| H1 Foreign Policy The Bourgeois Revolution How the global middle class declared war on democracy By Joshua Kurlantzick Financial Times Fixing bankrupt systems is just the beginning The largest economies have made the fundamental decision to prevent bankruptcy. but this is only the first step on the long road to financial health. Those who hope for a swift return to what they thought normal two years ago are deluded, writes Martin Wolf Flashes of brilliance, but Barack could do better Edward Mortimer assesses Obama’s first 100 days Germany’s woes spark talk of Weimar About 10,000 demonstrators are expected to march in the capital in May Day protests on Friday under the banner: ‘Capitalism means war and crisis – For the social revolution’ Senior Saudi calls for political reforms Prince Talal bin Abdelaziz appeals for political and economic change in the world’s largest oil producer, warning that the kingdom is not prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century Swine flu spread points to global pandemic Countries around the world stepped up measures to discourage travel to Mexico as the further international spread of swine flu signalled the growing likelihood of a global pandemic New York Times Specter Joins Democrats; Senate Count May Reach 60 The decision by Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania to switch parties potentially presents Democrats with a 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters. U.S. Sets Fight in the Poppies to Stop Taliban Commanders are planning to cut off the Taliban’s main source of money, Afghanistan’s multimillion-dollar opium crop, by doubling the number of troops in three provinces. Obama at 100 Days: How Does He Compare? By THE EDITORS The contributors assess President Obama’s 100 days in the final installments of this series. In his first 14 weeks plus two days, President Obama has made a strong start at addressing the most critical of the failed policies and urgent threats that he inherited. Ha’aretz – Bradley Burston: Could the Taliban get the bomb before Iran does? Jimmy Carter: U.S. and Syria to restore full diplomatic ties soon Carter, Assad to meet in June; Assad: Obama will face Mideast crisis if he does Guardian · Swine flu: Crisis, but not yet calamity Editorial: It would be a mistake to treat the 1,600 or so suspected cases in Mexico, 50 cases in the US and handful of other sufferers across the world, as evidence that a cataclysmic outbreak is now unavoidable · Swine flu? A panic stoked in order to posture and spend Simon Jenkins: Despite the hysteria, the risk to Britons' health is tiny - but that news won't sell papers or drugs, or justify the WHO's budget · Barack Obama: A good start Editorial: The American president is making huge strides to change old American policies, but challenges lie ahead Prepare for swine flu pandemic, authorities warn Poorest nations may be hardest hit, says WHO, whlist California declares state of emergency · Living with the Taliban Ali Dayan Hasan: Unless its army can focus on confronting them, Pakistan risks bending to the fundamentalists' will Robert Tait / Guardian: Ahmadinejad tells voters: Yes, we can The Times New era of cooperation for Russia and China As many as 25 joint military manoeuvres to be staged in a demonstration of strengthening ties between Moscow and Beijing Independent Leading article: Mr Obama is honouring his promise to change America Leading article: Pakistan's threat is not exaggerated Los Angeles Times Iraq's Awakening: Two tales illustrate force's birth and slow death A politician and a fighter were both part of the Sons of Iraq, a U.S.-backed Sunni force that helped end the civil war. Now one is hunted and the other is trying to find a place in the government A revolt begins with a four-man hit squad Betrayed, one brother is killed by Al Qaeda in Iraq. But more tribesmen then join the fight to take back towns. By James Kirchick At a stop on his grand global apology tour this spring, President Obama was asked by a reporter in France if he believed in "American exceptionalism." This is the notion that our history as the world's oldest democracy, our immigrant founding and our devotion to liberty endow the United States with a unique, providential role in world affairs. Iran's Power Struggle BY: Muhammad Sahimi | International Herald Tribune Hard-liners and pragmatic conservatives are battling for dominance in the next election. An Iranian-American journalist has become a pawn in this fight. BBC Global alert How countries are preparing for a swine flu pandemic Lee Hamilton: Eminence Grise of Obama's Middle East Policy by Ed Lasky Ian Bremmer The 10 crises you aren't expecting but should be BY IAN BREMMER Report: Arms Sales to Middle East Up 38 Percent - Cindy Saine, Voice of America. · Mass Confusion in Tehran BY: Kamal Nazer Yasin | ISN Security Watch Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's unofficial re-election bid is causing great consternation among his former allies. Obama's 100 Days in Foreign Policy - Kim Holmes, Heritage Foundation Stratfor Obama's First Hundred Days and U.S. Presidential Realities WSJ Can Europe's Leaders
Hold the Fiscal Line? As Europe's biggest countries fall together into recession, proponents of a more aggressive fiscal policy wonder how long European leaders can continue to reject one. Obama squeezed in two tours that told much of the world what it wanted to hear: the Bush era is over. But the world remains on edge about exactly what change will bring. Asia Times CHAN AKYA Swine flu over cuckoo markets The outbreak of swine flu and the continuing global financial crisis have more in common than their potential to disrupt the lives of numerous people across the globe. Both highlight the danger of maintaining unsustainable modus operandi at the core of modern humanity's lifestyle A new order emerges in Lebanon Calls for engagement with Hezbollah in Lebanon are increasing in Washington, Britain is opening dialogue with non-state players and the Syrians are back in the international arena. Steadily, the Middle East leftovers of the George W Bush era are being eroded, and people like Lebanese warlord Walid Jumblatt are preparing for the new alignments. - Sami Moubayed
US and Iran stuck at pre-dialogue Despite strong misgivings, many Iranian politicians still hope that a meaningful breakthrough in relations with the United States is possible, based on "common interests". A major hurdle, though, remains the perception of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad as a mere "noisemaker" without clout in foreign policy. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi Hamas and Fatah deadlocked over unity Rival factions end fourth round of power-sharing talks without deal, will meet again on May 16. Reformist challenger slams Ahmadinejad Candidate Karroubi says current president has "derailed" Iran with Holocaust-denying statements 20 Years of Going Nowhere BY: Vladimir Ryzhkov | The Moscow Times The recent annual meeting of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, a Moscow-based think tank, underscored the confusion and distress among leading Russian politicians, analysts and policymakers Medvedev sacks Moscow police head Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismisses Moscow's police chief a day after an officer shot dead three people Whose Century Was That?
by Andrew J. Bacevich and Tom Engelhardt WSJ Pakistan Sends Jets to Battle Taliban Pakistan's military attacked Taliban positions in a district next to the Swat Valley in its most robust effort to repel a militant advance. · Deng Undone BY: Derek Scissors | International Herald Tribune As China pulls back from market reforms, the Obama administration faces difficult choices on how to engage Beijing on economic issues. Stratfor Pakistan: A Tactical Response to Taliban Expansion Pakistan's anti-jihadist operations in the North-West Frontier Province will not keep the province from becoming a lawless haven for militants. Geopolitical Diary: Pakistan's Containment Strategy The only resolution for Islamabad's Taliban problem -- as with Washington's -- may be at the negotiating table. 'Sensitive' developments in Saudi Arabia? Succession-related? | H2 Ankara won't allow Israel to use Turkish airspace in attacking Iran Türk - Amerikan İlişkilerinde 24 Nisan Eşiği Aşıldı Aliyev'den Karabağ Sorunu Konusunda Sert Açıklamalar PostGlobal: Reconciling Turkey and Armenia The Trouble With the 'Genocide' Label The Economist · Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation is Worrying Azerbaijan Azerbaijan has reacted with alarm to news of a Turkish-Armenian roadmap to normalise relations that foresees the lifting of Turkey’s blockade of Armenia—which would ease the pressure on Armenia to reach a deal with Azerbaijan over Nagorny-Karabakh. Avrupa Adalet Divanı'ndan Kıbrıslı Rumlar Lehine Karar WSJ EU Ruling Rattles Cyprus Talks In a move that could rattle peace talks, Europe's highest court ruled that judges in Cyprus can compel the return of land seized after the 1974 Turkish invasion Article or Op-Ed "The AKP's Foreign Policy: The Misnomer of 'Neo-Ottomanism' By Soner Cagaptay The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute Implicit 'genocide' threat lies behind Turkey-Armenia breakthrough Protocol signed outlining means to increase value of trade to $20 billion yearly. PKK 'ready for peace' with Turkey EurasiaNet Turkey: Ankara-Yerevan Rapprochement Initiative Faces Public Skepticism BY YIGAL SCHLEIFER
Turkey and Armenia have announced they are close to reaching an agreement to restore ties and reopen their borders. But observers caution that getting to a final deal will require both Turkey and Armenia to navigate through difficult domestic and external challenges. Turkey goes cold on EU — EUbusiness.com - business, legal and economic news and information from the European Union Guardian · Cyprus land ruling hits second home-owners Landmark ruling for refugee who lost his home when island was divided could lead to thousands of similar claims FT EU ruling hits UK expats in northern Cyprus Thousands of expats who have bought or developed property in northern Cyprus could be affected by a European Court of Justice ruling that courts throughout the European Union should enforce Greek Cypriot legal verdicts FT Thomas de Waal on a big moment for Turkey and Armenia · Turkey to Cyprus: Water Is in the Pipeline BY: Jasper Mortimer | The Media Line It should be straightforward: the Turks have an abundance of water, the Cypriots have a sustained drought, the answer is to lay a pipeline across the seabed and pump fresh water from southern Turkey to north Cyprus. Turkey eyes S-400 missile shield (UPI) -- Turkish officials have stated their willingness to consider purchasing the Russian S-400 strategic missile-defense system, Russian officials said. GlobalPost The little-known Alevi They do not pray in mosques, and align themselves with secular society: meet the Alevi Turks. Harut Sassounian: Et Tu Obama? Letter from a Former Admirer Turkey Uneasy Over Obama's Statement on Armenia Jamestown Foundation Crossroads or maze? Al-Ahram Weekly Turkey and Iran are the two centres of gravity emerging to shape increasingly complex regional power struggles, writes Mustafa El-Labbad 'Erdoğan didn't explain events of 1915 properly' Turkey awaiting reply after submitting plan to IMF IMF recalls ’old hands’ for 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 Is Baghdad Trustworthy or ever has been? Kurdish Aspect PUKmedia :: English - PKK 'ready for peace' with Turkey Democracy Thrives in Kurdistan
Washington Post - KRG US Representative Qubad Talabani writes to the Washington Post Dr. Michael Gunter:It is not rational for Turkey to refuse to deal ... Kurdish Aspect Cevdet Aşkın BY: Mahmoud Habboush | The National The speaker of the Turkish parliament will ask his Iranian counterpart to “speed up” the resolution of the dispute over three Emirati islands in the Gulf, he said yesterday. Experts say Syria deal not Israel threat Oil export ban costs Iraq dearly, Kurds say Google News Greece Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Press ABHaber Dış Basında Türkiye-AB İlişkileri Günlük Haftalık US Goes Neutral on Eastern Gas Pipelines BusinessWeek The Trouble With the 'Genocide' Label With such a precise definition, what do we call equally horrific crimes that don't fit the bill? UK Couple Must Demolish Cyprus Home, EU Court Says Bloomberg Greek Cypriots 'can reclaim land' EU Must Obey Nicosia's Rulings, Even in North Cyprus, EU Court Says Armenian FM says Obama's April 24 statement a step forward Turkish economy minister foresees recovery start by 2010 Erotic Intellectual - Forbes.com Melik Kaylan, Christopher Hitchens turns us on--even when he's wrong. ... In the category of just wrongheaded, I would cite his relentlessly hostile posture toward Turkey | 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 Specter Joins Democrats; Senate Count May Reach 60 The decision by Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania to switch parties potentially presents Democrats with a 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters. U.S. Sets Fight in the Poppies to Stop Taliban Commanders are planning to cut off the Taliban’s main source of money, Afghanistan’s multimillion-dollar opium crop, by doubling the number of troops in three provinces. Obama at 100 Days: How Does He Compare? By THE EDITORS The contributors assess President Obama’s 100 days in the final installments of this series. In his first 14 weeks plus two days, President Obama has made a strong start at addressing the most critical of the failed policies and urgent threats that he inherited. THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Though the president’s decision to expose but not prosecute those responsible for torture is surely unsatisfying, it is the best solution for right now. Iraqi Premier Says Leader in Insurgency Is in Custody Pakistani Military Moves to Flush Out Taliban Costs Soar as Iraq Falls Behind on Training Plan, Audit Says Palestinian Rivals to Try Once More for an Accord British Court Clears 3 Men on Terrorism Charges In India, Shadows of Violence Cling to a Politician on the Rise Swine Flu Vaccine May Be Months Away, Experts Say Media Drumbeat Amplifies Coverage of Flu Outbreak Flu May Have Spread Within New York City Obama’s Stand in Auto Crisis Shows Early Resolve For a new president, the automobile industry crisis has tested the boundaries of President Obama’s activist approach and the acuity of his political instincts. MAUREEN DOWD Dick Cheney, our former vice president, continues his 24/7 tour justifying the enhanced interrogation techniques of high value detainees. By OLYMPIA SNOWE Republicans have failed to undertake a re-evaluation of the inclusiveness as a party that could have forestalled losing the party’s moderates. | H5 Washington Post From the Start, Putting a Bold Stamp on the White House By Dan Balz Experts Study Flu's Variations Health officials try to unravel mystery why swine flu is more severe in Mexico than other nations. No More Bribes North Korea is once again provoking an American president. Specter Leaves GOP, Shifting Senate Balance Democrats Are Poised to Hold A Powerful 60-Seat Majority Editorial Aisle Crosser Arlen Specter's switch reflects a troubling polarization in politics. Recession Alters Lifestyles Post-ABC News Poll | Despite the forced changes in their lives, people remain optimistic, poll finds. Arlen Specter Comes Full Circle By E. J. Dionne Jr., Arlen Specter comes full circle and confirms the rightward drift of the GOP. Arlen Specter's Switch Newt Gingrich, Olympia Snowe and other observers weigh in. 100 DAYS AND 76 YEARS Is FDR-Era Yardstick Still Relevant? What Historians Say U.S. in Control: Its Goal To Fix, Not Run, Firms A Reluctant Role as Main Shareholder Diseases Travel Fast, But So Do Fighting Tools While the world is more vulnerable to the rapid spread of disease, experts say it has never been more prepared Bruised by Stimulus Battle, Obama Changed His Approach to Washington The night before the Senate vote on President Obama's $787 billion stimulus bill, one question echoed through the West Wing: Communicator in Chief Has a Tone for Every Situation Afghanistan Cancels Public Celebration of Mujaheddin Day Officials Said To Be Concerned About Attacks Official Who Approved Air Force One Flyover May Be Fired | H6 Guardian · Swine flu: Crisis, but not yet calamity Editorial: It would be a mistake to treat the 1,600 or so suspected cases in Mexico, 50 cases in the US and handful of other sufferers across the world, as evidence that a cataclysmic outbreak is now unavoidable · Swine flu? A panic stoked in order to posture and spend Simon Jenkins: Despite the hysteria, the risk to Britons' health is tiny - but that news won't sell papers or drugs, or justify the WHO's budget · Barack Obama: A good start Editorial: The American president is making huge strides to change old American policies, but challenges lie ahead Prepare for swine flu pandemic, authorities warn Poorest nations may be hardest hit, says WHO, whlist California declares state of emergency · Living with the Taliban Ali Dayan Hasan: Unless its army can focus on confronting them, Pakistan risks bending to the fundamentalists' will Robert Tait / Guardian: Ahmadinejad tells voters: Yes, we can 100 days: Living in Obamaland Nicolaus Mills: The Obama era puts to rest Bush's every-man-for-himself values. Americans are embracing a sense of shared responsibility Specter gives Obama clear majority Arlen Specter's defection from Republican party gives Barack Obama a nearly clear majority · In praise of ... Krystian Zimerman Editorial: An extraordinary musician who has joined the tradition of Polish pianists expressing their opinions |
| H7 · Iran's Power Struggle BY: Muhammad Sahimi | International Herald Tribune Hard-liners and pragmatic conservatives are battling for dominance in the next election. An Iranian-American journalist has become a pawn in this fight. BBC Global alert How countries are preparing for a swine flu pandemic Report: Arms Sales to Middle East Up 38 Percent - Cindy Saine, Voice of America. · Mass Confusion in Tehran BY: Kamal Nazer Yasin | ISN Security Watch Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's unofficial re-election bid is causing great consternation among his former allies. Iran gasoline sanctions bills moving by Steven J. Rosen Emperor Jones by David Pryce-Jones Hawks Look for New Ways to Package Iran Views Obama's 100 Days in Foreign Policy - Kim Holmes, Heritage Foundation Stratfor Obama's First Hundred Days and U.S. Presidential Realities Foreign Policy The Bourgeois Revolution How the global middle class declared war on democracy By Joshua Kurlantzick Globalism Goes Viral By David Brooks New York Times, 4/28/2009 Decentralized threats to the world, such as terrorism, economic crises, and health pandemics, are magnified by globalism. Brooks supports a decentralized response to these issues rather than one in which the international community builds an infrastructure to create shared capacities to respond to a wide variety of threats. Although a centralized approach would eliminate friction between nations, he says a decentralized approach empowers local agencies, is more credible to locals, and copes reasonably well with uncertainty. The swine flu outbreak has shown that the solution to "dynamic, decentralized, emergent problems is to create dynamic, decentralized, emergent authorities" that can be flexible with today's changing and flexible problems. Link to full text in primary source. · DANIEL DREZNER Ikenberry responds to David Brooks · MARC LYNCH Where are Egyptian politics going? A Thousand Envoys Bloom
The National Interest Online Salon Obama's 100-day report card Newsweek The Next 100 Days Could Be the Hard Part for Obama In a new interview with CFR.org, Michael Osterholm, a leading expert on infectious disease, argues that travel restrictions are unlikely to stem the spread of the disease and urges against a policy overreaction that might include new trade barriers. Why Iran Is Hungry for Business With the U.S. BY: Stanley Reed | Der Spiegel 'Sensitive' developments in Saudi Arabia? Succession-related? Debka Washington to cut Iran in on Nabucco pipeline Lee Hamilton: Eminence Grise of Obama's Middle East Policy · Arabs Vs. Iran BY: Benny Avani | New York Post A number of developments, notably out of Egypt, point to the emergence of a new Middle East coalition taking a more robust stance in response to Iran's dangerous mullahs. · Pakistan Another Iran? BY: Arnaud de Borchgrave | The Washington Times President Obama's foreign-policy gurus are baffled by Pakistan's anarchic chaos, which is sweeping across one of the world's eight nuclear powers. The Global Apologist in Chief - James Kirchick, Los Angeles Times
The Global Cost of Swine Flu - Douglas McIntyre, Newsweek
A New Order Emerges in Lebanon - Sami Moubayed, Asia Times Reihan Salam & Reza Aslan: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror Obama’s Foreign Policy Disasters, interview with Victor Davis Hanson The Shifting Sands - Washington Times editorial. Al Qaeda is not an existential threat to the kingdom, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former head of Saudi Arabia's intelligence service, told us yesterday. March of the Jacobins: The Advance and Retreat of Political Secularism in the 20th Century Monsters vs aliens
Some parallels between the Somali pirates and their Barbary predecessors are striking, but notions of them forming a dynamic evil duo with the forces of al-Qaeda to bring down the United States are pure fantasy. Going to war with them is likely to have as much success as the last US venture in Somalia, and media hysteria painting them as AK-47-toting, narcotic-chewing aliens also won't help. - John Feffer Daily Star The anniversary of Syria's withdrawal has become a non-event in Lebanon The fight against Arab corruption will triumph from within
By Rami G. Khouri Bush should call his new memoirs, 'The Cost of Dick Cheney'
By Christopher Patten | H8 Iraq Updates IraqSlogger Google News Iraq Iran Syria Mideastwire.com - NPR Iraq Iraq's Awakening: Two Tales Illustrate Force's Birth and Slow Death - Ned Parker, Los Angeles Times. Congress Looks to Bolster Iran Sanctions Senior Saudi calls for political reforms Prince Talal bin Abdelaziz appeals for political and economic change in the world’s largest oil producer, warning that the kingdom is not prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century Investors eye opportunity in Iraq About 250 companies are expected to attend an ‘Invest Iraq’ conference – the first in decades – being held in London and organised by Baghdad’s National Investment Commission and the UK’s Department for International Development Iraqi Cabinet: US Kut Attack Violated Security Pact What Capture of Iraqi Insurgent Might Mean In Egypt, blogger tries to spread 'culture of disobedience' among youth Assad weighs in on Hezbollah, Hariri (UPI) -- Syrian President Bashar Assad weighed in on Egyptian allegations that Hezbollah was plotting attacks, saying such claims were baseless. Official asks the West to avoid language of threat | H9 Ha’aretz – Bradley Burston: Could the Taliban get the bomb before Iran does? Jimmy Carter: U.S. and Syria to restore full diplomatic ties soon Carter, Assad to meet in June; Assad: Obama will face Mideast crisis if he does not correct Bush errors Israel: PA recognition of Jewish state 'crucial' for reconciliation Obama congratulates Israel on turning 61 U.S. president vows to push for Mideast peace; Independence Day festivities kick off at Mt. Herzl Independence Day / I am a Zionist and I am proud Zionism has become a dirty word in the eyes of the world, but now it is time to reclaim it. Israel at 61: Population 7.4 Million, 75.5 Percent Jewish Iran and Venezuela working to strengthen military ties Independence Day / Haaretz editorial from the day Israel was born Rival factions end fourth round of power-sharing talks without deal, will meet again on May 16. Candidate Karroubi says current president has "derailed" Iran with Holocaust-denying statements President, also due to address AIPAC gathering, will be first Israeli leader to be hosted by Obama. Netanyahu Bids to Change "Diskette" - David Horovitz (Jerusalem Post) [ GERSHON BASKIN, Yedioth Ahronoth Survey: Israelis optimistic
War and Peace Index finds majority of Israeli public very satisfied with the state of the nation, country's achievements over past 61 years; as 81% say that given their choice of country to live in, they would stay in Israel What kind of 2 states? Israeli Defense Minister: No Second Chance for Those Who Can't Defend Themselves - Daily Alert.org – Hebrew Press Editorials (2008) - Middle East Progress - EJC Israeli Press Review – Google News Israel - Palestine Steve Walt Netanyahu Is a Traitor to Israel U.S. to Expand PA Security Forces President Truman's Decision to Recognize Israel - Clark Clifford with Richard Holbrooke (ICA/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) By SERGE SCHMEMANN The Bush administration’s attempts to justify torture recalls the anguished debate in Israel over its secret service’s use of violence in interrogations. Israel in a Bad Neighborhood - Harvey Meirovich, Globe and Mail Ugly clash? Signs that Israel may be on collision course with the US Second swine flu case in Israel A second man is confirmed as infected with swine flu in Israel, two days after he returned from a trip to Mexico. |
| H10 Christian Science Monitor On eve of White House summit, Pakistani officials push back against the impression that they're responding to Washington pressure Acquittal in Britain's 7/7 bombing case spurs doubts about investigation A jury found three men associated with the London bombers, but didn't help them. Russian journalists face violence, intimidation Sergei Protazanov's killing in March was the latest in a series of violent attacks targeting journalists. Tuesday's switch by the independent-minded Pennsylvanian also helps Democrats to solidify power in the Senate. A fallen wall, a renewed Germany, a united Europe Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, harmony between Germany and the rest of Europe at last seems natural and durable. Pakistanis stage rare protest to ‘save Pakistan, fight Taliban’ Climate change: Southeast Asia's preparation falls short The Asian Development Bank says the cost of inaction could be severe for the region's agrarian-based economies and rapidly growing coastal cities. Mexico tourism braces for swine flu slowdown European travel warnings and canceled trips likely to hit Mexico's $13 billion a year industry. After Iraq's civil war, lessons in civility New academy gives free music and etiquette lessons to teens, in a bid to boost tolerance and promote peace. ASIA WSJ Pakistan Sends Jets to Battle Taliban Pakistan's military attacked Taliban positions in a district next to the Swat Valley in its most robust effort to repel a militant advance. · Deng Undone BY: Derek Scissors | International Herald Tribune As China pulls back from market reforms, the Obama administration faces difficult choices on how to engage Beijing on economic issues. Stratfor Pakistan: A Tactical Response to Taliban Expansion Pakistan's anti-jihadist operations in the North-West Frontier Province will not keep the province from becoming a lawless haven for militants. Geopolitical Diary: Pakistan's Containment Strategy The only resolution for Islamabad's Taliban problem -- as with Washington's -- may be at the negotiating table. China, Japan: Managing Bilateral Relations Deep tensions lie beneath China's and Japan's latest spat How To Save Pakistan - Nicholas Schmidle, Slate opinion.
Deciphering India's Elections - S.S. Anklesaria Aiyar, Forbes
Taliban's Tactical Withdrawal - Dilip Hiro, The Guardian
An Economic Retreat from East Asia - Doug Bandow, Cato Institute
Time Pakistan Pushes Back Against the Taliban. But How Far? China Can't Have It Both Ways - Int'l Herald Tribune The Rise of China in Australia's Defense Strategy - Lowy Institute
The 'Idea of India' After Mumbai - American Enterprise Institute
WSJ India's Politicians Dig Up Old Scandals In an election with no prevailing national issue or clear leader, India's main political parties are searching history in the hopes of finding an edge with voters Mumbai Probes Alleged Sabotage Plot An investigation into the possible sabotage of a helicopter owned by prominent industrialist Anil Ambani took another turn as Mumbai police said they suspected the craft's mechanic committed suicide. Afghanistan: Corruption is the Mother of Insurgency -- Presidential Challenger BY JOSHUA KUCERA
While Afghanistan’s incumbent president, Hamid Karzai, has sought to put a little distance between himself and the United States in recent months, one of his leading challengers in the upcoming presidential vote, Ashraf Ghani, thinks the best way to combat the Taliban insurgency is for Kabul to strengthen ties with Washington and to focus on economic development. | H11 IHT · Iran's Power Struggle BY: Muhammad Sahimi | International Herald Tribune Hard-liners and pragmatic conservatives are battling for dominance in the next election. An Iranian-American journalist has become a pawn in this fight. EUROPE European press review WSJ Can Europe's Leaders
Hold the Fiscal Line? As Europe's biggest countries fall together into recession, proponents of a more aggressive fiscal policy wonder how long European leaders can continue to reject one. A Renewed Germany and United Europe - Elizabeth Pond, CS Monitor The Financial Crisis in Spain Spain's economy is suffering from a mixture of domestic problems and the effects of the global recession. Europe braced for spread of flu More cases of swine flu in humans are likely to emerge across Europe in the coming days, a top EU official says. · EU Urges Slovenia and Croatia to End Border Dispute BY: Elitsa Vucheva | EU Observer The EU called on Slovenia and Croatia to accept a European Commission proposal for international arbitration in order to solve their long-standing border dispute, warning that if the quarrel drags on it could have repercussions on other countries in the region. Analysis: Swine flu reaches Europe (UPI) -- European officials are scrambling to protect the continent of a major swine flu outbreak, as first cases were confirmed in Spain and Scotland | Despite more than a decade of close relations, the European Union and Russia remain at cross-purposes on most fundamental policy issues. A fresh Russia-EU meeting served to underline the depth of the disagreement between the two parties on issues stretching from democratization to economic reform Why we should worry that Russia's army is getting smaller BY JOSHUA KEATING The presidents of the five Central Asian states have failed to overcome their differences over water use. While their summit was officially intended to discuss the disappearing Aral Sea, it was widely seen as a chance to openly discuss the region's most contentious issues -- energy needs and cross-border water sharing The Kremlin's Sochi Project - Nikolai Petrov, Moscow Times Russia to Axe About 36,000 Officers in 2009 Lavrov: Russia 'Worried' by EU's Eastern Plans RUSSIA-U.S.: A Russian senator analyzes Barack Obama's first one-hundred days as U.S. president in an interview with Ria Novosti and says Obama has shown flexibility in foreign policy considerations. 20 Years of Going Nowhere BY: Vladimir Ryzhkov | The Moscow Times The recent annual meeting of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, a Moscow-based think tank, underscored the confusion and distress among leading Russian politicians, analysts and policymakers Medvedev sacks Moscow police head
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismisses Moscow's police chief a day after an officer shot dead three people. Google News Azerbaijan · Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: Border Hassles Abound BY: Chinghiz Umetov | Eurasianet Visa-free travel between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan does not mean that crossing the border between the two Central Asian states is free of hassles. Uzbeks and Kyrgyz traders alike complain that convoluted customs procedures and corruption are hampering commerce. Medvedev highlights
concern on jobless
Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev is making clear his concern at the country's growing number of unemployed, as fears grow that joblessness might become an ingrained, and dangerous, part of the economy President Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev A lecture by Russian President Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev Andrei Piontkovsky Talk of liberalisation is deeply misleading |
| H13 The Times New era of cooperation for Russia and China As many as 25 joint military manoeuvres to be staged in a demonstration of strengthening ties between Moscow and Beijing 9/11 conspiracy theories: why the truth isn't on the internet A new book debunks the world's greatest conspiracy theories. Here, those that followed 9/11 and the 7/7 bombings are deconstructed Taleban advance halted by Pakistan onslaught Government forces launched the assault after militants advancing from the Swat Valley rejected ultimatum to leave the town Has it really been only 100 days? President Obama has made some bold moves. But there have been minuses too Arianna Huffington Justice denied The failure to convict anyone of the 7/7 bombings is frustrating and distressing. But due process is an essential part of the struggle against Islamist terrorism Shock defection boosts Obama’s grip on power Dramatic defection of veteran Republican senator puts Democrats on course for 'super-majority' on Obama's 100th day Obama squeezed in two tours that told much of the world what it wanted to hear: the Bush era is over. But the world remains on edge about exactly what change will bring. By Husain Haqqani
The pacification model that worked in Iraq can work in the Swat Valley. More evidence of the global spread of swine flu emerged, with new cases reported on four continents and more people in the U.S. requiring hospital treatment. Why Congress Won't Investigate Wall Street THE TILTING YARD
By Thomas Frank
Republicans and Democrats would find themselves in the hot seat. The 30% Solution By James Taranto
Arlen Specter makes a great philosophical decision, and Senate Republicans embrace irrelevance. When principled politics gets too tough. The EU is poised to tighten regulation of hedge funds and buyout firms amid opposition from socialists and industry First 100 days How has President Obama handled the US economy? Understanding Change at the Fed - Council on Foreign Relations | H14 Financial Times Fixing bankrupt systems is just the beginning The largest economies have made the fundamental decision to prevent bankruptcy. but this is only the first step on the long road to financial health. Those who hope for a swift return to what they thought normal two years ago are deluded, writes Martin Wolf Germany’s woes spark talk of Weimar About 10,000 demonstrators are expected to march in the capital in May Day protests on Friday under the banner: ‘Capitalism means war and crisis – For the social revolution’ Senior Saudi calls for political reforms Prince Talal bin Abdelaziz appeals for political and economic change in the world’s largest oil producer, warning that the kingdom is not prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century Swine flu spread points to global pandemic Countries around the world stepped up measures to discourage travel to Mexico as the further international spread of swine flu signalled the growing likelihood of a global pandemic One hundred days of platitude Christopher Buckley reads between the lines Box-tickers should not be the ones making decisions Bureaucracy crushes creativity, says John Kay Flashes of brilliance, but Barack could do better Edward Mortimer assesses Obama’s first 100 days Albania applies to join EU One of Europe’s poorest countries embarks on a lengthy path toward membership in the bloc which is still digesting past enlargement and engulfed in an economic crisis Welcome Albania Since the Yugoslav wars the western Balkans have been largely the EU’s responsibility and the Union must continue to embrace these fragile states, including Albania Boost for Obama as Specter defects President Barack Obama was presented with a timely 99th-day political windfall when Republican lawmaker Arlen Specter switched parties, giving the administration the prospect of a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the US Senate. Chrystia Freeland: Wall Street and Obama As the White House celebrates its first 100 days, a decidedly gloomier group on Wall Street has moved into the second of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief, writes Chrystia Freeland Hyperactivity amid economic mess Nimble in dodging disaster, the president finds he is hampered mainly by Democrats, says Edward Luce Short View: Obama’s first 100 days As far as the market is concerned, Barack Obama’s first 100 days do not compare with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s in 1933, says John Authers Democrats push for budget resolution Democrats were working frantically to pass a $3,600bn budget resolution in both houses of Congress to meet Wednesday’s White House deadline that marks the 100-day anniversary of Barack Obama’s period in office Tackling pirates the hard way The only hope of ending Somalian piracy will be to assist efforts to rebuild the state. There have already been 14 failed attempts to reconcile the country’s warring clans but there is a new chance | H15 Los Angeles Times Iraq's Awakening: Two tales illustrate force's birth and slow death A politician and a fighter were both part of the Sons of Iraq, a U.S.-backed Sunni force that helped end the civil war. Now one is hunted and the other is trying to find a place in the government A revolt begins with a four-man hit squad Betrayed, one brother is killed by Al Qaeda in Iraq. But more tribesmen then join the fight to take back towns. By James Kirchick At a stop on his grand global apology tour this spring, President Obama was asked by a reporter in France if he believed in "American exceptionalism." This is the notion that our history as the world's oldest democracy, our immigrant founding and our devotion to liberty endow the United States with a unique, providential role in world affairs. The hubris and overreaching of the left sets the stage for the political... Pakistan attacks Taliban bases near Islamabad The Pakistani army also begins to deploy troops in the Buner district, where militants reportedly blew up a bridge Pakistanis under the shadow of the Taliban Thousands of Pakistanis, rich and poor, have fled the Swat Valley as Taliban militants have strengthened their hold, bringing with them tales of violence, cruelty and chaos. Some fear the rising tide of extremism bodes ill for the rest of the country. Pakistanis worry about their international image Many acknowledge the deep problems but are outraged at comparisons to Afghanistan or Somalia and suggestions that the country could break apart In Egypt, blogger tries to spread 'culture of disobedience' among youth Mohamed Abdel Aziz's Facebook group opposed to Mubarak's rule has drawn 76,000 followers. Though its calls for nationwide strikes have flopped, he remains determined. In Britain, three acquitted of some transit bombing charges The three British Muslims were accused of carrying out reconnaissance of London sites for the 2005 bomb attacks that killed 52 people. Two were convicted of attending a terrorist camp. Specter defecting to Democrats The Pennsylvania senator's move is intended to boost his chances of winning re-election next year. By Frank Snepp There's a disturbing link between Gitmo and the interrogation tactics I used... |
| H19 Military Intelligence Terrorism National Security and the Rule of Law in Combating International TerrorismThe Washington Institute's Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence invited Todd Hinnen, deputy assistant attorney general, to a policy forum on April 28, 2009 to discuss national security and the rule of law. WAR POWERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY · The U.S. Should Cut Military Spending in Half BY: Benjamin H. Friedman | The Christian Science Monitor Hawks depicted the cuts that Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently proposed for the Pentagon's weapons programs as a savage assault on the military industrial complex. They insisted that Secretary Gates would leave us prostrate before future rivals. US Plans Attack and Defense in Cyberspace Warfare Plan to Cut Weapons Programs Disputed - Dan Eggen, Washington Post The good, and bad, news on contractors
As the US military draws down its presence in Iraq, regular troops at bases and checkpoints will increasingly be replaced with private security contractors. A recent audit found most of the "officers" responsible for managing and monitoring these contractors are woefully inexperienced, while at a cost approaching US$1 billion the process is also susceptible to fraud, waste and abuse. - David Isenberg Underdogs of War: A look at 6 tiny nations that kicked ass. Cracking KSM - Deroy Murdock, National Review opinion. DOD Can't Handle the Truth?
by William S. Lind The Wrong Argument Over Torture by William Pfaff · Precarious Position BY: James Lamont and Farhan Bokhari | Financial Times Pakistan’s army: As Taliban forces advance, fears are growing that Islamabad can marshal neither the military will nor civilian back-up to curb extremist gains. US Steps Up Effort on Digital Defenses | H20 Slate World's largest economies start push for agreement on climate Index of Leading Environmental Indicators 2009 AEI, PRI This 61-page US publication highlights the significant environmental developments and milestones in the United States and worldwide | H21 DANIEL DREZNER My list of the best IR movies It's supposed to be the gold standard for conservation. But is Unesco's World Heritage project harming the very places it seeks to protect? The Big Question: What is the extent of European royalty, and does it still have a role? Census Bureau Releases Data Showing Relationship Between Education and Earnings
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Sink or swim? Facing up to failing universities (PDF; 572 KB)
Source: Policy Exchange Erotic Intellectual Christopher Hitchens turns us on--even when he's wrong.
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