| H1 Stratfor Saudi Arabia: King Abdullah's Bold Move Saudi Arabia announced massive Cabinet changes, replacing conservatives with more liberal officials. The new composition of the government is the boldest move by King Abdullah in his modernization efforts The National Saudi king overhauls leadership Sweeping changes seen as "a big sign for the progressive movement" as those opposed to reformist agenda are relieved of power. IHT Can this batch do peace? By MARTIN INDYK Neither Netanyahu nor even Lieberman wants an all right-wing government in Israel. IHT China's image improves as world economy slumps As the world lurches ever closer to economic catastrophe, China's image is changing from that of currency manipulator to a source of badly needed consumer demand. From Carnegie Council, a panel on The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century by George Friedman.. Is Iran Still Building the Bomb? BY LAURA ROZEN Andrew Bacevich What Conservatism Should Look Like When it comes to the culture, conservatives should promote an awareness of the costs of unchecked individual autonomy, while challenging conceptions of freedom that deny the need for self-restraint and self-denial. When it comes to economics, they should emphasize the virtue and necessity of Americans, collectively as well as individually, learning to live within their means. When it comes to foreign policy, they should advocate a restoration of realism, which will necessarily entail abandoning expectations of remaking the world in America's own image. The National The old carrots and sticks won’t break the US standoff with Iran Tony Karon : If Mr Obama sticks to the zero-enrichment demand, the chances are his diplomatic overture will be short-lived. Israel's Biggest Danger - Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek Today they're 20 percent of the country's population. Demographers predict they'll be 25 percent by 2025. Forward Israeli Uncertainty Buys Obama Time By Nathan Guttman Publicly, the administration of President Obama has pledged to “hit the ground running” in reviving Middle East diplomacy. But the indecisive results of Israel’s elections have provided the White House with breathing room it actually welcomes New York Times Rise in Jobless Poses Threat to Stability Worldwide High unemployment rates have led to protests in countries as varied as Latvia, Chile, Greece and Iceland and to strikes in Britain and France. How Obama Plays, or Gets Played, Abroad We’re about to find out what the Obama Factor is worth around the world. By David Sanger Daily Star The US and Iran take over center stage By Rami G. Khouri Obama's power to lead involves soft and hard power By Joseph S. Nye McClatchy · Is the U.S. repeating Soviet mistakes in Afghanistan? Shifting Patterns of Global Power Chris Patten · Latest plot: Abd al-Mehdi (ISCI) to replace Maliki as PM ... rumors about ISCI-Kurdish-IIP-Allawi renewed bid to bring down Maliki, in al-Quds al-Arabi. Washington Post The war in Iraq isn't over. The main events may not even have happened yet. By Thomas E. Ricks A Lost Decade for the U.S. Economy? By Robert J. Samuelson, Ultimately, the economy must generate strong growth on its own. Japan's hasn't. Will ours? Editorial Israel's Step Backward How the Obama administration should react to the rightward swing in last week's election Nationalize the Banks! We're all Swedes Now By Matthew Richardson and Nouriel Roubini, Nationalization is the only way to save the U.S. banking syste Going the Distance The war in Afghanistan isn't doomed. We just need to rethink the insurgency. By Seth G. Jones Not Even the Afghans Know How to Fix It By Edward P. Joseph, You know you're in trouble when a failed Soviet invasion looks good by comparison. The First Three Weeks The new presidency has been through a whirlwind both chastening and productive. Building Our Best Weapon - Trust By Mike Mullen, The Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman says that building trust is the key in Afghanistan. The Observer 'Pashtunistan' holds key for Obama US president has made solving the 'Af-Pak' question a top priority, but could it become his Vietnam? Ha’aretz – U.S., EU indicate they prefer Kadima-Likud unity government U.S. expected to pressure Israel over settlement construction Slow Obama stance on Iran worries Israel Sunday Times Obama’s new deal is the same old blunder America’s debt is already enormous, even before Obama’s "jump-start" has begun to hoover up the taxpayers’ trillions Dominic Lawson Independent A 'fraud' bigger than Madoff In what could turn out to be the greatest fraud in US history, authorities have started to investigate the alleged role of senior military officers in the misuse of Iraq reconstruction billions. Guardian Shrinking ambitions Editorial: It is too early to say that Afghanistan has been a failure, but not too early to say that it has not been a success Bismarckian board games Peter Preston: The partition of Cyprus resulted from the lazy certainty that, time and again, separation works Pakistan makes sharia law concession Government brings in Islamic law in Malakand in attempt to placate extremists NYT New York Times PAUL KRUGMAN Decade at Bernie’s Like the duped investors who believed in Bernard Madoff’s scheme, America has thought it was rich in the first decade of the 21st century. 'We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land' By JIMMY CARTER Reviewed by GERSHOM GORENBERG Jimmy Carter urges the new president to make peace in the Middle East. First Chapter By NOAH FELDMAN Even after the Bush years, there’s still a place for government behind closed doors Inquiry on Graft in Iraq Focuses on U.S. Officers Federal authorities are investigating senior American military officers over corruption allegations in the effort to rebuild Iraq. Los Angeles Times Conflicted Russia gives and takes on Afghanistan Mixed signals ensue as Moscow seeks to improve relations with the West by offering help with Afghanistan while trying to maintain control over Central Asia. Scott Horton / Harper's: Former Gitmo Guard Tells All — Army Private Brandon Neely served as a prison guard at Guantánamo in the first years the facility was in operation. With the Bush Administration, and thus the threat of retaliation against him, now gone, Neely decided to step forward and tell his story. Financial Times Obama’s lonely quest for consensus The US government as a whole must lead public opinion. More than it has so far managed, it must anticipate, not just react. That is why President Barack Obama is right about the need for consensus, and partisans on both sides of Congress are wrong, writes Clive Crook The AfPak envoy Barack Obama’s decision to appoint Richard Holbrooke as his special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan is welcome Fiddling in Rome while world burnsIt was in the sophisticated financial systems of the advanced economies that the havoc began so how well is the G7 doing? Animal Spirits This is a fine argument that comes at exactly the right time by urging economists to take account of psychological factors in offering answers to the big questions of today’s financial crisis Islam and the West: Lines of Demarcation - Roger Scruton, Azure Foreign Policy Nine things Hillary Clinton should do in Asia BY DAN TWINING Talking and Listening to Iran - Andrew Lee Butters, Time The Coming Terror Swarm - John Arquilla, New York Times The Times In times of crisis, never forget goldThe dollar is simply a piece of paper. Gold is the best insurance against future shocks William Rees-Mogg The writing is on the synagogue wall World depressions lead to a rise in anti-Semitism. All over Europe, the evidence is around us Denis MacShane Newsweek Fall of the Petro Czars Falling oil prices have weakened unfriendly regimes Sarkozy's Next Big Battle French refusal to integrate fully into NATO has limited its influence on the alliance's direction. An Island, Lost At Sea Stryker McGuire Britain is obsessed with its 'special relationship' with the United States. It's time to let go. Should We Make Peace With Extremists? - Council on Foreign Relations Without absolute certainty, Obama will have to make some tough decisions. Obama can be happy with a Netanyahu government (plus Kadima) by Shmuel Rosner | H2 Ha’aretz Editorial A cynical use of morality If Israel seeks to alter its stance on the question of the murder of the Armenians, it would be wise to do so at a more appropriate time, from a worthy position of morality and not as a way to make threats FT Opinion: EU is losing grip on gas corridor It is clear that the preferred way to get gas from Azerbaijan to Europe is via Turkey, but not under any condition. Ankara has to be flexible, and Brussels, too, writes Borut Grgic Jerusalem Post Turkish-Israeli ties after the deluge It would indeed be sad if relationship withered, as it benefits both sides. SONER CAGAPTAY Why is Palestine a big deal for Turkish diplomacy? By Bulent Aras Daily Star Guardian Bismarckian board games Peter Preston: The partition of Cyprus resulted from the lazy certainty that, time and again, separation works Turks Gripped By Shadowy Group's Coup Trials NPR - Ha’aretz Turkey Summons Israeli Envoy Over IDF Major General's Comments Turkish army furious over IDF officer's comments IDF: Officer's Criticism of Turkey Does Not Represent Official View Turkish PM: Israel Election Results Paint 'Very Dark Picture' Khanna:Türkiye Orta Doğu’ya istikrarın yayılmasında Avrupa’nın silahı olabilir Turkey's Kurdish clashes continue Demonstrators marking 10 years since the arrest of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan clash with Turkish police for a second day. Five Kurds Quit Iraqi President's Party Chill settles over Turkey-Israel relations
Los Angeles Times Turkey's hard line toward Israel, triggered by the Gaza offensive, is not easing. The nations' unusually close military alliance is threatened Turkish-Israeli ties sour further 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 Resignations of Kurdish Officials may "lead to Disaster" Khosrat Rasul, along with Omar Sayid Ali, Jalal Jawhar, Osman Haji Mahmud and Mustafa Sayid Qadir, all resigned from PUK PKK and Hamas Have Nothing in Common [NEWS ANALYSIS]PKK’s silence may be linked to local elections ABANT PLATFORMU, NEDEN ERBİL'DE? Facing challenging times ahead
Kurdish Globe 2009 is going to be a difficult year for Kurdistan 4 energy ministers of Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Syria meet in Baghdad Supporters of Kurd leader clash with police in Turkey No cease-fire in Israel, Turkey ties after Davos Türkiye İsrail'i Protesto Etti Cevdet Aşkın Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık Russia has become Turkey’s biggest trade partner by ABDULLAH GÜL [*] Closer to Russia, farther from the West? A change of venue and a new perspective: Obama and Turkey The future with Obama Europe's twisted pipedreams
The National Turkish groups raise concerns over Obama’s stance on Armenian claims Three Monkeys ...Cannes last year - is decidedly not recommended for those who like their movies to zip along. If, however, you can adjust to the Turkish director's characteristic pace, then the effect of watching these four people staring into the middle distance as they struggle... | 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 Times PAUL KRUGMAN Decade at Bernie’s Like the duped investors who believed in Bernard Madoff’s scheme, America has thought it was rich in the first decade of the 21st century. Rise in Jobless Poses Threat to Stability Worldwide High unemployment rates have led to protests in countries as varied as Latvia, Chile, Greece and Iceland and to strikes in Britain and France. How Obama Plays, or Gets Played, Abroad We’re about to find out what the Obama Factor is worth around the world. 'We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land' By JIMMY CARTER Reviewed by GERSHOM GORENBERG Jimmy Carter urges the new president to make peace in the Middle East. First Chapter By NOAH FELDMAN Even after the Bush years, there’s still a place for government behind closed doors Inquiry on Graft in Iraq Focuses on U.S. Officers Federal authorities are investigating senior American military officers over corruption allegations in the effort to rebuild Iraq. 'Lords of Finance' A grand narrative of the events leading to the Great Depression, built around the stories of four powerful central bankers. ROGER COHEN The Magic Mountain For young Iranians, the Alborz mountains are a physical escape from the city where jobs are elusive, but also a mental one — freedom from censorship Obama Looks to Next Steps in Recovery Plan Chávez Decisively Wins Bid to End Term Limits Pakistan and Taliban Appear Near Deal Olmert Confirms Papal Visit to Israel U.S. Envoy Reaches Out to Iran in Afghan Visit In Quest for Equal Rights, Muslim Women’s Meeting Turns to Islam’s Tenets Clinton, Heading Abroad, Takes Softer Tone on North Korea U.S. Military Will Offer Path to Citizenship The new effort, the first since the Vietnam War, will target immigrants on temporary visas, giving them a chance to become citizens in as little as six months. Is America Ready to Quit Coal? U.S. Airstrike Kills 30 in Pakistan Lebanese Rally Backs U.N. Tribunal Looking Into ’05 Killing of Ex-Leader Chávez Says He’d Talk With Obama ‘Any Day’ Saudi King Dismisses 2 Officials in a Shuffle Treasury Boss Taking Fire in Europe Over Stimulus To Fix Detroit, Obama Is Said to Drop Plan for ‘Car Czar’ — U.S. to Study Effectiveness of Treatments The stimulus bill will, for the first time, provide substantial financing for the government to compare different treatments for the same illness. Space Vacuums? The collision of two satellites raises a problem that has yet to be addressed — how to get rid of the new debris and the other junk already orbiting in space. Weekend Opinionator: Truth Commission or More Rendition? Now that he’s in power, is President Obama seeing the virtue of George W. Bush’s counterterrorism programs? | H5 Washington Post The war in Iraq isn't over. The main events may not even have happened yet. By Thomas E. Ricks Editorial Israel's Step Backward How the Obama administration should react to the rightward swing in last week's election Watch That Welcome Will Barack Obama unconditionally embrace the Middle East's autocrats? Hosni Mubarak hopes so. A Lost Decade for the U.S. Economy? By Robert J. Samuelson, Ultimately, the economy must generate strong growth on its own. Japan's hasn't. Will ours? Going the Distance The war in Afghanistan isn't doomed. We just need to rethink the insurgency. By Seth G. Jones Not Even the Afghans Know How to Fix It By Edward P. Joseph, You know you're in trouble when a failed Soviet invasion looks good by comparison. The First Three Weeks The new presidency has been through a whirlwind both chastening and productive. Building Our Best Weapon - Trust By Mike Mullen, The Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman says that building trust is the key in Afghanistan. What Pakistan Doesn't Need From America Shuja Nawaz | Stop throwing money at Pakistan. Start encouraging it to fight its own war. CIA Helped India, Pakistan Share Secrets in Probe of Mumbai Siege Backing Away From Our Man in Kabul By Jim Hoagland, There is a special, overflowing corner of hell reserved for the policies and practices of just-departed American presidents, and the Obama administration has rushed to toss democracy promotion in Afghanistan onto that sulfurous heap of political oblivion. China Is at the Heart of Clinton's First Trip Bush Solidified Relations; Now the Obama White House Will Push for Broader Cooperation Fedyashin: America's New Russian Opportunity Just the Start - After a Stimulus Victory, Hurdles for Obama After a Stimulus Victory, Hurdles for Obama By David S. Broder, Obama Advisers Axelrod and Gibbs Defend Stimulus Bill as a Bipartisan Effort Chávez Wins Removal of Term Limits Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Questions Bush Claim on North Korea, Uranium As Part of Peace Deal, Possible Islamic Law in Pakistani Valley From New DNI, Moderate View on North Korea And Warning About Iran's Role in Afghanistan Nationalize the Banks! We're all Swedes Now By Matthew Richardson and Nouriel Roubini, Nationalization is the only way to save the U.S. banking syste Solving the Crisis -- Smaller Risks, Smaller Banks Let's Try Smaller Risks and Smaller Banks By David Ignatius Dark Green Doomsayers By George F. Will, A corollary of Murphy's Law ("If something can go wrong, it will") is: "Things are worse than they can possibly be." Energy Secretary Steven Chu, an atomic physicist, seems to embrace that corollary but ignores Gregg Easterbrook's "Law of Doomsaying": Predict catastrophe no sooner than five years... Geithner Takes Plan To Global Leaders Secretary Reassures Counterparts About U.S. Rescue Strategy Obama in the Eye of the Storm By E. J. Dionne Jr., Obama has been slightly chastened since Inauguration Day, but remains in a good mood. The Blow the Working Class Saw Coming The people who understand money the best are the ones who don't have it. 4 Cases Illustrate Guantanamo Quandaries Administration Must Decide Fate of Often-Flawed Proceedings, Often-Dangerous Prisoners Getting a Grip on Pay As the economic stimulus bill moved toward passage, legislators, the White House and the financial industry wrestled over what limits to impose on big pay packages. The provisions in the final legislation are much stronger than in previous proposals. Critics say that some banks could rush to repay federal aid and some bankers could flee to other industries. Proponents say the restrictions are long Corporate Boards That Do Their Job By Carl C. Icahn, They should be able to understand when a company is leveraged up to 40 times the value of its assets Democrats and Republicans Line Up to Do Battle Over Results of Stimulus Package Parties Position Themselves To Claim Credit, Cast Blame Obama Advisers Axelrod and Gibbs Defend Stimulus Bill as a Bipartisan Effort | H6 Guardian Shrinking ambitions Editorial: It is too early to say that Afghanistan has been a failure, but not too early to say that it has not been a success Bismarckian board games Peter Preston: The partition of Cyprus resulted from the lazy certainty that, time and again, separation works Pakistan makes sharia law concession Government brings in Islamic law in Malakand in attempt to placate extremists Global warnings Björn Lomborg: The Copenhagen protocol will not succeed unless China and India sign up, but bribing these nations to take part is counterproductive Un nouveau capitalisme est-il possible? Peter Singer: The French – and Tony Blair – think the financial crisis is a chance to change our core values. That's optimistic Obama will get no warning when the people's response to this crisis comes Gary Younge: The president is popular for now - but while his stimulus package is being hailed as a victory, no one truly believes it will work Karzai to send team to US terror review Saudi Arabia appoints first female minister Expert on girls' education takes place in cabinet after reshuffle sweeps aside former ultra-conservatism Chávez wins Venezuela referendum President's controversial campaign to lead his country indefinitely wins 54% support The fatwa that wasn't Yahya Birt: The Rushdie fatwa: Ayatollah Khomeini's so-called fatwa was bound up with the unique politics of revolutionary Iran and bore little relation to Islamic legal traditio The Observer Pas">'Pashtunistan' holds key for Obama US president has made solving the 'Af-Pak' question a top priority, but could it become his Vietnam? Obama has picked the wrong hero Will Hutton: The president should follow the example of Roosevelt and leave Lincoln behind Army returns to an old tactic to defeat resurgent Taliban: sniping As concern mounts over the number of civilian casualties caused by air strikes in Afghanistan, the army is switching tactics. Mark Townsend reports Ban on Wilders was folly Editorial: Mr Wilders revels in the martyr status afforded to him by a ban, as do his far-right sympathisers in Britain We must make coal-fired energy less toxic Editorial: There is an opportunity here for Britain to take a global lead in a technological field for which a substantial future market is all but guaranteed As powerful in death as in life When Ayatollah Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini died in June 1989, he was the first ruler of Iran for more than 80 years to die peacefully at home in his native land, rather than in exile or at the hands of an executioner. |
| H7 Major Reshuffle in Saudi Arabia Although King Abdullah was unfairly criticised in the first years of his leadership for not moving quickly enough on reform, there can be no challenging King Abdullah’s credentials as a modernising force in his country after the overhaul of Saudi Arabia’s political, religious and military leadership that was announced on Saturday. Daily Star The US and Iran take over center stage By Rami G. Khouri Saudi Arabia continues a slow but steady process of reform Good luck George Mitchell - you'll need it! By Reema I. Ali Big Oil Must Start Work Fast in Iraq or Lose Deals INSS An Iranian Satellite in Space - Yiftah Shapir Syrian-Iranian Ties: Deterioration or Activation? Asharq Alawsat, Barnett: New motto of Globalizations 'R' US A look at why Bush's legacy might not be as bad as you thought. Nelson D. Schwartz / New York Times: Rise in Jobless Poses Threat to Stability Worldwide Al Awsat King Abdullah and the Step Towards Modernization : Tariq Alhomayed Asia Times The new Fallujah: Up close and ugly In a remarkable tour of the heartland of still devastated Sunni Iraq, Dahr Jamail takes a ride in the front seat of a US$420,000 armored BMW, riding with a tribal sheik (whom the US Marines label the John Gotti of Fallujah); note the AK-47 and the shotgun in back, and the vehicles from the sheik's security teams that sandwich your car; then, take a slug of whisky, and don't miss that wad of crisp American $100 bills he's carrying with him Al Hayat America's Troublesome Ally Patrick Seale - Not only has President Barack Obama inherited a disastrous economic and financial situation from George W Bush, as well as two unfinished wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last Tuesday's Israeli elections have dealt a serious blow -- perhaps a fatal one -- to the prospects for Arab-Israeli peace. They have also thrown up a major obstacle in the way of Obama's policy of building bridges to the Arab and Islamic world. Muslim Brotherhood and Iran - Mehdi Khalaji, Washington Institute
Why Is Syria Getting an Olive Branch? - Claudia Rosett, Forbes WINEP Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and Iran Recent examples of cooperation among Shiite and Sunni extremists raise new questions about whether Iran can improve its relationship with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. While such a breakthrough remains unlikely, the consequences for the United States of such a union would be very damaging . Superman is looking for a job
By Wa’dil Abdul-Fattah
Al-Akhbar (Lebanon), 2/10/2009
Abdul-Fattah writes, "Amr Moussa is a miserable soul. This pushed political and popular circles to start asking: when will he resign? Such a resignation would come as a bomb in the face of this dead Arab order which melted away and left a zombie corpse that keeps groaning and tearing its nails into the Arab spirit revived by the resistance. In the history of diplomacy, Abdul-Fattah notes, the Arabs have a number of foreign ministers who were loyal to their profession and managed to register important stances that exposed many secrets and scandals. "We have the example of Isma'il Fahmi and Ibrahime Kamel, both former Egyptian foreign ministers. Neither of them were political stars or members of opposition parties, but they were both witnesses to the sins of the peace treaty with Israel, so they both resigned to preserve their dignity and their history and their loyalty to their profession. In contrast, the popularity of Moussa was based on his ability to deviate a bit from the script. "But now, there is no longer any margin for him to deviate from that script. He can no longer resort to words from other times, from the time of Gamal Abdul-Nasser or even Anwar Al-Sadat." However, the author concludes, "Moussa is an easy catch in the war of exchanged accusations of treason. He is a catch for the lazy hunters. He serves only to cover up the fact that pan-Arabism did not build great countries and did not manage to become a league of interests like the European Union. The Arab world has become a reservation for the extinct ruling dinosaurs." Link to full text in primary source. Iran to Syria: détente is accepted with Saudi Arabia, not more
By Sarkis Naoum An Nahar, 2/6/2009 Naoum asserts that "knowledgeable Arab sources" said the success or failure of the Arab reconciliation initiative issued by Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abul Aziz in Kuwait will be determined in less than two months. "The periodic Arab Summit scheduled to be held in Doha will determine the destiny of this initiative and whether the Arab leaders will partake, act responsibly, restore solidarity, and resolve many crises, or if some of them will abstain from attending or choose to reduce their level of participation." Though efforts to crown this initiative with success--and of course the summit--must encompass all Arab countries, Naoum says, "the same source explained that serious efforts are made to convince Syria--after becoming the only Arab wing of the Islamic Republic of Iran--to fix the Arab home and build good Arab-Iranian relations in what secures the present and future of the Arab nation. Through its relation with Hamas and Hezbollah, in addition to its alliance with Iran, Syria has become a direct or indirect source for supporting Islamist Sunni fundamentalism and radical currents that believe in violence to bring about a desired change. "Has Syria started to translate the Arab reconciliation initiative on the ground," the columnist asks? "Syria is trying to find a way to be closer to reconciliation without having to pay a costly price. Syria does not mind if Arab sides, including the Palestinian Authority, play a role in this regard." Success, however, depends on Iran's consent or on a Syrian-Iranian agreement over all issues. "President Bashar al-Assad deployed one of his assistants to Tehran, who came back saying that Iran does not mind a détente with Saudi Arabia, but not anything more. Therefore, the Arabs might witness Saudi-Syrian reconciliation in the short run. But this will not be final as long as Iran needs to maintain its Arab and Islamic cards until the American administration decides on its position towards Tehran." Link to full text in primary source. Changing Middle East Dynamics - Couloumbis, Ahlstrom & Weaver, RCW | H8 Iraq Updates IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Independent A 'fraud' bigger than Madoff In what could turn out to be the greatest fraud in US history, authorities have started to investigate the alleged role of senior military officers in the misuse of Iraq reconstruction billions. The violations occurred in more than 30 polling stations nationwide, "but most of them were not critical and did not change the final results," one of country's electoral officials says. Are Shi'ite Feuds Driving Iraq's Lingering Violence? Chinese Oil Firm in Talks With US Counterparts on Joint Iraq Oil Bids Search for justice Four years on, Rafik Hariri's son seeks answers Alliances forming in Iraqi provinces (UPI) -- Iraqi political parties are reaching out to their adversaries in an effort to form provincial councils in the wake of the Jan. 31 elections. Outside View: Strange Shiite bedfellows MANIPAL, India, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The Shiite branch of Islam is regarded as heresy by followers of Wahhabism, an Islamic school of thought founded in the 18th century by Abdul Wahhab. Extreme adherents of this faith routinely visit violence on Shiites, and every one of its preachers condemns the Shiites as un-Islamic. | H9 Ha’aretz – U.S., EU indicate they prefer Kadima-Likud unity government ANALYSIS / For Livni and Netanyahu, rotating government could be the only option Netanyahu believes everything will change when he gets the president's nod to form a coalition U.S. expected to pressure Israel over settlement construction Slow Obama stance on Iran worries Israel Turkish army furious over IDF officer's comments How is Livni's dove doing? After Livni's dove-on-the-windowsill speech calling the public to choose between her and the rest, she must keep from joining a Netanyahu government. Yossi Verter / A decade later, Netanyahu is Israel's latest king of comeback Gideon Levy: Israel mustn't think about bombing Iran If Netanyahu does indeed become prime minister, now is the time to tell him, 'No bombing.' Livni, Barak, Olmert working on proposal for Shalit-Gaza deal IDF probe: Cannot defend destruction of Gaza homes Livni hints she'll reject offer to join Netanyahu government Russia foreign minister: Moscow planning 2009 Mideast peace conference Sudan rebel leader meets top Israeli defense official Senator John Kerry says U.S. eager to talk to Syria We need a grand coalition If Netanyahu is as good at doing as he is at talking, he would seek to be defense minister in a government made up of Labor, Likud and Kadima, headed by Livni. Who here speaks Arabic? The logical twists in party platforms on Israel's Arabs are distancing that community from the Jewish public, and feelings of alienation from the state only deepen as long as rightist parties gain ever more Knesset seats. Israel: Two-Thirds of Palestinians Killed in Gaza Fighting Were Terrorists - Without absolute certainty, Obama will have to make some tough decisions. Obama can be happy with a Netanyahu government (plus Kadima) by Shmuel Rosner By DAVID FORMAN
Should we have waited until a missile struck a kindergarten so our reaction would then be proportionate? By JONATHAN SCHANZER
Ruthlessly pursuing stability, the Clinton peace team in the 1990s was anything but innocent. [ ISI LEIBLER, [ DAVID HOROVITZ, 'Lieberman weakens Israel's cause in US' Former administration officials and American Jewish leaders are warning that the rise of Avigdor Lieberman could hurt Israel's image in the US, particularly if he is given a top portfolio or his positions on Israeli Arabs become government policy Yedioth Ahronoth 'Breakthrough in truce talks'
Shortly after Olmert says Shalit's release prerequisite to opening of Gaza crossings, senior Hamas figure reports of significant progress on 'all issues' in Egyptian-brokered negotiations; says armistice may be hours away
Full Story . . . Unite or disappear Eitan Haber advises Livni's Kadima to merge with Labor Party if it wishes to stick around Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Forward Israeli Uncertainty Buys Obama Time By Nathan Guttman Publicly, the administration of President Obama has pledged to “hit the ground running” in reviving Middle East diplomacy. But the indecisive results of Israel’s elections have provided the White House with breathing room it actually welcomes. Israel's Lose-Lose Election
by William Pfaff Jerusalem Report Unconventional Wisdom Mideast advice for President Obama The Israel of the three Likudniks BY DANIEL LEVY Israel puts terms on Gaza truce Israel rules out a truce in Gaza unless an Israeli soldier held by Palestinian militants is freed, Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says. British MPs on Gaza visit Who will rebuild Gaza? An excerpt from The Israeli Secret Services and the Struggle Against Terrorism by Ami Pedahzur (and an interview). Gaza population 'rising rapidly' A census taken in 2007 shows the population of Gaza has risen by almost 40% in the past 10 years. Beyond Gaza - Bilal Y. Saab
Israel's Gaza operation will not achieve a strategic outcome that goes beyond a breakable ceasefire. Hamas will find a way to eventually re-arm and re-engage in the same destructive behavior against Israel. At the same time, Hamas leaders will not be able to explain to Palestinians how shelling Israeli towns with rockets and terrorizing Israeli society will better their lives and advance the cause for statehood. Negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians based on the 1967 boundaries seem almost futile today. What Obama, Peres May Have Said BY: Uri Dromi | Miami Herald On Wednesday, President Barack Obama called Israeli President Shimon Peres to congratulate him on the general elections held here the day before. The White House quoted Obama's remark to Peres that, "The Israeli people should be very happy about the democratic example they have set for the world." Postcards From the Edge BY: Yossi Klein Halevi | The New Republic Acre offers a scenario for the unraveling of Israeli society. Between Lieberman and Bishara there can be no shared identity. If Yisrael Beiteinu and Balad are our future, then Lieberman is right: The greatest threat to Israel's existence comes from within. The Saudi Connection to the Mumbai Massacres: Strategic Implications for Israel - Col. (res.) Jonathan Fighel Did Hamas Create Avigdor Lieberman? BY CLAUDE BERREBI US Fends Off Israeli Pressure, Will Help Plan UN Conference on Racism Israel: Land of the toxic kingmaker Israeli tennis player refused Dubai visa Christopher Ketcham: Israel's Ball Boys: "“You in America are Israel’s ball boy,” a French intelligence source laughs at me one day when we start talking tennis. It’s an embarrassing thought and I want to punch my source in the face for saying it, simply because he’s French and I’m American and I still have to pretend at pride in the whored republic." |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Moscow again eyes Afghanistan 20 years after retreat Fearful that US failure there could unleash the Taliban and other Islamist insurgencies, Russia may help NATO open a supply line through former Soviet territory. Obama wins his economic stimulus package, but without the bipartisanship he sought With just three Republican votes, Congress passed a $787.2 billion stimulus plan that President Obama calls a "once-in-a generation" chance to act boldly and transform the US economy. ASIA Going the Distance. The war in Afghanistan isn't doomed. We just need to rethink the insurgency. By Seth G. Jones. IHT China's image improves as world economy slumps As the world lurches ever closer to economic catastrophe, China's image is changing from that of currency manipulator to a source of badly needed consumer demand. Thomas L. Friedman: Yes, they could. So they did. In New Delhi, it was refreshing to meet idealistic young people who are not waiting for governments to act, but are starting their own projects and driving innovation. Is the US Repeating Soviet Mistakes in Afghanistan? Let's consider buying Afghan opium
By Jonathan Power Not Even the Afghans Know How to Fix It. By Edward P. Joseph. 'Pashtunistan' Holds Key to Obama Mission Hillary's Strategic Focal Point: Asia - Robert Kaplan, The Atlantic More Troops Alone Won't Fix Afghanistan - Wilson Center
China & The Global Financial Crisis - Lowy Institute Indian Dream Fading Fast India's finance minister will bring down a budget on Monday, after a sudden fall in Indian's growth rate and two quarters of contraction in industrial output. Dr. George Friedman, Stratfor's founder, tells Colin Chapman why he does not think India is destined for greatness. How America Can Turn China Green Hillary Heading in Right Direction - Nirav Patel, Los Angeles Times
Why China Needs US Debt - Stratfor
The Surge Afghanistan Needs - Ann Marlowe, Wall Street Journal
NATO's Afghan Quagmire - Jonathan Steele, The Guardian
Trouble with Kyrgyzstan - Georgie Anne Geyer, Washington Times U.S. Envoy Reaches Out to Iran in Afghan Visit Japan's economy in quarterly dive Japan's economy contracted by 3.3% in the final quarter of 2008 - its worst showing since the oil crisis of the 1970s, figures show China Is at the Heart of Clinton's First Trip — Bush Solidified Relations; Now the Obama White House Will Push for Broader Cooperation Pakistani government makes deal with Islamic militants The Pakistani government has agreed to a deal that could impose Islamic law in parts of the country and irritate Washington, while Pres. Asif Zardari warned that the Islamists are "trying to take over the state." Chinese Oil Firm in Talks With US Counterparts on Joint Iraq Oil Bids Japan: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Economy (PDF; 146 KB)
Source: Wilton Park SMALL WARS General Petraeus's Afghan shopping list U.S. Airstrike Kills 30 in Pakistan The Observer End the secrecy in Sri Lanka Editorial: A 30-year civil war is entering a decisive and atrocious phase. Intervention is essential to avert a humanitarian catastrophe Involve, But Don't Attack, China - Kevin Rafferty, Japan Times
Hillary's Japan Opportunity - Michael Green, Wall Street Journal
Kim's Birthday Party Will Be a Blast - Donald Kirk, Asia Times
Beware of the Afghan 'Surge' - Hugh White, The Australian | H11 IHT THE RUSHDIE AFFAIR Reflections on a fatwa By GEOFFREY WHEATCROFT Twenty years on, I am delighted to congratulate Sir Salman. But I still wonder whether he ever knew what his famous case was really all about. Roger Cohen: The magic mountain Up in the Alborz mountains, Iranians' long-held dream of freedom seems within reach. Thomas L. Friedman: Yes, they could. So they did. In New Delhi, it was refreshing to meet idealistic young people who are not waiting for governments to act, but are starting their own projects and driving innovation. In Romania, bribery is a health problem While alarm grows in Brussels that the EU's newest entrants are undermining the bloc's rule of law, Romanians complain that everyday graft and bribery blight their lives, notably in the health care system, where doctors routinely seek and receive bribes. EUROPE European press review Newsweek Sarkozy's Next Big Battle French refusal to integrate fully into NATO has limited its influence on the alliance's direction. The European Security Strategy 2003-2008: Building on common interests ISS Europa This 80-page report contributes to the debate on security policy options for the EU and looks at how to increase the consistency and coherence of EU external action. Sheri Berman (Barnard): Taming Extremist Parties: Lessons From Europe America's German Problem - Melana Zyla, Weekly Standard More Natural Gas for Climate Protection? SWP A 37-page German research paper assessin the risks and opportunities of an expanded gas strategy for European energy supplies | H12 RFE/RL Los Angeles Times Conflicted Russia gives and takes on Afghanistan Mixed signals ensue as Moscow seeks to improve relations with the West by offering help with Afghanistan while trying to maintain control over Central Asia. Priorities for U.S. Policy Toward Ukraine - Kennan Institute An Opec for gas? An article on Russia, Ukraine and the complex politics of natural gas pipelines Oil wealth gone, Russians brace for hard times Fedyashin: America's New Russian Opportunity Google News Azerbaijan New Afghan supply routes face major hurdle (UPI) -- Without needed reforms, Tajikistan's government could collapse and add to regional insecurity, according to an International Crisis Group report. Putin and Russian Toadyism - Oleg Gordievsky, Moscow Times Putin Faces Growing Unrest in Russia's Rust Belt |
| H13 The Times In times of crisis, never forget goldThe dollar is simply a piece of paper. Gold is the best insurance against future shocks William Rees-Mogg The writing is on the synagogue wall World depressions lead to a rise in anti-Semitism. All over Europe, the evidence is around us Denis MacShane Clinton chooses Asia for maiden overseas trip Hillary Clinton's focus reflects the region's growing influence and President Obama's desire to broaden ties with Beijing Obama's Recovery PlanTax cuts and public spending are needed to counter recession, but the US Administration should guard against uneconomic projects and protectionism Facts paint different picture of Iraq legacy As our troops prepare to withdraw, a fierce debate is under way over the legacy of Britain's six-year stint in Iraq Somali radicals 'importing terror to UK' Horn of Africa is recruiting ground for Jihad, say analysts, as MI5 head warns that extremists may launch attacks in the UK Chávez wins referendum over extension of term The president won a national referendum in Venezuela that allows him to stand for re-election far into the future North Korea hints at missile launchAs Kim Jong Il turns 67, North Korea claims that the rocket it looks set to launch actually forms part of a space programme China offers care in the community Two million police spread out across China with the ambitious task of appeasing the complaints of all residents Japan suffers worse decline in 35 years Japan suffered its biggest plunge in exports from October to December and dived into its third straight quarter of contraction Sunday Times Obama’s new deal is the same old blunder America’s debt is already enormous, even before Obama’s "jump-start" has begun to hoover up the taxpayers’ trillions Dominic Lawson Obama warned over ‘welfare spendathon’ The new administration's economic stimulus plan may undo reforms that cut the dole queues, critics say Obama has his stimulus bill, but he has paid a very high price Climate 'heating up faster than we thought' Rising temperatures threaten to release a trillion tonnes of CO2 from Arctic permafrost, warns leading researcher Wall Street Journal The Surge Afghanistan Needs By Ann Marlowe More local security forces and a better constitution are keys to success. Iraq's Election Chief Reports Fraud Iraq's election chief said officials nullified results in more than 30 polling stations due to fraud in last month's provincial vote Saudi Arabia Reshuffles Top Posts Saudi Arabia named Muhammad al-Jasser as its new central-bank governor in a government reshuffle that also saw the appointment of the first woman to a cabinet-level position. Hillary in Asia REVIEW & OUTLOOK
How will the new Secretary of State handle a nuclear North Korea? How Big Finance Bought the Bailout Plan | H14 Financial Times Obama’s lonely quest for consensus The US government as a whole must lead public opinion. More than it has so far managed, it must anticipate, not just react. That is why President Barack Obama is right about the need for consensus, and partisans on both sides of Congress are wrong, writes Clive Crook The AfPak envoy Barack Obama’s decision to appoint Richard Holbrooke as his special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan is welcome Fiddling in Rome while world burnsIt was in the sophisticated financial systems of the advanced economies that the havoc began so how well is the G7 doing? Animal Spirits This is a fine argument that comes at exactly the right time by urging economists to take account of psychological factors in offering answers to the big questions of today’s financial crisis Saudi king speeds reforms In his first reshuffle since acceding to the throne in 2005, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has dismissed two of the country’s most influential religious figures and appointed a first women to a senior government position Market fears of deflation abate A funny thing happened on the road to deflation: the bond market decided it is not becoming more likely Abdullah conducts major Saudi reshuffle In his first reshuffle since acceding to the throne in 2005, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has dismissed two of the country’s most influential religious figures and appointed a first women to a senior government position Woman in the News: Israel election-winner Tzipi Livni is a zealous convert to the two-state solution Fumble to stumble The reception of America’s financial sector rescue plan has been soured by a failure to manage expectations A plan that is ugly but necessary The US fiscal stimulus is a great deal better than nothing. Even if it cannot be admired, it deserves a qualified welcome G7 softens tone on China Softer stance taken over currency regime Clinton Asian tour marks new regional focus Hillary Clinton will begin her first trip abroad as secretary of state, on an Asian tour intended to put her stamp on US diplomacy and address such issues as the international financial crisis, climate change and North Korea’s nuclear programme Israel rules out Gaza truce unless soldier freed Polish shortfall rekindles gas fears Poland is still suffering shortfalls of gas nearly a month after a pact signed by Russia and Ukraine to resolve a dispute that left tens of thousands across Europe without fuel G7 pledges to avoid protectionism Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven industrialised democracies meeting in Rome expressed a strong sense of urgency in tackling the global crisis and reaffirmed their commitment to work together ‘using the full range of policy tools’ Lex: Italy and Libya With $65bn in Tripoli’s coffers, Rome is unsurprisingly courting Libya’s involvement, which follows a ‘friendship pact’ signed last year Put the aristos in charge – a class act The technocracy has hardly distinguished itself, writes Frederick Studemann Schulenburg A tawdry episode that tells the story of political decay Philip Stephens on the UK Labour party’s death throes Not malevolent but mediocre No individual was capable of predicting the crisis. But the bankers were paid as if they were, writes Christopher Caldwell | H15 Los Angeles Times Conflicted Russia gives and takes on Afghanistan Mixed signals ensue as Moscow seeks to improve relations with the West by offering help with Afghanistan while trying to maintain control over Central Asia. A tangled trio in Israel's prime minister race Lieberman is the king maker to whom Livni and Netanyahu are appealing in their push to lead the country. By Marc A. Thiessen It wants to target America's economy, and it wants to prove it can defeat us. Obama's go-slow approach irks liberals Activists recall his promises as a candidate and express frustration at his equivocation as president. Iraq's young jobless threaten stability, report says More than a fourth of young men are out of work, a U.N. report says. Unemployment statistics illustrate the difficulty of attracting investment to a country still viewed as a risky environment. Clinton aims to make her mark in China The secretary of State is pressing the case that she should have control over policies related to China, not economic officials, as they did under Bush. She may raise touchy issues with Beijing Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah appoints moderates to key posts The move weakens the grip of Islamic hard-liners. He dismisses a top fundamentalist cleric and the head of the religious police, and appoints a woman to a ministerial post for the first time Human Rights Watch sees signs of white phosphorus use in Gaza The expert finds shells that released the burning white wafers over the farm town of Khozaa during the Israeli incursion In Gaza town, a bitter aftermath Witnesses say white flags didn't keep Israeli troops from firing at and killing Palestinians. Incident in Khozaa could be key to any war crimes probe Some Obama officials are sending disturbingly mixed messages about the treatment.. By DOYLE McMANUS |
| H16 American Politics Glenn Thrush / The Politico:
The 7 stimulus lessons for the Dems Obama, With a Pile of Chips The president arrived in Washington with lots of political capital, and he’s trying not to blow it all at once. Maureen Dowd: Oval newlywed game It can't be easy for President Obama, who has a highly defined superego, to be paired with Joe Biden, who is all id. To Win, The GOP Must Outsource Itself It's not Obama's charisma, or past missteps that are keeping the Republican Party in the wilderness. To come back, the GOP needs to take a page from the Democratic ground game. The Huffington Post: Graham: Nationalizing Banks Should Be On The Table — Promises, Promises: Obama Disappoints - Joseph Epstein, Newsweek "25 Random Things" about the Stimulus Package
The Eye of the Storm - E.J. Dionne, Washington Post Ronald Brownstein / National Journal Online: An Eternal Optimist — But Not A Sap — THE COMMON THEME OF OBAMA'S EARLY EFFORTS HAS BEEN THE SOLIDITY OF HIS GOALS, AND THE PLIABILITY OF HIS MEANS FOR ACHIEVING THEM. From Esquire, campaign manager David Plouffe got the first black president elected — now he's moving on to something even more difficult, and potentially more important. Specter: Republicans Support Stimulus, Don't Want ‘Fingerprints’ On It — Peter Baker / New York Times: Bipartisanship Isn't So Easy, Obama Discovers Ross Douthat: Authoritarianism Just Around the Corner realclearpolitics memeorandum Daily Beast Cheat Sheet Politico ABC’s The Note – MSNBC FirstRead – Time ThePage Politico Playbook PoliticsHome fivethirtyeight US News Political Bulletin Obama Scores Early Victory of Historic Proportions — Twenty-four days into his presidency, Barack Obama recorded last night a legislative achievement of the sort that few of his predecessors achieved at any point in their tenure. From Human Rights & Human Welfare, a symposium on Confronting Global Terrorism and American Neo-Conservatism: The Framework of a Liberal Grand Strategy by Tom Farer Jerome R. Corsi / WorldNetDaily: Federal obligations exceed world GDP — Does $65.5 trillion terrify anyone yet? — As the Obama administration pushes through Congress its $800 billion deficit-spending economic stimulus plan, the American public is largely unaware that the true deficit of the federal government already … Americans again turn against malefactors of great wealth Theodore Roosevelt called the robber barons of his day "malefactors of great wealth," and in hard times, "people look for villains," said Michael Kazin, a Georgetown University history professor. "And there's a long tradition in America of big bankers and investors as villains." | H17 Daily Telegraph Welcome Saudi Arabia reforms Telegraph View: King Abdullah's reforms have delighted the public but will infuriate conservatives. Taliban agree 10-day ceasefire Taliban fighters in north-west Pakistan's Swat valley called a 10-day ceasefire on Sunday after local officials agreed to enforce Islamic laws. The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his controversial comments about the introduction of Islamic law to Britain. The more we discuss religious differences the safer we will be Banning any discussion about the nature of the Koran just plays into the hands of bigots and demagogues, argues Janet Daley. | H18 Independent A 'fraud' bigger than Madoff In what could turn out to be the greatest fraud in US history, authorities have started to investigate the alleged role of senior military officers in the misuse of Iraq reconstruction billions. Bruce Anderson: Israel is trapped, and the chance of peace is ever more remote Leading article: Nationalisation of our banks edges ominously closer |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism Iraq Vet: We're Losing 'More Soldiers to Suicide Than to al-Qaeda' National Security Council and Homeland Security Council: Should They Be Merged?
Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security Structuring National Security and Homeland Security at the White House (webcast and witnesses’ testimonies) The Saharan Conundrum Terrorism experts feared that North Africa would be the next Afghanistan: a haven, and a launching pad, for Al Qaeda. Why hasn’t it turned out that way? Michael Isikoff / Newsweek: A Torture Report Could Spell Big Trouble For Bush Lawyers The Observer Army returns to an old tactic to defeat resurgent Taliban: sniping As concern mounts over the number of civilian casualties caused by air strikes in Afghanistan, the army is switching tactics. Mark Townsend reports The Coming Terror Swarm - John Arquilla, New York Times WINEP Al-Qaeda Today Three leading experts describe al-Qaeda's evolving nature and organization as well as likely future operational practices and what the United States and its allies can do to counter the threat. Featuring Assaf Moghadam, Farhad Khosrokhavar, and Matthew Levitt. The Last Ace As American air superiority declines, and the age of fighter jocks returns, we're going to need more men like Cesar Rodriguez.
[Web only: Video: "The View from the Cockpit"] by Mark Bowden An excerpt from The Israeli Secret Services and the Struggle Against Terrorism by Ami Pedahzur (and an interview). The Saudi Connection to the Mumbai Massacres: Strategic Implications for Israel - Col. (res.) Jonathan Fighel SMALL WARS General Petraeus's Afghan shopping list Building Our Best Weapon. By Mike Mullen. U.S. Military Will Offer Path to Citizenship — Stretched thin in Afghanistan and Iraq, the American military will begin recruiting skilled immigrants who are living in this country with temporary visas, offering them the chance to become United States citizens in as little as six months. A review of Servants of War: Private Military Corporations and the Profit of Conflict by Rolf Uesseler. Inquiry on Graft in Iraq Focuses on U.S. Officers — Federal authorities examining the early, chaotic days of the $125 billion American-led effort to rebuild Iraq have significantly broadened their inquiry to include senior American military officers who oversaw the program The Army’s Wireless Communications Programs (PDF; 635 KB) Source: Congressional Budget Office 'Post-War Myths': The Logic Behind the Destruction of Dresden An Ex-Insurgent's Covert War on Al Qaeda in Iraq | H20 Slate Climate Change Accelerating Global warming likely to be faster than predicted due to temperature, greenhouse gases increases A series of essays on human trafficking. In 2008, trafficking of the world’s 27 million slaves made up the third-most-profitable criminal enterprise; here’s what the $40-billion industry looks like. | H21 STEPHEN WALT IR theory for lovers International Relations 2008 There could be 100bn Earth-like planets in the Milky Way galaxy — There could be one hundred billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy, a US conference has heard. Do We Need a New Internet? Security and privacy have become so compromised that many experts believe it is time to start over. James Fallows / The Atlantic Online:
Why Americans Hate the Media The online world of lies and rumor grows ever more vicious. Is it time to rethink free speech? (By Drake Bennett, Boston Globe) Surveys that have asked whether people are happy have found no increase in happiness for several decades - a pattern that has been the subject of much scholarly debate. (By Kevin Lewis, Boston Globe) There's another Earth out there – and we'll find it The first Earth-like planet orbiting a distant star could be discovered within four years, astronomers believe. The Velvet Reformation Can Rowan Williams save the Anglican Church from itself? Demons and Dictionaries A new book dissects Dr. Johnson’s pathologies and despair. by Christopher Hitchens The Soul Mate Myth: When looking for the one, are we aiming too high? Future of Newspapers By MICHAEL LEWIS The N.B.A. (learning from baseball) is discovering the power of new statistics and weird analytics. By these measures, the unsung and undervalued Shane Battier is a true all-star. At our desk, on the road, or on a remote beach, the world is a keyboard tap away. It’s so cool never to be alone. And yet... more» National Review's list of the 25 Best Conservative Movies of all time Everyone knows what a bubble is these days, but what about a think tank bubble? The Future of Reading In Web Age, Library Job Gets Update Even as more school librarians teach digital skills, they often become the first casualties of budget crunches. Citizenship in a free state can never alone be enough for us. We need a larger sense of purpose, of meaning, of resources for the human spirit... more» “I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.” A rather carnivorous metaphor for the vegetarian Henry David Thoreau... more» “Adventure is a soft option. It requires less courage to be an explorer than an accountant.” Maybe, but exploration makes for better reading... more» McCulture. Americans have an admirable liking for the books, music, and foods that process other cultures. But is this a taste for the truly foreign?... more» Will Google save the news? Peter Osnos wants to know. For all its imperfections, The New York Times is still the best we have; all those who care about the Fourth Estate should wish it well. A review of Parallel Empires: The Vatican and The United States — Two Centuries of Alliance and Conflict by Massimo Franco. The Origins of Good Taste: During the 17th century, Britain witnessed the birth of a consumer society; but, as the number of possessions grew, so did the concept of "taste", a subtle yardstick by which people advertised their social position and sensibilities. Iraqis open arms to romance as violence fades Aliens 'may be living among us' We should search for 'weird life' organisms that may be right in front of our noses, 'or up our noses', professor says
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