris has now risen; the world is again likely to ignore them - until some of them turn into terrorists with Qaeda links.

Après Musharraf, patience

By HASSAN ABBAS The West must support democracy and patience in Pakistan

EUROPE European press review

The Views From Europe's Capitals

The EU has condemned Russia's actions in Georgia, and called an emergency summit for September 1 to discuss how the bloc should react to the recent conflict between Georgia and Russia. But statements from European capitals have been more varied. Ahead of the September 1 summit, RFE/RL talked to experts in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, and Warsaw for their views on see the showdown with Russia and prospects for the EU to agree on a common strategy. More

France, which currently holds the EU Presidency, has been very much involved in the Georgian conflict. Following Russia's recognition of the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions, RFE/RL speaks with Philippe Moreau Defarges, researcher at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) and co-director of the Ramses report in Paris, about France's position in the crisis. More

Germany, the largest economy in the European Union and also one of the bloc's political heavyweights, has taken a strong line on the Russia-Georgia conflict. The question is, can Berlin shape the tone of the EU special summit set for September 1? RFE/RL spoke to German foreign-policy analyst Jan Techau of the German Council on Foreign Relations on this and other points. More

France, the current president of the European Union, has called a special summit of European leaders for September 1 to discuss what to do about Georgia. The main subject will be the future of relations between the EU and Russia. In the run-up to the summit, RFE/RL speaks with Eugeniusz Smolar, chairman of the Warsaw-based Center for International Relations, about how Poland views the crisis. More

As the EU finds itself in a showdown with Moscow over Georgia, one key EU state is rarely heard in the debate: Italy. The reason is not only that Italy is a major trading partner with Russia, but Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, more than any other current European leader, has made partnership with Moscow a priority. RFE/RL speaks with Giovanni Gasparini, senior fellow for security and defense at the Rome-based Istituto Affari Internazionali, to learn more. More

EU Leaders Condemn Russia in Shadow of Kosovo By: Leigh Phillips | EU Observer EU leaders have condemned as illegal Russia's decision to recognise the Georgian breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, while Georgian rebels compared the move to the creation of Kosovo earlier this year

Mardell's Europe EU scrambles for united response to Russian muscle

Time How Britain Will Dominate Europe

Russia's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia could have severe repercussions on peace efforts in other "frozen conflicts" areas where Moscow has strategic interests. More

If a new Cold War is really revving up, then is Georgia turning into the new West Berlin, a little Western-protected enclave located on the tense front of a global struggle, constantly teetering between run-of-the-mill ordinariness and lurking Armageddon? More

Google News Azerbaijan

BBC Russia faces fresh condemnation Seven of the world's top industrialised nations deplore Russia's decision to recognise Georgia's breakaway regions.

Cold snap

Why fears of a new Cold War focus on Ukraine

One Way to Save the Relationship By: Rose Gottemoeller | The Moscow Times For anyone who cares deeply about U.S.-Russian relations, events in Georgia are a great tragedy, as they are for the inhabitants of the region -- the Ossetians, Abkhaz, Georgians and Russians alike

"The Russians Moved Because They Know That You Are Weak" Brookings Institution

Der Spiegel The World from Berlin: 'Moscow Has Maneuvered Itself into a Dead End'

Time The New (Old) Russian Imperialism

H13 The Times Miliband must stop playing with fire It takes two to start a cold war and Russia has so far been provoked pointlessly into confrontation Robert Skidelsky

Reckless Russia By recognising two separatist Georgian provinces, Russia has redrawn the map of the Caucasus by force. It has also damaged itself immeasurably

Russian-backed rebels in 'ethnic cleansing' Georgians in a Russian army buffer zone are being subjected to a campaign of violence and murder, officials tell The Times

Bill Clinton tells America: 'Obama is your commander-in-chief' Despite the tensions between them, Clinton gave Barack Obama his unequivocal endorsement

The Republicans need a good kicking The Democrats may be faltering - but they must keep faith that the electorate will punish Bush Anatole Kaletsky

Doubts over French role in Afghanistan Parliamentary vote after ambush killed ten soldiers and wounded 21 casts doubts over French military role in Afghanistan

McCain set to reveal vice-president choice How John McCain's tactics could make Barack Obama's bounce go flat as Republican plans to reveal vice-president choice

Wall Street Journal How the Georgian Conflict Really Started By Melik Kaylan Russia's version of events doesn't jibe with the facts.

The Master Has ArrivedBy Peggy Noonan Convention Notebook: Bill Clinton Makes the Case, and Obama Gets Ready to Gamble.

Vietnam-Era Adversaries Came Together on Iraq
By William Shawcross
Peter Rodman was one of the West's most articulate defenders.

Barack Obama: Leap of Faith

By Daniel Henninger
Wonder Land: Now comes the most mysterious Democratic presidential candidate in the memory of any living voter.

Democrats Nominate Obama

Obama formally won the Democratic nomination, making him the first African-American presidential nominee. The delegates were electrified again when Bill Clinton took the stage, calling Obama "ready."

CIA Curtails Firm's Iraq Contract

Security contractor MVM has lost the bulk of a CIA contract in Iraq after failing to provide enough armed guards

Congress Is a Perfect Target for McCain
By Karl Rove Detroit's blackmail attempt is just one thorny issue this fall.

Obama Needs to Take a Stand on Race and Other Issues
By Juan Williams The senator has been too evasive for us to judge the content of his character.

H14 Financial Times Moscow’s plan is to redraw the map of Europe

Mikheil Saakashvili says Russia is empire-building

Russia could push China closer to the west Moscow and Beijing may both be pursuing forms of authoritarian capitalism but they are not automatic bedfellows, writes Geoff Dyer

West will need to look again at pipeline routes

Expect another action-reaction missile incident

Iraq revives oil deal with China

If finalised, the deal with CNPC, Asia’s biggest oil and gas company, to develop al-Ahdab oilfield would mark the first important commitment to Iraq by a foreign company since Baghdad nationalised its industry in 1972

Hillary bows out on a high note

It was a confident and forceful speech, acknowledging her supporters’ disappointment yet emphasising the importance of a Democratic victory in November. She called unequivocally for party unity, and told her supporters to go out and vote for Barack Obama -

Afghan harvest The US-led Nato mission is not winning against the Taliban. It needs a re-focused strategy, built around security and jobs, and it needs to break the cycle of lawlessness and corruption that is rotting the nation-building effort that has hardly begun

Bill Clinton declares Obama ready to command

Clinton supporters claim to be won over

How Europe will shrink as it ages

West tells Russia to keep out of Ukraine UK and G7 condemn Moscow's actions

EU leaders step up criticism of Russia European leaders, speaking ahead of an emergency EU summit next week, pointed to a re-evaluation of relations with Moscow, which urged the bloc to ‘rise above its emotions’

US avoids face-off over Black Sea ship A US coastguard cutter unloaded humanitarian supplies at a Georgian-controlled port rather than the Russian-controlled Poti, in a move highlighting US concerns to avoid a further escalation of tensions

Black Sea tensions rise over naval fees Ukraine says it wants to discuss charging Russia more for the lease of a Black Sea naval base, a move that could aggravate regional tensions already enflamed by Moscow’s conflict with Georgia

Russian market soured by Georgian conflict Investor sentiment towards Russia has soured sharply since the conflict in Georgia and triggered a steep stock market sell-off and chilling corporate efforts to raise funds

Moscow may win muted support from allies President Medvedev is seeking backing over Russia’s Georgian dispute from a six-nation security grouping that includes China. But he may not get the vocal endorsement from Beijing that he wants

Pakistan aims for nuclear acceptance

Obama nominated as Democrats unite Barack Obama formally secured the Democratic nomination for president as former President Bill Clinton declared him “ready” to become America’s commander in chief, and his running-mate, Joe Biden, praised his foreign policy judgment

Edward Luce: Obama’s oratory

There is a tried and tested Republican maxim: do not waste time attacking your opponent’s weaknesses. Target his strongest point. Barack Obama’s greatest strength is his ability to inspire millions with his electrifying oratory. Which makes it his greatest vulnerability

Hillary’s speechClive Crook’s blog: What she said, in a superbly effective way, was that another four years of Bushism made voting for Obama necessary

Sarkozy bounces back Brussels Blog: The French president’s killer quote “you can’t boycott a quarter of humanity” shows he is capable of sheer brilliance even under pressure

Weak dollar leads to US import gloom As trade kept the US economy afloat amid rising unemployment, a deep housing crisis and turmoil on Wall Street, much attention has been paid to America’s booming exports

Report of US currency rescue plan

The US, Europe and Japan discuss the possibility of co-ordinated currency intervention to support the dollar at the time of the Bear Stearns crisis, says Nikkei online

H15 Los Angeles Times Georgia looks for the silver lining Despite devastating losses from the war with Russia, leaders think the West now sees Moscow's true colors and will redouble support.

How Reagan would've dealt with Georgia By Henry R. Nau When diplomacy isn't enough and force is too risky, a policy of conservative internationalism is best.

He's Barack Obama, not the messiah By ROSA BROOKS Democrats need to temper their expectations; their candidate inspires, but there is plenty of hard work ahead.

Top Marine wants to shift troops from Iraq to Afghanistan Gen. James Conway says the insurgent threat in Iraq's Anbar province has decreased and the forces would be better used in violent regions of Afghanistan.

In Iraq, displaced families return to ruins Villagers' homecoming to a war-ravaged community is a sign of an uncertain calm. But lasting peace hinges on whether traumatized Iraqis can set aside their hurt and losses and start over

What 'culture war'? By Dick Meyer Forget red state vs. blue state rhetoric. The vast majority of Americans hold pragmatic and un-partisan views.

Isolate or embrace? Andrew Meier says reaching could tame Putin's thuggery. Michael C. Moynihan says it isn't so easy to change Putin.

Iraq bombing kills 28 at police station The suicide bombing targeting recruits in Diyala province has the hallmarks of an attack by the Sunni Arab insurgent group Al Qaeda in Iraq

Editorial

Business dealings of Biden family could be problematic for him

H16 American Politics

Biden helps heal, rouse Democrats On a historic day when Democrats nominated Barack Obama, the first African-American ever chosen by a major party for the presidency, his ticket mate, Joe Biden, on Wednesday launched the new partnership's attack on John McCain by insisting that America needs more than a decorated military veteran as its leader

New Republic Clinton's Incredible Speech

Newsweek Russian Relations Become a Hot Campaign Topic

He could be an unparalleled asset to Obama this fall.
by Jonathan Chait

Obama's View Aren't Easy To Characterize--So Stop Trying Already by Cass R. Sunstein

New Republic Creation Myth by John B. Judis
What Barack Obama won't tell you about his community organizing past.

realclearpolitics memeorandum ABC’s The Note – US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Swamp Gas The Swamp

BBC Bill Clinton backs Obama for president

Bill Clinton supports Barack Obama as the US Democrats' presidential candidate and Joe Biden is formally nominated as his running mate.

Bill Clinton backs Obama

Webb's America: Biden

Key excerpts: Joe Biden

Key excerpts: Bill Clinton

Obama's history, and America's

Obama's rise to the top of his party reflects the immense change that has occurred, but census data on US blacks shows much remains to be done. (Boston Globe)

Scratches in Obama's glitter

Selling Barack Obama and his family as your next-door neighbors, only smarter and better looking, is fine. But turning Obama into an average politician is a mistake. (By Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe)

The GOP smear machine revs up

Barack Obama can deliver a brilliant speech tonight, but its impact could evaporate. John McCain and his allies have opened the 2008 Swift Boating season. (By Dan Payne, Boston Globe)

H17 Daily Telegraph Britain is adrift without a proper foreign policy

To avoid being crushed by China or Russia we must act independently from Europe in alliance with America, says Iain Martin.

Standing up to the Russian bully

Compared with the silence of Gordon Brown, David Miliband has been to the fore over the Russian invasion of Georgia.

Did Hillary really help the Barack cause?

Mrs Clinton's attempt to ease Obama's path was unconvincing and now he must win over the doubters, says Anne Applebaum.

Struggling to cope with 77 million people

Britain will be the most populous country in Europe by 2060. Robert Whelan wonders how we will manage.

Afghanistan death rate for UK troops tops Iraq peak

British forces are now being killed in Afghanistan at a faster rate than at the height of the war in Iraq, experts have warned.

H18 Independent Crimean peninsula could be the next South Ossetia

Leading article: Both sides should cool the Cold War rhetoric

Guy Adams: A ghost in America's security machine

Hillary Clinton: If you supported me, then support Barack Obama

Rupert Cornwell: So is Obama the saviour of his party?

Adrian Hamilton: We need an old approach for the new global politics

Obama's dream for America

On anniversary of Martin Luther King's historic speech, the first black presidential candidate will set out his vision for America

Rupert Cornwell: So is Obama the saviour of his party?

The Big Question: Why is the UK's population growing so fast, and is this a good thing?

H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism

Stratfor

2008 Threat Season Heats Up

Thousands of nukes eliminated

U.S. surpasses strategic airdrop record

Defense Intelligence Agency Seeking "Mind Control" Weapons

H20 Slate That's the Ticket

Joe Biden finally changes the subject away from the Clintons.
John Dickerson

Internal Displacement, Human Rights and Development
Brookings Institution
This 12-page US speech examines internal displacement from the standpoint of human rights

Doha Trade Talks Collapse: What's Next for Global Trade?
Brookings Institution

The White House and the World
CGD This 388-page US volume offers practical suggestions for a coherent US development strategy

Opium cultivation in Afghanistan down by a fifth
Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UN World Drug Report, 2008 - Council on Foreign Relations

H21 The road to Wikipedia How do we know what we know? A new book takes a long view of knowledge, from ancient oral traditions to the rise of universities and the Internet.
By Laura Miller

Microsoft browser could hit Google

InPrivate feature on Internet Explorer 8, nicknamed "porn mode", allows users to conceal the sites they have viewed

The tabloids create an alternative universe each week for four or five million people clutching their quarters at supermarket check-out racks... more»

“Faith depends upon belief in things that cannot be proved,” says P.J. O’Rourke, “and I can prove that more people flunk physics than flunk Sunday School”... more»

The end of a software gravy train Customers of the old software businesses usually have no choice but to pay up. They know that dumping their traditional software supplier and moving to a new one will leave them having to face mammoth switching costs. That kind of customer lock-in does not apply to the online service business, writes Richard Waters

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