| H1 Foreign Affairs January /February 2009 Beyond Iraq: A New U.S. Strategy for the Middle East - Richard N. Haass and Martin Indyk To be successful in the Middle East, the Obama administration will need to move beyond Iraq, find ways to deal constructively with Iran, and forge a final-status Israeli-Palestinian agreement
A Balanced Strategy Robert M. Gates The Pentagon has to do more than modernize its conventional forces; it must also focus on today's unconventional conflicts -- and tomorrow's.
The Project on National Security Reform Releases Recommendations Urging Sweeping Changes to Improve U.S National Security System. Full report here --- Executive Summary here PNSR in the Media Washington Post Barack Obama's Team of National Security Heavyweights By Henry A. Kissinger, Obama's decision to ignore conventional wisdom in picking his national security team may pay dividends. A Quiet Earthquake in Baghdad By Charles Krauthammer, We just saw the most important geopolitical advance in the region since Kissinger. Sadr Movement Seeks Its Way As Others Gain Power in Iraq From The National Interest, Daniel Drezner on oil dependence as virtue: It turns out, a world without oil dependence is a world that doesn’t need an American superpower American Interest The Declinists, Wrong Again Edward Luttwak
America and Europe retain decisive advantages in the contest for global affluence and influence Time A New World Order Obama's national-security team has talent, experience--and a tendency to disagree on major policy issues. Can it work? Keep an eye on the 6-ft. 5-in. general From The National, the situation in Afghanistan is not as bad as you've heard, it's worse — Nir Rosen reports Terror Attacks Traced to Two From Pakistan The Mumbai police identified a second Pakistani terrorist as an engineer of the attacks, as gruesome new evidence emerged of mistreatment of hostages. Forward Obama’s New Foreign Policy Team Looks Toward Syria
Peace Efforts Would Run Parallel To Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations - administration, the incoming foreign policy team of President-elect Barack Obama is expected to embrace Israeli–Syrian peace talks and might actively take part in negotiations that until now the Americans have shunned. Stratfor Russia: Ukraine, Europe and the Natural Gas Cutoff Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said Europe will be hit if Moscow cuts off natural gas supplies to Ukraine Prospect The meaning of Obama
Michael LindThe messianic cult around Obama was always at odds with his modest policy proposals. But events can force politicians to be bold. The new president has a chance to redefine American liberalism. The Economist Savings Where have all your savings gone? Investors may draw the wrong lesson from history MEMRI Dec 3 IA# 477 - Discussion in Iran on Possible Dialogue with U.S. Time Is This Detroit's Last Winter? (Cover Story) After 30 years of poor cars and worse management, the Big Three want Uncle Sam's help. Does that make sense? Desperate Times, Desperate Policies - Nouriel Roubini, Forbes NYT Looking for the Ideal Spot to Make a Speech President-elect Barack Obama's aides say he is considering making a major foreign policy speech from an Islamic capital during his first 100 days in office.
The U.S. & Iran: A New Approach, No Illusions - Volker Perthes, IHT
Security Outside The Box
National Journal
Invite Asia to Help Lead the World - Paul Johnson, Forbes
War on Terror an Exercise in Folly - Rosa Brooks, Los Angeles Times
America Is Not Declining - Rod Hunter, The American The Times Israel 'prepared to attack' Iran nuclear plants Israel has drawn up plans to attack Iran's nuclear facilities but concedes it would probably fail without back-up from the US Barack Obama's political Who's Who The President-elect's team includes familiar names, but that needn't stop him being an agent of change Gerard Baker The wrong man for the Middle East Tony Blair is too tainted by his past - and cannot even offer full-time commitment Richard Beeston Heritage A Diplomatic Deal with Iran? The Triumph of Wishful Thinking Over Past Experience - James Phillips and Peter Brookes Guardian America, cowering to an imaginary enemy, is not the country I once knew Simon Jenkins: Like McCarthy, Bush relied on a synthesised climate of fear. Obama inherits a nation that sees al-Qaida fiends at all turns Action, not words Karen AbuZayd: The noble spirit of the universal declaration of human rights is betrayed by a lack of help for Gaza, Obama and Hu: an odd couple the world needs Jonathan Fenby: America sneezed and China has pneumonia. It is more vital than ever for economies – and leaders – to come together Newsday New Mideast Peace Plan? - James Klurfeld Washington Think-Tanks Call for Shifting U.S. Focus from Iraq The Soviet mentality is being reborn in Russia. It is a return not to the terror of the 1930s, but to the drab, oppressed life of the 1970s... more» From American Diplomacy, an article on UN Security Council reform: Unrealistic proposals and viable reform options. Expect New U.S. Trade Policy By: Kazuo Ogoura | The Japan Times The Obama administration is likely to shift responsibilities for economic adjustment from the American workforce to foreign competitors, particularly China. The Economist Dealing with Pakistan After Mumbai Even though the terrorists probably came from Pakistan, India should continue to keep its cool Ha’aretz – Needed: A presidential regime Israel requires a concentration of democratic power that allows its leaders to make and implement the policies to shape the future Ari Shavit: Pakistan is as dangerous as Iran Shlomo Avineri: The State of Israel as the kingdom of evil Report: India has proof Pakistan spy agency linked to Mumbai attacks Intelligence probe has led to names of gunmen's handlers and trainers, according to Times of India The Economist Iran An old has-been to the rescue? Might a reform-minded former president displace the current one? Iran: Reacting to Obama By: Kamal Nazer Yasin | ISN Security Watch While trying hard to make out Obama's political worldview and priorities, Iranian factions act according to political exigencies Al Awsat When Former Foes Become Fellow Victims : Amir Taheri Daily Telegraph Will Obama's team pull together? The president-elect's choice of national security team is bold, but fraught with risks, observes Con Coughlin. Russia threatens to cut off gas supplies to EU Vladimir Putin has threatened to cut gas supplies to Ukraine raising the prospect of a winter energy crisis in Western Europe Wall Street Journal 'At Least Bush Kept Us Safe' By Peggy Noonan The two words Democrats don't want tacked onto that sentence. 'Muted by Reality' By James Taranto Now that Obama has won, we could be in Iraq for a hundred years. Financial Times Never mind the team: the president does the moves Barack Obama’s choice of foreign policy heavyweights is significant for its ambition rather than its caution. If he really does want to recast America’s relationship with the world, surrounding himself with seasoned players will make the task easier not harder, says Philip Stephens Europe’s central banks slash rates Trichet warns of ‘sluggish demand persisting for next few quarters’ Merrill warns oil prices could fall to $25 Crude drops to near four-year low below $44 China lectures US on economy The US was lectured about its economic fragilities as senior Chinese officials urged the administration to stabilise its economy, boost its savings rate and protect Chinese investments | M Ali Birand PKK bitmez, ancak terörü etkisizleştirebiliriz. Nasıl mı? Turkey jails Kurdish politician
A Turkish court jails Kurdish politician Leyla Zana for 10 years for spreading propaganda for the Kurdish rebel PKK CounterPunch Inside the Ergenekon Case Turkey's Sinister Blend of Watergate and the Dreyfus Affair By ECE TEMELKURAN Jerusalem Post Turkey: More Israeli-Syrian talks possible before elections İhsan Dağı A.R.O.G mu komik, ASAM mı? ASAM İran - Suriye İlişkileri Nereye? Obama’nın Güvenlik Kabinesi Üzerine Notlar İran –Türkiye İlişkilerinin Tutkalı: PKK/PJAK Odaklı Güvenlik İşbirliği Global Sorunlar Ve Ülkelerin Yalnızlaşması İran-Türkiye Ekonomik İlişkileri: Zor Ancak Zorunlu Ticaret İran Neden Önemli ? Barrack Obama ve İran Turkey not to open Armenia border until Azerbaijan's integrity restored Turkish-American Relations Could Chill Come January Washington Post AİHM Kıbrıslı Rum'u haklı buldu Obama'ya Türkiye dersi FT Turkey ‘set to sign IMF accord’ Turkey could sign an agreement with the International Monetary Fund by the end of the year, but will not answer business lobbies’ calls for a cut in VAT Baghdad and Kurds near oil pact Iraq’s central government and regional authorities in Kurdistan are moving closer to signing a long-awaited deal for exports from the northern region’s oil fields TIME - What Lies Beneath Will Iraq strut or stumble after U.S. soldiers leave? Dangerous times are ahead for cities like Kirkuk
Mossad implicated in a coup plot in Turkey, a NATO country; CIA fingerprints also found on attempt Turkey in Arab eyes Al-Ahram Weekly As Turkey becomes increasingly engaged in Middle East issues, Arabs would do well to review their preconceptions of it, writes Mustafa El-Labbad Aydınlardan Ermeni tehcirine özür kampanyası Özür dilemek... Neye yarar, neyi bozar? Zana’ya 10 yıl hapis 10 yıl hapis cezası aldı, seçilme hakkını kaybetti Etyen Mahçupyan As the Westerners look out at the AK Party Kimyasal saldırı Güven'le önlendi Israeli Herons arrive as Turkey eyes armed UAVs Casus uçak mı açık hedef mi Sicilimiz böyle düzelir 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 Gül Diyarbakır'a gidemiyor YASİN DOĞAN PKK ittifaklarını kaybediyor Leyla Zana’ya 10 yıl hapis Turkey jails Kurdish politician
A Turkish court jails Kurdish politician Leyla Zana for 10 years for spreading propaganda for the Kurdish rebel PKK. Kurdish guards harassed in Parliament (UPI) -- Kurdish forces tasked with protecting the Iraqi Parliament building were harassed by guards belonging to the prime minister, a Kurdish media outlet said. TRT’den sonra Diyanet’ten de Kürtçe’ye yeşil ışık Khalilzad ends visit to Kurdistan Region Kurds have no place in Iraq
Kurdish Globe ‘Öcalan pazarlığı’ Kürt sorununu çözmez MUHAMMED NUREDDİN Türkiye'ye yerleşiyor Nagehan Alçı Diyarbakır meydan muharebesi Diyarbakır Cumhurbaşkanı Gül’ü bekliyor "Let Shahristani say what he wants to" Turkey jails Kurdish politician Turkish court jails Kurd politician over speeches Heron'lar sorunlu geldi Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık Zeynel Lüle Babacan'ı ve Ruijten'i aynı anda dinledim Semih İdiz Turkey, together with Europe, tackles a resurgent Russia Yavuz Baydar Enter the hawks Mustafa Ünal Babacan'ın temposu Rehn'i şaşırttı An economic case for Turkey’s EU membership « Martinbehrens’s Weblog Yusuf Kanlı EU, AKP and Turkey Mithat Melen Parrots EU to Help Turkmenistan Join Nabucco The European push for Turkmen gas continued this week with an official visit by Pierre Morel, the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, to Ashgaba Sami Kohen NATO’dan geri adım... Turkey’s existence not dependent on EU entry, says Babacan Gila Benmayor Müzakere olmadı sanat verelim AİHM’den okulda türbana bir darbe daha AİHM Türban Davasını Reddetti ATAA: CNN REPORT INCORRECTLY CHARACTERIZES ARMENIAN TRAGEDY TURKISH AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE FUND Helsinki'de Karabağ mesaisi Hepsi Obama'dan daha şahin "Karabağ'da çözüm için ilerleme var" Bulgaria in talks to import Egyptian natural gas to reduce dependence on Russian energy linking existing Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline İnsan Hakları Örgütü'nün Türkiye raporu: Karakol sorguları videoya alınsın Ankara: Mines take priority over cluster bombs 3700 espri var Üniversite mezunu subay olabilecek Pahalı gaz ve bedava kömür hava kirliliğini geri getirdi Hundreds of honor killings in Turkey Cumhurdan 3 büyük dehaya saygı ödülü | H3 Tuncay Güney de Ergenekon şüphelisi Rahşan'dan muhtıra Tuncay Güney’e ‘örgüt üyeliği’ soruşturması Tarlada 13 bomba bulundu ‘Gül ile arası bozuk’ diyen terbiyesizdir CHP ‘SAADET’i Tuncay Güney'e terör soruşturması Kriz teğet geçmemiş delmiş geçmiştir... Başbakan’ın evinde İstanbul zirvesi CHP’de 2. adamlık tarihe karışıyor Sosyal yardımda görev zararına katlanılır Baykal’a teşkilattan tam destek: Elimizi rahatlattınız Ergenekon davası, faşistleri soldan ayıkladı Güney'i GATA'ya gönderdi AKP'yi üzecek karar Son Dakika Milliyet Hürriyet Zaman GH Türkiye Birinci Sayfalar Akşam Birgün Bugün Cumhuriyet Dünya Hürriyet Milli Gazete Milliyet Posta Radikal Referans Sabah Star Taraf Tercüman Türkiye Vakit Vatan Yeni Şafak Zaman Arşiv Video NTV CNNTürk Milliyet Ahmet Taşgetiren Ruşen - Çakır Baykal üzerinden Erdoğan�la pazarlık ediyorlar Taha Akyol Fikret Bila Obama’nın umudu Keynesçi danışmanlarında Hasan Cemal Ama bir de seçim kazansa Baykal... Murat Yetkin Gül bayramda Diyarbakır’a gitmesin mi? İsmet Berkan Uçurtmacıların Başkanı Fehmi Koru Baykal'a rapor: Necla Arat'a aldırma Taha Kıvanç O dediği ben olamam Şamil Tayyar Benim oyum da CHP’ye Ali Bayramoğlu Binbir surat Baykal Yasemin Çongar Ertuğrul Özkök Seksi ayakkabı ile başlıyor Hasan Ünal Ahmet Hakan Amaç Necla Arat’ı çıldırtmak ise Serdar Akinan Ört ki ölem M Ali Birand PKK bitmez, ancak terörü etkisizleştirebiliriz. Nasıl mı? Rıza Türmen Yeni bir sol partiye ihtiyaç var Oray Eğin Ey komiser, memleket seni bekler! Atılgan Bayar Yabancı basın niçin apıştı? Hüseyin Gülerce CHP'de neler oluyor? Mümtazer Türköne Aydınlar ve partiler Cüneyt Ülsever Enis Berberoğlu Oktay Ekşi Tarihi yanılgı Özdemir İnce Hakların hakkı değirmen hakkı Mehmet Y Yılmaz Rahşan Hanım çok haklı! Okay Gönensin Erivan Diyarbakır hattı Tufan Türenç CHP, Baykal’ın değil Atatürk’ün partisidir MUHARREM SARIKAYA Partiler kimin malı? ERDAL ŞAFAK Açıl susam açıl! ENGİN ARDIÇ ERGUN BABAHAN EMRE AKÖZ Atatürk'ü sev ama Anıtkabir'e girme! Umur Talu Muhalif iktidar Burak Bekdil You are in the army now HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN Adrese dayalı seçmen kütükleri evrakının imhası! TARHAN ERDEM Yeni TSK görünümü MEHMET ALİ KIŞLALI Bazıları paket sever... HASAN CELAL GÜZEL Deniz Baykal’ı destekliyorum... ORAL ÇALIŞLAR «Ermeni tehcirini konuşalım!» HAKKI DEVRİM Kontrpiyede kalmamak için HALUK ŞAHİN - Durmuş Hocaoğlu Gerçek ve parazit vatandaşlara dair NAZLI ILICAK Güneydoğu ve kimlik MEHMET BARLAS Bu kriz sonrasında yeniden büyüme kimin başarı hanesine yazılacak? MAHMUT ÖVÜR Diyarbakır'da bir Bilkent'li YAVUZ DONAT Diyarbakır'da Gül havası Ferai Tınç Avrupa solunun ’önce insan’ atılımı ve CHP Ekrem Dumanlı Kamu vicdanı karar verecek Mehmet Altan Cumhurbaşkanı Gül’e açık mektup Eser Karakaş Mustafa ve düşündürdükleri Nasuhi Güngör ‘Bir numara’yı zor günler bekliyor TAMER KORKMAZ 'Batılılaşma çabalarını sekteye uğratan deve kervanı!' İBRAHİM KARAGÜL 'Toplu mezarların adamı' Türkiye'de Serdar Turgut
Gizemli soruya cevap arayışı Ekonomi ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM Ercan Kumcu Sevinelim ama şımarmayalım Erdal Sağlam Deniz Gökçe Milliyet harikalar diyarında! İ.Hüseyin Yıldız Talep daralması vergi indirimiyle asılır UPDATE 1-Turkey 3G contract decision in 2 months-govt source UPDATE 1-Turkish assets climb after inflation, IMF hopes FOCUS: Rate Cuts Beckon As Turkish Nov Inflation Slows Erdoğan: IMF'yle anlaşma yılbaşına yetişebilir Hurşit Güneş Kriz uzmanı mültimilyarderler Hasan Ersel Bir kredi ekonomisi nasıl canlandırılır OKAN MÜDERRİSOĞLU
"KDV indirimi yok, IMF 'artır' diyor" IMF: Türkiye program için resmen başvurmadı, görüşmeler sürüyor Ekonomide enkaz 2009'da geliyor kriz en az iki yıl daha sürer Tivnikli: Üç nesildir ticaret yapıyoruz Güngör Uras İşçi çıkarmalar durduysa, ‘Dibe vurduk, çıkış başladı’ demektir MB'den bankalar için 'karşılık' hamlesi Krizin birinci perdesi bitiyor Hükümet, ’ücretler donsun, işçi atmayın’ önlemi alabilir mi Turkey plays down larger package expactation, says IMF deal nears end Yiğit Bulut Kriz Türkiye'nin maddi-manevi silkelenmesi için fırsat olabilir ‘Alis resesyon diyarında’! UĞUR GÜRSES |
| Terror Attacks Traced to Two From Pakistan The Mumbai police identified a second Pakistani terrorist as an engineer of the attacks, as gruesome new evidence emerged of mistreatment of hostages. Auto Executives Face a Hard Sell on Capitol Hill The Detroit automakers confronted the harsh politics of an economic downturn and the realization that there might not be the votes to save them DAVID BROOKS Who Will He Choose? One of the biggest choices of Barack Obama’s presidency is picking a reformist secretary of education. This will be a tough call, because it will mean offending people. By DOUGLAS R. BURGESS Jr. The solution to pirates ruling the high seas is in the very nature of piracy itself — it’s terrorism and should be treated as such. By JOHN S. BURNETT An organization, loosely linked with Al Qaeda, may be the West’s answer to bring law and order to Somalia — and end the recent scourge of piracy in strategic shipping lanes Israeli Troops Evict Settlers in the West Bank Economy Is Subject as Putin Is Peppered France Introduces a $33 Billion Economic Stimulus Plan Gene Test Shows Spain’s Jewish and Muslim Mix Iraq Approves U.S. Security Pact as Violence Flares Iran Says Rebels Killed 16 Soldiers European Court Rules Against Britain’s Policy of Keeping DNA Database of Suspects Issues Pressing, Obama Fills Top Posts at a Sprint Before bailing out automakers, Congress should require much tighter commitments on fuel economy and demand that top management be replaced. | H5 Washington Post Barack Obama's Team of National Security Heavyweights By Henry A. Kissinger, Obama's decision to ignore conventional wisdom in picking his national security team may pay dividends. A Quiet Earthquake in Baghdad By Charles Krauthammer, We just saw the most important geopolitical advance in the region since Kissinger. Sadr Movement Seeks Its Way As Others Gain Power in Iraq Tapes Show LBJ's Anger at Nixon Aides Over Vietnam Peace Talks Bush Doesn't Do Do-Overs By Eugene Robinson, President Bush tries to rewrite history Preventing the Triumph of Violence By Michael Gerson, Maybe it's the risk of living in the modern world. Or the tick of a detonator. Rice Calls on Pakistanis To Act on Terrorists In a visit near Islamabad, secretary of state urges the country's leaders to move forcefully against groups linked to the deadly attack last week in the Indian city of Mumba Call for Stimulus an Opportunity for Obama By E. J. Dionne Jr., Thanks to the economic downturn, his promises aren't too expensive to keep. Retailers Report a Crisis As Nov. Sales Slump Recent tightening of consumer credit has shoppers leaving their plastic at home, sending stores into a tailspin during normal holiday rush. Obama calls Iraq PM to discuss cooperation Iraq Presidency Council approves U.S. troop pact France Plans $33 Billion in Economic Stimulus; Central Banks Cut Rates: France Plans $33 Billion in Economic Stimulus; Continent's Central Bank, Britain Cut Key Rates China Presses U.S. to Stabilize Its Finances: At Issue Is Whether Chinese Assets and Investments Will Be Safe, Official Says Putin Promises in Nationally Broadcast Q&A to Raise Pensions, Other Spending: Putin Promises On National TV To Raise Pensions, Other Spending Lawmakers Still Not Sold on Auto Rescue Detroit CEOs Make Little Headway With Humble Pitch Editorial President Got-a-Buck? Bill Clinton's secret fundraising for his presidential library was wrong -- and so is George W. Bush's. Strategic Command Chief Urges Quick Nuclear Weapons Modernization You Mean We Can Talk Back?
By Dan Froomkin Indian Middle Class Directs Anger Over Mumbai Attacks at Nation's Politicians | H6 Guardian America, cowering to an imaginary enemy, is not the country I once knew Simon Jenkins: Like McCarthy, Bush relied on a synthesised climate of fear. Obama inherits a nation that sees al-Qaida fiends at all turns Action, not words Karen AbuZayd: The noble spirit of the universal declaration of human rights is betrayed by a lack of help for Gaza, Obama and Hu: an odd couple the world needs Jonathan Fenby: America sneezed and China has pneumonia. It is more vital than ever for economies – and leaders – to come together Armed and dangerous James Denselow: Britain's military equipment shortage contrasts with America's vast resources as Obama prepares for a surge in Afghanistan Israeli riot police evict settlers in Hebron Jewish residents dragged from home in surprise raid leaving around 30 people injured Pakistan has enough data to take action, says Rice US secretary of state says Islamabad given sufficient 'information' to take action against people behind Mumbai terror attacks Saluting General Jones Sean Duggan: Obama's new national security adviser is uniquely qualified to mediate between the White House and the US military Farewell, convention Larry Elliot: Twin spectres of deflation and depression mean the response will be more radical than just rate cuts The Road Runner moment Editorial: After years of shopping and borrowing, the economy has run out of road - and the nosedive has begun Downturn hits Dubai's building bonanza Government acts to stave off downturn after jobs cuts and reviews of high-profile projects |
H7 The Economist Iran An old has-been to the rescue? Might a reform-minded former president displace the current one? Iran: Reacting to Obama By: Kamal Nazer Yasin | ISN Security Watch While trying hard to make out Obama's political worldview and priorities, Iranian factions act according to political exigencies From American Diplomacy, an article on UN Security Council reform: Unrealistic proposals and viable reform options. Expect New U.S. Trade Policy By: Kazuo Ogoura | The Japan Times The Obama administration is likely to shift responsibilities for economic adjustment from the American workforce to foreign competitors, particularly China. A review of books on the Arab center "Our culture is better": An interview with Geert Wilders, champion of freedom or anti-Islamic provocateur? Do conflicts cause poverty, or vice-versa? Missing the Mission of Public Diplomacy - Robert Satloff
In the post-9/11 era, the purpose of public diplomacy is not some amorphous desire to have America better understood or even the more pointed objective of winning the support of international public opinion for U.S. foreign policy. Today, that mission is how to identify, nurture and support mainstream Muslims in the ideological and political contest against radical Islamism and how to win backing for such efforts from nations and peoples in non-Muslim societies around the world. | H8 IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Iran Confronts an 'Economic Evolution' By: Thomas Erdbrink | The Washington Post
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has launched a sweeping economic restructuring plan that would end many of these subsidies within a couple of months. To blunt the blow of gasoline prices quadrupling and similar increases for other goods, he also proposes to give as much as $70 a month to poor Iranians. Iran's President Concedes Falling Oil Prices Hurt Economy Iraq Council Backs Security Pact Iraq's presidential council approved a security pact that sets out a three-year timeframe for U.S. troops to leave, a spokesman said, the final step for the agreement to replace a U.N. mandate that expires Dec. 31 Old Lebanese Rival Becomes Syria's New Friend By: Sana Abdallah | The Middle East Times
A former Lebanese general who had once fought a bloody "war of liberation" against Syria received a warm welcome in Damascus Wednesday as he embarked on a historic visit that may be instrumental in normalizing relations between the two neighboring countries. Insurgent Attacks in Iraq at Lowest Level - Assocaited Press Deadly bombings strike Iraqi city Two suspected suicide car bombers hit the Iraqi city of Falluja killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, police say U.S. targeting Hezbollah fighters in Iraq (UPI) -- U.S. forces working alongside their Iraqi counterparts have increased pressure on Hezbollah fighters believed trained by Iranian forces, an analysis say | H9 Ha’aretz – Needed: A presidential regime Israel requires a concentration of democratic power that allows its leaders to make and implement the policies to shape the future Ari Shavit: Pakistan is as dangerous as Iran Shlomo Avineri: The State of Israel as the kingdom of evil Report: India has proof Pakistan spy agency linked to Mumbai attacks Intelligence probe has led to names of gunmen's handlers and trainers, according to Times of India ANALYSIS / No other word than 'pogrom' for settler acts in Hebron Obama's 'Palestinian friend' laments catastrophic U.S. policy in Mideast Acclaimed prof. does not think Obama can make a fundamental change on Israeli-Palestinian conflict The worst is yet to come There are distinct differences between Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Yedioth Ahronoth NATO, Israel extend ties Senior Israeli officials take part in North Atlantic Treaty Organization's intelligence discussions Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Barack Obama's BlackBerry Israel's Dirty War ISA
Allegations concerning ongoing Israeli assassination strikes in the West Bank, in supposed stark contravention of legal strictures, raise important questions concerning the advisability of current counter-militancy efforts in light of reconciliation efforts. Jewish Settlers in West Bank Fear an Israeli Withdrawal By: Ashraf Khalil | Los Angeles Times
As many politicians call for giving up most of the territory, residents are divided on whether to resist by violent means. Strange Israeli phone calls alarm Syrians Middle East Online Israel eases Gaza Strip blockade Israel allows some humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, easing the blockade of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Is US now stuck with irrational pessimism? In some ways, today's swoon looks like the flip side of 1996's 'exuberance.' Auto bailout: Congress gets closer to a decision Lawmakers say bankruptcy for Detroit's Big Three is 'not a viable option.' Why a Big Three rescue is so hard Congress can't be CEO to the industry's revival or to picking other market winners. Public anger strains Indian-Pakistani cooperation The Mumbai attacks have brought old suspicions to the fore. Indians suspect militants from Pakistan; Pakistanis reject what they call a typical blame game Vlad TV: Putin hits airwaves to reassure Russians No longer president, he still commands center stage and a high level of trust Hebron clash tests Israeli ability to remove outposts Israeli police removed 250 Jewish settlers from a Palestinian building in the West Bank city, ending weeks of tension between the military and the emerging right-wing fringe movement Uncertain impact of US push to cut mortgage rates While Treasury mulls help to the best borrowers, Bernanke urges aid to those facing foreclosure. ASIA From The National, the situation in Afghanistan is not as bad as you've heard, it's worse — Nir Rosen reports The Economist Terrorism in India Blame and retribution Pakistan and the Mumbai attack The world's headache Japan Can this place be governed? Afghanistan and the Obama administration No dream team for Karzai Dec 4 SD# 2138 - Pakistani Nuclear Scientist: 'None Of India's Cities Can Remain Safe From Our Missiles'; 'Our Missile System… Can Be Fired in Only 10 Minutes – They Are On the Launchers' Angry young men: A review of The China Fantasy: Why Capitalism Will Not Bring Democracy to China by James Mann and Chinese Cyber Nationalism: Evolution, Characteristics, and Implications by Xu Wu. Pakistan: Asia's Islamism Engine - Greg Sheridan, The Australian
India: How Not to Fight Terror - Mira Kamdar, Far Eastern Economic Review
China, India Looking 'Third World' Again - William Pesek, China Post China, U.S.: Banking Tensions Amid the Global Recession Access to China's banking sector might be just one of many U.S.-Chinese tensions likely to arise amid the global recession Mumbai: Who Did It and Why - Peter Brookes, China Post
China's Troubles Are One for All - Timothy Garton Ash, The Guardian
Ins and Outs of China Courtship - Michael Hsiao & Alan Yang, Asia Times Time After the Horror In the wake of the terrorism in Mumbai, India has no good options. Nor does the U.S. Finding the Driver's Seat in Pakistan's Tribal Areas By: Ashley Bommer | The Daily Star
Sitting next to a 1.3-meter-tall water pipe, I asked the tribal leader in front of me: What does victory mean to you? He sputtered smoke, raised his bushy white eyebrows, and said, "Victory. How can you have victory here?" Tribal Leaders to Sabotage West's Assault on Taliban By: Jerome Starkey | The Independent
America's plans to enlist Afghan militias in the war against the Taliban are running into difficulties while still in their infancy. In eastern Paktia province, the white-bearded Afghan village elders who are crucial to the "Afghan awakening", are threatening to unite against the Americans unless such night raids by US special forces are halted Islamising Indonesia: the rise of Jemaah Tarbiyah and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) ANU E Press This 310-page Australian monograph provides an overview of the development of PKS from its Tarbiyah movement origins to its impressive success at the 2004 general elections. It considers the party’s attitude towards the issues of sharia implementation and community welfare and closes by examining the future challenges facing PKS Chinese Corporate Governance: History and Institutional Framework Source: RAND Corporation Summary (PDF; 134 KB) + Full Document (PDF; 417 KB) Thailand: The Next Asian Basket Case? By: David Pilling | Financial Times Until now, Thailand has managed to sustain an image as a relatively stable, law-abiding country. This is despite the fact that it has adopted 17 constitutions and suffered umpteen coups in its 76-year history as a constitutional monarchy. Getting Pakistan Out of the Grip of Extremism By: Saiqa Qureshi | Asia Sentinel
The horrific events of the last week in Mumbai, in which at least 188 wholly uninvolved people were gunned down for no other reason than that they happened accidentally to be in the way of merciless gunmen, have to be viewed in the context of Pakistan’s recent history Pakistan dilemma Relations with India strained in wake of the Mumbai attacks | H11 IHT THE U.S. AND IRAN A new approach, no illusions By VOLKER PERTHES Barack Obama's agenda on Iran is generally sound. The question now is how to proceed. Putin tells Russians they will weather economic crisis Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spent much of his annual question-and-answer telethon Thursday seeking to reassure Russians that the effects of the global economic crisis on the country would be minima DNA study shows 20 percent of Iberian population has Jewish ancestry The study by a team of geneticists also showed that 11 percent bear Moorish DNA signatures; the genetic traces reflect conversions to Christianity in the 14th and 15th centuries. Gloom, but not doom President-elect Obama is inheriting a world more complicated and frightening than the one eight years ago. But while the trends may be apparent, the results are not inevitable. U.S. ARMY DOCTRINE Mired in 'surge' dogma By GIAN P. GENTILE Perhaps under the Obama administration, the army and the greater defense establishment will embrace creativity instead of dogma. If not, our way ahead has already been decided European Court calls British records policy a violation of privacy right The European Court of Human Rights ruled unanimously Thursday that Britain's policy of gathering and storing the fingerprints and DNA of all criminal suspects - even those who turn out to be innocent - is a violation of the human right to privacy. GUANTÁNAMO Losing on the battlefield of the mind By CHRISTOPHER BOUCEK Game Boys and crayons do not provide alternatives to Islamic extremism. EUROPE European press review The Economist Muslims in European cities A case for vigilance, not despair Europe’s cities are finding ways of managing religious difference—but national governments must set the rules Muslims and city politics When town halls turn to Mecca Islam in urban America Hockey and hijab German politics Merkel counts her blessings Charlemagne Grumpy Uncle Vaclav A new issue of Europe's World is out. Nato simmering Agreement papers over deep division in alliance France unveils huge stimulus plan French President Nicolas Sarkozy unveils a 26bn-euro ($33bn, £23bn) stimulus plan to help France fend off financial crisis The Other Enemy, Still There... By: Stephen Schwartz | The Weekly Standard While the world reacts in horror to the atrocities in Mumbai, Balkan Muslims and Albanians (the latter both Muslim and Christian) understandably have their eyes on an older but equally feral enemy: Russian imperialism, acting through its Serbian pawn Europe vs. the Pirates By: Robert Farley and Yoav Gortzak | Foreign Policy It may be a quixotic mission, but the European Union’s naval expedition against Somalia’s high-seas troublemakers could be its crucial first step toward becoming an independent military power. With Obama's help, France, too, can shatter the glass ceiling for blacks The 'Obama effect' should now be harnessed to call for equal opportunity for French minorities The EU's plan to combat climate change could be dealt a crippling blow from member nations who say it is too onerous for businesses at a time of economic adversity. ECB President Trichet is starting to silence criticism that he is responding too slowly to the downturn that may be Europe's worst since World War II. | H12 RFE/RL EU to Help Turkmenistan Join Nabucco The European push for Turkmen gas continued this week with an official visit by Pierre Morel, the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, to Ashgaba Georgia: No Discussion of MAP for Tbilisi during NATO Meeting
BY JOSHUA KUCERA The NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels ended, as expected, without debate on the controversial question of Membership Action Plans (MAP) for Georgia and Ukraine. What remains unclear, however, is how to interpret that: Is it the sign that membership is now hopeless for the two former Soviet republics? Or is it merely a change in tactics? Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that a new US presidential administration will take office in January, and its position on NATO expansion is not well defined. Kazakhstan: Astana�s Reform Drive Ahead of OSCE Chairmanship Disappoints Opposition
BY JOANNA LILLIS
As the end of the year approaches, Kazakhstan has been galvanized into pushing through political reform to meet commitments given to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ahead of Kazakhstan�s 2010 OSCE chairmanship. But the unveiled reforms, officially billed as a major liberalization, did not meet the hopes of opposition leaders, who have attacked them as a sham Stratfor Russia: Ukraine, Europe and the Natural Gas Cutoff Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said Europe will be hit if Moscow cuts off natural gas supplies to Ukraine Putin rules out early Kremlin bid Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he will wait until 2012 to decide whether to run again for the presidency. The Soviet mentality is being reborn in Russia. It is a return not to the terror of the 1930s, but to the drab, oppressed life of the 1970s... more» Google News Azerbaijan Georgia: Moving Toward NATO Without a MAP By: Molly Corso | Eurasianet
Georgian aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization remain in a holding pattern after the military alliance offered Georgia closer cooperation, but stopped short of agreeing to a full-fledged Membership Action Plan. Some Georgian analysts believe that the lack of a cohesive message from the alliance is a bad signal for Tbilisi. Remember the Holodomor By: Cathy Young | The Weekly Standard
This year marks the 75th anniversary of one of the most horrific chapters in the history of the Soviet Union: the great famine the Ukrainians call Holodomor, "murder by starvation." |
| H13 The Times Israel 'prepared to attack' Iran nuclear plants Israel has drawn up plans to attack Iran's nuclear facilities but concedes it would probably fail without back-up from the US Barack Obama's political Who's Who The President-elect's team includes familiar names, but that needn't stop him being an agent of change Gerard Baker The wrong man for the Middle East Tony Blair is too tainted by his past - and cannot even offer full-time commitment Richard Beeston Indian airports on alert for '9/11 attack' Country's main airports on high alert as the armed forces and authorities brace themselves for an attack involving aircraft China threatens Sarkozy over Dalai Lama meeting Coded warning of trade sanctions comes from China as President Sarkozy heads for talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader Putin shows he's still the man charge Dmitri Medvedev may occupy the top job but 'Uncle Volodya' uses his annual phone-in with the public to flaunt his power Wall Street Journal 'At Least Bush Kept Us Safe' By Peggy Noonan The two words Democrats don't want tacked onto that sentence. 'Muted by Reality' By James Taranto Now that Obama has won, we could be in Iraq for a hundred years. Pakistan Won't Cooperate with India By Sumit Ganguly
The U.S. is pushing the wrong agenda. Fed Weighs Options As Europe Cuts Rates Subscriber Content Read PreviewThe Fed is considering taking unconventional steps to revive the economy as central banks outside the U.S. cut rates more aggressively Geopolitical Diary: Rate Cuts Nearing the Bottom Four central banks in Europe lowered their benchmark interest rates on Thursday -- but now they are almost out of monetary policy option The Economist Savings When the golden eggs run out US carmarker plea under scrutiny Bosses from America's big three car companies face a second day of grilling in Congress over their request for a $34bn bailout. | H14 Financial Times Never mind the team: the president does the moves Barack Obama’s choice of foreign policy heavyweights is significant for its ambition rather than its caution. If he really does want to recast America’s relationship with the world, surrounding himself with seasoned players will make the task easier not harder, says Philip Stephens Baghdad and Kurds near oil pact Iraq’s central government and regional authorities in Kurdistan are moving closer to signing a long-awaited deal for exports from the northern region’s oil fields Europe’s central banks slash rates Trichet warns of ‘sluggish demand persisting for next few quarters’ Merrill warns oil prices could fall to $25 Crude drops to near four-year low below $44 China lectures US on economy The US was lectured about its economic fragilities as senior Chinese officials urged the administration to stabilise its economy, boost its savings rate and protect Chinese investments Mentor and protégé are reunited as equals ‘A framework for economic stability’ Samuel Brittan on economic stability Comment: Unilateral Germany threatens to weaken Europe There is perhaps less trust between the French and German governments than at any time in the past 20 years, writes Charles Grant US sceptics put outline Doha deal in the balance Tehran enjoys its splendid isolation Human beings are not mere selfish agents Economics is poorly understood, says Jesse Norman Securitisation sector braced for a long, painful haul Big Three open to oversight Auto bail-out talks gather speed on Capitol Hill Putin seeks to reassure Russians The Russian PM used a live three-hour phone-in television programme to demonstrate to citizens that he was at the helm and knew what to do Sarkozy unveils €26bn stimulus package Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled an ‘ambitious, audacious, imaginative’ plan that the French president hopes will stimulate the country’s faltering economy. Measures include support for construction and small businesses US states feel the pain of budget gaps State and local governments across the US are grappling with bulging budget deficits and clamouring for federal aid as the economy worsens and lending remains tight Negative territory As central banks again cut interest rates, FT reporters visit businesses across Europe to find how the downturn is making itself felt Beating the crisis needs co-operation One-nation stop-gap solutions will only go so far and a crisis of global finance needs a coherent international response An intractable crisis in Thailand The country’s economy was bearing up reasonably well to global turmoil but the lack of a functioning govern Affairs of state The government’s role is changing in the financial crisis, with the big two UK political parties struggling with their response to growing public anger Jewish settlers evicted from Hebron Israeli security forces cleared out a group of Jewish settlers from a disputed house in the West Bank city of Hebron, in a rare confrontation that sparked riots | By Julian E. Barnes | 8:21 PM PST The Pentagon chief says the nation's armed forces need to be better prepared to fight unconventional battles. Editorial 'War on Terror' -- An Exercise in Folly By: Rosa Brooks | Los Angeles Times
Mumbai serves as a reminder that fanatics committed to violence have been with us for millenniums. By Laura King The evidence pointing to the Pakistan-based group's hand in the rampage in India raises the question of whether Pakistan's spy agencies continue to nurture militant groups By Tina Susman As Iraq's Presidency Council ratifies a deal to allow U.S. forces to remain in the country, explosions rip through police stations and a suicide bomber strikes a U.S. patrol By Richard Boudreaux About 250 young extremists are forced out of a disputed building in Hebron. Settlers strike back with gunfire and arson attacks on Palestinians By Henry Chu and Laura King A reported e-mailed threat refers to Hindus' destruction of a mosque in 1992, which may have also been a motive for the Mumbai attacks. Airport security throughout the country is heightened |
| H16 American Politics Lexington Jumping the gun Jacob Heilbrunn on Reflections from the Right: A review of books Chris Cillizza / The Fix: Barack Obama and the Cult of Competency Joan Vennochi / Boston Globe: A bitter brew for Kerry — SENATOR John Kerry's fate illustrates the new political order under President-elect Barack Obama: Reward your enemies, not necessarily your friends. — Hillary Clinton, Obama's tough primary opponent, became Obama's choice for secretary of state; Kerry, an avid Obama ally, was passed over realclearpolitics memeorandum Daily Beast Cheat Sheet Politico ABC’s The Note – MSNBC FirstRead – Time ThePage Politico Playbook PoliticsHome fivethirtyeight US News Political Bulletin A Few Good Women By: A.J. Rossmiller | The New Republic
As Obama ushers in a feminist revolution in foreign policy and national security, in fields long dominated by men, a group of female politicians, academics, and policy wonks are form the backbone of the his administration. Obama's Reagan Democrats: They weren't crazy about Obama, but they voted for him anyway — now what do they want? Professor-in-Chief: Unlike other egg-headed candidates, President-elect Obama has proven that an intellectual can make it to the Oval Office. The new Cicero: Barack Obama's speeches are much admired and endlessly analysed, but one of their most interesting aspects is the enormous debt they owe to the oratory of the Romans. From The American Conservative, a special issue on the legacy of George W. Bush. Why should we be celebrating the “new frugality” imposed by hard times, particularly if we have moved beyond the moral universe plotted by Milton Friedman, Friedrich von Hayek, and Michael Novak? | H17 Daily Telegraph Will Obama's team pull together? The president-elect's choice of national security team is bold, but fraught with risks, observes Con Coughlin. Russia threatens to cut off gas supplies to EU Vladimir Putin has threatened to cut gas supplies to Ukraine raising the prospect of a winter energy crisis in Western Europe Behind the fence at 'terror' training camp The Pakistani terrorist group blamed for the attack on Mumbai opened its gates to outsiders in order to protest its innocence | H18 Independent Pakistani suspects linked to al-Qa'ida, says Israel's ambassador The Big Question: Should the Government be allowed to hold so much data on its citizens? Darling is running out of options as rates near zero The Bank of England has cut rates to their lowest level for 57 years. But the pound still slumped, house prices are falling and job losses are soaring. So are the authorities running out of options? Europe strikes blow against DNA register The European Court of Human Rights says retention of innocent people's DNA records by police is illegal. |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism A review of Will Terrorists Go Nuclear? by Brian Michael Jenkins; and terrorists are getting creative — what can we do about it? HUMINT Nature and the Jim Thyne Theory by Dalton Fury, Small Wars Journal Op-Ed HUMINT Nature and the Jim Thyne Theory (Full PDF Article) DoD Directive 3000.07 (Irregular Warfare) in full, Small Wars Journal has posted it here. 'War on Terror' -- An Exercise in Folly By: Rosa Brooks | Los Angeles Times
Mumbai serves as a reminder that fanatics committed to violence have been with us for millenniums. Will the Mumbai Terrorists Win? - A.J. Rossmiller, American Prospect Is HSC and its Chief Transitioning Out of the New Administration?
CQPolitics.com Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism, and is entitled World at Risk. WMD Czar, We Hardly Knew Ye
ABC News | H20 Slate Center-What?
Saying America is "center-right" isn't just wrong. It's meaningless.
Christopher Beam World Migration 2008: Managing Labour Mobility in the Evolving Global Economy International Organization for Migration This 562-page report seeks to identify policy options that might contribute to the development of broad and coherent strategies to better match demand for migrant workers with supply in safe, humane and orderly ways (single page linking to each chapter of the report) Global Operating Models for Managing Knowledge Work
Source: Deloitte LLP Increasingly, companies are spreading “knowledge work” tasks – such as research and product development – overseas as a means to increase competitiveness, reduce costs, access new talent pools and establish a presence in emerging markets. Yet many struggle to achieve the performance to which they aspire. | H21 Happiness Can Spread Among People Like a Contagion, Study Indicates Happiness is contagious, spreading among friends, neighbors, siblings and spouses like the flu, according to a large study that for the first time shows how emotion can ripple through clusters of people who may not even know each other. Michael Dirda reviews The Best of All Possible Worlds: A Story of Philosophers, God, and Evil by Steven Nadler. Question: Why is there any evil at all in God’s creation? Answer: Because this is the best of all possible worlds. Not for you, not for me, but in the longest run... more» Books of the year,Pick of the pile She came to England to escape the Nazis, and at first appreciated her new home. By the end of her life she found the British rude, dishonest, and charmless. Why?... more» The Tower of Babel does not exist: Clarisse Herrenschmidt considers the mixed blessings of global English and suggests playing a game to overcome the barriers of language. How we will die in 20 years: Here’s a list of reasons why you should (and shouldn’t) fear the reaper in the coming decades. Democratic doubt: What happens when political freedom unleashes epic violence? Scott McLemee reviews The Overflowing Brain: Information Overload and the Limits of Working Memory by Torkel Klingberg. Stories are central to how we think about the world: from the individual to the wide sweep of history. To think yourself into the mind of another... more» |
