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| H1 Washington Post: Obama's NSC Will Get New Power Directive Expands Makeup and Role Of Security Body -- President Obama plans to order a sweeping overhaul of the National Security Council, expanding its membership and increasing its authority to set strategy across a wide spectrum of international and domestic issues.
Newsweek Henry Kissinger on Nuclear Proliferation
FT Biden’s burden The US vice-president indicated that American re-engagement with European allies comes at a price: they must be prepared to share more of the burden of troubleshooting around the world
Washington Post Iraq's Good Example By Jim Hoagland, A new Iraq is emerging from five years of American invasion and occupation, and at first glance it looks distressingly like the old Iraq: Its people are still bound by the barbed wire of suspicion and hatred as much as by any sense of common purpose and history.
'Reset' Sought on Relations With Russia, Biden Says Speech at Security Conference Offers Look at Policy Goals
National Security Team Delivers Grim Appraisal of Afghanistan War
A Promise of War By Jackson Diehl, Tomorrow, for the first time in decades, Israelis may choose a prime minister who is promising to wage wa
By Fred Hiatt, MUNICH -- As European leaders listened joyfully here to the Obama administration's first expressions of foreign policy, nothing pleased them more than Vice President Biden's vow "to press the reset button" in relations with Russia.
By David Ignatius, Trusting the gut rather than Wall Street's "wisdom of the crowd"
Russia's Medvedev Putting Some Distance Between Himself and Putin With Recent Moves, Medvedev Edges Away From Prime Minister and His Economic Policies
Former Iranian President Declares Khatami to Challenge Ahmadinejad for Job
The Gamble: Did the Surge Work?
New York Times ROGER COHEN Iran’s China Option Can Iran manage a Chinese-style reform where its Islamic hierarchy endures through change, or does opening to America equal Soviet-style implosion?
THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Beyond the BanksIsraelis and Palestinians alike want to know where their peace process fits in among President Obama’s immediate priorities.
Editorial Mr. Obama and IranThe Obama administration will have to deal with Iran in a broader context than the Bush administration, not just on the nuclear issue but also on Afghanistan and Iraq.
Biden Signals U.S. Is Open to Deal With Russia on Missiles
America’s Scorecard in IraqBy STEVEN LEE MYERS Has the war enhanced U.S. strategic interests in the Middle East? The answer is no, or at least not yet.
Afghan Leader Finds Himself Hero No More Once supported by the U.S., President Hamid Karzai is no longer in favor with the White House or his own people.
Back on World Stage, a Larger-Than-Life Holbrooke As special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard C. Holbrooke will formulate policy for the region.
A Hard-Liner Gains Ground in Israel Avigdor Lieberman, an unlikely candidate for prime minister, presents himself as a strongman eager to confront enemies.
Why the Muslim World Can’t Hear ObamaBy ALAA AL ASWANY Egyptians saw Barack Obama as a symbol of justice. They welcomed him with almost total enthusiasm until he underwent his first real test: Gaza.
Newsweek An End to the Chinese Dream?
Guardian Pakistan identified as biggest foreign policy test Country threatened by Islamist insurgency, economic collapse and crisis of governance, according to Obama's aides
US outlines new plan for Afghanistan Obama team intends to focus on 'winning hearts, minds and stomachs', without mentioning democracy
Reformist to stand against Ahmadinejad in Iran election Muhammad Khatamin's candidacy opens prospect of change and improved relations with US
Containing Iran Kenneth Weisbrode: A region-wide approach must include a pledge by Nato to defend any Middle Eastern state that suffers a nuclear attack
The Times Obama envoy heads into 'inherited mess'Richard Holbrooke has warned that resolving the geopolitical crisis in Afghanistan and Pakistan could be worse than Iraq
Sunday Times Obama puts brake on Afghan surge The US president demanded American defence chiefs review their strategy in Afghanistan before sending in excess troops
‘Thrill is gone’: Obama feels heat
Los Angeles Times Keynes can't help us now Niall Ferguson Governments cling to the delusion that a crisis of excess debt can be solved by creating more debt.Forget inflation — the new fear is deflationBy David Pierson Americans have less to spend, so businesses cut prices, crimping their own revenue. That could start a downward spiral.
Mohammad Khatami to run in Iran's presidential election After weeks of rumors, the former president, considered a moderate, made the formal announcement to challenge incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Israel's elections, suddenly interesting and too close to call
Obama the pragmatic idealist By Doyle McManus The president's record is a mixture of lofty goals and practical choices.
Deja vu in KabulBy Max Boot Naysayers call Afghanistan a hopeless quagmire. Isn't that what they said..
WINEP Surprises from Iraq's Provincial Elections With 90 percent of the votes tallied, Iraq's new political landscape and key trends are apparent, with some surprising results. Voters in every province threw out their current governing parties, but candidates supported by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki performed well. A province-by-province look at the results.
Weekly Standard A Drama-Free Election The Iraqi vote was a victory for Prime Minister Maliki. Now he'll need to do something for the Shiite masses.
Down to earthIn its relations with the world, America takes a sudden turn toward pragmatism. (By Drake Bennett, Boston Globe)
Hamas, Israel Need Room to Save Face - Tony Karon, The National
LA Times After Gaza
Forward Former President Jimmy Carter on His Holy Land Plan
Washington Post The Generals' Insurgency Odierno's Surge The Dissenter Who Changed the War As the No. 2 Commander in Iraq, Raymond Odierno Challenged the Military Establishment, Pressing for More Troops and a Long-Term Strategy to Guide Them By Thomas E. Ricks, Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno was an unlikely dissident, with little in his past to suggest that he would buck his superiors and push the U.S. military in radically new directions.
Report: Israel to free Barghouti as part of Shalit deal
Hamas: Fatah strongman Dahlan collaborated with Israel ahead of Gaza op Hamas official tells Time that ex-minister sent Fatah activists into Gaza to hunt down rival militants
Defense sources: IAF can't repeat Gaza successes in bigger war Aircraft shortage, enemy's increased capabilites would make close aerial support impossible
Dror A new peace paradigmSo Israel must initiate a paradigm jump which would present a final picture of the entire Israeli-Arab-Muslim conflict.
Condi Rice Could've Written Biden's Speech by Jim Lobe
Ballots Over Baghdad
Geopolitical Diary: The Continuing US-Iranian Stall Stratfor
Europe listens cautiously to Obama agenda Biden opens a door on Iran, but presses allies on Afghanistan
Can Obama envoy George Mitchell kick-start Mideast peace? Colleagues ask: If the former Northern Ireland peacemaker can't do it, who can?
Brent Scowcroft
Financial Times Israel set for another coalitionOn the face of it, Israeli voters are confronted with a clear choice in Monday’s general election. But polls show that neither Likud nor Kadima will win more than 30 seats which means the winner will need to form a coalitio
No crisis yet, but Obama finding world won't wait for him In the midst of the presidential campaign last October, Barack Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, warned that within six months of Obama's election, "We're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." The prediction hasn't come true yet, but unfriendly nations and international competitors already are stepping up their efforts to challenge the young new president or at the very least get his attention.
Asia Times The political rebirth of Nuri al-Maliki
RFE/RLGeorgia Fading On EU, NATO Radar Screens Over the past few months, Georgia has sunk into relative obscurity on the international arena. The diplomatic frenzy which followed the Russia-Georgia war last August has been replaced in the European Union and NATO by quiet moves aimed at patching up relations with Moscow
Wall Street Journal Michael Ledeen: Iran in OrbitObama's Missile TestJohn B. Taylor: How Government Created the Financial Crisis
Independent Iran: A nation still haunted by its bloody past Robert Fisk: 11 February 1979: Ayatollah Khomeini ushered in a regime that was at once brutal and naive, provocative and dangerous.Leading article: Israel must seize the chance for peace with this election
| ASAM -ABD Neden PJAK’ı Terör Listesine Aldı?
Kamil Pasha » Is Turkey Turning Away From The West?
Turkey probes IDF 'war crimes' in Gaza
Turkey Plays the Great Game - M.K. Bhadrakumar, The Hindu
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
Prospects of bilateral relations between Turkey and the KRG
Kurdish Official Warns Against Early US Withdrawal
Overcoming ‘prisoner’s dilemma’ with Iraq, US and eradicating PKK ...
UK Aiding Turkey In Kurdish Rights Crackdown
South of Kurdistan: Autonomy or Independent
The Turkish-Israeli cold alliance: Is the crisis manageable?
President Barzani concludes visit to Kuwait, arrives in Qatar
Qatar May Open Consulate in Iraq's Kurdish Region
In Iraq confrontation between central government and Kurdish ambitions
[NEWS ANALYSIS] Hard-line victory may strain Israel ties
Turkey braced on anniversary of PKK leader's capture - Feature
Avi Shlaim: ‘Israel needs Turkey more than Turkey needs Israel’
Tuğluk case risks turning into another Zana scandal
UK Aiding Turkey In Kurdish Rights Crackdown
Israeli daily fleshes out anatomy of Mughniyeh assassination
Turkey involved in talks on release of Israeli soldier
Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık
'Davos Krizi Washington'da Endişe Yaratmış'
Turkey in the United Nations Security Council
The Obama Presidency: A View from Turkey
'Türkiye - Ermenistan İlişkilerinin Normalleştirilmesi Yakın'
Prof. Turgay Ertekin 'Nabucco Şart' Diyor
Çiçek: Without Turkey, the EU cannot be a strategic power
Obama should make a Turkey trip
EU, Turkey and the agricultural sector
Moderator: No bad intentions toward PM
Hedo Okur Tuncay Nihat Altintop
The Ambassador The Weekly Standard - by Zeyno Baran & Onur Sazak How a Turkish diplomat saved 20,000 Jews during the Holocaust. | 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
Taha Akyol
Fikret Bila
Hasan Cemal
Murat Yetkin
İsmet Berkan
Şamil Tayyar
Ekonomi
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| H4 New York Times ROGER COHEN Iran’s China Option Can Iran manage a Chinese-style reform where its Islamic hierarchy endures through change, or does opening to America equal Soviet-style implosion?
THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Beyond the BanksIsraelis and Palestinians alike want to know where their peace process fits in among President Obama’s immediate priorities.
Editorial Mr. Obama and IranThe Obama administration will have to deal with Iran in a broader context than the Bush administration, not just on the nuclear issue but also on Afghanistan and Iraq.
Biden Signals U.S. Is Open to Deal With Russia on Missiles
America’s Scorecard in IraqBy STEVEN LEE MYERS Has the war enhanced U.S. strategic interests in the Middle East? The answer is no, or at least not yet.
Afghan Leader Finds Himself Hero No More Once supported by the U.S., President Hamid Karzai is no longer in favor with the White House or his own people.
Back on World Stage, a Larger-Than-Life Holbrooke As special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard C. Holbrooke will formulate policy for the region.
A Hard-Liner Gains Ground in Israel Avigdor Lieberman, an unlikely candidate for prime minister, presents himself as a strongman eager to confront enemies.
Why the Muslim World Can’t Hear ObamaBy ALAA AL ASWANY Egyptians saw Barack Obama as a symbol of justice. They welcomed him with almost total enthusiasm until he underwent his first real test: Gaza.
'The Inheritance'By DAVID E. SANGER
Speaking With the EnemyBy DONALD P. GREGG The key to successful interrogation is for the interrogator to recognize a prisoner’s humanity, to understand his culture, background and language. Torture makes this impossible.
Congress Is Divided Over Competing Stimulus Bills The House version of the stimulus bill emphasizes helping states and localities avoid wide-scale cuts, while the Senate plan focuses more on tax cuts.
PAUL KRUGMAN The Destructive Center President Obama’s pursuit of bipartisanship, and the cuts imposed by “centrists,” have led to an inadequate, insufficiently effective stimulus bill.
LETTER; Why Rule Out a Military Option Against Iran?
Editorial Bank Bailout, ReduxSaving the banking system does not mean saving all of its bankers and shareholders. It means protecting depositors and bondholders, while getting a fair deal for taxpayers.
War’s Lingering Scars Slow Bosnia’s Economic Growth
Taliban Say They Killed Polish Contractor in Pakistan
Abbas Seeks Greater Gaza Role for His Palestinian Authority
'A World of Trouble'By PATRICK TYLER
How presidents from Eisenhower to Bush II confronted the Middle East.
Already Back on the Trail, Now to Sell a Stimulus Plan President Obama will travel this week in an effort to build support for his economic stimulus plan.
Ex-Leader of Iran Announces Candidacy
News Analysis: A Visit to a U.S. Ally, but an Increasingly Wary One
Karbala Journal: A Secularist Finds Sway in a Hub of Shiite Islam
Holbrooke Says Afghan War ‘Tougher Than Iraq’
Pakistan Vows to Monitor Scientist
Have Car, Need Briefs? In Russia, Barter Is Back In a sign of the financial times, barter deals made up 3 to 4 percent of total sales in Russia in November.
MAUREEN DOWD Potomac’s Postpartisan Depression The White House often ends up making its inhabitants tone-deaf (or even nuts), but this was an unusually quick trip into the cognitive third dimension.
What’s Your New Plan B?The old Plan B was a fantasy of dropping everything for a better life. Now it’s the backup plan for when the worst comes to pass.
The ‘W’ Word, Re-EngagedBy JASON DePARLE President Obama’s stimulus package has restarted the old debate over what gets defined as the “safety net” and what gets attacked as “welfare.”
FRANK RICH Slumdogs Unite! The populist rage coursing through America is bigger than President Obama, Tom Daschle’s tax bill, or any bailed-out C.E.O.’s bonus.
NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Mistresses of the UniverseResearch suggests that homogeneity, like the kind in male-dominated Wall Street boardrooms, makes for second-rate decision-making. A greater gender balance could reduce some of the consequences.
U.S. Bank Bailout to Rely in Part on Private MoneyBy FLOYD NORRIS Administration officials said the new bailout was likely to depend on private investors to purchase the toxic assets that wiped out the capital of many banks.
White House Memo: ‘Mom in Chief’ Touches on Policy, and Tongues Wag
| H5 Washington Post Obama's NSC Will Get New Power Directive Expands Makeup and Role Of Security Body
Iraq's Good Example By Jim Hoagland, A new Iraq is emerging from five years of American invasion and occupation, and at first glance it looks distressingly like the old Iraq: Its people are still bound by the barbed wire of suspicion and hatred as much as by any sense of common purpose and history.
'Reset' Sought on Relations With Russia, Biden Says Speech at Security Conference Offers Look at Policy Goals
National Security Team Delivers Grim Appraisal of Afghanistan War
A Promise of War By Jackson Diehl, Tomorrow, for the first time in decades, Israelis may choose a prime minister who is promising to wage wa
By Fred Hiatt, MUNICH -- As European leaders listened joyfully here to the Obama administration's first expressions of foreign policy, nothing pleased them more than Vice President Biden's vow "to press the reset button" in relations with Russia.
By David Ignatius, Trusting the gut rather than Wall Street's "wisdom of the crowd"
Russia's Medvedev Putting Some Distance Between Himself and Putin With Recent Moves, Medvedev Edges Away From Prime Minister and His Economic Policies
Former Iranian President Declares Khatami to Challenge Ahmadinejad for Job
The Gamble: Did the Surge Work?
A Liberal Revival of Americanism By Michael Kazin, President Bush convinced progressives that they should stand up for their own version of the national creed.
Foreign Spies Are Serious. Are We? By Michelle Van Cleave, U.S. counterintelligence is on life support.
Echoes From the Campaign Trail Obama Returns to Aggressive Approach as Nominations Fail, Stimulus Teeters
After Gaza War, Daunting Curbs On Rebuilding Political Battles, Israeli Ban on Construction Goods Delay Recovery
Foreign Policy Beyond the Pentagon By Walter Pincus, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, believes that the United States' foreign policy has become "too militarized."
U.S. Skeptical About Pakistan's Restrictions on Nuclear Scientist
North Korea is calling, Mr. President.
Secretary Clinton's Far East Departure
China's Pain, Europe's Gain Nate Taplin | Europe might benefit from leaving China alone to "manipulate" its currency.
By Robert J. Samuelson, Page A17 If the financial sector isn't revived, the economy will stay depressed.
Bailout Plan Delayed as Stimulus Pitch Absorbs Agenda White House Delays Bailout Details, Presses Congress to Pass Spending Bil
Here's How to Make a Real Stimulus Take Flight By Tom Donnelly and Gary Schmitt, Making room in the stimulus package for defense spending is economically and strategically smart.
By David M. Smick, Page B07 Solving the financial crisis may be beyond the capacity of government finances.
Editorial Saving the Banks The most important steps of the administration's recovery plan are still to come.
Obama Confidant Plans To Meet Azerbaijani Leader
Why I Support the Economic Stimulus By Arlen Specter, The country cannot afford not to take action.
By E. J. Dionne Jr., Obama is neither a chump nor a wimp.
You Can Cap The Pay, But The Greed Will Go On Business culture has distorted the spirit of American capitalism by rewarding mediocrity and even failure.
In Geithner's Overhaul, Aggressive Use of All Available Tools Expected
Economists Agree Time Is of the Essence for Stimulus
Republicans See Long-Term Victory in Defeat on Stimulus Plan
If Spending Is Swift, Oversight May Suffer Plan's Pace Could Leave Billions Wasted
| H6 Guardian Pakistan identified as biggest foreign policy test Country threatened by Islamist insurgency, economic collapse and crisis of governance, according to Obama's aides
US outlines new plan for Afghanistan Obama team intends to focus on 'winning hearts, minds and stomachs', without mentioning democracy
Reformist to stand against Ahmadinejad in Iran election Muhammad Khatamin's candidacy opens prospect of change and improved relations with US
Containing Iran Kenneth Weisbrode: A region-wide approach must include a pledge by Nato to defend any Middle Eastern state that suffers a nuclear attack
Biden in Munich: mixed messages Jonathan Steele: Although the US vice-president signalled a new rapprochement with Russia he seemed to repeat the Bush mantras on the Middle East and Iran
The poor take the biggest hit Editorial: It has been called the 'ugliest chapter in global economic affairs since slavery'
Editorial: Only around half of all Britons accept that Darwin's theory of evolution is either true or probably true
President's economic guru begs Senate to agree on rescue plan Pressures builds on Obama White House to get $800bn-plus stimulus deal through Congress
Be happy, worried liberals. Obama's bill is a triumph Michael Tomasky: Instead of focusing on the compromises, we should rejoice in the great victory that the president's stimulus package really is
The Observer A triumph for liberty Editorial: For anyone sceptical about the government's growing addiction to surveillance, the House of Lords provided an answer last week
Tell us the truth about torture, Mr Miliband Editorial: Fear of offending an ally, however close, is no grounds to suppress evidence in the Binyam Mohamed case
The greatest moral failure of Tony Blair's premiership Andrew Rawnsley: Britain's silence when George W Bush sanctioned the use of torture is to the enduring shame of the former prime minister
We can replicate the beauty that came from the Depression Will Hutton: There is work to be done and a growing army of Britons who need to do it for their self-worth and living standards
So much for our honeymoon with Obama Nick Cohen: He came to power on a wave of international goodwill but his popularity will not last if he indulges the protectionists
Bruised Obama to tour America in bid to sell $800bn rescue deal Razor-thin victory over economic stimulus package gives president new room for manoeuvre
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| H7 No crisis yet, but Obama finding world won't wait for him In the midst of the presidential campaign last October, Barack Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, warned that within six months of Obama's election, "We're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." The prediction hasn't come true yet, but unfriendly nations and international competitors already are stepping up their efforts to challenge the young new president or at the very least get his attention.
Asia Times The political rebirth of Nuri al-Maliki
Biden trip yields few tangible returns
Is Syria Putting a Price Tag on a US Brokered Peace with Israel?
Testing 1-2-3 Biden predicted Obama would be tested by our adversaries. He was right.
Why Can't The West And Tehran Be Friends?Opportunities for any significant easing of bilateral tensions have been few and far between, but by most accounts include the period shortly after Mohammad Khatami's election as president in 1997
The 'Energy Weapon' Can Be a Double-Edged Sword BY: Jacek Saryusz-Wolski and Charles Tannock | The Daily Star Has the "energy weapon" of the 1970s - the withholding of energy supplies for political ends -- returned? Using oil or gas as a political weapon is easier said than done, of course.
Khadafy, king of kingsThe idea of Libyan strongman Moammar Khadafy becoming the head of the African Union would be funny if the security problems facing Africa -- from Darfur to Congo -- were not so dire. (Boston Globe)
Daily Star Egypt's response to reform: suffocation
Obama's Mideast ways are pretty similar to Bush's By Yossi Alpher
When Rice sank, my turtle swam
| H8 Iraq Updates IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq
Iran's Khatami to run for office Moderate Iranian ex-President Mohammad Khatami is to run against incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June's election. US plans 'vigorous' Iran talks
Voting counts Has Iraq witnessed birth of a genuine democracy?
UN hails Iraq election results
Results suggest Maliki seeks second term (UPI) -- Speculation surfaced Friday that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki would seek a second term in office following success at the polls, officials said.
Maliki's Emerging as Strongest Among Shi'ite Parties in Elections
| H9 Ha’aretz – Report: Israel to free Barghouti as part of Shalit deal
Hamas: Fatah strongman Dahlan collaborated with Israel ahead of Gaza op Hamas official tells Time that ex-minister sent Fatah activists into Gaza to hunt down rival militants
Defense sources: IAF can't repeat Gaza successes in bigger war Aircraft shortage, enemy's increased capabilites would make close aerial support impossible
A necessary dealIsrael is strong enough to take the risk, especially after showing its ability to strike successfully at Hamas in Gaza.
ANALYSIS / Likud has gone from certain victory to battle with Kadima Whatever Livni offers Lieberman, Netanyahu will up the proposal - doesn't have to be that exactly, but around that idea
Qatar May Open Consulate in Iraq's Kurdish Region
Gaza aftermath: IDF bides its time, Hamas leaders hide out, everyone awaits truce
ANALYSIS / Fatah fears Shalit deal will bring down Abbas Palestinians: A swap would bring early elections to the territories, with Hamas winning the presidency
Dror A new peace paradigmSo Israel must initiate a paradigm jump which would present a final picture of the entire Israeli-Arab-Muslim conflict.
Egypt sources: Hamas agrees to link Shalit deal to opening of Gaza border
Gideon Levy: Rise of Lieberman proves racism now an accepted Israeli value
Bradley Burston: Can Netanyahu be stopped? Can Lieberman?
'99% of Israeli Arabs stand by their loyalty to the state'Barak rejects 'no citizenship without loyalty' motto; Livni won't rule out coalition with Lieberman.
Bar’el Obama is too much for them The question that should preoccupy each of Israel's prime ministerial candidates, is not whether the premiership exceeds their abilities, but whether Obama is too much for them.
Biden to Iran: U.S. will talk, but is ready to act
Jerusalem Post Analysis: Actions and reactions
Palestinian poll: Hamas support drops Following Cast Lead, Fatah's popularity among Gaza and West Bank residents outstrips Islamist group.
'Obama will not focus on ME democracy' Elliott Abrams says US to reach out to Syria, predicts low oil prices will help administration pressure Iran.
Netanyahu: Livni will cede Golan |
| Europe listens cautiously to Obama agenda Biden opens a door on Iran, but presses allies on Afghanistan
Can Obama envoy George Mitchell kick-start Mideast peace? Colleagues ask: If the former Northern Ireland peacemaker can't do it, who can?
Iran's reformist ex-president to run againMohammad Khatami announced Sunday that he will challenge President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June elections.
Instead of stimulus, do nothing – seriously Stimulus is unconstitutional. And history shows that the economy can recover strongly on its own, if politicians stay out of the way.
The emerging stimulus bill: still bigThe Senate is likely to vote Tuesday on its version. Talks with the House are already beginning.
China faces unprecedented UN human rights scrutiny An examination of China's record in Geneva Monday will test the country's willingness to answer international criticism.
More than aid money, Africa needs enterprise To reduce poverty and create jobs, Africa must become economically competitive.
Does 'Buy American' send the wrong message? An economic stimulus package clause raises concerns of repercussions by US trading partners
Less stuff = more freedomIn this economic downturn, many people are simplifying their lives by getting rid of excess stuff.
Obama puts brake on Afghan surge — PRESIDENT Barack Obama has demanded that American defence chiefs review their strategy in Afghanistan before going ahead with a troop surge. — There is concern among senior Democrats that the military is preparing to send up to 30,000 extra troops without a coherent plan or exit strategy.
Newsweek Q&A: Pakistan's PM on Al Qaeda, India and America
Pakistan: Anatomy of a Crisis, Skeletal Opportunities CSS This 3-page Swiss brief discusses the political instability in Pakistan and its implications for Western countrie
Croatia: The Balkan Basket Case - Jeffery Kuhner, Washington Times
Global opium poppy cultivation is decreasing
India security needs joint decision-making (UPI) -- India's national security depends on comprehensive joint decision-making, according to a study by the Center for Joint Warfare Studies.
Road to Kabul Runs Through Beijing - Parag Khanna, Foreign Policy
Afghanistan 'tougher than Iraq' The new US special envoy to Afghanistan says winning the conflict there will be "much tougher" than in Iraq.
U.S. delegation underlines Afghan war difficulties The war in Afghanistan will be "much tougher than Iraq," President Barack Obama's special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan told a security conference here Sunday.
Getting Serious in Pakistan The Economist Pakistan may be about to give the world a pleasant surprise. Speaking to The Economist, a senior Pakistani official reinforced a recent impression that Pakistan has at last launched a serious investigation into last November’s devastating terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which India and Western governments have blamed on a banned Pakistani Islamist militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET).
Getting It Right in Pakistan and Afghanistan BY: Karin von Hippel and Frederick Barton | World Politics Review America may not be losing the war in Afghanistan, but it is also not winning. Neither is the U.S. approach in neighboring Pakistan making friends or preventing new recruits from crossing the border to kill U.S. and other NATO troops.
North Korea is calling, Mr. President.
Avoiding Disaster in Afghanistan - Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune
Taliban hostage-takers behead Polish engineer
Will Ukraine follow Iceland into financial meltdown?
Iran and the US: United over Afghanistan?
US-Sino Space Race Is On - Sophie Elmhirst, New Statesman
Obama, the Pacific president?Fidel Ramos: Asia-Pacific leaders must put their own houses in order, but they need the US leader as a good neighbour, ready to lend a hand
| H11 IHT Roger Cohen: Iran's China option What Iran fears most is a Gorbachev figure, somebody from within the regime who in the name of compromise with the West ends up selling out the revolution
Thomas L. Friedman: Beyond the banks By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Watching one U.S. soldier doing nation-building in the West Bank
France aims to take its full place in NATO French President Nicolas Sarkozy and NATO officials will begin an effort this month to convince Parisian lawmakers to accept plans to return France to full membership in NATO by April.
Biden hints at compromise with Russia on missile defense plan The U.S. vice president seemed to be balancing the need to appear firm against the administration's hopes to reverse a slide in American relations with Moscow, foreign policy experts said
Why the Muslim world can't hear Obama By ALAA AL ASWANY Egyptians welcomed Obama with almost total enthusiasm until he underwent his first real test: Gaza
By YOSSI KLEIN HALEVI If anything, Israel's survival seems even more precarious today.
By AMOS OZ Disproportionate military operations are basically no more then revenge. Merkel faces big test over German minister's resignation Angela Merkel and her conservative allies refused on Sunday to accept the resignation of the economic minister, Michael Glos, after he said he wanted to leave government.
EUROPE European press review
Europe Remains Divided Over Energy Security PolicyJanuary's two-week gas shutoff following a pricing spat between supplier Russia and transit country Ukraine could not have taken Europeans by surprise. In January 2006, a similar conflict between the two countries led to a similar disruption. After that crisis, it was said time and again that Europe must become serious about energy security, by developing and implementing a strategy of diversification. But not very much happened -- in large part because European countries remain divided over the lessons to be learned from the cutoff.
Awaiting A Security Signal From WashingtonEffectively, France and Germany are making a bid for joint supremacy in regional matters that also involve the United States
Minister Quits as German Split Grows Merkel was forced to reshuffle after Germany's economy minister resigned. His possible successor could obstruct the chancellor's plan to address the slump.
France Seeks Bigger Role in NATO Sarkozy said that France remains committed to playing a bigger role in NATO, despite strong domestic opposition
Energy disarmament Jacek Saryusz-Wolski and Charles Tannock: Europe needs to coordinate infrastructure and policy to prevent the withholding of energy supply becoming a useful weapon
In Germany, Whispers of ‘Enough’ at a War-Crimes Trial A reporter finds that a nation’s zeal to expunge guilt may be flagging.
Promoting Innovation in the European Union
Croatia: The Balkan Basket Case - Jeffery Kuhner, Washington Times
Europeans Feeding Iran's Bomb - Benjamin Weinthal, Wall Street Journa | H12 RFE/RLGeorgia Fading On EU, NATO Radar Screens Over the past few months, Georgia has sunk into relative obscurity on the international arena. The diplomatic frenzy which followed the Russia-Georgia war last August has been replaced in the European Union and NATO by quiet moves aimed at patching up relations with Moscow
Biden Signals U.S. Is Open to Deal With Russia on Missiles —
Russian evolutionBy Timothy Garton Ash Moscow's role in the world is changing, and Europe must be ready for the new player.
Russia 'positive' on US approach
US promises new era of diplomacy - with a price tag
Google News Azerbaijan
Will Ukraine follow Iceland into financial meltdown?
As the economy sinks, bartering rises again in Russia Some advertisements are beginning to appear in newspapers and online, like one that sought the trade of underwear for a car and another that offered lumber for food or medicine.
Russia works angles to prod Obama Talk about mixed messages. Russia's leaders this week could not say enough good things about President Barack Obama. But the compliments came with the geopolitical equivalent of a punch in the nose.
Georgia security zones remain tense (UPI) -- The security situation between Georgia and the country's separatist regions and their Russian backers remains tense, according to a U.N. report
Czar Vlad's Tolerant Tyranny BY: Ralph Peters | New York Post While Western leaders remain mired in 20th-century thinking, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia has reinvented dictatorship for a new century.
Kyrgystan's Sharp Turn Toward MoscowBY: Alexander Lukin | The Moscow Times Kyrgyzstan's announcement that it plans to close the U.S. air base in Manas changes the security playing field in Central Asia.
Obama puts brake on Afghan surge — PRESIDENT Barack Obama has demanded that American defence chiefs review their strategy in Afghanistan before going ahead with a troop surge. — There is concern among senior Democrats that the military is preparing to send up to 30,000 extra troops without a coherent plan or exit strategy.
Kremlin's Political Chess May Help Iran - John Metzler, China Post
Kyrgyzstan: Manas Air Base Operations Continue, Despite Drama
Georgia: Russia Plans Three Military Bases in Abkhazia
Azerbaijan: From the South Caucasus to the South Pole, Top Baku Official Conquers Antarctica
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| H13 The Times Obama envoy heads into 'inherited mess'Richard Holbrooke has warned that resolving the geopolitical crisis in Afghanistan and Pakistan could be worse than Iraq
Sunday Times Obama puts brake on Afghan surge The US president demanded American defence chiefs review their strategy in Afghanistan before sending in excess troops
‘Thrill is gone’: Obama feels heat
‘Thrill is gone’: Obama feels heat The Iranian Revolution was the ultimate passion play To understand modern Iran we must unpick our prejudices and decipher the symbolism of its rich Shia historyNetanyahu stokes fears to take poll lead Israel’s right-wing hawk is striking a chord with election voters who mistrust peace with Palestinians
Link risk to failure, not just to reward Traditional banking must be separated from global speculation to restore prudence and security William Rees-Mogg
'Buy American' provisions in the stimulus package has set off alarm bells in the free-trade community
Wall Street Journal Michael Ledeen: Iran in OrbitObama's Missile TestJohn B. Taylor: How Government Created the Financial Crisis
A.Q. Khan Job Pakistan tests Obama's resolve.
IMF Says Some 'Depression' Felt
The IMF said advanced economies are already in a "depression," and noted the ECB has room to lower rates. G-7 to Gauge Obama's Support Initiatives The G-7 meeting in Rome could provide insight into the economic policies of Obama and his Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner.
U.S., Russia Seek Thaw, But Stay Firm Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Ivanov and U.S. Vice President Biden sought to ease strained relations, but remained steadfast on issues dividing the two countries. Text of Biden's speech
By Pedro Solbes
Solve the Toxic Asset Problem By Joaquín Almunia
Obama's Mideast ways are pretty similar to Bush's
N. Gregory Mankiw / New York Times: It's No Time for Protectionism
| H14 Financial Times Israel set for another coalitionOn the face of it, Israeli voters are confronted with a clear choice in Monday’s general election. But polls show that neither Likud nor Kadima will win more than 30 seats which means the winner will need to form a coalitio
Biden proposes to ‘press reset button’ with Moscow New tone for US foreign policy
Incredible shrinking think-tanks: Part of my job involves mixing with people who run or staff think-tanks. And like a lot of the other people I mix with, they are a worried group
The last days of Iran under the Shah In 1979, years of popular discontent intensified and, channelled through Shia Islam, brought the downfall of the Shah and the return of religious leader Ayatollah Khomein
Our lethargic leaders must work together on the crisis Swift action needed, says Wolfgang Münchau
Politics is damaging the credibility of economics Clive Crook is losing faith in the dismal science
For Obama, the road to bipartisanship gets bumpy Edward Luce on a tricky week for Barack Obama
What the Obama bank plan must do Half measures must at last be abandoned. What is needed is action so strong that no doubt over the health of surviving financial institutions can remain
Biden’s burden The US vice-president indicated that American re-engagement with European allies comes at a price: they must be prepared to share more of the burden of troubleshooting around the world
Moscow warms to Biden’s overture Russia responded warmly to the Obama administration’s offer to put US relations with the country on an improved footing
Rouble trouble Russia intends to inject capital into the main banks to increase lending. That, with fiscal expansion, is the best way to address the rouble’s decline
Mohammad Khatami, Iran’s former moderate president, on Sunday announced he would stand in the June presidential election as the country’s beleaguered reformists attempt to deprive Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad of a second term
Growth in Gulf states set to halve in 2009 The IMF says GDP in the Gulf Co-operation Council states – including Saudi Arabia and the UAE – would fall from 6.8% in 2008 to 3.5% this year on lower than expected oil prices
Merkel acts fast after minister resigns Blow to Berlin’s handling of crisis
Do not destroy the essential catalyst of risk After the shocks of recent months and the associated economic pain, there is a natural desire for wholesale reform of our regulatory regime. We should resist a response, however, that is solely designed around protecting us from the 100-year storm, says Lloyd Blankfein
Battle looms over US stimulus package Obama threatens lawmakers’ recess
| H15 Los Angeles Times Keynes can't help us now Niall Ferguson Governments cling to the delusion that a crisis of excess debt can be solved by creating more debt.Forget inflation — the new fear is deflationBy David Pierson Americans have less to spend, so businesses cut prices, crimping their own revenue. That could start a downward spiral.
Mohammad Khatami to run in Iran's presidential election After weeks of rumors, the former president, considered a moderate, made the formal announcement to challenge incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Israel's elections, suddenly interesting and too close to call
Obama the pragmatic idealist By Doyle McManus The president's record is a mixture of lofty goals and practical choices.
Deja vu in KabulBy Max Boot Naysayers call Afghanistan a hopeless quagmire. Isn't that what they said..
Obama enters decisive week on economy He plans a mini-tour and prime-time news conference to build support, while a key speech by the Treasury chief is delayed.
Clean energy holds promise and peril Obama envisions "a second Industrial Revolution" to end oil dependence and invigorate the economy. But familiar obstacles loom.
Israel's Tzipi Livni turns to women and the left for votesBy Ashraf Khalil The head of the centrist Kadima party, narrowly trailing in the polls, is honing an image of strength, optimism and girl power to expand her political base
Teens: war or peace?By Marjorie Miller In interviews at schools in Gaza and Israel, 11th-graders talk about their views of the future.
Biden sets conciliatory international toneBy Christine Spolar Speaking to nations assembled in Munich, the vice president proclaims a new era: 'We'll engage. We'll listen. We'll consult. America needs the world, just as I believe the world needs America.
Mohammad Khatami to run in Iran's presidential electionBy Borzou Daragahi and Ramin Mostaghim After weeks of rumors, the former president, considered a moderate, made the formal announcement that he will run against incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Iran leader says scientific progress thriving despite sanctionsAssociated Press The Islamic Republic has achieved breakthroughs in space and nuclear technology in the face of international penalties, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says
Guantanamo poses a challenge for EuropeBy Sebastian Rotella The EU pledged to take in 60 detainees. Now the tough questions arise: Where should they go? And who pays?
Editorial
Washington's man in IranBy Borzou Daragahi Swiss diplomat Philippe Welti spent more than four years as his nation's chief envoy to Iran -- and Washington's. He discusses the benefits and limitations of diplomacy with the Islamic Republic
Guantanamo poses a challenge for EuropeBy Sebastian Rotella The EU pledged to take in 60 detainees. Now the tough questions arise: Where should they go? And who pays?
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McClatchy Unpaid taxes, uncowed GOP: Obama searches for his style Obama has moved with blazing speed to put his imprint on his young administration. He's filled out his staff and Cabinet faster than anyone in at least three decades, blasted out executive orders and pressed Congress to pass the most expensive stimulus in history. In his rush He's also bypassed his own orders against hiring lobbyists, named three senior appointees with tax problems, been forced to admit that he "screwed up" and shifted political strategy on the stimulus
GOP as an Insurgent Opposition Republicans sense tactical victory in opposing the stimulus plan and congressional Democrats. Weekend Opinionator: Dead Right? By TOBIN HARSHAWDo Republican defeats mark the death of movement conservatism?
Geithner postpones unveiling TARP plan
Politico ABC’s The Note – MSNBC FirstRead – Time ThePage Politico Playbook PoliticsHome fivethirtyeight US News Political Bulletin
By David S. Broder, Republicans have to change if they are going to advance in currently Democratic territory.
By George F. Will, "Descended from the apes!" exclaimed the wife of the bishop of Worcester. "Let us hope that it is not true, but if it is, let us pray that it will not become generally known."
| H17 Daily TelegraphCIA warns Barack Obama that British terrorists are the biggest threat to the US
Barack Obama is a novice - and it shows After a rocky start, the new President knows he has to seize back the political agenda, says Toby Harnden. | H18 Independent Iran: A nation still haunted by its bloody past Robert Fisk: 11 February 1979: Ayatollah Khomeini ushered in a regime that was at once brutal and naive, provocative and dangerous.Leading article: Israel must seize the chance for peace with this election Israeli elections: Be afraid. Be very afraidDonald Macintyre reports from Jerusalem on an election campaign that is still too close to call, but one with ominous portents. Rupert Cornwell: Three weeks in, Obama's presidency is on the lineUnited on climate change: Obama's Chinese revolutionUS President wants the world's two biggest polluters to form a partnership in the battle against global warming.
Chance for a green alliance that could still save the world Netanyahu digs for election victoryLikud head plants a tree for his son in disputed territory
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| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism
Washington Post The Generals' Insurgency Odierno's Surge The Dissenter Who Changed the War As the No. 2 Commander in Iraq, Raymond Odierno Challenged the Military Establishment, Pressing for More Troops and a Long-Term Strategy to Guide Them By Thomas E. Ricks, Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno was an unlikely dissident, with little in his past to suggest that he would buck his superiors and push the U.S. military in radically new directions.
Dogs of War: Private military contractors -- mysterious? No. (UPI) -- A common refrain from many who observe the private military contracting industry is that it is opaque, shadowy, veiled, secretive, hidden, non-transparent, etc. Is this true? Yes and no, but mostly no.
Defense sources: IAF can't repeat Gaza successes in bigger war Aircraft shortage, enemy's increased capabilites would make close aerial support impossible
Foreign Spies Are Serious. Are We? By Michelle Van Cleave, U.S. counterintelligence is on life support.
Here's How to Make a Real Stimulus Take Flight By Tom Donnelly and Gary Schmitt, Making room in the stimulus package for defense spending is economically and strategically smart.
Speaking With the Enemy By DONALD P. GREGGThe key to successful interrogation is for the interrogator to recognize a prisoner’s humanity, to understand his culture, background and language. Torture makes this impossible.
A Choice to Make on Arms Exports by James Carter
Spy centre will track you on holiday The computerised pattern of every individual’s travel history will be stored for up to 10 years, the Home Office admits
The 2009 Future Years Defense Program: Implications and Alternatives (PDF; 229 KB)
Will improved military enlistment last? Retention rates may be hurt by the GI Bill's expanded school benefits as well as potential budget cuts.
| H20 Slate Declining Declinism
Obama Got Rolled
Does Trade Integration Contribute to Peace? ADB This 44-page working paper examines the effect of trade integration on military conflict
New">New science could defeat food crises Breakthroughs in microscopic engineering could boost shelf life of food and increase crop yields
Global opium poppy cultivation is decreasing
Managing water resources in a changing climate
| H21 Not everyone cheers as Wi-Fi takes to the skies...
Anthony Seldon: Why, when we have so much more, are we not happier with our lives?
The Romantic Economist: Imagination in Economics
Lincoln MonumentsReviews by WILLIAM SAFIRE A guide to the deluge of books occasioned by the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birt
Darwin and the spirit of inquiryScience is a friend, not a foe, of faith. The theory of evolution explains how, but not why, we are here Amazon.com Press Conference Today Sparks Kindle Speculation
How the Internet Damages Our Culture — America is ruder, cruder, and more paranoid than it once was. The anonymity of the Web bears much of the blame. |
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