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H1 Ha’aretz – Aluf Benn: Will Netanyahu strike Iran? Politicians in touch with Benjamin Netanyahu say he has already made up his mind to destroy Iran's nuclear installations. New York Times Militants Show New Boldness in Cities of Iraq Security officials say that jihadi and Baath militants are regrouping as a smaller but still lethal insurgency, threatening the relative calm in most of Iraq. Financial Times Why G20 leaders will fail to deal with the big challenge The G20 summit is dealing with the short-term symptoms of chronic global excess. The world economy cannot be safely balanced by a small number of countries spending themselves into bankruptcy. Finding a longer-term cure for the illness still lies ahead, writes Martin Wolf Obama faces lonely struggle Barack Obama’s first real global diplomatic moment begins with a paradox: he is the most popular US president in a generation, but you would have to go back more than two generations to find one with fewer cards to play Editorial G20 must not forget the poorest Beyond financial and economic stability, the G20 must also consider humanitarian support. Last year, the World Food Programme assisted 100m people worldwide – more are expected to need help this year Energy games Russian investments in EU energy are welcome as they can boost co-operation, but they must not come at the price of undermining EU energy security New Chances for a Compromise in the Nuclear Dispute with Iran? BICC The 41-page report of a German conference held to discuss the possibilities of a compromise solution to the nuclear dispute with Iran NYT Obama, in Europe, Faces Big Challenges to Agenda Obama’s Ersatz Capitalism By JOSEPH E. STIGLITZ What the Obama administration is doing with the banks is far worse than nationalization: it is the privatizing of gains and the socializing of losses. MAUREEN DOWD No More Hummer Nation How do we come to terms with the gluttony that exploded our economy and still retain our reptilian American desire for living large? THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN The Price Is Not Right It’s obvious that the reason we’re experiencing meltdowns in both the financial system and the climate system is because we have been mispricing risk in both arenas Obama Administration Has First Face-to-Face Contact With Iran U.S. and Russia to Consider Reductions of Nuclear Arsenals in Talks for New Treaty From The Atlantic, former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund Simon Johnson on The Quiet Coup: The finance industry has effectively captured our government — a state of affairs that more typically describes emerging markets, and is at the center of many emerging-market crises (and an interview at TPM). The Times Taleban chief threatens spectacular US attack The leader of the Pakistani Taleban has warned of a coming attack on Washington that will 'amaze everyone in the world' Bloomberg: Financial Rescue Approaches GDP as U.S. Pledges $12.8 Trillion — The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve have spent, lent or guaranteed $12.8 trillion, an amount that approaches the value of everything produced in the country last year, to stem the longest recession since the 1930s. WINEP Desert Schism: Prince Nayef Bids for Saudi Throne Recent surprising events suggest that the outspoken and controversial Prince Nayef is positioning himself to become crown prince when the ailing incumbent dies. Saudi reforms and relations with Washington would likely suffer should Nayef succeed King Abdullah on the throne. By
Gause: On Prince Nayef and the Succession Guardian · G20 summit: Right song, wrong singers Editorial: Two things are certain about the G20. First, it will be hailed as a success. Second, it will be dismissed as a failure Obama flies in to face G20 summit challenge Merkel and Sarkozy will insist no parties at summit should discuss fresh stimulus package · Where is the new JFK we expected? He's stuck in a rut with Gordon Brown Jonathan Freedland: Obama was meant to sweep into town looking unassailable. Instead he arrives beleaguered, with an awful lot to prove · Iran's offer of help to rebuild Afghanistan heralds new age of diplomacy with the US US and Iranian officials met at an international conference in The Hague Foreign Policy - Ignore Europe - Ask Not What Europe Can Do for YouFor any U.S. president, the trick to dealing with Europe is to politely ignore its advice. Netanyahu to Obama: Stop Iran—Or I Will - Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic NATO's Afghanistan Report, 2009 – NATO ISRAEL-IRAN: The Middle East Times quotes unnamed U.S. officials who say Israel is pushing ahead with covert missions to assassinate leading Iranian scientists in an effort to derail Iran's nuclear development, despite mounting pressure from Washington for Israel to stop the program. Lessons of the Financial Crisis CFR This 52-page US report offers an incisive overview of the global financial crisis and a comprehensive guide for reform. Benn Steil explains how monetary, taxation, and home ownership promotion policy combined with other features of the financial system to fuel an unsustainable buildup in debt. He recommends significant reforms to reverse the debt financing bias and make the system more resilient to falls in asset prices. Brad Setser writes that national decisions, not international summits, will be the driving force for reform of the international financial system. In this media conference call, Steven Dunaway, Matthew Slaughter, and Sebastian Mallaby discuss the agenda for the upcoming G20 summit-in particular the role of global imbalances and current efforts underway to address the global regulatory structure. OBAMA, CHANGE AND CHINA Hersh: Cheney ‘Left A Stay Behind’ In Obama's Government, Can ‘Still Control Policy Up To A Point’ The Times Taleban chief threatens spectacular US attack The leader of the Pakistani Taleban has warned of a coming attack on Washington that will 'amaze everyone in the world' Scrapping nuclear arms is now realpolitik Warheads no longer keep us safe. Six security experts urge America and Russia to act today Global Zero authors The G20 summit is an opportunity to restate the case for economic openness. But there are limits to how far it can correct the imbalances in the global economy The Return of the Baathists – Newsweek Iran to the US: Where We Go Now - Los Angeles Times opinion Peace in Iraq? I Don't Think So BY: Tom Ricks | F oreign Policy I thought some of the surge-era deals in Iraq would unravel but I didn't think that would begin happening this quickly. It's only March 2009, and already Awakening fighters are fighting U.S. soldiers in the streets of Baghdad. Israel muddies US-Iran momentum The fresh start in relations promised to Iran by US President Barack Obama got off to a strong start last week when a US diplomat shook hands with an Iranian counterpart in Moscow. The stage is now set for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's first potential detente with Iranian officials at this week's UN-backed conference on Afghanistan. It's a fragile hope, and sabre-rattling from Israel could torpedo the progress. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi BY: Reuel Marc Gerecht | The Weekly Standard In diplomacy and espionage, there is no worse mistake than "mirror-imaging," that is, ascribing to foreigners your own actions and views. For Westerners this is especially debilitating. Washington Post Rebuilding Capitalism Nicolas Sarkozy: France's president on how to restart economic growth U.S., Russia's Key Topic: New Arms Talks Both Obama and Medvedev hope negotiations will restore trust to strained bilateral relations and clear the way for a renewed global push to eliminate nuclear weapons. Broad U.S.-Russia Agreement in Works Pakistan Taliban Chief Brags of Attack on Police Reclusive commander asserts responsibility for the armed occupation of a police training compound that ended with 11 dead and boasts that he is planning a terrorist attack in Washington. Wall Street Journal · Israel's Election System Is No Good By Bernard Lewis An Anglo-American constituency model would facilitate accountable government. The IMF has a plan to create cash and pass it all over the world. The outlook for the global economy worsened on the eve of the G-20 summit, as two agencies warned that global output will fall in 2009 for the first time since World War II. Slate of G-20 Rivals Waits in the Wings The G-20 is emerging as the board of directors of the global economy. But the forum of industrialized and developing nations has plenty of potential rivals. Rothkopf 10 reasons why our Obama is not Eurobama On European trip, rock-star Obama faces skeptical allies While his popularity is astronomical, American policies are not. He will be hard-pressed to win concessions on his plans for the economy or Afghanistan. Obama's foreign-policy credo: listen and lead In this century, American presidents will have to listen more than they’re used to. As Netanyahu takes Israel's helm, Syria skeptical of peace prospects Syrian diplomats say Damascus is serious about making peace, and hope Washington will lean on Israel's new government. Europe and the US attempt to mend fences, but deep rifts remain Ahead of the G-20 summit, Spain decides to withdraw troops from Kosovo and investigate Bush officials for torture. Our Man in Kabul BY: Tara McKelvey | The American Prospect Richard Holbrooke learned some hard lessons in Vietnam. Now he is applying them to Afghanistan and Pakistan. BY: Irwin M. Stelzer | The Weekly Standard The United States and China need to create a workable new world economic order. China, Saudi Arabia, and the IMF Quota and Voting System China and Saudi Arabia are well-positioned to inject funds into the International Monetary Fund -- but they will expect something in return Independent Leading article: The G20 summit is a test and an opportunity for Mr Obama | H2 Newsweek Turkey's Elections: Erdogan Is Still On Top Erdogan and his AK Party are down but not out. By Grenville Byford Brzezinski, Scowcroft CSIS Events - Turkey's Evolving Dynamics: Strategic Choices for U.S.-Turkey Relations (with audio and video) FT Turkey’s growth spurt comes to an end Gross domestic product shrank 6.2 per cent year on year in the fourth quarter, more than expected, and grew just 1.1 per cent in the year as a whole, in stark contrast to average annual growth of 7 per cent since 2002 US think-tank report contains odd suggestions on Turkey Guardian The US is failing Iraq's Kurds Ranj Alaaldin They have been the US's staunchest ally, but as Iraq's situation improves its Kurdish minority is becoming dispensable Turkey, Israel to hold joint exercises Jerusalem Post Morgan Stanley Turkey Armenia and Turkey: Can Nuclear Power Become a Force that Binds Two Enemies? As Turkey and Armenia inch closer to some potential form of reconciliation, Armenian attention is increasingly focusing on whether or not Turkey will opt to participate in the construction of a new Armenian nuclear power plant. Stephen Schlesinger: Turkey Awaits Its Hero Obama Nejat Eslen Barack Obama ve cemaat jeopolitiği Ankara to host al-Qaeda talks Cyr: Turkish elections vital to US foreign policy Scripps News Israeli official visits Ankara for talks Turkish - American Relations in Obama Presidency Local Elections Herald a New Era For The AKP Jamestown Foundation Turkey's AKP Loses Momentum in Local Elections World Politics Review AKP loses middle-class support in Turkey 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 Guardian The US is failing Iraq's Kurds Ranj Alaaldin They have been the US's staunchest ally, but as Iraq's situation improves its Kurdish minority is becoming dispensable Ruling party at crossroads on its Kurdish issue policy ANALYSIS - Kurdish nationalism on the rise, ballot suggests Peace Now! Unban the PKK! Rumors about Israel-Syria talks circulate Washington Times OIC wants Iran-Turkey help on regional issues Pakistan president in Turkey for talks with Karzai DTP Has Proven That It Represents Kurds Heritage Oil discovers oil in Kurdistan President Barzani emphasizes the need for the implementation of ... Heritage Oil to test Miran West-1 well in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq State Department report clears Hunt Oil of wrongdoing with Iraq ... [NEWS ANALYSIS] Government gets an extension on overhaul of ... Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık EU chides Turkey over press freedom, urges reform Could Gazprom Deal Leave EU's Nabucco Empty? A new deal between Azerbaijan's state-owned oil and gas company SOCAR and Russia's Gazprom energy giant appears to have dealt a serious setback to the proposed Nabucco pipeline, which was designed to provide European consumers with an alternative to Russian supplies. More Azerbaijan: Russia Is Increasingly Nervous About Its Grip on Caspian Energy BY STEPHEN BLANK ARMENIA AND TURKEY: CAN NUCLEAR POWER BECOME A FORCE THAT BINDS ... EurasiaNet Turkey bar on Nato candidate sparks rift Is There Life Left in the Nabucco Project? Where Obama should speak to the Muslim world Effie-Michelle Metallidis: Though all eyes are on the US President Barack Obama this week as he attends the G20 summit, the last leg of his first overseas tour, his visit to Turkey, should yield even greater attention Turkey: Municipal elections reveal deep socio-political divisions World Socialist Hedo Okur Tuncay Nihat Altintop Obama Takes Off For Europe Eisenhower was the first US president to visit Turkey on Dec.6-7, 1959. Mr. Obama will be the fifth. | H3 Son Dakika Milliyet Hürriyet Zaman GH Türkiye Birinci Sayfalar Akşam Birgün Bugün Cumhuriyet Dünya Hürriyet Milli Gazete Milliyet Posta Radikal Referans Sabah Star Taraf Tercüman Türkiye Vakit Vatan Yeni Şafak Zaman Arşiv Taha Akyol Fikret Bila Hasan Cemal Murat Yetkin İsmet Berkan Şamil Tayyar Ekonomi |
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| H4 New York Times Militants Show New Boldness in Cities of Iraq Security officials say that jihadi and Baath militants are regrouping as a smaller but still lethal insurgency, threatening the relative calm in most of Iraq. Obama, in Europe, Faces Big Challenges to Agenda Obama’s Ersatz Capitalism By JOSEPH E. STIGLITZ What the Obama administration is doing with the banks is far worse than nationalization: it is the privatizing of gains and the socializing of losses. MAUREEN DOWD No More Hummer Nation How do we come to terms with the gluttony that exploded our economy and still retain our reptilian American desire for living large? THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN The Price Is Not Right It’s obvious that the reason we’re experiencing meltdowns in both the financial system and the climate system is because we have been mispricing risk in both arenas Obama Administration Has First Face-to-Face Contact With Iran U.S. and Russia to Consider Reductions of Nuclear Arsenals in Talks for New Treaty In Reversal, U.S. Seeks Election to U.N. Human Rights Council In a Desolate Iraqi Village, War Is Far From Over British Forces Transfer Command in Southern Iraq to U.S. as Bomb Kills 7 in North Netanyahu Offers Conciliation, but Not Concessions North Korea’s Test The United States, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia have to stay focused on what’s most important: ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Spying Claim Sets Off Spat Between U.S. and Russia Chinese Inmates at Guantánamo Pose a Dilemma The Obama administration must decide whether 17 Uighur Muslims are innocent refugees or dangerous terrorist plotters. U.S. Plan Sees Easing of G.M. to Bankruptcy The government hopes to avoid court chaos by persuading at least some creditors to agree to a plan that would cleave General Motors into two pieces. Cynicism We Can Believe In The ancient philosopher Diogenes the Cynic’s definition of cynicism as a moral protest against excess and thoughtless self-indulgence in the conduct of life has modern implications. | H5 Washington Post Rebuilding Capitalism Nicolas Sarkozy: France's president on how to restart economic growth U.S., Russia's Key Topic: New Arms Talks Both Obama and Medvedev hope negotiations will restore trust to strained bilateral relations and clear the way for a renewed global push to eliminate nuclear weapons. Broad U.S.-Russia Agreement in Works Pakistan Taliban Chief Brags of Attack on Police Reclusive commander asserts responsibility for the armed occupation of a police training compound that ended with 11 dead and boasts that he is planning a terrorist attack in Washington. Israeli Parliament Approves Netanyahu as Prime Minister
British Hand Basra Base Over to U.S. Military ( Talks on Expanding UN Panel Called Off - Colum Lynch, Washington Post A Trip Into an Iraq of Recollection Journey by train from Baghdad to Basra offers a glimpse of the country's past, not yet bloodied. U.S. Plans Role in Reshaping GM Administration's auto task force will consult with company as it replaces a majority of its board. · Gerson: Obama's Brewing War With Catholics · Judd Gregg: Obama Wants to Take Us Left · Suspected U.S. Drone Missile Kills 12 in Pakistan | H6 Guardian · G20 summit: Right song, wrong singers Editorial: Two things are certain about the G20. First, it will be hailed as a success. Second, it will be dismissed as a failure Obama flies in to face G20 summit challenge Merkel and Sarkozy will insist no parties at summit should discuss fresh stimulus package · Where is the new JFK we expected? He's stuck in a rut with Gordon Brown Jonathan Freedland: Obama was meant to sweep into town looking unassailable. Instead he arrives beleaguered, with an awful lot to prove · Iran's offer of help to rebuild Afghanistan heralds new age of diplomacy with the US US and Iranian officials met at an international conference in The Hague Robert Fox: As the British hand over Basra to US forces, the battle over who screwed up – the military or the politicians – is just beginning · The G20 agendas: Dinners, delegates and dissent Agenda for the days to come: What Gordon Brown and Barack Obama will be doing over the next few days Climate change: the policy gaps Anthony Giddens: We can't wait for Copenhagen, individual countries must start implementing strategies to tackle global warming now Obama's Afpak strategy does little for Pakistan Asif Akhtar: The 'new' US strategy to combat militancy along the Pak-Afghan frontier offers little hope to embattled Pakistanis G20: Sarkozy should flounce out Dan Roberts: Summit consensus can be hard to come by, but if that just means woolly compromise, it won't go down well with voters Hundreds of migrants feared dead off Libyan coast G20: Gordon Brown woos China with offer of greater voting powers 1 Apr 2009: Gordon Brown optimistic Hu Jintao will commit extra funds to aid recession as developing countries seek new world orde G20: Cleaning up the world economy Angel Gurria: The G20 is achieving progress on international tax haven abuse – but there is still a long way to go G20: A new horizon for humanity José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero: Energetic commitment is required at this summit if we are to move towards the construction of a fairer global economic order Russia-US friendship benefits the world Dmitry Medvedev: The world expects Russia and the US to build trust and goodwill in global politics – not inaction and disengagement |
| H7 The Return of the Baathists – Newsweek Iran to the US: Where We Go Now - Los Angeles Times opinion Looming Specter of Transnationalism - Washington Times opinion Stephen Walt Would You Buy a Used Foreign Policy from These Guys? The Swastika and the Cedar - Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair
Summit Could Help Mend U.S.-Iran Ties BY: Erika Niedowski | The National The “big tent” summit on the future of Afghanistan bei ng held here today will include delegations from almost 90 countries, but much attention is being paid to the fact it is bringing together a certain two: the United States and Iran. Meddling in the Middle East Der Spiegel Iran is reportedly increasing its military aid to both Hezbollah and Hamas, according to Israeli intelligence sources. Meanwhile, Tehran is suspected of interfering in the reconciliation talks between the rival Palestinian factions. U.S. to Retain Pressure on Iran Guards BY: Eli Lake | The Washington Times As the U.S. prepares to sit down with Iran in a conference Tuesday on Afghanistan, U.S. military, intelligence and financial specialists are continuing to target the finances and operatives of Iran's Revolutionary Guards in part to gain leverage for diplomacy, U.S. officials and analysts say. Israel's Covert War on Iran Faces Disapproving White House BY: Richard Sale | The Middle East Times Facing mounting U.S. opposition behind the scenes, Israel still plans to continue a covert operation to delay Iran's nuclear program by assassinating key Iranian scientists, U.S. officials said. Iran to the U.S.: Where We Go Now BY: Ali Akbar Javanfekr | Los Angeles Times Offering a response to President Obama's Persian New Year speech, an Iranian official says the offer to talk is promising but that there are old wounds that must be dealt with. Summit Shame and Hersh’s “Syria Calling” Peace in Iraq? I Don't Think So BY: Tom Ricks | F oreign Policy I thought some of the surge-era deals in Iraq would unravel but I didn't think that would begin happening this quickly. It's only March 2009, and already Awakening fighters are fighting U.S. soldiers in the streets of Baghdad. Israel muddies US-Iran momentum The fresh start in relations promised to Iran by US President Barack Obama got off to a strong start last week when a US diplomat shook hands with an Iranian counterpart in Moscow. The stage is now set for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's first potential detente with Iranian officials at this week's UN-backed conference on Afghanistan. It's a fragile hope, and sabre-rattling from Israel could torpedo the progress. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi BY: Reuel Marc Gerecht | The Weekly Standard In diplomacy and espionage, there is no worse mistake than "mirror-imaging," that is, ascribing to foreigners your own actions and views. For Westerners this is especially debilitating. NATO Needs to Tear Down One More Wall - Munir Jawed, Moscow Times A G-20 revival meeting As the group of nations meets in London tomorrow to tackle the world financial crisis, cooperation on needed levels of economic stimulus and financial regulation is imperative. | H8 Iraq Updates IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq New Worries on Insurgency as US Readies Exit From Iraq US, Iran the Offstage Drama at Afghan Meet Iran Hits Out at American Troop Surge in Afghanistan US-Iran detente signalled by Hague talks In Iraq, British forces hand over control of Basra to the US American forces will seek to disprove the perception that they are more heavy-handed than the British. Weekend Uprising Shows Iraqi Tensions Iran, Arabs bicker over Gulf islands Iranian leaders said Tuesday that disputes over three islands in the Persian Gulf are an attempt to draw attention away from the Palestinian issue. Iraq Starts Policing Borders With Unmanned Planes · British hand over control of Basra to US US 10th Mountain Division takes over command of Basra from UK's Combined Amphibious Forces Iraqi forces revamp hit by oil prices: Pentagon Summit offers ‘facade of unity’ Qatar promoted the Arab League gathering as one of reconciliation, yet it ended early with few signs it had done much to repair rifts or dispel the notion it was merely a talking shop Arab leaders fail to solve rifts ahead of annual meeting Iraq's Faltering Oil Revenues Hurt Public Services Iraq: Suicide Bomber Kills 8, Wounds 12 in Mosul For US Troops, New Iraq Mission Requires Diplomacy, Patience Mar 31 SD# 2302 - Lebanese Daily Reveals New Facts about 'Imad Mughniyah's Career in Hizbullah Iraqis See Their Country Improving | H9 Ha’aretz – Aluf Benn: Will Netanyahu strike Iran? Politicians in touch with Benjamin Netanyahu say he has already made up his mind to destroy Iran's nuclear installations. Editorial: Netanyahu government doomed to failure The fate of the State of Israel was not on the agenda in forming this government, but rather the lust for power of a handful of politicians and the creation of power for their boss. Haaretz poll: 54% of public dissatisfied with new government Most respondents said Netanyahu coalition not prepared to respond to Israel's most pressing challenges Withdrawal and change in the Golan What Hillary Clinton should know about building in E. Jerusalem Netanyahu's first crisis / Who gets top security clearance No citizenship without loyalty? Then why let Israelis vote from abroad? Jerusalem Post PM's first diplomatic challenge Analysis: Justified or not, it is up to him - not the Palestinians - to prove a commitment to peace. Giving the Diaspora a say
Hamas: Europeans seeking dialogue Ahemd Yussef, a senior official in group, says Switzerland, Norway spearheading attempts. Anti-Iran movement gains momentum Grassroots protests in Europe against Teheran may prod governments to take threat more seriously Report: Hamas Planning Military Staff College Yedioth Ahronoth 'Obama must stop Iran' Miliband says powers shouldn't rush to impose new sanctions over Tehran's nuke program Palestinians: Obama administration must make certain Israel abides by land for peace principle Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Jeffrey Goldberg / The Atlantic Online: Netanyahu to Obama: Stop Iran—Or I Will Wall Street Journal · Israel's Election System Is No Good By Bernard Lewis An Anglo-American constituency model would facilitate accountable government. Netanyahu names professionals to his new inner military-security ... Netanyahu sworn in as Israeli PM Barak Balances Israel's Rightward Tilt - Greg Sheridan, The Australia As Netanyahu takes Israel's helm, Syria skeptical of peace prospects Christian Science Monitor Rumors about Israel-Syria talks circulate Washington Times Covergence of New Israeli Government - David Makovsky, Wash. Institute Israel's New Government - Washington Post editorial Palestinian rivals back for talks
Barak's Uphill Battle To Unite Labor Party
Benjamin Netanyahu's Recipe for Disaster by Alex Massie • The Lieberman factor by Robert O. Freedman Israeli foreign minister faces Egypt snub Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party, sparked outrage in Cairo last year when he lashed out at Hosni Mubarak, telling the president to ‘go to hell’ Fasten your Seat Belts, Bibi is Back : Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed |
On European trip, rock-star Obama faces skeptical allies While his popularity is astronomical, American policies are not. He will be hard-pressed to win concessions on his plans for the economy or Afghanistan. Obama's foreign-policy credo: listen and lead In this century, American presidents will have to listen more than they’re used to. As Netanyahu takes Israel's helm, Syria skeptical of peace prospects Syrian diplomats say Damascus is serious about making peace, and hope Washington will lean on Israel's new government. Europe and the US attempt to mend fences, but deep rifts remain Ahead of the G-20 summit, Spain decides to withdraw troops from Kosovo and investigate Bush officials for torture. World's nuclear watchdog needs a strong and wily chief Promoting peaceful atomic energy while keeping nuclear weapons in check will require a strong International Atomic Energy Agency. Its current struggle to pick a new director shows how high the stakes are. In Iraq, British forces hand over control of Basra to the US American forces will seek to disprove the perception that they are more heavy-handed than the British. Netanyahu: Israel is serious about peace The hawkish prime minister, who presented his new government Tuesday, shows a distinct change in style and tactics – though not substance – since his 1996-99 term. Unlike the US, Germany unlikely to bail out automaker Merkel, in visit to headquarters of GM's Opel unit, says that direct aid is unlikely. BY: Tara McKelvey | The American Prospect Richard Holbrooke learned some hard lessons in Vietnam. Now he is applying them to Afghanistan and Pakistan. BY: Irwin M. Stelzer | The Weekly Standard The United States and China need to create a workable new world economic order. China, Saudi Arabia, and the IMF Quota and Voting System China and Saudi Arabia are well-positioned to inject funds into the International Monetary Fund -- but they will expect something in return China Denies US Research Ship Access to Taiwan Strait Petraeus: US Has 'Right of Last Resort' in Pakistan Holbrooke meets the Iranians BY LAURA ROZEN Obama's plans are still very vague BY CHRISTIAN BROSE Shanghai Cooperation: Commentator Vladimir Radyuhin writes that last Friday's conference in Moscow on Afghanistan reflects the growing clout in the region of Russia and the other countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization - China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Part 2: China’s Plan for a Blue-Water Fleet The key challenge for China's navy was maintaining a coastal mission while expanding its operational reach. (With STRATFOR maps) PAKISTAN-U.S.: U.S. Gen. David Petraeus, in an interview with Fox News, said the U.S. military is putting "additional focus" on rooting out ties between Pakistan's intelligence service and the Taliban. He also said the U.S. military reserves the "right of last resort" to take out threats inside Pakistan. - This Backgrounder profiles Pakistan's main intelligence agency. Top of the Agenda: Afghanistan Conference - Council on Foreign Relations Newsweek Chinese Nationalists Angry at U.S. and China Hot debate as Obama's war drones on FT Mission for a mandate Manmohan Singh will be in demand at the G20 – but India’s prime minister faces a hard fight back at home As Washington Escalates Military Operations, American Officials "Discover" ISI-Taliban Nexus Asia is the victim if the bond bubble bursts Asians need a guarantee scheme, says Yu Qiao Get to grips with the world's biggest election with our India polling guide Pakistan braces for more attacks Afghan surge takes a fruitful twist Upending the George W Bush administration's failed strategy of killing one terrorist at a time in the hope they would all eventually disappear, US President Barack Obama is calling for an unlikely army of idealistic American "experts" to tackle the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Their weapons? Anything from eggplants to grapes to beehives. - Philip Smucker Afghanistan Conference Draws 80 Countries - Lisa Bryant, Voice of America Iran Has Interest in a Stable Afghanistan, Clinton Says - Paul Richter, Los Angeles Times China Denies Spying Allegations - BBC News China Takes Center Stage - The Economist India's Dynastic Feud: A Gandhi Who Hates Muslims Costs of War: Attempting the Impossible BY: Shaun Waterman | ISN Security Watch Obama’s plan to extirpate al-Qaida from the Afghan-Pakistan border commits him to a feat no modern power has accomplished - defeating the Pashtuns on their own territory BY: Andrew Exum | The New Republic The new Obama Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy redefines counter-terrorism--but it doesn't go far enough. China's Best Westerns Chen Zhu is a new model Chinese leader, a non-communist who trained in the West. Pakistani warlord threatens to launch attack on Washington Pakistani warlord Baitullah Mehsud threatened to attack Washington and the White House, as he claimed responsibility on Tuesday for this week's assault on the police training academy in Lahore A Reversal for Indonesia's Islamist Part BY: Gary LaMoshi | Asia Times A reversal for Indonesia's Islamist party Indonesia's Prosperous Justice Party was the most popular party in Jakarta in 2004. With its leader chosen as parliamentary speaker, it seemed poised to unify the Islamist vote. However, heading into next week's legislative elections, PKS seems likely to lead the way of historic low totals for religious parties. Australia: More Troops for Afghanistan After Expected US Request - Mark Dodd, The Australian U.S. in Afghanistan: Nation Building to Nowhere? - Greg Scoblete, RCW Japan’s Security and Defence Policy: The More Things Change . . . SIPRI A Swedish essay on trends in Japan's security policy
N. Korea Threatens War With Japan Over Missile ISAF Spokesman Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat | EUROPE European press review France: Sarkozy Issues a Warning France's president threatened to leave the G-20 summit if there is not progress on the global financial architecture Obama, in Europe, Faces Big Challenges to Agenda - David Sanger, NYT Der Spiegel The Reluctant Globocop: What Is NATO's Role? Germany's hard line on the stimulus: Why Merkel says 'Nein' Ahead of G-20, German leader balks at more spending and more debt. Lofty ambitions High hopes for Barack Obama's European trip Angela Merkel: Voice of Reason - Alvaro Vargas Llosa, RealClearPolitics Slovenia and NATO: A Handful Slovenia and NATO: A Handful IFIMES An analysis of Slovene experience of NATO membership as well as the enlargement with Albania and Croatia, Croatia and Albania to Join NATO - Daily Telegraph Poland: A Proposal of Russian NATO Membership The Polish foreign minister's suggestion that Russia should join NATO might be his way of letting the alliance know just what he thinks of its security guarantees. More Democracy in the European Elections CRPE An 8-page Romanian brief on how to make European elections more democratic ECB urged to act as eurozone inflation falls Rate inches towards negative territory German joblessness rises sharply in March German unemployment registered another sharp rise last month, climbing to 8.1 per cent from 7.9 per cent in February as the severe downturn continued to take its toll on Europe’s largest economy Sarkozy more likely to win than walk out France is likely to be one of the nations best able to claim victory when the summit ends, suggesting that Nicolas Sarkozy will not have to make good on his threat to walk away from the negotiating table if his demands are not met Will a Spanish Judge Prosecute U.S. Officials? - Lisa Abend, Time Hope Fades for Reversing Trans-Atlantic Rift - Joschka Fischer, RC In Berlin, Obama's Just Another Bush - Malte Lehming, Wall Street Journal | H12 RFE/RL Google News Azerbaijan Why the Rush to Engage Russia? - Dmitry Sidorov, Forbes Heritage Foundation New Round of Russia-Ukraine Gas Conflict Could Gazprom Deal Leave EU's Nabucco Empty? A new deal between Azerbaijan's state-owned oil and gas company SOCAR and Russia's Gazprom energy giant appears to have dealt a serious setback to the proposed Nabucco pipeline, which was designed to provide European consumers with an alternative to Russian supplies. More Azerbaijan: Russia Is Increasingly Nervous About Its Grip on Caspian Energy BY STEPHEN BLANK Medvedev Reforming a Military in Crisis From Policy Options, Jeremy Kinsman on the eternal Russian question Obama to Seek Arms Control Treaty With Russia Russia, U.S., 'Reset' - Dmitry Medvedev, Washington Post Time Can Obama Win Russia's Cooperation on Iran? Poland: A Proposal of Russian NATO Membership The Polish foreign minister's suggestion that Russia should join NATO might be his way of letting the alliance know just what he thinks of its security guarantees.
Armenian Cash Remittances Fall
Moscow hints at buying IMF bonds Russia will consider contributing to the International Monetary Fund’s campaign to assist crisis-hit countries in an effort to help revive the global economy Call for urgent Ukraine reform PM attacked over handling of crisis
Georgia: Pentagon to Start Military Training Program US Joint Chiefs of Staff Deputy Chairman General James Cartwright stated on March 30 that the US will "soon" begin training Georgian soldiers for "homeland defense." The announcement comes as the most specific indication to date of how the United States plans to assist Georgia’s post-war military reforms. |
| H13 The Times Taleban chief threatens spectacular US attack The leader of the Pakistani Taleban has warned of a coming attack on Washington that will 'amaze everyone in the world' Scrapping nuclear arms is now realpolitik Warheads no longer keep us safe. Six security experts urge America and Russia to act today Global Zero authors The G20 summit is an opportunity to restate the case for economic openness. But there are limits to how far it can correct the imbalances in the global economy War, pestilence... and shopping? The anti-consumer brigade thinks there is a fairer, more rational, alternative to capitalism. There isn't Daniel Finkelstein Union flag lowered for last time in Basra Basra ceremony marks next stage of British pullout from Iraq as security control is handed over to American forces Iran hits out at troop surge in Afghanistan Tehran says strategy will lead to increased radicalisation but pledges to participate in efforts to rebuild country CIA launches recruitment drive on internet and TV Spy chief to talk directly to Muslim groups as agency uses new technology in search for recruits from diverse backgrounds US moves to secure key Afghanistan route The first of the 21,000 US surge troops arrive in Afghanistan with mission to reclaim main road from Taleban and gangs Wall Street Journal · Israel's Election System Is No Good By Bernard Lewis The IMF has a plan to create cash and pass it all over the world. By Marco Annunziata The outlook for the global economy worsened on the eve of the G-20 summit, as two agencies warned that global output will fall in 2009 for the first time since World War II. Slate of G-20 Rivals Waits in the Wings The G-20 is emerging as the board of directors of the global economy. But the forum of industrialized and developing nations has plenty of potential rivals. U.K. Transfers Command of Basra The British military transferred over coalition command of the oil-rich southern province of Basra to the U.S, the latest step toward the withdrawal of the remaining 4,100 British troops from Iraq by midsummer · U.S., Iranian Officials Meet The Obama administration held its first high-level contact with the Iran's government, marking what Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said could become closer cooperation between Washington and Tehran. · U.S. to Join U.N. Rights Council The White House said the U.S. will stand for one of three open seats on the United Nations Human Rights Council, reversing a previous Bush decision. Treasury's Very Private Asset Fund THE TILTING YARD Stakes are high for Obama, allies as G-20 summit opens With economic peril spreading around the globe, President Barack Obama and other world leaders will convene Wednesday in London, desperate to avoid the mistakes that plunged the planet into the Depression in the 1930s and seeking common approaches to jolt their economies back to life. | H14 Financial Times Why G20 leaders will fail to deal with the big challenge The G20 summit is dealing with the short-term symptoms of chronic global excess. The world economy cannot be safely balanced by a small number of countries spending themselves into bankruptcy. Finding a longer-term cure for the illness still lies ahead, writes Martin Wolf Obama faces lonely struggle Barack Obama’s first real global diplomatic moment begins with a paradox: he is the most popular US president in a generation, but you would have to go back more than two generations to find one with fewer cards to play Editorial G20 must not forget the poorest Beyond financial and economic stability, the G20 must also consider humanitarian support. Last year, the World Food Programme assisted 100m people worldwide – more are expected to need help this year Energy games Russian investments in EU energy are welcome as they can boost co-operation, but they must not come at the price of undermining EU energy security From the fat cats to long tails: when all is not normal John Kay on how extreme events can catch you Britain is not a regulatory island Callum McCarthy on the costs of Asia is the victim if the bond bubble bursts Asians need a guarantee scheme, says Yu Qiao Aso lays bare G20 split on downturn Merkel's spending warning dismissed Resisting the sirens The real lesson is that financial organisations of all sizes need executives who know when to defy the herd and stick to their own business plans Call for urgent Ukraine reform PM attacked over handling of crisis Harsh environment awaits banking survivors The future of banks - less risky, less profitable, a lot smaller Summit offers ‘facade of unity’ Qatar promoted the Arab League gathering as one of reconciliation, yet it ended early with few signs it had done much to repair rifts or dispel the notion it was merely a talking shop Washington begins Tehran outreach The Obama administration took a significant step in its attempts to reach out to Iran as Richard Holbrooke, the US special representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, met Tehran’s deputy foreign minister on the sidelines of a big international conference More than 200 feared drowned off Libya US housing price freefall extends into January Single-family home prices in the 20 largest metropolitan areas dropped another 2.8 per cent in January, according to Case-Shiller’s index of the 20 largest US cities, another sign that the housing market bottom may still be distant | H15 Los Angeles Times Obama popular, but Europe seeks results World leaders are eager to meet him. But Europeans, who scorned Bush, tend to blame the U.S. for the crsis. Online problem Editorial |
| Obama, The Nation's CEO - Jim VandeHei & Mike Allen, Politico Politico ABC’s The Note – MSNBC FirstRead – Time ThePage Politico Playbook PoliticsHome fivethirtyeight US News Political Bulletin Shobhana Chandra / Bloomberg: Home Prices in 20 U.S. Cities Fell by a Record 19% — Home prices in 20 U.S. cities fell 19 percent in January from a year earlier, the fastest drop on record, as demand plummeted and foreclosures rose. Michael Wolff / Vanity Fair: The Man Who Ate the G.O.P. — In an ailing radio industry, with a graying audience and a pro-government landscape, Rush Limbaugh should be shuffling off into irrelevancy. Instead, his ever more outrageous attacks have everyone debating whether he's the G.O.P.'s de facto leader, while the party shapes its ideology to fit his needs. From Reason, a review of Invisible Hands: The Making of the Conservative Movement from the New Deal to Reagan by Kim Phillips-Fein and The Conservative Century: From Reaction to Revolution by Gregory L. Schneider. Left and Right Against the Military-Industrial Complex by Jon Basil Utley | H17 Daily Telegraph Barack Obama's chance to don the mantle of a statesman Telegraph View: The decisions, both domestically and diplomatically, that the US President and his administration take now will have an impact around the world. Why globalization must be re-shaped The G20 summit in London will be a key moment to achieve results that will help end the present financial and economic crisis and prevent future ones, writes José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission. All in a spin at the G20 summit The leaders gathering in London are in for an experience that ranges from the soul-crushing to the bizarre, says Christopher Meyer. The economic crisis: signs of a recovery? Telegraph View: The most precious economic commodity, and one that is all too easily squandered, is confidence. It should be encouraged. British hand over Basra command to US British forces have handed over command of Basra to the US, marking the start of a withdrawal from Iraq after six painful years | H18 Independent Leading article: The G20 summit is a test and an opportunity for Mr Obama Dmitry Medvedev: The US and Russia owe it to the world to work together Iran and US in 'springtime' contacts over Afghanistan Clinton sees promising signs after 'chance meeting' with senior Iranian official World leaders gather as economic skies darken Latest barometer of global economic situation casts ominous shadow over start of G20 summit in London. Hundreds feared dead as migrant boats sink off Libya Vessel built for 75 passengers was carrying 365 desperate refugees |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism CIA launches recruitment drive on internet and TV Spy chief to talk directly to Muslim groups as agency uses new technology in search for recruits from diverse backgrounds Senator: Expect Painful Cuts in Pentagon Budget Mar 30 SD# 2301 - Article in Al-Qaeda E-journal: "How to Withstand Interrogation" | H20 Slate | H21 From a conference at the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, Badiou, Eagleton, Hallward, Hardt, Nancy, Ranciere, Vattimo, and Zizek debate the Idea of Communism (and more). How odd: just handling cash can take the sting out of social rejection and even diminish physical pain. Money is such strange stuff... more» Roger Scruton on the New Humanism From TNR, Richard Posner reviews Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology Drives the Economy, and Why It Matters for Global Capitalism by George A. Akerlof and Robert Shiller (and more and more and more and more and more). From Cafe Babel, an interview with Richard Dawkins: "There is something illogical about the fear of death" The Oedipuses were a talented but, well, you know, not exactly happy family. Maybe a little bit like that Wittgenstein clan... more» An excerpt from The Wreck of Western Culture: Humanism Revisited. · When smoking was cool, cheap, legal and socially acceptable Cigarettes were originally sold as expensive handmade luxury goods for the urban elite |
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