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H1 Stratfor Annual Forecast 2009: War, Recession and Resurgence Annual Forecast 2009 PDF

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2009 Podcasts and Webcasts

FPR Table

The Times US pours cold water over hopes of Iran deal White House warns Iran military action is still an option despite the 'hand of friendship' offered by President Obama

LAURA ROZEN Revealed: Recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks involved key officials

Julian Borger / Guardian:
Soft-spoken line from Washington may terrify Tehran

SCENARIOS: Options open to Obama on Iran in policy review

Iraq’s Political Landscape
Council on Foreign Relations

 NATO High Commander Issues Illegitimate Order to Kill | Der Spiegel The approach to combatting the drug mafia in Afghanistan has spurred an open rift inside NATO. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, top NATO commander John Craddock wants the alliance to kill all opium dealers, without proof of connection to the insurgency. NATO commanders, however, do not want to follow the order.

Christian Science Monitor

A momentous vote in Iraq after years of war Polls open throughout most of the country for a provincial election that could shift the balance of power.

Obama's missing timetable for Afghanistan With a coming NATO summit, he must be clear on his goals for a war that isn't going well.

Iraqi Election Tests Maliki, and Voters' Resolve - Gina Chon, Wall Street Journal

The Pakistan Problem BY: David Ignatius | The Washington Post The joke goes: "All countries have armies, but here, an army has a country."

Financial Times The president’s men will test White House resolve

To succeed as Barack Obama’s special envoys to the Middle East and Afghanistan/Pakistan respectively, both George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke will need the authority of the president when the going gets tough, writes Philip Stephens

Hopeful voters prepare to test a nation's progress

A proposal to prevent wholesale financial failure Lasse Pedersen and Nouriel Roubini on regulation

NYT Israeli Elections and Gaza Violence Complicate New U.S. Envoy’s Peace Mission

Iraqi Elections Face Crucial Test in Violent Mosul The elections will test whether a political system that more closely represents ethnic and sectarian splits will foster stability.

Guardian  Iceland to be fast-tracked into the EU Exclusive: Plans for cash-strapped state to become member by 2011

Iran policymakers divided on US

Foreign minister says Tehran would be 'co-operative' in response to changes in American policy

Shake loose the cold war

Sergey Lavrov: Europe, North America and we in Russia need a new security treaty. So let's try this

Obama's letter may go unread Martin Woollacott: Both Iran and America want concessions, without budging from their main positions: meanwhile the Middle East's future goes undecided

 A million on strike as France feels pinch Public and private sector workers take to streets to protest Sarkozy's handling of economic crisis

CAP The Fractured Shia of Iraq Report from Matthew Duss and Peter Juul delivers analysis of the tensions within Iraq's majority part

WSJ  IMF Considers Issuing Bonds to Raise Money The IMF is finalizing a $100 billion loan from Japan and is considering issuing bonds for the first time in its history.

Anniversary Blues in Iran - Christopher de Bellaigue, Prospect Magazine

Washington Post The Pakistan Puzzle By David Ignatius In Pakistan, the joke goes: "All countries have armies, but here, an army has a country."

Obama Distorts America's Stance on Muslims We've Never Been Islam's Enemy By Charles Krauthammer,

Obama's wrong to suggest America has been disrespectful to Muslims.

Iraqis Stake Hopes for Future on Provincial Election

Provincial Vote Seen as Valid Path to Future

Writings Offer Look at Administration Debate on Iran

What Israel Gained in Gaza

By Michael Gerson, Yes, Israel should negotiate. But military action isn't counterproductive.

Economic Signs Turn From Grim To Worse Another Wave of Evidence Of a Deepening Recession

Iran: Rafsanjani Plays the Foil to President AhmadinejadBY KAMAL NAZER YASIN The first of a two-part series He's experienced more peaks and valleys than any other Iranian political figure since the establishment of Iran's Islamic Republic. Aliakbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been down in recent years, but his recent actions indicate that he's gearing up for one more comeback, having positioned himself as the political figure best able to foil President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's neo-conservative faction.

IHT  The Savaging of Humanitarian Law BY: Bernard Kouchner | Compliance with international humanitarian law must be made the subject of depoliticized discussions at the UN.

Don't strengthen Hamas

By MARK A. HELLER

George Mitchell's priority should be to isolate and 'disengage' Hamas from Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere

Daily TelegraphTrade war looms as Obama bill urges 'Buy American' The prospect of a trade war between the US and Europe is looming after "Buy American" provisions were added to President Barack Obama's $820 billion (£573 billion) stimulus package

Newsweek A Military Surge Isn't Enough to Fix Afghanistan

• 'A Scholar and a Gentleman: Samuel Huntington' by Eliot Cohen, Weekly Standard

H2 WATCH: Turkey PM storms off stage over Peres remarks on Gaza

Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: The World's Pivot Turkey is beginning to stir after nine decades of relative obscurity on the world stage

Turkish P.M. to Israeli President: 'You Kill People'

Ha’aretz Peres, Erdogan agree not let row over Gaza harm Turkish-Israeli ties

The Economist Israel and Turkey

Bad new vibrations The special relationship between the Turkish and Jewish states is at risk

Turkey and the army Conspiracy theories The arrest of still more suspects in the Ergenekon case is raising new questions about the relationship between the army and the government

Turkish PM given hero's welcome

Middle East Progress

The U.S., Turkey & Regional Dynamics

New York Times Leaders of Turkey and Israel Clash at Davos Panel

WP Turkish Premier, Israeli President Clash at Davos

'Terrorist state' or not, Israel expected to sell drones to Turkey Ha'aretz Deal to include drones used by IDF during Operation Cast Lead to kill Hamas militants

Major American-Jewish Organizations may no Longer Back Turkey in ... Huffington Post

FT Erdogan storms out of Davos debate Clash with Peres in debate about Gaza

Erdoğan: 'IMF'yle Anlaşamamak Dünyanın Sonu Değil'

AJC Denounces Turkish Prime Minister's Shameful Outburst at Davos

Davos'ta Erdoğan - Peres Tartışması

Turkey says loan talks with IMF hit snag

Erdogan hailed after Davos walkout
Aljazeera

Turkey next stop for top US envoy

WSJ Gaza Tensions Erupt at Davos Session

Turkey and the IMF Take a Break to Review Remaining Disagreements

İç Basında Türk Dış Politikası Dış Basında Türkiye – BBC Türkçe 0700 1800 – VOA Türkçe 0630 1345 2130 DW - (UTC) 0830 1130 1530 Turkish Press Review Google News Turkey TurcoPundit ASAM

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

Kurds stand to lose seats in Saturday vote (UPI) -- Kurdish lawmakers in Iraq stand to lose seats in the provincial councils of some of the disputed territories in the election Saturday, officials say.

Irak'ta Yerel Seçimler: Türkmenlerin Beklentileri

In Violent Mosul, a Test for Iraq’s Democracy New York Times

EU anti-terror chief urges PKK financing crackdown

Cevdet Aşkın

Power Shift Looms in Tense Nineveh
Institute for War and Peace Reporting

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

'Nabucco'nun Önünde Büyük Sorunlar Var'

Hedo Okur Tuncay Nihat Altintop

H3

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

Cengiz Çandar

Ahmet Taşgetiren

Ruşen - Çakır

Taha Akyol

Fikret Bila

Hasan Cemal

Murat Yetkin

İsmet Berkan

Fehmi Koru

Taha Kıvanç

Şamil Tayyar

Ali Bayramoğlu

Yasemin Çongar

Ertuğrul Özkök

Hasan Ünal

Ahmet Hakan

M Ali Birand

Cüneyt Ülsever

Enis Berberoğlu

Oktay Ekşi

Özdemir İnce

Mehmet Y Yılmaz

MUHARREM SARIKAYA

ERDAL ŞAFAK

ENGİN ARDIÇ

ERGUN BABAHAN

EMRE AKÖZ

Umur Talu

HASAN BÜLENT KAHRAMAN

NAZLI ILICAK

MEHMET BARLAS

MAHMUT ÖVÜR

YAVUZ DONAT

Ekonomi

ABDURRAHMAN YILDIRIM

Ercan Kumcu

Erdal Sağlam

H4 New York TimesObama Calls Wall Street Bonuses ‘Shameful’ The president criticized bankers for giving themselves $18.4 billion in bonuses as the economy was spinning out of control and the government was rescuing financial firms.

Israeli Elections and Gaza Violence Complicate New U.S. Envoy’s Peace Mission

Iraqi Elections Face Crucial Test in Violent Mosul The elections will test whether a political system that more closely represents ethnic and sectarian splits will foster stability.

Editorial Rules of the Game If the United States is going to have any credibility in arguing that others must restrain their nuclear ambitions, it must restrain its own.

Jailed C.I.A. Mole Kept Spying for Russia, U.S. Says Jailed spy Harold Nicholson is said to have sought more money from his handlers, using his son as a go-between.

Afghan Presidential Election Delayed

Leaders of Turkey and Israel Clash at Davos Panel

U.S. Looks for Blackwater Replacement in Iraq

Obama Taps a General as the Envoy to Kabul

Rafah Journal: Where the Still Flourishing Underground Economy Is the Only Economy

PAUL KRUGMAN Health Care Now Why has the Obama administration been silent about one of the key promises during the campaign — the promise of guaranteed health care for all Americans?

DAVID BROOKS Cleaner and Faster The Democrats have created a stimulus package that is a sprawling, undisciplined smorgasbord. By trying to do everything all it once, the bill does nothing well.

Totally Tolerant, Up to a Point By IAN BURUMA For Geert Wilders, a Dutch parliamentarian and film maker, who calls for a ban on the Koran to act as the champion of free speech is a bit rich.

Social Security on the First Date By RAMESH PONNURU Real cooperation between Democrats and Republicans on Social Security could pave the way for bipartisan bliss.

H5 Washington Post The Pakistan Puzzle By David Ignatius In Pakistan, the joke goes: "All countries have armies, but here, an army has a country."

Obama Distorts America's Stance on Muslims We've Never Been Islam's Enemy By Charles Krauthammer,

Obama's wrong to suggest America has been disrespectful to Muslims.

Iraqis Stake Hopes for Future on Provincial Election

Provincial Vote Seen as Valid Path to Future

Writings Offer Look at Administration Debate on Iran

What Israel Gained in Gaza

By Michael Gerson, Yes, Israel should negotiate. But military action isn't counterproductive.

Economic Signs Turn From Grim To Worse

Another Wave of Evidence Of a Deepening Recession

Across France, Unions Protest Actions on Economy

Demonstrators Across Country Seek Bigger Focus on Workers

The Stimulus Debate That Matters

By E. J. Dionne Jr. Obama's GOP outreach is a sideshow to the ideological battle among Dems.

India's Quiet Diplomatic Coup: Kashmir Eliminated From U.S. Envoy's Mandate

Afghanistan to Delay Presidential Vote by 4 Months

BBC Draws Protests With Decision Not to Air Aid Appeal for Gazans

Editorial Virtual Groundswell

Why China's leadership should talk to the Charter 08 movement

The GOP's Unanimous Vote on the Stimulus Bill Congressional Republicans, Meet PATCO

By Eugene Robinson, Republicans should beware the fate of those who fail to recognize a new political era.

President Decries 'Shameful' Bonuses For Wall St. CEOs

H6 Guardian  Iceland to be fast-tracked into the EU Exclusive: Plans for cash-strapped state to become member by 2011

Iran policymakers divided on US

Foreign minister says Tehran would be 'co-operative' in response to changes in American policy

Shake loose the cold war

Sergey Lavrov: Europe, North America and we in Russia need a new security treaty. So let's try this

Obama's letter may go unread Martin Woollacott: Both Iran and America want concessions, without budging from their main positions: meanwhile the Middle East's future goes undecided

 A million on strike as France feels pinch Public and private sector workers take to streets to protest Sarkozy's handling of economic crisis

 US security firm loses licence to work in Iraq Decision prompted by guards' 'improper conduct and excessive use of force'

Economists ask: what went wrong?

Julian Glover finds that Davos has the air of crash inquiry into an airline that intends to keep on flying

Dozens believed dead in reprisal attacks as Hamas retakes control

 After the victory rallies, leaders must decide on their next move Despite more than 1,200 people killed, Hamas believe they have emerged stronger

Debt has become a drug. Withdrawal will be painful Dan Roberts: This week's reports showed how firmly the addiction had taken hold. We now have to build a new kind of economy

For real secrets we already have the one-and-a-half-year memoir rule Simon Jenkins: Paul Dacre is right to be cautious. Too much openness can often neuter impartiality and politicise advice

H7 Backgrounder: Backgrounder: Iraq’s Political Landscape

Ryan Crocker Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraq: Purple Fingers are Back
Asharq Alawsat - By Amir Taheri

 Pathetic 'Message' BY: Amir Taheri | New York Post In his "first message to the Muslim world" Tuesday, President Obama on Al-Arabiya TV invited the Is lamic Republic in Iran to "unclench its fist" and accept his offer of "un conditional talks."

Sons of Iraq Transfer on Pace for April Completion

 MARC LYNCH The military pushes back on Iraq

Energy in Brief — Who are the major players supplying the world oil market?

Interview with Former. President Jimmy Carter - The NewsHour

Obama and the Muslim Cold War - Hillel Frisch (Jerusalem Post)

Obama's arc of instability
Announcing his new State Department, United States President Barack Obama stressed "America's commitment to lead". But lead where? Where's the boldness, the real change of mindset? The Pentagon's "arc of instability" hovers over Obama's "Clinton-3" State Department like a ghostly self-fulfilling prophecy. Unless, of course, the Obama White House really kicks out ideology and steers the US back to politics. - Pepe Escoba

Fragile hope ahead of Iraqi elections
The corruption, mismanagement and boycotts that marred Iraq's last elections nearly thrust the nation to the brink of all-out civil war. But as Saturday's provincial elections approach, pre-vote tensions have been tempered with some newfound hope. With an end in sight to US occupation and a drastically changed political landscape, some believe a real turning point could come at the polls. - Dahr Jamail

Russia and Iran get strategic
Rosy predictions of United States-Iranian relations improving under the new US president have been muddied by clear signs that Russia is pursuing Tehran as a "strategic partner". The US's hard line has forced Iran into Moscow's embrace, and the energy and arms ties nurtured since could well be crucial come the major US-Russia military confrontation looming over the Middle East and Central Asia

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

Tehran 'can co-operate with US'
Real change in US policy in the Middle East will enable Iran to co-operate with Washington, Iran's foreign minister has said

A guide to the Iraqi elections

Election battle Why polls in the city of Najaf could shape Iraq's future

Basra countdown

All eyes focused on key provincial elections

Massive turnout for early voting in Iraq

Shiite vote consequential, report says

(UPI) -- The results of the Saturday provincial elections in Iraq may determine the fate of the Shiite power structure and U.S. policy in the region, a report says.

'City of death' may be key to Iraq's future McClatchy Newspapers Diyala was once the bloodiest of the 14 provinces where Iraqis will vote Saturday for new provincial councils. Shiite Muslim Arabs, Sunni Muslim Arabs and Kurds rub against each other, and their battles transformed Baqouba from the city of oranges to the city of death. Al Qaida in Iraq killed hundreds in Baqouba's main square and just last week, a family of nine was slaughtered in their home. Now everyone in Diyala is waiting to see if ballots, rather than bullets, can bring change.

H9 Ha’aretz – Netanyahu: I'm not bound by Olmert vow to clear settlements

Israel plans more pinpoint strikes against Hamas in Gaza

Israel to appeal Spanish war crimes probe against its senior officials

Is an Israeli Jewish sense of victimization perpetuating the conflict with Palestinians?

Verter Who's the wild card?

Jerusalem Post'Iran and Syria trying to replace PLO'

PA accuses states of encouraging radicals to take over leadership; Mashaal: PLO not legitimate rep.

Why Israelis Worry – Editorial

Uzi Arad: Half-measures in Gaza will bring only half-baked outcome

Yedioth Ahronoth New rules of play

Strategic importance of Gaza operation much greater than we assume, says Isaac Ben-Israel

US denies drafting letter to Iran

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

 An Open Letter to George Mitchell BY: Gershom Gorenberg | The American Prospect The mood in the Middle East is extraordinarily grim. Confidence that a two-state solution is possible has slipped precariously, and both sides face a failure in leadership.

 The Gaza Aftermath BY: Max Boot | The Weekly Standard Hamas, like Hezbollah, survived the war not so much because of its military prowess but because of Israel's self-restraint. Destroying Hamas would mean high casualties among Palestinians (and possibly among Israeli soldiers).

Obama's Peace Push May Collide with Reality

UN launches $613m appeal for Gaza

The UN will launch an appeal for $613m to help people affected by Israel's military offensive in Gaza, the body's top official says.

 A Long and Bumpy Road The Economist The UN says that nine-tenths of Gazans now rely on food handouts to survive. Meanwhile, representatives of Israel, various Palestinian factions and the European Union, as well as America’s just-appointed peace envoy, George Mitchell, converged on Egypt’s capital, Cairo, to hash out the terms of a hoped-for more lasting peace.

Obama and a Settlement Freeze - Steven J. Rosen

Release Soldier and We'll End Gaza Blockade, Says Israel | The Independent Israel will not allow the full re-opening of Gaza's crossings until it has secured the release of Gilad Shalit, the army corporal seized more than two-and-a-half years ago by Hamas and other militants, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told President Obama's new Middle East envoy yesterday

Is there any difference between Mark Green and Marty Peretz on ...
Mondoweiss

Holocaust Denial Debate: German Jews Cut Contact with Catholic Church

H10 Christian Science Monitor

A momentous vote in Iraq after years of war Polls open throughout most of the country for a provincial election that could shift the balance of power.

Obama's missing timetable for Afghanistan With a coming NATO summit, he must be clear on his goals for a war that isn't going well.

Obama sets a high political bar

The economic stimulus bill is his first big test in replacing 'old habits' with less partisanship in Washington. The future of both political parties is in the balance as well.

Pakistan tackles Swat, a key militant area

Is a 'bad bank' for risky assets the solution to the financial mess?

ASIA

Barack Obama abandons Afghan President Hamid Karzai

The Economist Asia's sinking economies Asia's suffering he slump in East Asia was made at home as well as in the West

China's economy A great migration into the unknown Global recession is hitting China’s workers hard

Asian economies Troubled tigers Asia needs a new engine of growth

Time Will Kashmir Be an Obama Foreign Policy Focus?

Will Obama support Karzai's re-election in Afghanistan?

 India Seeks Promise to Protect Tamils Financial Times Pranab Mukherjee, India’s foreign minister, sought assurances from the Sri Lankan government during a rushed visit to Colombo that it would protect Tamil civilians as the island’s military closed in on separatist rebels.

 The Pakistan Problem BY: David Ignatius | The Washington Post The joke goes: "All countries have armies, but here, an army has a country."

 Pakistan Key to Afghan War BY: Brahma Chellaney | The Japan Times Obama needs to face up to the truth that the war in Afghanistan can be won only in Pakistan, whose military establishment backs the Taliban.

the Afghan narco-state

 Wen the Premier Speaks BY: Julian Glover | The GuardianThe idea that senior Chinese leaders speak in subtle code is a bit of a myth. Wen Jiabao could not have been blunter on Wednesday when he told the world's financial elite that the crash was their fault, not his.

Chinese State Media Goes Global BY: Willy Lam | Asia Times Call it the "Great Leap Outward". Beijing plans to spend billions of dollars on an international media blitz to establish China-oriented television stations and newspapers for Western and Asian audiences

China: a chance for harmony Michele Geraci: The financial crisis gives Beijing the opportunity to focus on social policies and stimulate domestic consumption

Bombing Pakistan is not a strategy Micah Zenko: US airstrikes in Pakistan may kill members of al-Qaida and the Taliban, but they won't deter terrorism

'Victory' in Afghanistan Likely Redefined - Associated Press

Taliban Clout Threatens Pakistani Government - Christian Science Monitor

The Afghan Challenge - Washington Post editorial

H11 IHT  The Savaging of Humanitarian Law BY: Bernard Kouchner | Compliance with international humanitarian law must be made the subject of depoliticized discussions at the UN.

Don't strengthen Hamas

By MARK A. HELLER

George Mitchell's priority should be to isolate and 'disengage' Hamas from Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere

Russia and China blame capitalists, but strike conciliatory note At the World Economic Forum, the leaders of the former bastions of the communist bloc rebuked the U.S. and other capitalist countries for dragging the world into crisis.

Opposition grows louder in Georgia

Georgia's scattered political opposition gathered Thursday to demand the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili and called for early presidential and parliamentary elections.

EUROPE European press review

Key Figures on Europe 2009 Direct to Full Text Document (236 pages; PDF)

A strike against France

Jonathan Fenby: Is it time to examine the French democratic deficit that has led to disdain of legislature and love of walkouts?

The Economist Europe and America

Waiting for the Messiah

Missile defence Cool heads

Charlemagne An Iranian conundrum Europeans fret that this year will be the trickiest so far for dealing with Iran

H12 RFE/RL

Google News Azerbaijan

 Back in the USSR BY: Julian Glover | The Guardian Davos 09: You don't know how lucky you are, says Vladimir Putin, delivering a lecture on the evils of statism.

Moscow Sends the West Friendly Signals While Relations with Georgia Worsen

Azerbaijan: Referendum to Abolish Presidential Term Limits Sparks Criticism of Baku BY MINA MURADOVA
Azerbaijani opposition politicians and human rights activists claim that the government is muzzling and intimidating its opponents in advance of an upcoming constitutional referendum on abolishing presidential term limits

H13 The Times US pours cold water over hopes of Iran deal

White House warns Iran military action is still an option despite the 'hand of friendship' offered by President Obama

A million French march on 'Black Thursday' The stoppage, mainly by public sector workers, closed many schools but failed to paralyse the public transport system

Afghan elections on hold as Taleban spreads chaos

Fears of deepen political turmoil with voter registration in areas where the Taleban is most active at derisory levels

Blair admits to suffering doubts over Iraq Former Prime Minister thinks about the soldiers and civilians who died after the invasion every day, he tells The Times

Iceland could join EU by 2011

There are expectations in Brussels that Iceland could make a formal application after a general election expected in May

'Incompetent' Karzai's future in doubt Corruption and drugs allegations put political future of Afghan leader high on agenda of new American special envoy

Blackwater to be ejected from Iraq Interior Ministry says private security firm's licence will not be renewed after shootout which left 17 Iraqi civilians dead

Nato split over order to strike drug smugglers US commander's directive to strike at civilians in Afghanistan engaged in crime is being resisted by senior officers

Old-style street revolts rattle Sarko Trotskyites and others think the tide of history has turned in their favour Charles Bremner

Obama's spending programme Proposals for US fiscal stimulus are right in principle, but must avoid the politics of protectionism and the pork-barrel. Recovery in the UK depends on its success

Papal fallibilityThe Vatican's readmission of a Holocaust denier is an outrage

Wall Street Journal 'Think Long' to Solve the Crisis By George P. Shultz It's the only way to sustain lasting benefits from the stimulus

China's New Propaganda Machine

By Nicholas Bequelin
Going global.

U.S. Eyes Two-Part
Bailout for Banks Top economic officials are discussing new efforts to help banks while trying to mitigate the cost to taxpayers. Obama stepped up his attacks on these banks, calling Wall Street bonuses "shameful."

Look at the Time DECLARATIONS
By Peggy Noonan In Congress and the boardroom, failure to recognize a new era.

 Sovereign Debt Risk Looms Large This Year By Ulrich Volz
The U.S. shouldn't consume all the available lending.

H14 Financial Times The president’s men will test White House resolve To succeed as Barack Obama’s special envoys to the Middle East and Afghanistan/ Pakistan respectively, both George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke will need the authority of the president when the going gets tough, writes Philip Stephens

Hopeful voters prepare to test a nation's progress

A proposal to prevent wholesale financial failure Lasse Pedersen and Nouriel Roubini on regulation

Deflation is the wrong enemy Think slump instead, says Samuel Brittan

Corporate bonds Investors must be clearer in what they say to companies. Executives must accept that they need investors’ goodwill

Approach Russia with great caution If Putin is serious, western leaders should put his insults to one side and see what, in concrete terms, he is offering

De-fetishising GDP Better statistics can help voters force politicians to make the best trade-offs. They cannot choose on their behalf

Independent candidates aim to advance in Basra polling

Why this hysteria about sterling is misplacedGeorge Magnus calls for an end to the hysteria

Russia plans to bolster Abkhazia outpost Moscow wants to deploy about 20 military aircraft

Japan’s production falls record 9.6% Core annual inflation almost evaporated

Obama slams Wall Street over bonuses Aid to be subject to tough pay conditions

The Chinese currency question

Clashes mar end of French protests At least a million striking workers held demonstrations across France in protest at the government’s reform programme and its response to the economic crisis. But brief bursts of violence marred the end of protests

Obama slams Wall Street over bonuses Barack Obama on Thursday lashed out against ‘shameful’ Wall Street executives for claiming billions of dollars in bonuses even as their stricken institutions turned to taxpayers for support

Setback to Guantánamo closure hopes President Barack Obama suffered a setback in his effort to close Guantánamo after a military judge refused his request to delay the military commission for a detainee accused of planning the 2000 attack on the USS Col

Graphic: Where the proposed US stimulus would be spent Our graphic shows where President Obama’s proposed US stimulus of $819bn would be spent

Death of the decoupling myth

Chinese premier defends currency policy Wen Jiabao has mounted a vigorous defence of the country’s exchange rate policy, in Beijing’s highest level response to criticism from Barack Obama’s US administration

Greek farmers briefly suspend blockade Farmers briefly lifted a 10-day blockade of the main border crossing with Bulgaria, allowing about 100 trucks to pass through before resuming their protest

Hamas fires rockets into Israel For the first time since a shaky ceasefire came into force 10 days ago, fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian militant group which controls the Gaza Strip, have fired rockets into Israel

H15 Los Angeles Times Iraq pulls Blackwater security firm's license

An official says the U.S. Embassy is working with the Iraqi government to 'address the implications of this decision.' The firm says it hasn't been officially informed of the ban.

Afghanistan sets date for presidential election The Aug. 20 date is later than originally scheduled, but the U.N. supports the move, given the violence in the country. President Karzai is considered the front-runner -- for now.

Obama meets with Joint Chiefs at Pentagon He says afterward that fighting extremists is the top priority in Afghanistan but that he would increase involvement of civilian U.S. agencies in governance, justice, agriculture and other fields.

Editorial

H16 American Politics

The Economist United States

Barack Obama's start High hopes, horrendous workload

Guantánamo Promises to keep

Lexington Republicans seeking relevance

Obama's Reagan Moment Is Now - Ronald Brownstein, National Journal

Pelosi dismisses need for bipartisanship

realclearpolitics memeorandum

Daily Beast Cheat Sheet

Politico ABC’s The Note – MSNBC FirstRead – Time ThePage Politico Playbook

PoliticsHome fivethirtyeight US News Political Bulletin

Obama slams Wall Street on bonuses — President calls the $18.4 billion in bonuses paid last year ‘shameful’ — President Barack Obama issued a withering critique Thursday of Wall Street corporate behavior, calling it “the height of irresponsibility” for Wall Street employees to be paid …

Republicans take a back seat Lacking strong leadership and the political capital to oppose a popular president, the fractured GOP can only agree on one thing: This really isn't their moment.

H17 Daily TelegraphTrade war looms as Obama bill urges 'Buy American' The prospect of a trade war between the US and Europe is looming after "Buy American" provisions were added to President Barack Obama's $820 billion (£573 billion) stimulus package

We must treat China as a friend and ally in this financial crisisBritain should welcome the Chinese PM this weekend – our future depends on him, says Con Coughlin.

The euro will struggle to survive the recession Telegraph View: The single currency is causing popular unrest in Europe.

H18 Independent Sarkozy vs the street More than a million people in a dozen French cities protest at government's stewardship of the economy.

The Big Question: How serious is the political unrest on the Continent, and can it be calmed?

Challenge to Karzai's right to rule after poll date is delayed

Afghan opposition groups call for caretaker government to take over from president

My terror as a human shield As battle raged in Gaza, Israeli soldiers forced Majdi Abed Rabbo to risk his life as a go-between in the hunt for three Hamas fighters. This is his story...

H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism

Planning Guidance for Response to a Nuclear Detonation: First Edition (PDF; 869 KB)
Source: Homeland Security Council Interagency Policy Coordination Subcommittee for Preparedness & Response to Radiological and Nuclear Threats

'The Expeditionary Imperative' by John A. Nagl, Wilson Quarterly

• 'The Human Element: When Gadgetry Becomes Strategy' by H. R. McMaster, World Affairs Journal

Quadrennial Roles and Missions Review Report

Iraq to Deny New License To Blackwater Security Firm - Ernesto Londoño and Qais Mizher, Washington Post

WSJ  NATO Eyes Arctic Military Presence NATO will need a military presence in the Arctic as global warming melts frozen sea routes and major powers rush to lay claim to lucrative energy reserves, the military bloc's chief says.

Military Judge Denies Obama Request to Suspend Hearings at Guantanamo

Jailed C.I.A. Mole Kept Spying for Russia, U.S. Says

Army suicides at record high, passing civilians

Saddam-Qaeda Conspiracy Theorist Surfaces Writing Iraq Reports For The Pentagon

Gary Samore Tapped for Weapons of Mass Destruction 'Czar'

Next step unclear as judge defies Obama on Guantanamo The chief judge of the Guantanamo war court Thursday spurned a presidential request to freeze the military commissions for 120 days, saying he would go forward with next month's arraignment of an alleged USS Cole bomber in a capital terror case. The judge said the request would deny the public's interest in a speedy trial.

H20 Slate

The Big Question: Is there a technological solution to the problem of global warming?

H21 Solved: the mystery of why locusts swarm

From Nebraska to Nepal, people praise their deities, attend services, perform holy rites, study sacred texts. Does it really make them better off?... more»

John Updike, novelist, man of letters and erudite chronicler of sex, divorce, and life’s adventures, is dead... AP ... NYT ... Telegraph ... Guardian ... NYT ... London Times ... WP ... New Yorker ... LA Times ... Guardian ... TPM ... Boston Globe ... London Times ... National Post ... WSJ ... LA Times ... Guardian ... Forbes ... SF Chron ... Slate ... Guardian ... Philly Inq ... TLS ... Independent

The Ultimatum Game: what an eye-opener for economists. You never know what you’re going to get until you actually run the experiment... more»

Deloitte’s State of the Media Democracy Survey - Third Edition U.S. Release: January 2009
Source: Deloitte LLP

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