| H1 Washington Post A Critical Stage in Iraq By David Ignatius, 'Everybody is afraid of everybody. They're afraid of the past, present and future.' US-Iraq SOFA latest draft, in English (pdf) McClatchy Iraq's cabinet rejects current draft of U.S. troop accord Shiite Muslim government ministers raised objections Tuesday to a "final draft" of an agreement to authorize U.S. troops to remain in Iraq, and after a four-and-a-half-hour cabinet meeting Iraq's government spokesman said the agreement won't be finalized in its current form. What happens next is unclear. Details of Iraq's Status of Forces Agreement Foreign Policy (Not Quite) 101 Things Sarah Palin Should Know About the World U.S. Experts Ponder Framework for U.S.-Iran Relationships By: Richard Weitz | Eurasianet
In a joint presentation at the Carnegie Endowment’s Washington, DC, offices, Karim Sadjadpour and George Perkovich argued that Iran was too important for Washington to ignore, given Tehran’s influence in key areas of concern for the United States. "The crux of the issue," Sadjadpour observed, "is not whether we should have dialogue, or why we should have dialogue, but how to go about doing so." Pew Research Center: Growing Doubts About McCain's Judgment, Age and Campaign Conduct — Obama's Lead Widens: 52%-38% Poll: Obama opens biggest lead over McCain — Dem leads rival by 10 points among registered voters in NBC/WSJ survey Laura Meckler / Wall Street Journal: Obama Opens Double-Digit Lead — MESH Six Handicaps For John McCain by Ed Luttwak Financial Times The world wakes from the wish-dream of decoupling The worst consequences of the banking crisis – a true depression – have been avoided. But the impact of the implosion of what economist Nouriel Roubini calls “the largest leveraged asset bubble and credit bubble in history” is hitting real economies hard, writes Martin Wolf The Fund faces up to competition Countries have other options, writes David Rothkopf Gas cartel plan Gap between rich and poor widens Iraqis exist on margins of positive picture Economic and security advances have been slow to filter down to the ordinary citizens of Baghdad, many of whom say the quality of life is below that of the Saddam era Maliki leads objections to US troop proposal The Iraqi cabinet wants to renegotiate a draft US-Iraq agreement to keep US forces in the country beyond 2008, in the most serious sign yet that the accord is in trouble Fed offers $540bn to prop up money funds The US Federal Reserve said it would finance up to $540bn in purchases of short-term debt from money market mutual funds to shore up a key pillar of the US financial system Russia set for sale of the century in reverse Igor Shuvalov, Russia’s first deputy prime minister, says the state could wind up owning huge chunks of formerly private companies as the result of its bail-out measures Daily Star Will Iraq finally end the colonial era? By Rami G. Khouri Ha’aretz – Iran proposal: Preemptive strike against Israeli targets Khamenei adviser: Israeli rhetoric on Iran strike strengthens position of pro-preemptive attack officials. ANALYSIS / Iran's threats are not based on any proven capability Iran's declarations appear to be an attempt to create a balance of fear and deterrence with Israel Mullen Says Iraq ‘Running Out of Time’ on Forces Accord OECD Income inequality and poverty rising in most OECD countries Income gaps have widened over the past two decades in three-fourths of OECD countries. In today’s changing world economy, that means ever more people at risk of being left behind. According to Secretary-General Angel Gurria, “Ensuring growth for all, not just the rich, is the task we must set for ourselves.” Governments need not sit on the sidelines: they should respond to income inequality with policies that help lift people up. IHT Business remains robust between Germany and Russia Growing business ties reflect Germans' and Russians' depth of commitment to their centuries-old bond, even in these troubled times Medvedev opens effort to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia, projecting Moscow's diplomatic clout in the Caucasus, pushed Tuesday to bring the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan together for talks on the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. Guardian A Bosnian powder keg Paddy Ashdown and Richard Holbrooke: We are sleepwalking into another Balkan crisis. The EU and the US must take urgent, united action Iraq and a hard place Simon Tisdall: Finding a way to pull out US troops out of Iraq that placates all is a huge challenge Los Angeles Times French President Nicolas Sarkozy
shines in a crisis Like British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, France's leader has seen his image burnished by the global financial crisis. Iraq Cabinet seeks changes in security pact with U.S. With the U.N. mandate governing troops in Iraq running out in a few months, Iraqi ministers are set to debate alterations to a proposed U.S.-Iraq pact Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: A Political Solution To An Economic Problem Sarkozy on Tuesday proposed that an "economic government" work together with the European Central Bank to run the eurozone. The success or failure of this concept depends largely on the willingness of European states to surrender their sovereignty Christian Science Monitor France's Sarkozy emerging as leading figure President Nicolas Sarkozy heads to Asia this week to broach the idea of bringing India and China together with G-8 nations in a 'Bretton Woods II' framework of economic rules. MESH The Bush legacy (2) Obama's foreign policy -- Carter's ends through Clinton's means? by Powerline Jews are backing Barack Obama based primarily on traditional identification with the Democratic Party, a new study finds. | H2 ABD: PKK’ya karşı yeni tedbirler alıyoruz 'Askeri darbe Kürtlere soykırım yaptı!' Yeni dönemin Koordinatları Turkey: Trouble at home, gains abroad
GulfNews - By Amir Taheri, Sami Kohen Daha “özgün” dış politika Ankara plans secret diplomacy with Iraqi Kurds against PKK ATEŞLE OYUN Senior US official in Ankara for anti-terror talks K. Irak'ta diplomasi trafiği devam edecek Terörle Mücadelede Yeni Yapı 'AB bizi almak zorunda' MGK: Terör demokrasi içinde çözülecek Top US diplomat in Turkey to hold talks on Iraq The National A Rising Wave of Ethnic Violence in Turkey MGK’dan iki önemli karar, bir uyarı çıktı İç Basında Türk Dış Politikası Dış Basında Türkiye - BBC Turkish 0700 VOA Turkish Press Review Google News Turkey TurcoPundit ASAM Google News Fırat News Agency KurdishMedia Kurdish Kurdish Aspect Dış Basında Irak BBC Monitoring Inter-national DTP: PKK soykırım ortamında doğdu PKK niçin eylem yapıyor? Abdülhamit Bilici PKK kimin safında? Sadi Somuncuoğlu Milli strateji ve Irak'taki muhatap Yalçın Doğan Şehitlerin yüzde 26.8’i Kürt Nasuhi Güngör Diyarbakır’da bir Başbakan 'Çöp siyasetini Başbakan'a bırakıyoruz' Mehmet Kamış PKK'yı rahatsız eden iki adım PKK, artık Kuzey Irak'ın güvenli olmadığını biliyor PKK, Avrupa'da tahrike devam ediyor A private Turkish university opens in northern Iraq ABD ve Fransa'dan sonra Türkiye de Kuzey Irak'ta üniversite açtı
MGK'dan terörle mücadele için 'yeni kurumsal yapılanma' çıktı Savaşta bile bu yapılmaz
DTP geriyor: Siyasî soykırıma uğradık Mustafa Ünal DTP neyin peşinde? Babacan: Bölgesel yönetimle diplomasiyi sessiz yürüteceğiz Terörle mücadele müsteşarlığına onay ‘Kürt sorunu’nda yeni durum...
ORAL ÇALIŞLAR Can Ataklı DTP’nin çirkin planı Başbakan ve Diyarbakır, 12 Ağustos 2005-21 Ekim 2008
CENGİZ ÇANDAR Cevdet Aşkın PKK pazarlığı tam gaz, şiddet tırmanıyor, gözler Öcalan'da YASİN DOĞAN Korkunun siyasi sonuçları… Kurds back SOFA as Christians grow wary (UPI) -- Iraqi Kurds called on Baghdad to sign the long-term security arrangement with Washington despite a growing sentiment of dissatisfaction with the accord. Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık Beril Dedeoğlu Geçici üyelikten kalıcı bağlara Strike-hit Greece at standstill Air traffic is grounded, public services grind to a halt, and there are some clashes, as Greeks join a nationwide strike Güneydoğu'ya 4 bin polis takviyesi Provokatörler Avrupa'yı sardı Medvedev'den Arabuluculuk Önerisi Arson attack on Turkish Embassy in Finland
İBRAHİM KARAGÜL Avrupa'yı 50 milyon 'köle işçi' kurtaracak! HAKAN ALBAYRAK Balkanların değişmeyen ilacı: Osmanlı Arsenal's cut and thrust gives Wenger birthday treat MUSIC REVIEW; Summoning the Songs of Voices Stilled...International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, was meant to commemorate victims of the massacre of Armenians in Turkey starting in 1915, and of all genocides Başbakan, Leman’dan tazminat kazandı
Fehmi Koru'ya 'anten mühendisi' damat Nuri Bilge Ceylan: Ödül için film yapılmaz NPR In Turkey, Mosque Gets A Woman's Touch 150 bin okullu polisimiz oldu | İşte türban iptalinin gerekçeleri Son dalga eski savcıya Eski timciden şok itiraflar Peki, Baykal ne demek istedi? Birand: Yeşil'i peşime taktılar Derin devletin ortada bıraktığı Çarkın, çark etti Eski Cumhuriyet savcısı Ergenekon'dan gözaltında Yine Emniyet yine işkence Melih Gökçek'in 'başkenti' Gençlik Parkı'na 65 yıl sonra içki yasağı Çarkın: 1000 kişi öldürdüm dedi Başsavcılık soruşturma açtı Rus uzman: Moskova, aranan Ersöz'ü Türkiye'ye iade edebilir Ergenekon'da Rus bağlantısı Neden’de Ergenekon haberleri tartışması Son dalga eski savcıya Deniz Baykal'a göre Ergenekon sanıklarının tek suçu devlete hizmet Bahçeli, Başbakan'ın Genelkurmay'a desteğini yeterli bulmadı Başbuğ'dan 'Sizi koruyalım' önerisi Kılıçdaroğlu'nun yeni hedefi
Bakanlık, Ergenekon Davası'ndaki salon sorununa el attı Ergenekon Davası için ne dediler? Son Dakika Milliyet Hürriyet Zaman GH Türkiye Video NTV CNNTürk Milliyet Cengiz Çandar Başbakan ve Diyarbakır 12 Ağustos 2005-21 Ekim 2008 Ahmet Taşgetiren Ah bir fiyasko olsa... Ruşen - Çakır Yeni dönemin Koordinatları Taha Akyol Ergenekon davası Fikret Bila Kışlalı’nın demokratik cumhuriyet anlayışı Hasan Cemal Murat Yetkin ABD: PKK’ya karşı yeni tedbirler alıyoruz İsmet Berkan Pembe bütçe devrine dönüş mü? Bilal Çetin Yerel seçim kaygısı IMF kapısında patinaj yaptırıyor... Fehmi Koru Bırakalım, yargı süreci işlesin Taha Kıvanç 'Süper akıl' böyle olur Şamil Tayyar Jandarmaya uyarı Ali Bayramoğlu Kürt sorununda son durum… Yasemin Çongar Ali Bulaç Fethullah Hoca döner mi? Ertuğrul Özkök Cüretkar bir yazı yazacaktım Hasan Ünal Ahmet Hakan Şiirden anlayan danışman ihtiyacı M Ali Birand Ergenekon'da hoyratlıklar dizisi Mustafa Akyol İşkenceye karşı Hz. Ömer’in adaleti Düşmanla konuşmak
MEHMET ALİ KIŞLALI Yaraya tuz basmak, ya da...
AVNİ ÖZGÜREL Serdar Turgut Kriz komplo olabilir mi? Cüneyt Ülsever Ergenekon’un siyasi anlamı Enis Berberoğlu Güneri Civaoğlu Bilinen bilmece Oktay Ekşi Samimi olun Özdemir İnce Yaşar Kemal diyor ki Mehmet Y Yılmaz ’Asrın davası’ gecekonduda görülmez Gülay Göktürk İçimizdeki Ergenekon Tufan Türenç Ergenekon curcunası Yalçın Bayer Öz, Çakıcı’yı da sorgulamalıdır Oray Eğin
Yandaş medya batar mı? Sabahattin Önkibar Diyarbakır'daki kalkışmada kedi, şehit cenazesinde kaplan! Bülent Keneş Turkey confronts its dark past Yavuz Baydar A 'not-so-good' beginning [Yorum - Murat Yılmaz] Özür dileyen devlet anlayışı devam etmeli Okay Gönensin Seçim hazırlığı Mehmet Tezkan Düşündüren Diyarbakır fotoğrafı ECEVİT KILIÇ
Herkesin bildiği bin ölümü itiraf etti... Mehmet Altan Sayın bakan, bir soru Ergenekon reloaded by EMRE USLU & ÖNDER AYTAÇ* Ergenekon case is an irreversible step for Turkey by MUSTAFA ŞENTOP* MUHARREM SARIKAYA "2005 süreci..." ERDAL ŞAFAK Cellatlar ve kurbanlar ENGİN ARDIÇ ERGUN BABAHAN Birileri kollamasa böyle olur muydu EMRE AKÖZ Ancak bir 'avukat' bunu iddia edebilir Umur Talu Huzursuz bir ruhun zamanaşımında yorulmuş vicdanı konuşacak bir gün
HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN Ya Ergenekon ya modernleşmek NAZLI ILICAK Yassıada özlemi! MEHMET BARLAS MHP ve CHP de Güneydoğu seçmeninden oy almayı istemelidirler... MAHMUT ÖVÜR YAVUZ DONAT Cumhuriyet döneminin en büyük davası İsmail Küçükkaya
Ekonomide kriz yönetimi başarılı mı? Mine Kırıkkanat Ergenekon: Cui bono? Hâlâ şaşabiliyorsanız!
TÜRKER ALKAN Kazakistan örneği
NAMIK KEMAL ZEYBEK Hız sınırlarını artırmayın!
HALUK ŞAHİN Ekonomi Dolar 1,60 YTL’yi aştı Ege Cansen Oyun kuramı penceresinden kriz ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Ercan Kumcu İleriye yönelik riskler (3) Erdal Sağlam Hurşit Güneş Hükümetin tedbirleri beyhude Deniz Gökçe
Meğer bazı şeyler değişirmiş! Güngör Uras Bütçe için orta vadeli program hazırlıyoruz (...ama işe yaramıyor!) Servet Yıldırım IMF için doğru zamanı kaçırdık mı Özel sektör ekonomi zirvesinde, IMF ile 'paralı' anlaşma istedi Dolar 27 ayın zirvesinde Petroldeki düşüş 73 milyar dolarlık cari açık kabusundan uyandırdı ABD bunalımı
MUSTAFA AYSAN Mali kriz zirvesi
METİN ERCAN TCMB, Fed ve ECB’ye başvurmalı!
UĞUR GÜRSES Aydın Ayaydın Özel sektörün borcu söylendiği gibi değil TÜSİAD: Artık saatler bile önemli Kerem Alkin Kriz yumuşamazsa, siyasi bedel ödetir Eser Karakaş Ekonomiyi izlemek İ.Hüseyin Yıldız
Hedge fonlarda risk artıyor Global financial crisis highlights benefits of Islamic finance |
| Mullen Says Iraq ‘Running Out of Time’ on Forces Accord A Matter of Life and Debt By MARGARET ATWOOD We cannot recover from the crisis of 2008 simply by watching the Dow creep upward. To heal our wounds, we must repair the broken moral balance that let this chaos loose. Editorial Only Half a Bailout Unless something is done quickly to help American homeowners avoid foreclosure, the losses could swamp the bailout effort. | H5 Washington Post A Critical Stage in Iraq By David Ignatius, 'Everybody is afraid of everybody. They're afraid of the past, present and future.' The Irony of Obama By Michael Gerson Would a President Obama reign in a Democratic Congress? Could he? Young Voters, Get Mad By Robert J. Samuelson You need to appeal to the shame and guilt of older Americans. Editorial $150 Million Man Rebuilding public financing in the wake of Barack Obama's fundraising tsunami The 'Socialist' Scare By Ruth Marcus McCain is running a campaign both uncivil and uncivilizing -- one I expect he will rue, win or lose. Saudis Held Talks Between Taliban, Afghans Private Iraq Investigators Out Agency Cancels Contract After Senator Raises Questions More Poison Another prominent adversary of Vladimir Putin is mysteriously exposed to toxins Palin Apologizes for 'Real America' Comments Two Congressmen Face Backlash After Their Own Remarks Questioning Others' Patriotism Lebanese City's Strife Reflects 2 Conflicts Tripoli Rocked by Internal Rifts and Mideast Proxy War U.S. Erred in Contracts For Small Businesses Analysis shows government agencies made $5B in mistakes in awards to companies, many of which either outgrew designation or never qualified. The Power of Two Myths By Harold Meyerson, An increasingly desperate John McCain is transporting us back to the wedge issues of yesteryear. North Carolina's New Blues In Insecure Times, a State Once Firmly Republican Now Wobbles Big Donors Drive Obama's Money Edge Candidates Keep Up Attacks in Key States Obama Works Fla. as McCain Tours Pa. On Al-Qaeda Web Sites, Joy Over U.S. Crisis, Support for McCain | H6 Guardian A Bosnian powder keg Paddy Ashdown and Richard Holbrooke: We are sleepwalking into another Balkan crisis. The EU and the US must take urgent, united action Iraq and a hard place Simon Tisdall: Finding a way to pull out US troops out of Iraq that placates all is a huge challenge Fed injects $540bn into markets Third attempt in a month by US Federal Reserve to help market with aid to mutual funds Cyber-attack theory as al-Qaida websites close Analysts suspect western intelligence agencies targeting propaganda sites in new front in 'war on terror' All sides are behaving as if Obama has it in the bag. And yet, and yet ... Jonathan Freedland: Democrats are gazing at a radical new dawn while Republicans ready to attack the victor Ahmadinejad 0, shopkeepers 1 M Cist: Iran's president has lost his battle with the all-powerful trading community over VAT. It's a significant defeat Guantánamo's bleak farce Andy Worthington: After dropping war crimes charges against five prisoners today, the US's use of military commissions is unraveling Once in a Lifetime By: Michael Meacher | The Guardian A global summit on the economy should be seen as an opportunity to create a fairer, more stable and more sustainable world. McCain 'gives up' on Colorado as Obama calls time-out to visit sick grandmother Republican makes tough decisions as campaign also downgrades its chances in Iowa and New Mexico Hamas exploits boom in Gaza smuggling tunnels Israel's blockade failing to weaken Islamist group as licensing fees boost new economic structure Saudis indict 991 terrorism suspects Government fears public backlash against crackdown and accusations of pandering to US
The long battle against poverty is not over Michael White: Britain remains a country of low social mobility, highly unequal incomes and jobless households Tectonic plates over dinner Sarah Wildman: Republican accusations of anti-Americanism and socialism is a reminder of how deep the fissures in US society remain |
| H7 'La Strada' on Wall Street and the End of Neo-Liberalism By: Alfred Gusenbauer | The Daily Star Apologists for neoliberalism assume not only that states should be run like companies, but also that, as far as possible, they should not intervene in the economy Serving two masters in Iraq An Iraqi government that is supposedly a US ally is also answering to Iran. (Boston Globe) Needed: A New Multilateralism By: Robert B. Zoellick | The Boston Globe The events of September and October could be a tipping point for many developing countries. As always, the poor are the most defenseless. Saudis Uneasy Over Rehabilitation of Syria's Assad Saudis resurrect a rival for Hezbollah
Saudi Arabia, amid its efforts to undermine Hezbollah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, is reportedly funding a rival Shi'ite wing of the group led by Sheikh Subhi Tufayli, a Hezbollah founder who has been little seen since the 1990s. But Saudi money may just be lining Tufayli's pockets and his resurrection is little threat to the power and popularity of Nasrallah. - Sami Moubayed Scowcroft a director of history Inequalities rise, society not breaking down: OECD Russia, Iran and Qatar Discuss Forming Gas Cartel U.S. Official Backs Civilian Efforts In War On Terror U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman spoke with RFE/RL senior correspondent Ron Synovitz in Prague about the changing dynamics of the war on terrorism and the lessons the U.S. military has learned from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Power and Politics in Iran By: Akbar Ganji | Foreign Affairs
The real decision-maker in Iran is Supreme Leader Khamenei not President Ahmedinejad. Blaming Iran's problems on President Ahmadinejad inaccurately suggests that Iran's problems will go away when Ahmadinejad does The Comeback Cleric? The Economist
Presidential elections in Iran next June could be more lively than usual. Muhammad Khatami, a leading reformist who has already served two terms as president (he left office in 2005), is dropping ever clearer hints that he is ready to run against the incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is widely expected seek re-election Seven Questions for Larry Wilkerson By: Interview: Larry Wilkerson | Foreign Policy
Colin Powell’s chief of staff shares his thoughts on why the former secretary of state endorsed Barack Obama—and how the next U.S. president can get America back on track Gadhafi Considering $2 Billion Arms Splurge By: Nicholas von Twickel | The Moscow Times
A Russian arms industry source said the visit might include the purchase of more than $2 billion in weapons, the news agency reported. The weapons could include some 50 tanks, dozens of helicopters, several fighter jets and surface-to-air missile systems such as the S-300, TOR-M1 and BUK, the source said. Building peace through health in the Middle East By Cesar Chelala | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq US warning on Iraq deal failure
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warns of "dramatic consequences" if a deal on US forces in Iraq is not agreed. Iraqi Analyst: Bush Ceding Control Over Troops in SOFA US Digs in as Iraq Voices SOFA Concern Iraq Deal Marks a Shift in British Mission - The Times
US Ambassador Defends Deal to Stay Iraq for Three Years - Daily Telegraph
Iran Paper Criticises US Policy in Afghanistan, Iraq Iraqi Speaker on Iraq-US Agreement, Iran's Pressure, Sunnis, Kurds Will Dubai's soaring economy come in for a landing? | H9 Ha’aretz – Iran proposal: Preemptive strike against Israeli targets Khamenei adviser: Israeli rhetoric on Iran strike strengthens position of pro-preemptive attack officials. ANALYSIS / Iran's threats are not based on any proven capability Iran's declarations appear to be an attempt to create a balance of fear and deterrence with Israel U.S. urges Arab states to forge diplomatic ties with Israel Senior State Department official says 'we would also like to see Israel do the same, get closer to Arab states Where no bad idea ever dies The "National Security and Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century" document is a direct continuation of President Bush's reckless nuclear policy. By LARRY YUDELSON
McCain nods to evangelical Christians who pit 'Judeo- Christian values' against secular values. Obama won't debate Republican Jews Decision not to respond to RJC comes following ads in Jewish papers calling Obama "hostile to Jews." Al-Qaida-linked Web site backs McCain Message posted Monday says "impetuous" McCain will continue in Iraq, Afghanistan "to the last soldier." Yedioth Ahronoth Saudi hope Livni adopts plan Saudi FM hopes Israeli premier will adopt Arab League peace initiative, return to 67' borders 'Jews masterminded crisis' With financial crisis showing little improvement, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories flood internet Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Jordanian Sources: Mossad Chief Assassinated |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor France's Sarkozy emerging as leading figure President Nicolas Sarkozy heads to Asia this week to broach the idea of bringing India and China together with G-8 nations in a 'Bretton Woods II' framework of economic rules. Congress weighs another stimulus But this plan is likely to be aimed at people and areas hit hard by the slump. A Sunni-Shiite battle of the website hackers While some Middle East experts say tit-for-tat cyberattacks on Islamic websites amounts to a virtual sectarian battle, others suspect third-party agitators could be the culprits. Saudi Arabia indicts 991 suspected Al Qaeda militants Those arrested are implicated in operations that occurred between 2003 and 2006. India, Pakistan open historic Kashmir trade route The longtime rivals exchanged goods across the divided territory for the first time in 60 years. Government regulation, not free-market greed, caused this crisis When government distorts incentives, the invisible hand can become a fist. America's other deficit: leadership A staggering 80 percent of survey respondents say we have a leadership crisis ASIA China's silent dominance in Russia (UPI) -- Chairman Mao Zedong can finally rest easy in his grave. His country has now become the dominant partner in the Sino-Russian relationship, a complete reversal of the past. Hit and miss with Afghan air strikes Air strikes against suspected Taliban leaders in Afghanistan were halted in 2004, in the belief they were ineffectual and caused too many civilian deaths. They resumed the following year, growing steadily to levels of thousands of raids a year. Yet they still have not proved effective against the Taliban, while non-combatants are being killed in record numbers, in part due to poor intelligence. - Gareth Porter It's All Go for Moonstruck India By: Raja Murthy | Asia Times
It's all go for moonstruck India If all goes according to plan, Wednesday's moon mission will firmly establish India as a leading space power NATO reaches into the Indian Ocean
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization's naval deployment in the Indian Ocean, ostensibly on the grounds of combating piracy, is a milestone in the alliance's transformation. India's decision to send a naval ship to the same region is no coincidence - it forms a vital link in the planned United States chain of influence that includes Sri Lanka and Singapore. Moscow has responded that it, too, has the capacity and the will to fight a "war on terror" in the Indian Ocean. - M K Bhadrakumar Growth slows in China, as the global economic slump takes its toll US eyes a 'grand' Afghan bargain
The Pentagon is as one with the United States intelligence community, which sees a "spiraling" Afghanistan. A high-level team is now developing a strategic approach that will be presented to the next president, and it will certainly include some form of rapprochement with the Taliban. - Jim Lobe Asian alternatives to the G7 bank bailout
By Abe De Ramos | H11 IHT Business remains robust between Germany and Russia Growing business ties reflect Germans' and Russians' depth of commitment to their centuries-old bond, even in these troubled times Medvedev opens effort to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia, projecting Moscow's diplomatic clout in the Caucasus, pushed Tuesday to bring the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan together for talks on the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. Russia to host Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday he will host peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which appear willing to negotiate a settlement of their 20-year conflict over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. From London, a rebuke to U.S. approach on terrorism British officials have criticized the United States for what they described as its overly militaristic approach to fighting terrorism. Italy's crisis has premier riding highIn many countries, the leader's popularity often rises and falls with the state of the economy. That does not appear to be the case in Italy. The U.S. ranks 29 on infant mortality The American health care system needs to do better to improve the nation's infant mortality rate, which is ranked nearly 29th lowest in the world. James Carroll: Courage in an age of fear For some Americans, Barack Obama represents the unexpected possibility that we can find release in middle age from what took us hostage when we were young. EUROPE European press review Strike-hit Greece at standstill Air traffic is grounded, public services grind to a halt, and there are some clashes, as Greeks join a nationwide strike Sarkozy wants top EU economy team
The French president calls for an EU "economic government", as the IMF predicts a tough year for Europe. Gordon Brown: Dead Man Walking? By: Douglas Davis | World Politics Review
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, it is widely accepted, has had a good credit crunch. A couple of months ago, just a year after taking over from the charismatic Tony Blair, Brown was virtually dead in the water. Macedonia Unlikely to Start EU Talks This Year By: Elitsa Vucheva | EU Observer Macedonia does not seem ready at this stage to open accession talks with the EU before the end of the year, as initially hoped, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn has said In Serbia, Top U.S. Officer Seeks Military Cooperation By: Thom Shanker | The New York Times America’s top military officer traveled Monday to the only country in Europe ever bombed by NATO to seek increased cooperation between the armed forces of the United States and Serbia and a lessening of tensions over an independent Kosovo Spaniards divided over Civil War More than 70 years on, an inquiry into the country's darkest era is expected to reopen old wounds, writes Fiona Govan. Red Europe vs. Blue Europe
The Weekly Standard on the other continental divide. | H12 RFE/RL Google News Azerbaijan Will Russia Fall Apart? By: Vasko Kohlmayer | Front Page Magazine
Late last month, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev made a startling admission at a conference on social-economic development in Kamchatka. He said, "If we do not step up the level of activity of our work [in the Russian Far East], then in the final analysis we can lose everything.” What Medvedev’s words betray is the fear of Russia’s leaders that their country may not hold together Ukraine's NATO Hopes Dashed By: Jeremy Druker | ISN Security Watch
While the Georgia-Russia conflict has played a role in dashing Ukraine's hopes for NATO membership, so has very dramatic domestic political turmoil Orange Revolution Implodes to Leave a Nation in Despair By: Askold Kruschelnycky | The Independent
Their leaders are at war, their country is verging on bankruptcy and the Russians are growling on their doorstep. Ukrainians have been plunged into disillusion and despair by the lethal combination as they witness the death throes of the Orange Revolution that brought President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Julia Tymoshenko to power The Machiavelli of Kiev: Ukrainian President Recalls Parliament to Address Financial Crisis Kremlin Confidently Confronts Economic Turmoil as Russians Fret By: Megan K. Stack | Los Angeles Times
The nation's leaders devise a series of populist projects to reassure citizens. Amid fuel subsidies for farmers, housing upgrades and other assistance, 'it isn't that bad,' Putin says Just months ago, Russian companies were buying up assets all over the world. Russian tycoons were boasting of vanity purchases like soccer clubs and racehorses. And President Dmitry Medvedev was talking about turning Moscow into a global financial center Russians told all is well as economy sinks Ukraine goes from
orange to red
The International Monetary Fund is preparing a US$14 billion standby facility for Ukraine as the stock market crumbles, the value of its currency tumbles and a bank requires rescuing. All that hasn't put an end to political infighting, although IMF terms may include halting elections that would further drain limited resources. - R M Cutler Lessons from the war in Georgia
The five-day Russo-Georgian war hastened in a dangerous new era of rivalry between Russia and the United States, even though Russia remains a US "strategic partner" in continued cooperation in Afghanistan and in dealing with Iran, Iraq and North Korea. Moscow has also demonstrated it can at any time end Georgia's role as a secure energy corridor through which gas and oil is piped to the West. - Herbert Bix Russian Economic Official Abruptly Freed From Jail Corruption Case Linked to Kremlin Jockeying
Russian Bases to Stay in Ossetia, Abkhazia |
| H13 The Times Blow to US-troop withdrawal from Iraq Major setback for Bush administration as concerns grow in Iraq over the lack of a guaranteed date for the US forces to withdraw Rescuing Afghanistan remains a noble ambition The shooting of a Western aid worker should not weaken our resolve to stay and improve the lives of ordinary people Magnus Linklater Kashmir trade route reopens after 61 years The reopening of the main pre-1947 trade route was agreed by the Indian Prime Minister and the new Pakistani President Wall Street Journal Michael Barone: Are the Polls Accurate? Thomas Frank: Joe the Plumber and GOP 'Authenticity' Iran's Preconditions So much for Obama's diplomacy. Poll: Obama Opens
Double-Digit Lead A greater number of voters say they would be comfortable with Obama as president. A new WSJ/NBC poll gives him a 10-point edge over McCain, 52% to 42%.Graphic: Data Drilldown | Poll Data (PDF) Derivatives and Mass Financial Destruction By Darrell Duffie
Complex financial products can be useful if regulated properly. How to Restore Confidence in Our Markets By Arthur Levitt
A unified regulator would be a start Lessons from Tokyo By Heizo Takenaka A financial crisis demands fast, but smart, government action Some Follow-Up, Please By James Taranto
Come to think of it, what exactly did Biden mean? Sarkozy's Sovereign Wealth Dud REVIEW & OUTLOOK
A government reaction to the crisis that could be worse than the crisis itself. Obama's Money Blowout | H14 Financial Times The world wakes from the wish-dream of decoupling The worst consequences of the banking crisis – a true depression – have been avoided. But the impact of the implosion of what economist Nouriel Roubini calls “the largest leveraged asset bubble and credit bubble in history” is hitting real economies hard, writes Martin Wolf The Fund faces up to competition Countries have other options, writes David Rothkopf Gas cartel plan Gap between rich and poor widens Iraqis exist on margins of positive picture Economic and security advances have been slow to filter down to the ordinary citizens of Baghdad, many of whom say the quality of life is below that of the Saddam era Maliki leads objections to US troop proposal The Iraqi cabinet wants to renegotiate a draft US-Iraq agreement to keep US forces in the country beyond 2008, in the most serious sign yet that the accord is in trouble Fed offers $540bn to prop up money funds The US Federal Reserve said it would finance up to $540bn in purchases of short-term debt from money market mutual funds to shore up a key pillar of the US financial system Russia set for sale of the century in reverse Igor Shuvalov, Russia’s first deputy prime minister, says the state could wind up owning huge chunks of formerly private companies as the result of its bail-out measures Serbia scores a partial victory ...and Spain. Each fears that Kosovo's independence will reinforce separatist or autonomist tendencies in their own countries: Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus, ethnic Hungarians in Romania and Slovakia, Basques in Spain. For these five countries, the integrity of... Divided Opec wrestles with level of output cut Oil prices leave Venezuela's Chávez vulnerable Saudi Arabia injects cash into banks Saudi Arabia, the biggest economy of the Gulf and the world’s largest supplier of oil, has deposited $2bn-$3bn in local banks to meet a shortfall of dollar funding in the domestic banking sector Sarkozy calls for European wealth funds The French president has called for the creation of European sovereign wealth funds to buy stakes in companies with low share prices and protect them from non-European predators IMF warns business as EU outlook worsens European businesses will suffer a sharp contraction in credit next year as the full consequences of the global crisis unfold for non-financial companies, the International Monetary Fund has predicted Equality street The UK must reform welfare further and be bold on education, in particular. The government cannot afford, morally or economically, to stand by Pakistan needs IMF help badly The best hope is a Fund loan, augmented by individual countries, that is flexible on conditions without compromising on the most vital of reforms Surplus capital is not for wimps after all In bad times, you can never have enough, says John Kay How to make a decision and then stick to it Dean Karlan on commitment contracts Analysis: From hope to husk Billed as a solution to farm finances, air pollution and US oil security all at once, corn ethanol has instead undergone a rapid boom and bust Obama's vision thing is his most potent asset Saudi Arabia’s restraint rewarded Middle East analysts believe the drop in oil prices would have little impact on the kingdom’s economy since its budget is based on an estimated price of $55 to $60 a barrel Oil refinery seen as just the type of project to aim for The Bazian oil refinery is just the kind of Iraqi government project the US hopes to see more of in the near future, Anna Fifield reports Investors suffer as US ethanol boom dries up The likes of Microsoft’s Bill Gates are sitting on billions of dollars in losses after buying into the corn-based ethanol industry that George W. Bush embraced as the answer to US energy woes Democrats enlist students from bastion of liberalism deep in enemy territory | H15 Los Angeles Times French President Nicolas Sarkozy
shines in a crisis Like British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, France's leader has seen his image burnished by the global financial crisis. Iraq Cabinet seeks changes in security pact with U.S. With the U.N. mandate governing troops in Iraq running out in a few months, Iraqi ministers are set to debate alterations to a proposed U.S.-Iraq pact Kremlin confidently confronts economic turmoil as Russians fret The nation's leaders devise a series of populist projects to reassure citizens. Amid fuel subsidies for farmers, housing upgrades and other assistance, 'it isn't that bad,' Putin says Britain's Brown savors his financial fame The prime minister's steps to address Britain's portion of the world financial crisis make him a hero, even across the Channel The media vs. Joe the Plumber Jonah Goldberg Joe the Plumber asked a sensible question. Why is he being attacked and belittled? |
| H16 American Politics Pew Research Center: Growing Doubts About McCain's Judgment, Age and Campaign Conduct — Obama's Lead Widens: 52%-38% Poll: Obama opens biggest lead over McCain — Dem leads rival by 10 points among registered voters in NBC/WSJ survey Laura Meckler / Wall Street Journal: Obama Opens Double-Digit Lead — Metrics Are Adding Up For Obama - Charlie Cook, National Journal Winning big? Larry Sabato on the potentiaL for an Obama landslide MSNBC 'FIRST READ'...
HALPERIN 'PAGE'...
ABC 'NOTE...
POLITICO 'PLAYBOOK'... Are the Polls Accurate? - Michael Barone, Wall Street Journal McClatchy You may not like Obama's tax plan, but it's not socialism "Make no mistake," Republican activist John Hancock told a John McCain rally in St. Charles, Mo., a St. Louis suburb, "this campaign is a referendum on socialism." Republicans have been pounding that theme in recent days. "Senator Obama is not a socialist," said Paul Beck, a professor of political science at Ohio State University. "We've had a progressive tax system for some time, and both Republicans and Democrats have bought into it." McCain's desperate tactics As the presidential campaign enters its final weeks, John McCain resembles a journeyman boxer, behind on every scorecard and struggling desperately to land a knockout punch. (By Scot Lehigh, Globe Columnist) NYT Mag inside McCain camp The Times Magazine will feature a piece in which advisers say press isn't worthy of "straight talk." Powell Drops the Hammer on McCain - Roger Simon, Politico Symposium: Forecasting the 2008 National Elections
Source: PS: Political Science and Politics (American Political Science Association) realclearpolitics memeorandum Politico ABC’s The Note – PoliticsHome fivethirtyeight US News Political Bulletin Early Bird GovExec Chris Cillizza / Washington Post: Is Palin A 2012 Contender or Pretender? Palin apologizes for patriot ‘pro-America areas’ comment Entering the homestretch, Barack Obama leads John McCain by 50 to 42 percent and appears to be gaining strength on key issues despite a barrage of criticism from his rival. The first Ipsos-McClatchy poll taken since last week's third and final debate offered several signs of growing strength for Obama and troubling weaknesses for McCain | H17 Daily Telegraph UK already in recession, says Mervyn King Bank of England Governor says Britain is now in recession after the banking system came close to collapse. US ambassador defends Iraq deal The US ambassador to Baghdad was yesterday forced to defend a controversial pact that would prolong its military operations in Iraq to 2011 Britain faces long-term terror threat George Osborne fights for his political life George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, was fighting for his political future after he admitted discussing a substantial donation to the Conservative Party from a controversial Russian oligarch. | Exclusive: Shadow Chancellor admits he met Russian oligarch five times but did not ask for political donations |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism Learning from Contemporary Conflicts to Prepare for Future War - H.R. McMaster, Foreign Policy Research Institute E-Note The Worst of the Worst By: Ken Ballen and Peter Bergen | Foreign Policy They told us to overlook the abuses because Guantánamo housed “the worst of the worst.” But new statistics prove that the vast majority of prisoners detained there never posed any real risk to America at all. Star Wars - Washington Times editorial Control Nuclear Weapons or Risk New Hiroshima - The Australian
New Push to Curb N-bombs - The Australian
Next President Will Inherit Guantánamo Dilemma Arms for
the Poor
by Jeff Huber Probe looks into claims that spies eavesdropped on pillow talk | H20 Slate Bush's Final Illusion
The president's agreement with Iraq bypasses Congress. Again.
Bruce Ackerman and Oona A. Hathaway Will There Be Blood? By: Ray Fisman | Slate
How are commodities prices connected to civil strife? Poor farmers impoverished by lower crop prices may be eager recruits for rebel groups who can promise a better livelihood from stolen loot than what the soil can provide (not to mention protection from pillaging, since unaligned farmers may be easy prey for either rebels or government troops). | H21 Darwin might not have loved botox, but he would have understood why women in particular are keen to smoothe those wrinkles... more» The Starbucks predictor: the more frappucinos to be had in a country, the more likely that it is now facing a depression. (Well, the Macdonald’s theory didn’t work either)... more» Birds Fly More Than 7,000 Miles Nonstop, Study Shows In Its Annual Fall Migration, One Godwit Traveled From Alaska to New Zealand in Eight Days For Nonbelievers, Reassurance on Wheels British Atheists Announce Plan for Bus Ads, and Contributions Start Rolling In |
