| H1 Salon We're really leaving Iraq Some Iraq war critics are fretting about Obama's speech on Friday, and his plan to stay a little longer. But here's why there's no reason for alarm. By Juan Cole IHT NYT Iraq's year of living dangerously By MICHAEL E. O'HANLON AND KENNETH M. POLLACK President Obama's decision to withdraw the bulk of American troops by 2010 cannot be carried out rigidly. There are still real challenges ahead. Thomas L. Friedman: Super (sub) secretaries With regions of disorder likely to multiply as the world's economic crisis metastasizes, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's appointment of a diplomatic A-team may be exactly what we need. A Strategy for Afghanistan - Henry Kissinger, Washington Post WINEP Win, Lose, or Draw: The Obama Administration's Options in Iraq As the Obama administration prepares to implement a new approach to Iraq, this PolicyWatch examines Iraq's political, economic, and military significance to U.S. interests in the region and looks at the serious and creative diplomatic and military options available to Washington in the months ahead. Los Angeles Times Iran has enough nuclear material for a bomb, Mullen says The chairman of the Joint Chiefs reiterates U.S. concern about a nuclear-armed Iran. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Tehran is not close to building a bomb, and he emphasizes hope for diplomacy U.S. to limit its aid for Gaza Only a third of a $900-million package for Palestinians is for humanitarian needs -- and none for rebuilding -- in the Hamas-run territory. The rest will help the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority< Obama sees most troops out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010 But his plans to leave a transition force of 35,000 to 50,000 troops draws criticism from supporters. He notes that all will withdraw by the end of 2011 What Next for NATO? F. Stephen Larrabee, a specialist on European security issues, says troubles in Afghanistan and tensions with Russia shadow NATO's 60th birthday summit in April. Read more The National Who will win the battle for Obama’s ear on Iran? Tony Karon: The US president Barack Obama looks set to take counsel on Iran from a wider set of advisers than those favoured by the Israel lobby Learning to Live With Radical Islam - Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek -- America has failed to distinguish between Islamic extremism and violence, not realizing that many ultra-conservative Muslims are unlikely to turn to terrorism despite their radical reviews The Fight in Tehran Gets Bitterer by the Day : Amir Taheri On Iran, an Apostle of Patience - David Ignatius, Washington Post The Forward Israel Watches As U.S. Engages Iran By Nathan Guttman As the administration’s approach toward Iran takes shape, Israel is trying to ensure that America’s talks with Tehran are conducted only for a limited time, and are not used by Iran as a cover for continuing its nuclear activity. Ha’aretz Benn Can Israel make peace with Syria without leaving Golan? Asia Times CHAN AKYA
Beggar, I thy neighbor
The economic crisis, unsurprisingly if painfully, is forcing political realignments around the globe. The pace at which pseudo-autonomous states, from within Europe to the Gulf to the western United States, are being pushed into the embrace of richer neighbors presents rare opportunities for a new generation of Bismarckian politicians. Independent Israel's death squads: A soldier's story For the first time ever, an official assassin reveals how he killed. An exclusive report by Donald Macintyre. Los Angeles Times Iran has enough nuclear material for a bomb, Mullen says The chairman of the Joint Chiefs reiterates U.S. concern about a nuclear-armed Iran. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Tehran is not close to building a bomb, and he emphasizes hope for diplomacy U.S. to limit its aid for Gaza Only a third of a $900-million package for Palestinians is for humanitarian needs -- and none for rebuilding -- in the Hamas-run territory. The rest will help the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority A reality check on Iran and the 'bomb' Reports continue to swirl that Iran is not far from being capable of producing its first crude nuclear weapon. However, simply having enough suitably modified material - if indeed this is true - does not in itself produce a workable weapon. And even a genuine nuclear capability could in all probability turn out to be a greater long-term threat to Iran's own survival than to any of its neighbors - something of which the leaders in Tehran are acutely aware. - Richard M Bennett From 'axis of evil' to 'clenched fist' - Kaveh L Afrasiab New York Times Growing Economic Crisis Threatens the Idea of One Europe An emergency meeting of European leaders pointed up the very worries it was designed to calm: that the crisis threatens to split Europe into rival camps. Paul Krugman Revenge of the Glut The international economic crisis is the revenge of the global saving glut. And the glut is still out there, worse than ever. Washington Post Obama's Plan for Iraq Battle Lines Quickly Set Over Planned Policy Shifts Massive Budget Marks Largest Ideological Swing Since the Reagan Era Book Review: 'In the Shadow of the Oval Office: Profiles of the National Security Advisers and the Presidents They Served -- From JFK to George W. Bush' By Ivo H. Daalder and I.M. Destler By David Ignatius, Being national security adviser requires a combination of decisiveness and invisibility. Under Obama, Council Will Grow Clinton to Visit Middle East Amid Calls for Radically New Peace Strategy Analysts Urge Radical New Approach To Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process Three Steps for Obama to Take in the Mideast Warning Signs for Obama in the Mideast By Jim Hoagland President Obama is pivoting the United States from fighting the "wrong" war in Iraq to "winning" the "right" war in Afghanistan, as candidate Obama promised. While there are several holes in his formulation, there is also much to admire in the way he is proceeding. It's about to get nasty: time for Obama's movement to get moving Gary Younge: He has plans to stop the war, save the planet and redistribute wealth. If he's to overcome the lobbyists he'll need a new coalition Financial Times The budget reveals the liberal Obama The US president’s outreach to Republicans is no sham; his civility is not a front. He respects people who disagree with him, is capable of liking them and is always willing to listen – but then stays true to his beliefs. This is a rare and devastating combination, writes Clive Crook France and Nato The dispute in Paris over re-entering the alliance is absurd. The French president’s decision fully to embrace Nato is far sighted Opinion: Washington can prevent ‘zombie banks’ America may be repeating Japan’s mistake in the 1990s by viewing our current banking crisis as one of liquidity and not solvency, writes James Baker Emerging market finance: a gap to fill The pinch on developing countries is being made worse by an inability of multilateral lenders to meet their needs How to annoy someone from central or eastern Europe Stefan Wagstyl’s friends in Warsaw, Prague and Bucharest cannot understand why, if they take the trouble to distinguish Spain from Portugal and Belgium from the Netherlands, west Europeans struggle to separate Czechs from Slovaks and Ukrainians from Russians WINEP Rewriting the Narrative: An Integrated Strategy for Counterradicalization In this report, a blue-ribbon, bipartisan task force urges the Obama administration to make a strong investment in countering radicalization and offers detailed policy recommendations for staunching the spread of Islamist extremism. The State Department’s 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Source: U.S. Department of State Financial Stimulus Plans: Recent Developments in Selected Countries - A review of how other countries are handling the current economic situation. Direct to Resource Richard Haass: Obama Needs to Talk to Damascus Now Parameters, Winter 2008-2009, v. 38, no. 4 o“The 21st Century Security Environment and the Future of War” by Colin S. Gray Strategic Studies Institute (SSI)
· Russia, China, and the United States in Central Asia: Prospects for Great Power Competition and Cooperation in the Shadow of the Georgian Crisis Christian Science Monitor Obama can't leave Iraq in the lurch Despite his pullout schedule, he must still help Iraqis reconcile on two key issues Iran pushes Iraq to close MKO camp Camp Ashraf, which came under Iraqi control Jan. 1, is home to militants who Iran and Iraq say should be expelled. The MKO is on a US list of terrorist groups. To stem terror in Pakistan, US looks beyond military Washington is seeking to build the Pakistani state and its economy as a way to wean the country from Islamic extremism. Who has the power in Afghanistan? That question is key to promoting unity and ending the insurgency. | H2 Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: The Turkish and Iranian Balance of Power Abdullah Gul's scheduled visit to Iran illustrates the growing importance of the balance of power between Iran and Turkey. RealClearWorld -Turkey, Iran and Balance of Power Newsweek How To End A Genocide Debate The frozen relations between Armenia and Turkey are now showing some signs of melting. The Forbidden Tongue Turkey's leader is in a tough spot after a Kurdish politician dares to speak his native language. Turkey's Local Elections: A Preview ANALYSIS-Clinton faces plethora of issues with Turkey Yedioth Ahronoth Honeymoon is over The Turkish-Israeli honeymoon has ended. Turkish-Israeli ties in danger unless trust building measures promptly implemented Haymi Behar
Everyone Wants Kirkuk - Joost Hiltermann, The National SETA The 2009 Israeli Elections and Turkish-Israeli Relations UFUK ULUTAS Read complete text (PDF) Turkey, US set to talk foreign policy US Accuses Turkey of Curtailing Media Freedom 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 NPR Shift In Power Heightens Tensions In Iraqi City
Rising Arab-Kurdish Tensions over Kirkuk Will Complicate US ... Turkish Army: Infighting Among Kurd Rebels In Iraq - Report US envoy to Middle East says Turkey key peace partner Terrorism Focus, February 25, 2009 -- Volume 6, Issue 6 Rising Arab-Kurdish Tensions over Kirkuk Will Complicate U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq PUK must go on British companies prepare for more business in the Kurdistan Region Cevdet Aşkın Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık APA - U.S. Congressman: Border between Turkey and Armenia probable to open this year Pipe dream Azerbaijan's hopes for direct gas link to Europe Turkey probes Russian involvement in Chechen murders - report European Investment Bank To Provide 2.2 Billion Euro Of Loan To Turkey Turkey rapporteur: I am receiving threats from the Armenians The geopolitical Great Game: Turkey and Russia moving closer
Online Journal Putin Says Russia Will Lend Armenia $500 Million to Ease Crisis Dad sues Turkish Education Ministry over DVD Militarist policy of brainwashing schoolchildren on state's role in 1915 Armenian 'genocide' to be tested in court Ties with Africa help ties with EU Russia increases gas exports to Turkey Armenian lobby targets US lawmaker Greek Consul Says Illegal Migration Is One Of Biggest Problems The White Path: Turkish Islam According To Adam Smith | 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 Growing Economic Crisis Threatens the Idea of One Europe An emergency meeting of European leaders pointed up the very worries it was designed to calm: that the crisis threatens to split Europe into rival camps. Paul Krugman Revenge of the Glut The international economic crisis is the revenge of the global saving glut. And the glut is still out there, worse than ever. The Economic Cost of War A troop withdrawal may not bring budget relief. The economic payoff may be in the nation’s psychology. Editorial The Pentagon Meets the Real World For the Pentagon to stay within a $534 billion budget ceiling, it will have to make cuts in expensive and outdated cold-war weapons systems. THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Super (Sub) Secretaries With regions of disorder likely to multiply as the world’s economic crisis metastasizes, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s appointment of a diplomatic A-team may be exactly what we need. How Not to End Another President's War By ROGER MORRIS Nixon was going to end Vietnam, then decided to win it. Now President Obama faces similar decisions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Clinton Heads to Israel and West Bank Bearing Cash and Caution U.S. Says Iran Has Material for an Atomic Bomb
NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Franklin Delano Obama If President Obama can move the country toward universal health coverage, even gradually, he has a chance to join the pantheon of truly great presidents. The fall in the U.S. gross domestic product suggests that the recession may be deeper than anticipated. Experts weigh in on how long the weakness in the economy will last. MAUREEN DOWD Spock at the Bridge President Bush’s insecurity inspired his strategies to go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, while President Obama’s Vulcan-like cool confidence has redefined the missions around endgames. Ukraine Teeters as Citizens Blame Banks and Government Factories and services are faltering, the currency is wilting and a government default seems possible, posing a real threat to other European economies. FRANK RICH The Ecstasy and the Agony The president’s speech to Congress, brilliant as it was, could still be undermined by unchecked populist rage. A Slowdown That May Slow Us Down For decades, Americans have worked longer hours than people in most other industrialized countries. Will furloughs change our workaholic culture? The plan to stress-test the nation’s largest banks to see just how short of capital they would be if the recession worsened conceptually makes sense, but not necessarily in practice. ROGER COHEN Iran, the Jews and Germany Behind the Jewish issue in Iran lies a critical one — the U.S. propensity to demonize a country through a one-dimensional lens. Has Obamanomics Vanquished Reaganomics? Does President Obama’s budget mark a revolution, or is it just a bunch of fuzzy numbers Obama’s Backing Raises Hopes for Climate Pact The perception that the U.S. is now serious about tackling climate change has set off a flurry of diplomacy around the globe. Ailing G.O.P. Risks Losing a Generation Americans identifying themselves as Democrats outnumber those who say they are Republicans by 10 percent, the largest gap in 24 years. Liberal Groups Are Flexing New Muscle in Lobby Wars Liberal interest groups are running vigorous campaigns in support of President Obama’s agenda, particularly as it relates to health care. By MASARU TAMAMOTO Washington may see Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, as a powerful nation, but the Japanese don’t see themselves in the same light. U.S. Is Said to Offer $30 Billion More to Help A.I.G. The government also agreed to loosen the terms of its first loan to the insurer, which will report a $62 billion quarterly loss on Monday, people involved in the discussions said Sunday. Nationalists in Basque Losing Vote in Assembly Despite Hopes of Hollywood Visit, Iran’s Leaders Stick to the Same Script Obama Will Visit Eastern Europe Olmert Likely to Face Charges in Corruption Case Radio Reporter From the U.S. Is Held by Iran Obama Calls His Budget Sweeping, Needed Change Afghan President Moves Up August Elections Tribunal Set to Begin in Lebanese Killing Legal Battles Await Olmert as Term Ends U.S. and China Revive Military Talks A Line for General Motors Washington should not heed General Motors’ request for more money until the company and its unions slash liabilities and stanch the hemorrhage of money. ‘Socialism!’ Boo, Hiss, Repeat Conservatives may be seeking a spiritual leader, organizing principle and fresh identity, but they seem to have settled on a favorite rhetorical ogre: socialism. Obama’s Health Plan, Ambitious in Any Economy, Is Tougher in This One White House Memo: Behind the Open Door, an Exercise in Politics | H5 Washington Post Obama's Plan for Iraq Battle Lines Quickly Set Over Planned Policy Shifts Massive Budget Marks Largest Ideological Swing Since the Reagan Era Book Review: 'In the Shadow of the Oval Office: Profiles of the National Security Advisers and the Presidents They Served -- From JFK to George W. Bush' By Ivo H. Daalder and I.M. Destler By David Ignatius, Being national security adviser requires a combination of decisiveness and invisibility. Under Obama, Council Will Grow Clinton to Visit Middle East Amid Calls for Radically New Peace Strategy Analysts Urge Radical New Approach To Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process Three Steps for Obama to Take in the Mideast Warning Signs for Obama in the Mideast By Jim Hoagland President Obama is pivoting the United States from fighting the "wrong" war in Iraq to "winning" the "right" war in Afghanistan, as candidate Obama promised. While there are several holes in his formulation, there is also much to admire in the way he is proceeding. Editorial Pakistan's Peril A deal with the Taliban provides a measure of the challenge facing the Obama administration Why Obama's Right About Inequality Why Obama Is Right About Inequality By E.J. Dionne Jr., Obama wants to reverse the trend of rising inequality in incomes and wealth. Tactical Success, Strategic Defeat Afghan Outrage at U.S. Raid Highlights Challenges Facing New Military Pus Mullen: Iran Has Fissile Materials for Bomb A Conversation With Avigdor Lieberman Interview by Lally Weymouth The ultranationalist, who could be Israel's next foreign minister, supports a loyalty oath for all citizens. U.S. Talks Tough on Gaza Aid Limits on Distribution of $300 Million Suggest Administration Is Hewing to Bush-Era Stance E.U. Denies Hungary's Bailout Request for Eastern Europe Members Sharply Split Over Economic Action Hundreds of Iraqi Shiites Protest Voting Results, Allege Fraud In Europe, Breaking Up Is So Easy to Do By William Drozdiak What's the Big Idea? By Carlos Lozada, Here's an idea for deciding who gets to run the world Obama, Reaching Outside the Bubble Each morning when he arrives at the Oval Office, President Obama asks his staff to deliver him a package containing 10 letters. It is a mere sampling of the 40,000 or so that Americans send to the White House every day -- a barrage of advice from students and teachers, small-business owners and t... Financial Gurus Geithner, Summers Get Another Chance By David Ignatius U.S., China Revive Military Talks Military Dialogue Described as Frank and Open 5 Myths About All Those Nukes Out There By Michael Krepon, Last week's news that North Korea plans to test a ballistic missile that could reach Alaska gave doomsayers more grounds for gloom. But amid the fear about nuclear attacks by terrorists or leaders such as Kim Jong Il, let's not forget that the United States has managed to protect itself from such a... After Guantanamo Debate | Send detainees home? To U.S. prisons? Let them go? Experts debate what's next. A Risky 'Systemic' Watchdog By Sebastian Mallaby Herding financial cats may be beyond even the best government agency. Hundreds of Iraqi Shiites Protest Voting Results, Allege Fraud As Italy's Banks Tighten Lending, Desperate Firms Call on the Mafia Duties That Are Best Shared By Matthew Bogdanos, Separation of the military and civilian worlds leaves us ill-prepared to confront terrorism. Obama Picks Kansas Governor Sebelius as Health Secretary Sebelius Would Play Key Role In Health-Care Reform Plans Under Weight of Its Mistakes, Newspaper Industry Staggers By Howard Kurtz The Conservatives' 'Cleansing' Moment Some, Deploring GOP Missteps, See Adversity as a Chance to Get Back to Basics Ombudsman -- George Will's Column on Global Warming George Will, like any columnist, is free to choose his facts. But did he distort them? We're Buying Citi. But What Has It Been Selling Us? By Barbara Lippert Getting Home Buyers Off the Sidelines By Robert J. Samuelson, The administration's plan to minimize home foreclosures isn't a formula for revival AIG Said To Receive Access to More Cash Insurer Expected to Report Record Loss The United Front of Geithner and Summers The Obama administration's budget bears the hallmarks of a decade-old alliance that has quickly come to dominate the most pressing issues on the young administration's agenda Aides Defend President's Budget White House and Fiscal Conservatives Set for Showdown Obama Team Finds It Hard to Adapt Its Web Savvy to Government Issues of Technology, Security and Privacy Slow the New Administration's Effort to Foster Instant Communication | It's about to get nasty: time for Obama's movement to get moving Gary Younge: He has plans to stop the war, save the planet and redistribute wealth. If he's to overcome the lobbyists he'll need a new coalition Israel may face war crimes trials over Gaza International pressure grows over conflict as court looks at whether Palestinians can bring case An eternity of celluloid Peter Preston: Cinema's gift to future generations will be the indelible stories it has to tell about today In praise of ... opening the files Editorial: The government faces the task of explaining to Eric Hobsbawm why he cannot see his own file The Observer It's time to tell America some home truths, Prime Minister Will Hutton: At home, Mr Brown is getting his economic policies at home right. Now he must persuade others, especially the US, they can work for all Joint strategy plotted to persuade other Nato countries to send more troops to Afghanistan Ehud Olmert rejected Palestinian attempts to set up talks through go-between before Gaza invasion No way to run, José Giles Merritt: José Manuel Barroso has a lot of persuading to do if he wants to keep his job as European Commission president A Japanese lesson for Afghanistan Matthew Partridge: Our current problems in Afghanistan are not just to do with lack of troops – they are the result of ignoring history |
| H7 Obama's neocons vs. his realists
Washington Times Obama's Iraq Plan Ain't It
by Robert Dreyfuss Obama Should Talk to Syria Now - Richard Haass, Newsweek
Obama's Iraq Retreat No Surprise - Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune Tom Ricks Takes on His Critics Obama missed an opportunity to pressure Iran BY KRISTIN SILVERBERG WP's Al Kamen reports some inter-envoy Kremlinology The Realist Ideologue At The NIC by Marty Peretz Iraq Withdrawal Can Only Work With Pressure On Iran and Syria by Walid Phares Does Brennan's influence at NSC extend to Iran? by Steven J. Rosen Marc Lynch Continuing the Iraq debate Iran Election Bulletin Ending Iraq's ethnic strife
GulfNews Obama Sees New Strategy for Afghanistan, Exit Plan for Iraq Disentangling Layers of a Loaded Term in Search of a Thread of Peace by Michael Slackman What Foreign Policy? by Ximena Ortiz Al Awsat Dennis Ross: The Most Important Dossier : Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed WINEP Urge Damascus to Come Clean on Nuclear Activity With a March 2 meeting of the IAEA in coming days, the world is watching to see what stance the Obama administration takes on Syrian nuclear activities. The extent to which Washington can persuade Syria to cooperate with the IAEA is a concrete test of Damascus's willingness to mend fences with the international community. Global Economic Crisis Boosts Utility of U.S. Sanctions on Syria Even as Washington takes steps toward engaging Damascus, the global economic crisis has added leverage to current and potential U.S. sanctions against Syria. Andrew J. Tabler writes Obama's Intelligence Pick Linked to Saudi Arabia - Eli Lake (Washington Times) Muslim Publics Oppose Al-Qaeda Attacks on Civilians, But Approve Attacks on U.S. Troops in Muslim Countries (World Public Opinion) Daily Star With the launch of the Tribunal, our battle for justice has only just begun Finally, a bazaar opens in the Mideast
By Rami G. Khouri How countries react to the new Obama administration in the United States - especially critics or foes of the US such as Syria, Iran and Hamas, who seem to be reaching out to Washington. Global cooperation is a way out of our financial mess
By Jeffrey D. Sachs Mexico, a clear and present danger to America By David Rieff Feb 23 SD# 2256 - Leading Saudi Daily: Iran Was Once a Sunni Country NPQ Dominique Strauss-Kahn: BEWARE OF BACKDOOR PROTECTIONISM Madeleine Albright: OBAMA’S REALIST IDEALISM IN FOREIGN POLICY A planet at the brink?
Angry protesters are taking to the streets in cities across the world - a perilous consequence of the crash of 2008 is increased civil unrest and ethnic strife. Governments are talking of "swollen rivers of anger" and "summers of rage", and it could get a lot worse. - Michael Klare Iraq's Reality on the Ground - John Barry, Newsweek
The War America Gave Mexico - Tim Rutten, Los Angeles Times
Dennis Ross and America's Persian Puzzle - The Economist Democracy Promotion Under Obama: Finding a Way Forward
· Gulf Arab SWFs—Managing Wealth in Turbulent Times
Iran's Bark Much Worse Than Bite - Ruslan Pukhov, Moscow Times
Obama and Iraq: Shades of Bush - Christian Brose, Foreign Policy
America Exits International Stage - Christopher Badeaux, The New Ledge The America That Can Say No - Ian Bremmer, RealClearWorld
We're on the Brink of a Global Disaster - Michael Klare, Salon Rise of the 'Iran Lobby': Teheran's Front Groups Move On -- and Into-- the Obama Administration Obama Missing Chance to Pressure Iran - Kristen Silverberg, Foreign Policy Obama Reaches Out to Syria - Matthew Brodsky, Washington Times
On Iran, an Apostle of Patience - David Ignatius, Washington Post Heritage Foundation Behind the Scenes on Iraq Drawdown | H8 Iraq Updates IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Iran's uranium 'enough for bomb' Iran possesses enough nuclear material to build a bomb, the United States' most senior military commander says. SCENARIOS: Risks of speedier US troop pullout from Iraq Hariri court opens at The Hague An international court set up to try the suspected killers of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri opens at The Hague. Iran's new threat Financial hardship in focus for election campaign Iran's leader says US should speed up Iraq pullout Mullen: Iran has fissile materials for bomb Iraq, hungry for money, seeks to boost oil sales Baghdad is better, but for how long? US Still Backs August Date for Afghanistan Election Obama's Iraq Plan Draws Fire From Left Iraq Withdrawal, Logistical Nightmare? Iran-Pakistan Gas Deal Is in Final Stage Iranian leader slams destruction of Sufi site Leaving Iraq: Shift to South, Exit Through Desert Iraqi PM Says His Security Forces Ready to Take Over Security From US Consensus Emerges in Congress for Obama Iraq Plan Iran Urges Iraq to Expel Opposition Group Delicate mission Hillary Clinton's tricky first trip to the Middle East Concerns About Iran's Nuclear Program Linger As Bushehr Prepares Start-Up | H9 Ha’aretz – U.S. Army chief: Iran has ability to make nuclear bomb Last week, Obama administration said it would seek to end Iran's nuclear ambition, support for terrorism Benn Can Israel make peace with Syria without leaving Golan? Why isn't Netanyahu backing a two-state solution? Netanyahu's position on a Palestinian state is a joke meant to kill the negotiations before they begin Lieberman: I'm ready to quit my settlement home for peace Clinton: U.S. firm on two-state solution Zvi Bar'el: Israel has lost its status as a country under threat Constantly depicting Iran as a threat need not become an alternative policy to removing other threats The people of Israel voted Hamas The scenario that Mahmoud Abbas and his diplomatic platform will survive and remain viable vis-a-vis Benjamin Netanyahu's government is highly unlikely. Avineri A little less feeling, please The fanatics of a right-wing government living in their own bubble will bring disaster and shame not only on themselves, but on all of us. As Yitzhak Rabin once said, we do not have a spare country Israeli Arab charged with spying on Israel on behalf of Hezbollah U.S., Israel on collision course as Clinton reiterates vow to Palestinian state ahead of Israel visit. Jordan's King: LSD, fortune tellers, and Black September Report: Hamas tried to pass messages to Olmert via relative Pending hearing, outgoing PM will be charged with counts of fraud, breach of public trust and receiving illicit funds from US businessman. US decision to boycott Durban 2 could end "soft-power attacks" on Israel. New Era of Engagement with Iran and Syria Likely to Be Brief - Jonathan Spyer [ CAROLINE GLICK, Lieberman: I Want to Be Foreign Minister of Israel Yedioth Ahronoth Time Not Ripe for Two-State Solution - Eytan Bentsur Mazuz decides to indict PM Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Netanyahu Says Obama 'Interested' in His Ideas The Mossad's Plan to Stop Iran
Huffington Post Towards a Palestinian Accord - Marc Lynch, Foreign Policy Israel and Peace in Middle East - Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington Post Reconstructing Gaza and the Peace Process - Ban Ki-moon, Forbes The secretary of state needs to cut through the excuses and sophistry among both the Israeli and the Palestinian camps. (Boston Globe) The Palestinian Refugee Issue: A Palestinian Perspective Both sides must address their war crimes in Gaza
By Jessica Montell Israel's Death Squads: A Soldier's Story Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP)
· Another Look at “Israel’s Hamas Portfolio” Palestine and Israel: Time for Plan B Blaming Jews for Financial Woes - Brad Greenberg, CS Monitor Israeli warning over Gaza rockets Israel's prime minister promises an "uncompromising response" if rockets continue to be fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Angry young men Are Gaza's young ready recruits for the militant groups? The Obama Administration Double-Deals On Israel
Forbes The Iran-Israel Nuclear End Game Nears - Edwin Black, Jerusalem Post Hamas Isn't Open to Compromise BY: Barry Rubin | The Guardian Urging talks with Hamas only encourages it to continue its strategy of dictatorship within Gaza and permanent war against Israel. Donors asked to pledge Gaza cash Hillary Clinton begins her first visit to the Middle East in Egypt, where donors are likely to pledge huge sums to help rebuild Gaza
The ICC May Take on Israel - Leo Adler, National Post Averting Abuse of Universal Jurisdiction - Irit Kohn (Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Top Syria-Based Hamas Leader Secretly Visits Gaza
Prosecutors Lose Key Rulings in AIPAC Case Netanyahu Is Cornered - Gershom Gorenberg, American Prospect Behind the Humanitarian Mask: The Nordic Countries, Israel, and the Jews - Edited by Manfred Gerstenfeld (Institute for Global Jewish Affairs Why Accept Hamas' Definition of a Cease-Fire? - Rafael Israeli |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor Obama can't leave Iraq in the lurch Despite his pullout schedule, he must still help Iraqis reconcile on two key issues Iran pushes Iraq to close MKO camp Camp Ashraf, which came under Iraqi control Jan. 1, is home to militants who Iran and Iraq say should be expelled. The MKO is on a US list of terrorist groups. To stem terror in Pakistan, US looks beyond military Washington is seeking to build the Pakistani state and its economy as a way to wean the country from Islamic extremism. Who has the power in Afghanistan? That question is key to promoting unity and ending the insurgency. Government action to save major financial firms has yet to show clear, positive results. After Gaza war, a harder coexistence for Jews and Arabs Israeli groups that focus on Jewish and Arab coexistence are just beginning to wrestle with the fallout from the Gaza war. Many in Afghanistan oppose Obama's troop buildup plans Frustration and fear is sparking opposition to plans that would nearly double the size of US forces there. Israeli limits stymie Gaza rebuilding Without a shift in the Israeli policy that doesn’t allow building materials into Gaza, much of the $2.8 billion that Palestinians hope to raise at a donors’ conference Monday will be limited to humanitarians needs. Karzai draws criticism for early election call Moving the presidential vote up to spring from August could undercut opponents, who still have to plan their campaigns. Gates set to leave deeper imprint on Pentagon? Though the Pentagon budget is slated to rise, he confronts an urgent need to force greater discipline on military spending. An ugly bias is back: blaming Jews for financial woes Conspiracy claims die hard. But responsibility lies with all of us. Europe's off-again, on-again crush on Obama Europe wants a strong US lead – as long as it's in the 'right' direction. Pakistani power struggle flares up Protesters rallied in several cities after a court banned popular opposition leader Nawaz Sharif from running for office. Bangladesh revolt tests civilian rule The recently elected government took quick measures to end a paramilitary force mutiny that erupted Wednesday, though the situation remains tense. Bangladesh: mutiny dealt serious blow to country's security Prime Minister Hasina revoked an amnesty for rebel soldiers as the Army announced Sunday that it was deploying across the country to apprehend ASIA Police Report: Taliban May Take Over Karachi U.S. Retains Hidden Grip on Pakistan's Nukes BY: Richard Sale | The Middle East Times With Pakistan's political instability spreading, nervous concern has mounted over the fate of Islamabad's nuclear arsenal should Taliban sympathizers gain power within the Pakistan military, but under the terms of secret agreements, U.S. personnel have been stationed in Pakistan whose sole function is to guarantee and secure the safety of Islamabad's nuclear arsenal and keep it out of the hands of terrorists, according to several serving and former U.S. officials. Backstage at the theater of 'terror' Obama - even without being an expert on the Afghanistan-Pakistan theater - has got to be clever enough to see the surge there as a suicidal gambit. The problem is that he still seems to believe the war is winnable, and his newest definition for victory is to defeat al-Qaeda. Well, if that is the mission he must pursue, the key is Pakistan, not Afghanistan. - Pepe Escobar North Korea: Power Plays Amid Leadership Succession Rumors North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has used the issue of leadership succession to maintain a balance among the factions in the country's elite. Pakistan's turmoil echoes in Afghanistan The court decision on Wednesday to ban the leader of Pakistan's main opposition party and his brother, the head of influential Punjab province, has thrown the country into turmoil. The central government in Islamabad is under threat and the army's non-interference in the political arena will be fully tested. For the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan, the news is most welcome. - Syed Saleem Shahzad US Still Backs August Date for Afghanistan Election Naval Power Plays in Indian Ocean - Robert Kaplan, Foreign Affairs China's Auto Bailout Takes a Different Route: Tax Cuts for Consumers Afghan War Should Last Until 2025, Says Ex-Commander A Strategy for Afghanistan - Henry Kissinger, Washington Post Terrorism and Afghan Drug Trade - Rachel Ehrenfeld, Forbes China: Peace Partner or Warmonger? - Malou Innocent, Cato Institute Pakistan's Violent History Repeats Itself - H.D.S. Greenway, IHT Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) · Asia’s Economy: Challenge and Opportunity for the Obama Administration Heritage Building a Strategic Partnership: U.S.-India Relations in the Wake of Mumbai Ghost States: 'Inconvenient' Reality BY: Ralph Peters | New York Post Pakistan's bloodied Northwest Frontier Province is getting a new name: Pakhtunkhwa, or "Land of the Pashtun" tribesmen. A key demand of Taliban radicals, the new title isn't an end, but a beginning. Center for a New American Security· Going Global: The Future of the U.S.-South Korea Alliance
· The United States and the Asia-Pacific Region: Security Strategy for the Obama Administration Are Pakistan's Nukes Secure? Trouble Brews for India in the East - B Raman, Rediff
Afghanistan Is Not Iraq - Patrick Cockburn, The Independent Perspectives on Economic Growth and Stability in China SIIA A 37-page Swedish research paper examining the status, health, and future outlook of the Chinese economy Atlantic Council
· Pakistan Report: Comprehensive U.S. Policy Needed US and China to hold defence talks The United States and China have agreed to hold a series of defence talks as the Obama administration seeks a new start in the bilateral military-to-military dialogue which had been disrupted over the past half year US Looks to China for Support on Afghanistan: Pentagon China, US Agree to Resume Key Military Exchanges Afghanistan: Kabul Wants Obama to Promote the "Afghanization" of War Effort BY JOSHUA KUCERA Washington may see Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, as a powerful nation, but the Japanese don’t see themselves in the same light. · Karzai moves up election date, challenging opposition The Future of the Chiang Mai Initiative: An Asian Monetary Fund? Peterson Institute This 9-page US policy brief considers whether East Asian governments and banks are serious about regional financial cooperatio
How to Win the Afpak War - Frank Schell, Far Eastern Economic Review
India Shouldn't Claim 'Slumdog' - Gautaman Bhaskaran, Japan Times
How to Win in Afghanistan - Ali Ahmad Jalali, Washington Times Who Has the Power in Afghanistan? - J. Dempsey & J A. Thier, CSM ASEAN rights and wrongs
Given that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has a new charter, expectations were high ahead of the 10-member grouping's meeting this weekend that it would finally move beyond its code of non-interference and take a more proactive stance. Its decision on the issue of Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya boat people is not encouraging in this regard. - Brian McCartan ASEAN in search of relevance
Hard Choices edited by Donald K Emmerson
As the 10-member Association of Southeast Nations kicks off its annual summit this weekend, many contentious issues surrounding the regional body's future are again under the microscope. This book attempts, and reasonably succeeds, at addressing many of them in a refreshing way, highlighting the hard choices ahead for Southeast Asian governments of all stripes. - Michael Vatikiotis Securing, Stabilizing, and Developing Pakistan’s Border Area with Afghanistan: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight Congress. Senate. Armed Services Committee
· Briefing on Afghanistan and Pakistan
· Strategic Options for the Way Ahead in Afghanistan and Pakistan Rifles revolt Editorial: Sheikh Hasina now has to add military reform to the other difficult tasks of stabilisation in Bangladesh Commentary: Appeaseistan (UPI) -- Much depends on the Taliban's military plans for the spring and summer. A Vietnam War Tet-type offensive against two or three large Afghan towns simultaneously, even if successfully repulsed, would kill what little public support still exists in NATO Europe for staying the course 5,500 kilometers "out of area." A NATO withdrawal, leaving the United States alone to fend off the Taliban, would 1) kill NATO and 2) give al-Qaida manna from Allah. Winning the War in Afghanistan: An Address by Senator John McCain Amnesty International
· Accountability Needed for Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan | H11 IHT Iraq's year of living dangerously By MICHAEL E. O'HANLON AND KENNETH M. POLLACK President Obama's decision to withdraw the bulk of American troops by 2010 cannot be carried out rigidly. There are still real challenges ahead. Thomas L. Friedman: Super (sub) secretaries With regions of disorder likely to multiply as the world's economic crisis metastasizes, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's appointment of a diplomatic A-team may be exactly what we need. EU chiefs attempt to cool bloc's crisis The leaders of the European Union gathered Sunday in Brussels for an emergency summit meeting designed to tamp down the centrifugal forces unleashed by the global economic crisis that threaten to rip the union apart. Germany rejects Eastern Europe bailout Hungary begged European Union leaders not to let a new "Iron Curtain" divide the Continent into rich and poor, but Germany rejected proposals for a comprehensive bailout of the bloc's eastern members. Playing with fire in Pakistan If democracy is to survive in Pakistan, a robust opposition must be allowed to flourish and participate peacefully in the country’s political life. Nicholas D. Kristof: Franklin Delano Obama If President Obama can move the country toward universal health coverage, even gradually, he has a chance to join the pantheon of truly great presidents. Fight to the end By BENNETT RAMBERG The Obama administration should heed the lessons of history. In civil war, as in all war, events on the ground dictate outcomes. Roger Cohen: Iran, the Jews and Germany Hateful, race-baiting demagoguery is no Iranian preserve. Nationalist 'lead' in Basque poll Nationalists win regional elections in Spain's Basque Country while conservatives lead in Galicia, exit polls suggest. East-West divide plagues Europe By STEPHEN CASTLE The convening of a highly unusual "pre-summit summit" meeting underlines the divisions and disarray among politicians as Europe confronts its greatest economic challenges since the end of the Cold War. EUROPE European press review EU 'consensus' to tackle crisis EU leaders say they are determined to avoid any protectionist moves in response to the economic crisis. Roland Rudd: If Europe wants to be relevant, it needs an elected president Variable Vulnerability BY: Stefan Wagstyl | Financial Times This should have been a year of celebration in central and eastern Europe. It is 20 years since the Berlin Wall fell, the 10th anniversary of Nato’s eastward expansion and five years after the European Union began its enlargement into the region: from the Baltic to the Black Sea, the countries that escaped from Soviet rule have much to commemorate. Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) · Ethno-Religious Conflict in Europe: Typologies of Radicalisation in Europe’s Muslim Communities
· Illusion of Power: Russia after the South Caucasus Battle Transatlantic Dialogues on International Law: Preparing for the Next US Administration Europe Mulls 'What if' on Defaults Subscriber Content Read PreviewPolicy makers in Europe are debating how to prevent a prospect that until recently seemed too improbable to consider: the default of one of the 16 nations that use the euro. The Coming Storm over Germany - William Drozdiak, Int'l Herald Tribune Europe Is Torn and Fraying - Timothy Garton Ash, The Guardian
The Pope Is No Silly Old Fool - Robert Fisk, The Independent
Europe's Obssession with Obama - Elizabeth Pond, CS Monitor Options for Deploying Missile Defenses in Europe (PDF; 6.4 MB)
Source: Congressional Budget Office How The Downturn Is Hitting Europe - Jack Ewing, Business Week
France Is Back - Felix Marquardt, Forbes No way to run, José Giles Merritt: José Manuel Barroso has a lot of persuading to do if he wants to keep his job as European Commission president Europe’s recovery plan is not a ‘deus ex machina’ Simplifying legislation and curtailing the red tape that is associated with supervision is the priority of the Czech presidency, writes Mirek Topolanek Mardell's Europe Threat to jobs fuels EU leaders' rivalry and harms union Defining Sarkozy The unpredictable nature of the French president The CFE Treaty One Year After Its Unilateral Suspension: A Forlorn Treaty? SIPRI This 8-page Swedish policy brief gives an overview of the issues that have dogged the CFE process and that led up to the Russian unilateral suspension. It outlines the situation that the parties to the treaty find themselves in now and assesses the prospects for conventional arms control in Europe. Will Recession Split East & West Europe? - Nouriel Roubini, Forbes Europe Needs Strong France in NATO - K. Kaiser & D. Moisi, Financial Times Mardell's Europe French climbdown draws sting from EU summit Building the Global New Deal - Gordon Brown, Sunday Times
Time to Fix the Euro - George Soros, RealClearWorld
5 Myths about Nuclear Proliferation - Michael Krepon, Washington Post
Gordon Brown Must Fight Protectionism - Malcolm Rifkind, Daily Telegraph
Debating the Limits of the EU - Paul Gillespie, Irish Times
The Continuing Saga of Geert Wilders - Deroy Murdock, National Review
The Pope Should Reflect on His Mission - Kevin Rafferty, Japan Times A Counter-Narrative: Islam and the Making of the First Europe Narrow election loss for Basque moderates Basque nationalists appeared to have lost power in Spain’s Basque country for the first time since the current democratic system was introduced three decades ago | H12 RFE/RL Google News Azerbaijan Strategic Studies Institute (SSI)
· Russia, China, and the United States in Central Asia: Prospects for Great Power Competition and Cooperation in the Shadow of the Georgian Crisis Ukraine Teeters as Citizens Blame Banks and Government Factories and services are faltering, the currency is wilting and a government default seems possible, posing a real threat to other European economies. How the U.S. Needlessly Alienates Russia - Daniel Larison, The Week Russia's Big Plans for Sochi 2014 - Maik Grossekathoefer, Der Spiegel Russia's Economy May Sink Putin - Con Coughlin, Daily Telegraph Is Putin Pushing Russia Off a Financial Cliff? Russia in recent weeks has used its apparent financial clout both to knock an American back out of Kyrgyzstan and to solidify its relationship with Kazakhstan. But recent economic data suggests that when it comes to assistance to Central Asian states, the Kremlin may be running a geopolitical Ponzi scheme -- guaranteeing returns that it will not be able to produce. Pro-Kremlin party claims success The United Russia party said exit polls showed that it enjoyed wide support in all nine Russian regions where elections for regional and municipal legislatures were held on Sunday Turkmenistan: Trying to Put Ecological Issues on the Energy Development Agenda Natural-gas-rich Turkmenistan is presently being courted by Western energy executives and government officials, who are eager to secure energy development and export deals with Ashgabat. The non-governmental organization Crude Accountability recently issued a report detailing the environmental risks associated with developing Turkmenistan’s abundant reserves. Kate Watters, Executive Director for Crude Accountability, recently spoke to EurasiaNet about the contents of the report. |
H13 The TimesThe Need to Impress Gordon Brown has a chance to persuade the new US Administration that Britain can still be America's closest ally in tackling global recovery and... Gordon thinks big on the world stage The prime minister's efforts to 'save the world' are greeted with admiration in Washington EU 'Iron Curtain' will split rich and poor Eastern European countries warn of unemployed workers heading west unless their economies are saved from collapse COMMENT: Hang together or hang separately EU member states are without direction on the economy and if they don't pull together, they face death by protectionism Suspicion and self-interest behind the EU rift G20 summit overshadowed by a cacophony of competing interests and a snub to Eastern Europe's cry for financial help Support for two-state solution at record low Hillary Clinton starts tour of the Middle East as Secretary of State with a mandate to reinvigorate collapsed peace talks US rejects Karzai's ploy to call April poll Statement from State Department backs the choice of August 20 as the best date for presidential elections in Afghanistan Sunday Times Obama buries Reaganomics under $3.6 trillion mountain The president has killed off the idea of small government with a vast schedule of tax and spend to combat recession President Obama and I will discuss this week a new deal giving security to hard-working families Step aside, limey, this is how to fight the Taliban US forces are sidelining the ‘failing’ British troops in Afghanistan as they try to break the stalemate Wall Street Journal EU Rejects Rescue
For Eastern Europe EU leaders, led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, rejected a call by Hungary for a sweeping bailout of Eastern Europe as the bloc struggled to find consensus to solve the spiraling financial crisis. Clinton Helms Mideast 'Dream Team' Hillary Clinton will visit Israel, leading a team of peacemakers with a rare depth of first-hand experience in the Mideast. After Rate Cuts, What Next? Three central banks will likely cut their policy rates to record lows, but there remains the question of what other steps the banks will take to shore up their economies. Eastern Europe Needs Our Help We can't risk losing 20 years worth of gains in the region, writes John Kerry Iran Clenches Its Fist By John R. Bolton
The danger is that direct talks may facilitate, not reduce, threats to U.S. interests. Israel Can't Afford Any More Dangerous Concessions By Tom Gross
Obama shouldn't push the Jewish state to give territory to terrorists. U.S. GDP Shrank
At 6.2% Rate The U.S. recession deepened a lot more in late 2008 than first reported, as fourth-quarter GDP was revised down to a 6.2% contraction at an annual rate from 3.8% The Dangers of Turning Inward Countries are attempting to protect their own companies and workers from the economic crisis. The financial and political damage will be severe, argues Jeffrey E. Garten. All Roads Lead to Damascus Syria is a vital but often overlooked party in stabilizing the Middle East. But its cooperation remains a challenge, says Michael Oren Obama Unveils Iraq Exit Timetable The president said two-thirds of U.S. troops now in Iraq will be withdrawn by the latter half of 2010, with the remaining forces out by the end of 2011 Britain's Postcrash Insurance Guaranteeing toxic assets is a bad deal for taxpayers and financial markets EU Rejects Bailout
For Eastern Europe Some eastern European leaders on joined Germany in opposing the establishment of a European Union fund to bail out countries in the region Berkshire Has
Worst Year Ever Berkshire Hathaway's net sank 96% in the fourth quarter. Warren Buffett warned of a bubble in the Treasury market. Macroeconomic Imbalances in the United States and Their Impact on the International Financial System
Source: Levy Economics Institute of Bard College Full Paper (PDF; 332 KB) Might U.S. workers come to like a shorter workweek? Verbal inflation How the trillion has become the new billion in America The Economic Crisis and the Fiscal Crisis: 2009 and Beyond
Source: The Brookings Institution Bank Nationalization: What Is It? Should We Do It? A Grand Bargain for the London G-20 Summit: Insurance and Obeying the Rules Peterson Institute, VoxEU This US article calls for a Grand Bargain that recalls the vision of the founders of Bretton Woods by rejecting beggar-thy-neighbor policies, by favoring open markets and policies that support economic growth, and by expanding the role of the IMF at the center of a more rule-based international monetary system Housing Market Meltdown and Stock Market Collapse Threaten Retirement Wealth of Millions of Baby Boomers
Source: Center for Economic and Policy Research
A.I.G. Will Break Itself Up | H14 Financial Times The budget reveals the liberal Obama The US president’s outreach to Republicans is no sham; his civility is not a front. He respects people who disagree with him, is capable of liking them and is always willing to listen – but then stays true to his beliefs. This is a rare and devastating combination, writes Clive Crook France and Nato The dispute in Paris over re-entering the alliance is absurd. The French president’s decision fully to embrace Nato is far sighted Opinion: Washington can prevent ‘zombie banks’ America may be repeating Japan’s mistake in the 1990s by viewing our current banking crisis as one of liquidity and not solvency, writes James Baker Emerging market finance: a gap to fill The pinch on developing countries is being made worse by an inability of multilateral lenders to meet their needs How to annoy someone from central or eastern Europe Stefan Wagstyl’s friends in Warsaw, Prague and Bucharest cannot understand why, if they take the trouble to distinguish Spain from Portugal and Belgium from the Netherlands, west Europeans struggle to separate Czechs from Slovaks and Ukrainians from Russians Public control, not public ownership The problem of pricing illiquid assets cannot be ducked. Bondholders must still be protected and, so long as that remains the case, nationalisation is a red herring World trade woes Trade was a motor of the 60-year global expansion but its collapse may be the biggest casualty of the global financial crisis Obama takes command in IraqThe US president will not get out easily but his pledge on Friday to end the ‘combat mission’ in 19 months’ time is the right way forward Plea for justice over Hariri slaying Supporters of the assassinated former Lebanese prime minister marked the launch of a UN-mandated international tribunal with a sombre ceremony at his graveside in Beirut International donors will on Monday make big pledges to help rebuild the Gaza Strip but attention will be focused on whether the new US administration puts pressure on Israel to allow goods to flow into the territory Global policy shortcomings will cost us dear Wolfgang Münchau on Europe and the credit crisis Revelation upsets anti-war politicians | H15 Los Angeles Times Iran has enough nuclear material for a bomb, Mullen says The chairman of the Joint Chiefs reiterates U.S. concern about a nuclear-armed Iran. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Tehran is not close to building a bomb, and he emphasizes hope for diplomacy U.S. to limit its aid for Gaza Only a third of a $900-million package for Palestinians is for humanitarian needs -- and none for rebuilding -- in the Hamas-run territory. The rest will help the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority< Obama sees most troops out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010 But his plans to leave a transition force of 35,000 to 50,000 troops draws criticism from supporters. He notes that all will withdraw by the end of 2011 Iraq withdrawal plan in factors and figures Answers to some questions about President Obama's proposal to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq. War crimes defendant finds allies at the CIA Jovica Stanisic had a sinister reputation, but he was the CIA's main man in Belgrade. Now he's called in a marker. In Iraq, shisha cafes are in the air With improved security and more young men with money to spend, clubs offering hookah pipes to smoke are cropping up all over the capital. By first outlining how he would fund the healthcare plan he wants, President... Tim Rutten The drugs, guns and culture that fuel the violence all are linked to the U.S. |
| H16 American Politics Shields and Brooks Weigh Obama's Troop Strategy, Budget Blueprint Obama Dons the Presidential Cloak By Peggy NoonanOn Tuesday, he seemed fully in command. Gates Compares Obama to BushAsked by moderator David Gregory on the difference between the two leaders, Gates at first laughed, then sat for a moment in silence. His response: Obama "is somewhat more analytical.... He makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue—and if they don't speak up, he calls on 'em." The biggest obstacle in Obama's path: Congress (who else?) President Barack Obama's ambitious plans will face immediate political difficulty in a wary — and often parochial — Congress that's long resisted such fast, radical change Newt. Again. By MATT BAI Defeated at the polls, divided over issues and outflanked by the Democrats, Republicans in Congress turn their lonely eyes to … the former speaker of the House? Obama's vision, in budget form The new president lays out his plans to expand healthcare, combat global warming, and fix the tax code amid widening income inequality. (Boston Globe) Rush Limbaugh and his fellow bloviators for radio and TV may survive in the age of Obama. But if conservatism is to have a future, it will need better than a looped tape of lowbrow talk... more» Obama Sets Out to Bury Reaganomics - Sarah Baxter, Sunday Times Administration of Change: Perspective on the Obama Impact
Source: Deloitte Development LLC realclearpolitics memeorandum Daily Beast Cheat Sheet Politico ABC’s The Note – MSNBC FirstRead – Time ThePage Politico Playbook PoliticsHome fivethirtyeight US News Political Bulletin By DAVID LEONHARDT With private markets failing, there are rising calls to nationalize banks — but not the way Hugo Chávez and François Mitterrand did. Emanuel: Rush is the GOP's brain — White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel charged Sunday that conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh is “the voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party.” | H17 Daily Telegraph The special relationship is not all over Telegraph View: Despite all the cool rhetoric, Barack Obama will soon discover that Britain is the ally on which he can rely the most. The love is still there, but I can't work out why The US obviously has a historical and cultural bond with Britain over any other country, but the affection is still mystifying, says Tom Leonard. Brown insists EU is united in face of economic crisis Amid warnings of an economic "Iron Curtain" dividing the continent at an emergency summit in Brussels, the PM insists the EU is united in its response to the economic downturn. 'New Iron Curtain' threatens to split Europe Europe is in danger of being split as the deepening economic crisis separates east from west, the EU has been told | H18 Independent Israel's death squads: A soldier's story For the first time ever, an official assassin reveals how he killed. An exclusive report by Donald Macintyre. Middle East envoy Tony Blair in Gaza for first time Leading article: Blair's visit to Gaza opens a door that must not be closed Bruce Anderson: Brown can't save the world – and even Obama can't save him Witnessed on the White House lawn, the ups and downs of the special relationship Roland Rudd: If Europe wants to be relevant, it needs an elected president Karzai's poll headache for allies |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism Assessing Irregular Warfare: A Framework for Intelligence Analysis Rand CorporationThis 86-page US book provides an analytic framework for intelligence analysis of irregular warfare (IW) environments that can be used as the basis for a subsequent IW intelligence analysis curriculum development effort. Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan Hope as A Counterterrorism Strategy? - Council on Foreign Relations Robots and War: Everything You Were Afraid to Ask..Afraid to Ask..Afraid to Ask • 'Afghanistan and the Soviet Withdrawal 1989, 20 Years Later' by the National Security Archive A National Security Council everyone can love, or at least be a member of Newsweek Intelligence: The CIA Tackles the Recession Options for Deploying Missile Defenses in Europe (PDF; 6.4 MB)
Source: Congressional Budget Office Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis (IFPA)
· Space and U.S. Security: A Net Assessment Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS)
· Journal of Energy Security February 2009 International Journal of Defense Acquisition Management (IJDAM) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
· The Changing Landscape of Terror [podcast]
· Addressing the Globalization and Evolution of the Terrorist Threat [Robert S. Mueller, III, Director, speech] Obama's Defense Budget - Center for American Progress Interview with Defense Secretary Robert Gates - Meet the Press
Interview with Admiral Michael Mullen - Fox News Sunday Obama's War on Acronyms US ready to aid Mexico drug fight Washington could offer more military help to Mexico to battle violent drug-smuggling cartels, the US defence secretary say Controversial Figure Appointed as U.S. National Intelligence Council Chairman (FOX News) U.S. Retains Hidden Grip on Pakistan's Nukes BY: Richard Sale | The Middle East Times With Pakistan's political instability spreading, nervous concern has mounted over the fate of Islamabad's nuclear arsenal should Taliban sympathizers gain power within the Pakistan military, but under the terms of secret agreements, U.S. personnel have been stationed in Pakistan whose sole function is to guarantee and secure the safety of Islamabad's nuclear arsenal and keep it out of the hands of terrorists, according to several serving and former U.S. officials. Restoring American Military Power Muslim World Supports Al Qaeda's Goals - World Public Opinion Could Al-Qaeda Repeat 9/11? - Timothy Noah, Slat Gates set to leave deeper imprint on Pentagon? Though the Pentagon budget is slated to rise, he confronts an urgent need to force greater discipline on military spending. Obama's "New" Defense Budget - Fred Kaplan, Slate Congress. House. Armed Services Committee
· Future of Missile Defense Testing [February 25, 2009] / The Volokh Conspiracy: New Chairman of the National Council of Intelligence: It's a fellow named Chas. The Pentagon meets the real world For the Pentagon to stay within a $534 billion budget ceiling, it will have to make cuts in expensive and outdated Cold-War weapons systems. Congress. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
· Annual Threat Assessment Hearing
· Dennis Blair testimony
· Annual Threat Assessment of the Intelligence Community 5 Myths about Nuclear Proliferation - Michael Krepon, Washington Post CFR Backgrounder: Defense Spending During Economic Crisis Foreign Affairs: "A Disciplined Defense - How to Regain Strategic Solvency" by Richard K. Betts Arms Control's Dangerous Allure - John Bolton, Washington Times Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
· America's Self-Destroying Air Power: Becoming Your Own Peer Threat The CFE Treaty One Year After Its Unilateral Suspension: A Forlorn Treaty? SIPRI This 8-page Swedish policy brief gives an overview of the issues that have dogged the CFE process and that led up to the Russian unilateral suspension. It outlines the situation that the parties to the treaty find themselves in now and assesses the prospects for conventional arms control in Europe. 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
Source: U.S. Department of State Volume I: Drug and Chemical Control + Volume II: Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Pentagon report on Guantánamo detainees: incomplete? The Pentagon should have included more laws in its assessment of conditions, some experts argue. Review Of Department Compliance With President’s Executive Order On Detainee Conditions Of Confinement (PDF; 454 KB)
Source: U.S. Department of Defense Dogs of War: Blue helmets and bottom lines (UPI) -- Is the world ready to let private military and security contractors participate in U.N. peace operations? When I ask this, I'm not talking about Hollywood celebrities calling for the firm formerly known as Blackwater to work in Darfur. Air Forces Space Command (AFSPC)
High Frontier Journal: The Journal for Space & Missile Professionals February 2009, v. 5, no. 2 Center on International Cooperation
· Annual Review of Global Peace Operations 2009 Questions Raised Anew About Religion in Military Obama facing tough decisions on Guantánamo Center for Defense Information (CDI) · The Mine Ban Treaty's 10th Anniversary: An Opportunity for the United States Center for American Progress
· Ask the Expert: Three Types of Challenges at Guantánamo
· Obama‘s Defense Budget Is On Target
· Think Again: Thank God for Gitmo! | H20 Slate Obama to America: The Iraq War Is Over Now we have to hope the Iraqis can hold things together.
Fred Kaplan
An interactive inquiry about why America hasn't been attacked again. Max Schulz The Green-Jobs Engine That Can’t Inefficient eco-friendly technologies destroy more jobs than they create. New outlook in U.S. raises hopes on climate treaty The world's slums are overcrowded, unhealthy - and increasingly seen as resourceful communities that can offer lessons to modern cities. (By Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow, Boston Globe) WTO Trade Profile 2008 From a UN Pulse Post: Trade Profile 2008 published by World Trade Organization gives quick references on national and trade statistics of WTO members and countries which are in the process of negotiating WTO membership. It combines information on trade flows and trade policy measures of members, WTO observers and other selected economies. Direct to Document (196 pages; PDF) | H21 Nietzsche thought we took our deepest desires and disguised them as products of logic. Maybe experimental philosophy will show he was right... more» George Orwell saw the problem for a fixed human nature as “how to prevent power from being abused.” Till we solve that one, he’ll remain a living writer... more» Niceness is a political sentiment that has undermined discipline and authority in family and classroom. Kenneth Minogue explains how... more» Atheists and agnostics abound today, but it was not always thus: time was when all lives were oriented on God and religion... more» Read a Book, Get Out of Jail What happens when convicted felons are sentenced to a book club instead of prison? The global warming bandwagon is stuck in a snowdrift, and there are signs the public is suffering from “green fatigue”... more» We may well be genetically predisposed to appreciate listening to Sinatra or staring at a Seurat. But where did the genes come from?... more» 'The House of Wittgenstein' A history of the morbid, musical, quarrelsome, brilliant Wittgensteins. Baby Boomers had it all: the jobs, the safe money, luxurious retirement at 55. Watching it fall apart can be amusing for their children... more» Choice for local newspapers: evolve or die Daily local titles no longer match the desires of readers and advertisers. Much reporting is better done by a keen amateur for very little than a reporter sent in a taxi, writes Roger Parry Amazon Concedes on Kindle Audio Subscriber Content Read PreviewAmazon.com said it would modify the new version of its Kindle to allow authors and publishers to decide whether they want the text-to-speech function used for a particular title. 13 Unsolved scientific puzzles What turns women on The Decentering of the Global Firm (PDF; 386 KB)
Source: Harvard Business School Working Papers Conrad Black has served a year of his six-year sentence. In an email interview, he describes his life in a Florida prison... more» “Natural selection” and “survival of the fittest.” Two phrases that have misled many about the true nature of evolution... more»
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