AMERICAS ARCHIVE :

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New York Times, 07 Dec 09, by Mark Landler and Helene Cooper
Officials Try to Unite on Afghan Plan
'How the military commander and the diplomatic envoy reconcile their positions promises to be one of the most eagerly watched spectacles in Washington this week — one that may give a glimpse into a process that was more divisive than the White House would like outsiders to believe.'

New York Times, 09 Dec 09, by Adam Nagourney and Dalia Sussman
Poll Finds Slim Majority Back More Troops in Afghan War
'A bare majority of Americans support President Obama’s plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, but many are skeptical that the United States can count on Afghanistan as a partner in the fight or that the escalation would reduce the chances of a domestic terrorist attack ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Dec 09, by Peter Grier
Pearl Harbor attack: Who was really to blame?
'In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, investigations began immediately. In some ways, they continue today, as historians, journalists, and ordinary citizens debate the meaning and causes of what remains, despite September 11, the most shocking surprise attack in the nation's history.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Dec 09, by Peter Grier
Pearl Harbor Day 2009: three enduring mysteries
'On Pearl Harbor Day 2009, here is a look at lingering questions such as: How did the Japanese fleet get so close to Hawaii without being spotted?'

Washington Post, 10 Dec 09, by Michael A. Fletcher
War president addresses incongruity of accepting peace prize
'In his acceptance speech, Obama directly confronted the seeming paradox of receiving the prestigious peace prize while serving as a war president. In trying to pursue both security and peace, he said, "war is sometimes necessary."'

New York Times, 02 Dec 09, by Elisabeth Bumiller
Obama Team Defends Policy on Afghanistan
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the nation’s top military officer on Wednesday laid out a muscular defense of President Obama’s decision to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, but they made clear that his plan to begin withdrawing those forces by July 2011 was flexible.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Dec 09, by Peter Grier
Obama’s Afghanistan war plan: How will he pay for it?
'It will cost an additional $30 billion a year. Some antiwar Democrats in Congress talk of a "war tax," but the most likely option to fund Obama's Afghanistan war plan is to keep borrowing.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Dec 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Fine print of Obama's Afghanistan speech: it's about Pakistan
'In his speech, Obama was careful to include Pakistan's borderlands with Afghanistan in his most dire warnings. His new strategy for Afghanistan also means a ratcheting up of resources for – and pressures on – Pakistan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Dec 09, by Gordon Lubold
Obama's Afghanistan speech: five key points
'In President Obama's Afghanistan speech, he announced Tuesday night that he will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. But he's already decided to start bringing them back by mid-2011.'

Washington Post, 03 Dec 09, by Spencer S. Hsu
Homeland Security chief warns of threat from al-Qaeda sympathizers in U.S.
'Al-Qaeda followers are inside the United States and would like to attack targets here and in other countries ...'

New York Times, 18 Nov 09, by Helene Cooper and Martin Fackler
Obama Takes Stern Tone on North Korea and Iran
'President Obama delivered a stern message on Thursday to North Korea and Iran that they risk further sanctions and isolation if they do not rein in their nuclear ambitions.'

New York Times, 18 Nov 09, by Helene Cooper
Obama Says He Is Close to Afghan War Decision
'President Obama said Wednesday he is “very close to a decision” on a troop increase for the war in Afghanistan, and will make his case to the American people for his Afghan strategy in the next “several weeks.”'

Washington Post, 15 Nov 09, by John Amick
Clinton sets benchmarks for progress in Afghanistan
'Recognizing that the potential instability of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government remains a main obstacle to an effective American strategy in the region, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today touted broad accountability procedures in Afghanistan that will aim to combat corruption.'

New York Times, 18 Nov 09, by Mark Mazzetti and James Risen
Fine and Inquiry Possible for Blackwater Successor
'The international security company formerly called Blackwater Worldwide is facing large government fines for unlicensed arms shipments to Iraq ...'

Washington Post, 18 Nov 09, by Perry Bacon Jr.
In Senate vote, signs of shift on detainees
'Democrats reject ban on using funds for U.S. facilities to house Guantanamo prisoners'

BBC, 19 Nov 09
Guantanamo calm as deadline shifts
'The deadline President Obama set to close down Guantanamo is fast approaching. But at the US military outpost on the island of Cuba there is little to suggest it is going to happen soon.'

New York Times, 05 Nov 09, by Thom Shanker and John H. Cushman Jr.
Reviews Raise Doubt on Training of Afghan Forces
'A series of internal government reviews have presented the Obama administration with a dire portrait of Afghanistan’s military and police force, bringing into serious question an ambitious goal at the heart of the evolving American war strategy — to speed up their training and send many more Afghans to the fight.'

Voice of America, 03 Nov 09, by Ravi Khanna
President Obama Still to Decide Whether to Send More US Troops to Afghanistan
'Some analysts in Washington say the primary question is whether the Afghan war is still a war of necessity as Mr. Obama has maintained, and if it serves U.S. national interests.'

Washington Post, 05 Nov 09, by Glenn Kessler
Analysis: Administration missteps hamper Mideast efforts
'... U.S. officials are now promoting new tactics -- what they called the "baby steps" of lower-level talks -- to bring the Israeli and Palestinian leaders together for direct talks.'

New York Times, 05 Nov 09, by Alexei Barrionuevo
Paraguayan President Replaces Military Leadership
'Fernando Lugo, the president of Paraguay, swore in new commanders of the military on Thursday, just a day after he abruptly removed the leaders of the army, navy and air force amid speculation of a possible coup attempt that had stoked memories of the country’s militaristic past.'

Washington Post, 29 Oct 09, by Scott Wilson and Greg Jaffe
Obama seeks study on local Afghan leaders for troop decision
'President Obama has asked senior officials for a province-by-province analysis of Afghanistan to determine which regions are being managed effectively by local leaders and which require international help, information that his advisers say will guide his decision on how many additional U.S. troops to send to the battle.'

Washington Post, 21 Oct 09, by Dan Balz and Jon Cohen
U.S. deeply split on troop increase for Afghan war
'The troop decision is one of the most complex and fateful strategic security choices of Obama's presidency. It also carries great political risk, whichever way he goes.'

Xinhua, 22 Oct 09, by Matthew Rusling
Will the U.S. send more troops to Afghanistan?
'After recent criticism of U.S. President Barack Obama's perceived dithering on whether to send additional troops to Afghanistan, the White House said Wednesday that a decision may be near.'

Washington Post, 20 Oct 09, by Walter Pincus
Lowering the alert levels in U.S. and Russia
'The high alert levels for U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear forces are more political statements carried over from the Cold War than military necessities for the 21st century, according to a multinational study released last week.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct 09, by David Montero
Detainee abuse: Would release of more photos help or hurt US?
'A bill that allows Pentagon to block release of detainee photos from Iraq and Afghanistan is on its way to the White House after clearing Congress Tuesday.'

Asia Times, 22 Oct 09, by Peter J Brown
The spy who lost his thumb drives
'American space scientist, missile defense expert and leading lunar researcher, Stewart Nozette, arrested this week in a Federal Bureau of Investigation sting, is known to have expressed his willingness to work for Israeli intelligence. What is not known is what he did with two thumb drives he took to "Country A", which is speculated to be India.'

Washington Post, 15 Oct 09, by Anne E. Kornblut and Scott Wilson
Obama Focuses on Civilian Effort in Afghanistan Strategy Review
'Although Obama's top advisers disagree over whether to adopt a counterterrorism strategy or a counterinsurgency approach in Afghanistan, they have generally reached a consensus on other matters, officials said.'

Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct 09, by Julian E. Barnes and Christi Parsons
U.S. officials look at scenarios for Afghanistan 'middle path'
'The strategies under consideration would require fewer additional troops than requested by Gen. McChrystal.'

New York Times, 14 Oct 09, by Jeff Zeleny
Deliberating on Afghanistan, in Plain Sight
'The Afghanistan strategy sessions that President Obama is leading in the Situation Room are closed, classified and confidential. Yet many days it seems as though the White House is delivering a play-by-play account of the commander in chief’s decision making.'

BBC News, 15 Oct 09
US dismisses Afghan surge report
'The White House has denied reports that US President Barack Obama may soon announce a substantial increase in US troops to Afghanistan.'

Washington Post, 15 Oct 09, by John Pomfret
U.S. Hopes to Strengthen Ties With China's Expanding Military
'... there is concern that U.S. and Chinese forces may find themselves bumping into each other without formal mechanisms in place for the two militaries to iron out disagreements.'

Wall Street Journal, 14 Oct 09, by Jason Dean
U.S. Official Praises China's Role in North Korea Negotiations
'A senior U.S. diplomat praised China's role in dealing with North Korea and said Chinese leaders believe they received confirmation from Pyongyang on recent visits that North Korea would be willing to return to multilateral talks about nuclear disarmament on terms acceptable to the other parties.'

New York Times, 14 Oct 09, by Peter Baker
Biden No Longer a Lone Voice on Afghanistan
'In a shift from his days as a liberal hawk, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is President Obama’s in-house pessimist on Afghanistan.'

Washington Post, 08 Oct 09, by Walter Pincus
New Missile Plan Would Link Allies' Radar, Other Systems
'A breakthrough that enables the early targeting of ballistic missiles by linking radars and other sensors from different parts of the world is key to the Obama administration's new missile defense plans, according to senior administration officials.'

Washington Post, 08 Oct 09, by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Civilian, Military Officials at Odds Over Resources Needed for Afghan Mission
'Failure to reach an understanding of what was needed to shift to a counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan still reverberates.'

New York Times, 08 Oct 09, by Peter Baker and Eric Schmitt
Afghan War Debate Now Leans to Focus on Al Qaeda
'President Obama’s national security team is arguing that the Afghan Taliban don’t pose a direct threat to the U.S.'

BBC News, 08 Oct 09
Obama seeks advice on Afghanistan
'US President Barack Obama has met top national security advisers as speculation mounts over likely changes to US strategy in Afghanistan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Oct 09, by Gordon Lubold
Afghanistan: more troops or missile strikes? Both, actually.
'The White House debate over a troop-heavy counterinsurgency versus more targeted strikes against Al Qaeda is a false choice, some experts say. One is needed to complement the other.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Oct 09, by Sara Miller Llana
Honduran military: An institution against democracy?
'This year's Day of the Soldier celebrations in Honduras got a mixed response. The military is now seen as tarnished by its role in the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Oct 09, by Dan Murphy and Ben Arnoldy
Is US strategy in Afghanistan working?
'The debate over sending more US troops frames a larger clash over counterinsurgency strategy as the new template for war.'

Washington Post, 02 Oct 09, by Scott Wilson and Anne E. Korblut
White House Eyeing Narrower War Effort
'Senior White House officials have begun to make the case for a policy shift in Afghanistan that would send few, if any, new combat troops to the country and instead focus on faster military training of Afghan forces, continued assassinations of al-Qaeda leaders and support for the government of neighboring Pakistan in its fight against the Taliban.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Oct 09, by Sara Miller Llana
South America: Will defense spending trigger an arms race?
'Venezuela's Chávez recently bought tanks and missiles from Russia. Several countries – including Brazil, Colombia, and Chile – are increasing their defense spending in a region that faces no major external threats.'

The Times (UK), 01 Oct 09, by Jenny Booth
White House split on second Afghan troop surge
'President Obama is confronting a split among his closest advisers on Afghanistan, with military commanders solidly behind the request for additional troops but other key figures in the administration divided.'

New York Times, 30 Sep 09, by Peter Baker and Eric Schmitt
Several Afghan Strategies, None a Clear Choice
'Just six months after President Obama adopted what he called a “stronger, smarter and comprehensive strategy” for Afghanistan and Pakistan, he is back at the same table starting from scratch. The choices available to him are both disparate and not particularly palatable.'

New York Times, 29 Sep 09, by Peter Baker
From McChrystal’s Mouth to Obama’s Ear
'The lack of direct communication [between Obama and McChrystal] has generated criticism and fueled suspicions of strains between the White House and Kabul.'

Wall Street Journal, 25 Sep 09, by Jonathan Weisman
U.N. Passes Nuclear-Safeguards Plan
'The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously approved a nuclear-safeguards resolution drafted by the Obama administration to lay the legal framework for military and diplomatic action against nations that use civilian nuclear technology for military purposes.'

Financial Times, 24 Sep 09, by Daniel Dombey
US reconsiders options in Afghanistan
'The US said on Wednesday it was rethinking whether to embark on a full-fledged counter-insurgency campaign in Afghanistan, despite calls from top military officials for more troops and President Barack Obama’s past pledges of support.'

New York Times, 23 Sep 09, by Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt
Top General Denies Rift with Obama on Afghan War
'The senior American commander in Afghanistan on Wednesday rejected any suggestion that his grim assessment of the war had driven a wedge between the military and the Obama administration, but he warned against taking too long to settle on a final strategy.'

New York Times, 20 Sep 09, by Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker
General Calls for More U.S. Troops to Avoid Afghan Failure
'The top military commander in Afghanistan warns in a confidential assessment of the war there that he needs additional troops within the next year or else the conflict “will likely result in failure.”'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Can Obama lead the world toward zero nukes?
'Obama will chair a UN Security Council summit on nuclear nonproliferation Thursday – the first US president to preside over the body.'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Obama UN speech: all nations have responsibility to act
'At the UN General Assembly, Obama said the US is ready to address global challenges such as nuclear proliferation. But the world cannot expect America to solve such problems alone, he said.'

New York Times, 23 Sep 09, by Helene Cooper
Obama Makes Gains at U.N. on Iran and Proliferation
'... Mr. Obama told leaders that the United States intended to begin a new era of engagement with the world, in a sweeping address to the General Assembly in which he sought to clearly delineate differences between himself and the administration of President George W. Bush.'

New York Times, 22 Sep 09, by Helene Cooper and Mark Landler
White House Pivots in Mideast Peace Bid
'... Mr. Obama, unable to extract that concession [to freeze settlement] from Israel or other confidence-building moves from Arab states, seems intent to press Palestinians and Israelis to negotiate all the difficult issues between them toward a final deal that has eluded negotiators, and bedeviled American presidents, since President Jimmy Carter brokered a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979.'

New York Times, 23 Sep 09, by Peter Baker
Obama to Use Current Law to Support Detentions
'In concluding that it does not need specific permission from Congress to hold detainees without charges, the Obama administration is adopting one of the arguments advanced by the Bush administration in years of debates about detention policies. But President Obama’s advisers are not embracing the more disputed Bush contention that the president has inherent power under the Constitution to detain terrorism suspects indefinitely regardless of Congress.'

Washington Post, 25 Sep 09, by Anne E. Kornblut and Dafna Linzer
White House Regroups on Guantanamo
'With four months left to meet its self-imposed deadline for closing the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Obama administration is working to recover from missteps that have put officials behind schedule and left them struggling to win the cooperation of Congress.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep 09, by David Montero
Patriot Act: Obama mum on civil liberties safeguards
'The Patriot Act is up for review, but Obama is poised to keep several of its key national surveillance provisions.'

New York Times, 17 Sep 09, by David E. Sanger and William J. Broad
New Missile Shield Strategy Scales Back Reagan’s Vision
'The new plan that President Obama laid out for a missile shield against Iran on Thursday turns Ronald Reagan’s vision of a Star Wars system on its head: Rather than focusing first on protecting the continental United States, it shifts the immediate effort to defending Europe and the Middle East.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Why Obama dropped European missile defense shield
'Administration cites technological advances and a shifting threat from Iran. But many in Eastern Europe worry the US is simply appeasing Russia.'

New York Times, 16 Sep 09, by David E. Sanger, Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt
Obama Offers Ways to Rate Efforts in Afghan Region
'The Obama administration delivered to Congress on Wednesday about 50 measures to determine whether a broad military and nation-building campaign to stabilize Afghanistan and Pakistan was succeeding, paving the way for the White House to argue that the American combat effort in the region would not be open-ended.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep 09, by Kristen Chick
How’s the US doing in Afghanistan? Congress members say Obama benchmarks too vague.
'Lawmakers are pressing the Obama administration on whether the benchmarks it laid out Wednesday to measure progress in Afghanistan will require more troops.'

Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep 09, by Julian E. Barnes
Obama says he won't rush Afghanistan troop decision
The president will not decide on sending additional troops until he has 'the strategy right,' he says.

New York Times, 17 Sep 09, by Mark Landler and Helene Cooper
Afghan Vote Uncertainty Sparks Dilemma for U.S.
'The Obama administration now fears that the Afghan election may not produce a clear winner until next spring, which officials said could throw President Obama’s policies into flux by leaving Afghanistan without a credible leader for months.'

New York Times, 15 Sep 09, by Thom Shanker
Military Chief Suggests Need to Enlarge U.S. Afghan Force
'The nation’s top military officer pushed back Tuesday against Democrats who oppose sending additional combat troops to Afghanistan, telling Congress that success would probably require more fighting forces, and certainly much more time.'

NewsHour, 15 Sep 09, with Margaret Warner
Mullen Says More Troops May Be Needed in Afghanistan
'The move may set up a split with leading Democrats in Congress as the Obama administration seeks to reshape the strategy for the Afghan conflict.'

Washington Post, 16 Sep 09, by Walter Pincus
DNI's Strategic Plan Outlines New Missions
'Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair told reporters that although combating extremism, issuing warnings, countering weapons proliferation and supporting military operations overseas remain major priorities, the 16 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community must also work to keep abreast of technical innovations and developments in information technology.'

New York Times, 16 Sep 09, by Judy Dempsey and Ian Austen
Many Allies of U.S. Share Pain of Afghan War’s Toll
'Much of the attention on the war in Afghanistan has been concentrated on the losses by the United States and Britain ... But 22 other countries that have sent forces to Afghanistan have suffered deaths among their troops, with Canada bearing the next greatest burden.'

New York Times, 15 Sep 09, by Mark Landler
Clinton Lays Out Iran Requirements
'When the United States sits down with Iran early next month for face-to-face talks, the Iranian nuclear program will be at the top of the American agenda, even though Iranian officials insist it is off the table ...'

New York Times, 15 Sep 09, by Simon Romero
A Scandal Over Spying Intensifies in Colombia
'President Álvaro Uribe, the top ally of the United States in Latin America, is enmeshed in a scandal over growing evidence that his main intelligence agency carried out an extensive illegal spying operation ...'

New York Times, 15 Sep 09, by Charlie Savage
Ignoring a Law on Foreign Relations
'... instead of claiming virtually exclusive power over foreign policy for the presidency, as some of the Bush legal team’s memorandums did, [acting head of the Office of Legal Counsel David] Barron’s opinion emphasized that Congress wields substantial authority over foreign affairs — even though this particular statute went too far, it argued.'

Christian Science Monitor, 16 Sep 09, by Tom A. Peter
Panel to Homeland Security: terror warning system doesn’t work
'A task force Tuesday recommended eliminating or overhauling the color-coded system, which has become a source of jokes and political controversy.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep 09, by David R. Francis
Afghanistan will cost US more than Iraq
'Going on eight years, the Afghanistan war already rivals the Revolutionary War as the second-longest US armed conflict (after Vietnam). If it drags on another four years, it will become America’s longest war. It would also ensure that America keeps her rank as the world’s No. 1 military spender, representing up to half of what the world spends on defense.'

Washington Post, 09 Sep 09, by Ann Scott Tyson
U.S. Learned Its Lesson, Won't Abandon Afghanistan, Gates Says
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview broadcast this week that the United States would not repeat the mistake of abandoning Afghanistan, vowing that "both Afghanistan and Pakistan can count on us for the long term."'

Washington Post, 10 Sep 09, by Walter Pincus
Bill Boosts Funds for Afghan Police, Army
'Defense Layout Less Than Obama Sought'

Washington Post, 08 Sep 09, by Karen DeYoung
For Obama, A Pivotal Moment in Afghanistan
'President Obama must decide in the coming weeks whether a greater investment of troops and resources in Afghanistan is worth the political risk if Americans do not soon perceive better results on the ground.'

AP, 09 Sep 09, by Robert Burns
Analysis: Administration weighs Afghan options
'As President Barack Obama weighs thrusting America deeper into the conflict in Afghanistan with perhaps thousands more combat troops, his administration has yet to answer a question at the core of his strategy for turning around the deteriorating war: How long will it last?'

New York Times, 06 Sep 09, by Thom Shanker
Despite Slump, U.S. Role as Top Arms Supplier Grows
'Despite a recession that knocked down global arms sales last year, the United States expanded its role as the world’s leading weapons supplier, increasing its share to more than two-thirds of all foreign armaments deals, according to a new Congressional study.'

Washington Post, 08 Sep 09, by R. Jeffrey Smith
U.S. Tried to Soften Treaty on Detainees
'Bush White House Sought to Shield Those Running Secret CIA Prisons'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Sep 09, by Sibylla Brodzinsky
Colombia's rebels step up a brutal tactic
'FARC fighters seed country with mines made from common materials that are hard to police.'

New York Times, 02 Sep 09, by Helene Cooper
G.O.P. Support May Be Vital to Obama on Afghan War
'The simple political narrative of the Afghanistan war — that this was the good war, in which the United States would hunt down the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks — has faded over time, with popular support ebbing, American casualties rising and confidence in the Afghan government declining.'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Sep 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Bad timing for Obama on any troop buildup in Afghanistan
'Drumbeat of opposition grows louder as antiwar movement looks to ramp up in the fall – and as some in Congress start talking of planning for the US exit.'

Washington Post, 29 Aug 09, by Juan Forero
South American Leaders Assail U.S. Access to Colombian Military Bases
'South American leaders meeting Friday at a special summit in Argentina lashed out at the United States and Colombia over an agreement that gives Washington access to seven military bases in this country.'

Washington Post, 01 Sep 09, by Colum Lynch
U.N. Chief's 'Quiet' Outreach To Autocrats Causing Discord
'Ban Accused of Weakening Body's Moral Authority'

Washington Post, 03 Sep 09, by Philip Rucker
The Voice of a New Generation of Veterans
'After Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, White House Aide Tackles Policy Challenges'

New York Times, 22 Aug 09, by Peter Baker
Could Afghanistan Become Obama's Vietnam?
'Just as Mr. Johnson believed he had no choice but to fight in Vietnam to contain communism, Mr. Obama last week portrayed Afghanistan as the bulwark against international terrorism. "This is not a war of choice," he told the Veterans of Foreign Wars at their convention in Phoenix. "This is a war of necessity. ..."'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug 09, by Gordon Lubold
Is Obama making a convincing case for the Afghan war?
'The president must do a better job of telling Americans why the effort is central to preventing another 9/11, experts say.'

Washington Post, 27 Aug 09, by Juan Forero and Mary Beth Sheridan
U.S.-Colombia Deal Prompts Questions
'Deal to allow U.S. forces access to bases in Colombia sparks concern in the region and an outcry from Venezuela, where President Chávez warns of a coming U.S. invasion.'

New York Times, 25 Aug 09, by Mark Mazzetti and Scott Shane
C.I.A. Abuse Cases Detailed in Report on Detainees
'The Justice Department released a long-secret report Monday chronicling abuses inside the Central Intelligence Agency's overseas prisons ...'

New York Times, 23 Aug 09, by David Johnston
Justice Dept. Report Advises Pursuing C.I.A. Abuse Cases
'The Justice Department's ethics office has recommended reversing the Bush administration and reopening nearly a dozen prisoner-abuse cases, potentially exposing Central Intelligence Agency employees and contractors to prosecution for brutal treatment of terrorism suspects, according to a person officially briefed on the matter.'

New York Times, 24 Aug 09, by David Johnston
Rendition to Continue, but with Better Oversight, U.S. Says
'The Obama administration will continue the Bush administration's practice of sending terrorism suspects to third countries for detention and interrogation, but pledges to closely monitor their treatment to ensure that they are not tortured, administration officials said Monday.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug 09, by Warren Richey
Review of alleged detainee abuse to have narrow scope
'"Preliminary review" looks at whether interrogations followed guidance of the Bush "torture memos."'

Washington Post, 15 Aug 09, by Walter Pincus
GAO: Missile Site Costs Likely to Rise
'The cost of building and operating the controversial U.S. anti-ballistic missile sites in Europe could substantially exceed the original estimate of more than $4 billion, the Government Accountability Office has told Congress. The GAO recommended that the Defense Department develop "accurate, realistic, and complete cost estimates for military construction and operations and support for ballistic missile defenses in Europe" and that the Army and Air Force reach agreement on how the facilities will be funded over the long term.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug 09, by Gordon Lubold
Obama vows to bring his reform agenda to the Pentagon, VA
'In a speech to veterans Monday, he says he intends to rein in Pentagon spending, as well as improve medical care for veterans.'

Washington Post, 20 Aug 09, by Jennifer Agiesta and Jon Cohen
Public Opinion in U.S. Turns Against the War
'A majority of Americans now see the war in Afghanistan as not worth fighting, and just a quarter say more U.S. troops should be sent to the country, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.'

Washington Post, 20 Aug 09, by Peter Finn
Administration Makes Progress on Resettling Detainees
'The Obama administration has secured commitments from nearly a dozen countries willing to accept detainees from Guantanamo Bay and is increasingly confident about its ability to transfer a large majority of the prisoners who have been cleared for release, according to U.S. and foreign officials.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug 09, by Arthur Bright
Report: militia activity on the rise in US
'The Southern Poverty Law Center warns that US antigovernment militias are gaining traction.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug 09, by Sibylla Brodzinsky
Chávez stirs anxiety over US military deal in Colombia
'Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez sought a region-wide censure of the pending agreement at a summit Monday in Quito, Ecuador. But other leaders were declined to condemn it outright.'

Washington Post, 08 Aug 09, by Juan Forero
U.S. Plan Raises Ire in Latin America
'A U.S. plan to deploy troops and station aircraft at several Colombian military bases has generated controversy across Latin America ...'

New York Times, 11 Aug 09, by Scott Shane
2 U.S. Architects of Harsh Tactics in 9/11’s Wake
'Jim Mitchell and Bruce Jessen were military retirees and psychologists, on the lookout for business opportunities. They found an excellent customer in the Central Intelligence Agency, where in 2002 they became the architects of the most important interrogation program in the history of American counterterrorism.'

New York Times, 07 Aug 09, by David E. Sanger, Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker
White House Struggles to Gauge Afghan Success
'As the American military comes to full strength in the Afghan buildup, the Obama administration is struggling to come up with a long-promised plan to measure whether the war is being won.'

New York Times/AP, 07 Aug 09
US Looks to Vietnam for Afghan Tips
'Top U.S. officials have reached out to a leading Vietnam war scholar to discuss the similarities of that conflict 40 years ago with American involvement in Afghanistan, where the U.S. is seeking ways to isolate an elusive guerrilla force and win over a skeptical local population.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Aug 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Chávez rages at US plan to boost antidrug ops in Colombia
'Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has agreed to host the Pentagon's narcotics-interdiction flight operations, which were recently kicked out of Ecuador.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Aug 09, by Gordon Lubold
What are two Russian subs doing off the US coast?
'The Pentagon doesn't know. But it's the first such incident in nearly 10 years, suggesting that the Russian military is flexing its muscle.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Aug 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Direct talks with N. Korea ahead? Not likely.
'Secretary of State Clinton reaffirms commitment to six-party talks. One-on-one dialogue with Kim Jong-il's regime would validate the rogue nation, analysts say.'

New York Times, 05 Aug 09, by Mark Landler
After Clinton Trip, U.S. Studies Signals From N. Korea
'... even as the administration took pains through its statements to assure allies abroad and voters at home that it would not be lured naïvely into yet another round of fruitless talks with the North Korean government, officials were busily calculating whether the psychology in the North had changed in a way that might create opportunities for resolving the long confrontation over its nuclear ambitions.'

Washington Post, 06 Aug 09, by Spencer S. Hsu and Joby Warrick
Obama's Battle Against Terrorism To Go Beyond Bombs and Bullets
'The U.S. government must fundamentally redefine the struggle against terrorism, replacing the "war on terror" with a campaign combining all facets of national power to defeat the enemy, John O. Brennan, President Obama's senior counterterrorism adviser, said Wednesday.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jul 09, by Sibylla Brodzinsky
Possible US-Colombia military deal raises regional tensions
'Venezuela and Ecuador have strongly condemned the pending agreement, which would allow the US to use three bases for counternarcotics and counterinsurgency surveillance.'

New York Times, 28 Jul 09, by Sharon Otterman
U.S. Opens Way to Ease Sanctions Against Syria
'The Obama administration said Tuesday that it would take new steps to ease American sanctions against Syria on a case-by-case basis, the latest sign of a diplomatic thaw.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jul 09, by Warren Richey
Obama will close Gitmo on time, officials say
'The administration also tells Congress Tuesday that it will decide the status of all 229 detainees by Oct. 1.'

UK Telegraph, 27 Jul 09, by Dina Kraft
US hopeful Iran will respond to nuclear demands
'The United States is hoping that by this autumn Iran will respond to its diplomatic efforts to curb its suspected nuclear appetites, Robert Gates, the US defence secretary said on Monday.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jul 09, by Sara Miller Llana
Military signals softening in Honduras crisis
'In a significant development, the military issued a communique Saturday stating its support for mediation within the framework of the San José accord negotiated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias. The accord would allow Zelaya to return as president, though with curtailed powers.'

New York Times, 22 Jul 09, by Mark Landler
Clinton Hints at ‘Defense Umbrella’ to Deter Iran
'Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday that the United States would consider extending a defense umbrella over the states in the Persian Gulf region if Iran does not bow to international demands to halt its nuclear program.'

NewsHour, 21 Jul 09, with Kwame Holman
Senate Vote Against F-22 Funds a Win for Obama
'In a key political victory for President Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the Senate on Tuesday voted 58-40 to block $1.75 billion in financing for new F-22 fighter jets.'

New York Times, 22 Jul 09, by Simon Romero
Increased U.S. Military Presence in Colombia Could Pose Problems With Neighbors
'A plan to increase the American military presence on at least three military bases in Colombia, Washington’s top ally in Latin America, is accentuating Colombia’s already tense relations with some of its neighbors.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jul 09, by Sara Miller Llana
Briefing: Was Zelaya's ouster a coup?
'Hondurans debate the legality of the forced exile of President Manuel Zelaya.'

New York Times, 21 Jul 09, by David Johnston
For Holder, Inquiry on Interrogation Poses Tough Choice
'As the attorney general, Eric H. Holder Jr., debates whether to appoint a criminal prosecutor to investigate the interrogations of terrorism suspects after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he is at the brink of a career-defining decision that risks the anger of the White House and the Central Intelligence Agency, one of the Justice Department’s main partners in combating terrorism.'

Washington Post, 21 Jul 09, by Peter Finn
Reports on U.S. Detention Policy Will Be Delayed
'The Obama administration is delaying completion of reports examining U.S. detention and interrogation policy, officials said Monday, in a sign of the formidable issues it faces in grappling with how to handle terrorism suspects as it prepares to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay.'

New York Times, 17 Jul 09, by Howard W. French
U.S. Finding Its Voice in Africa Again
'With President Barack Obama’s visit to Africa, America’s approach to the continent seems poised to emerge from a long, deep sleep.'

NewsHour, 08 Jul 09
Cyber Attacks on U.S. Government Put Digital Security in Spotlight
'Recent attacks on government computers, private organizations and foreign governments have raised fresh questions about the nation's digital security. Analysts discuss the implications of the attacks and the vulnerability of the nation's digital systems.'

Washington Post, 16 Jul 09, by Glenn Kessler
Clinton: U.S. Urges 'Multi-Partner World'
'"Our approach to foreign policy must reflect the world as it is, not as it used to be," Clinton said in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations.'

NewsHour, 13 Jul 09, with Gwen Ifill et al
Calls Intensify for Investigation Into Bush-era CIA Program
'Democrats are demanding a fresh investigation into whether the Bush administration failed to brief Congress on the existence of a secret program to target, capture, or kill al-Qaida operatives. Gwen Ifill examines the story with two journalists.'

Washington Post, 13 Jul 09, by Carrie Johnson and Joby Warrick
Bush Anti-Terror Policies Get Reluctant Revisit
'Recent disclosures prompt Obama administration to rethink approach to inquiries.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jul 09, by Sara Miller Llana
Ousted Honduran leader calls for 'insurrection'
'Manuel Zelaya's rhetoric may make this weekend's talks more difficult and could spark violence in the tense and divided country, analysts say.'

Washington Post, 13 Jul 09, by Juan Forero
In Deeply Split Honduran Society, a Potentially Combustible Situation
'... among the country's small but influential establishment, what Zelaya did and said were cause for alarm. That sentiment fueled not just the military coup that removed the populist leader from power June 28 but also solidified the de facto government's now intractable stance against any effort to reinstate him.'

Washington Post, 13 Jul 09, by Anne-Marie O'Connor and Mary Beth Sheridan
Iran's Invisible Nicaragua Embassy
'The mysterious, unseen giant embassy underscores how Iran's expansion into Latin America may be less substantive than some in Washington fear.'

New York Times, 11 Jul 09, by Andrea Elliott
A Call to Jihad, Answered in America
'The F.B.I. is looking into a group of Somali-Americans who are the focus of what may be the most significant domestic terrorism investigation since Sept. 11.'

Washington Post, 08 Jul 09, by Brian Krebs and Ellen Nakashima
Government Agencies, Washington Post Targeted in Cyberattack
'A widespread and coordinated cyberattack during the past few days has targeted Web sites operated by major government agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security and Defense, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Trade Commission, according to several computer security researchers.'

Xinhua, 08 Jul 09
Can int'l mediation break Honduras' political stalemate?
'Both ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the interim government have accepted Costa Rican President Oscar Arias as a mediator, but it remains to be seen how far international mediation can go to help solve the political deadlock in the country.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jul 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Clinton's high-wire act on Honduras
'US backs Costa Rica's Arias to mediate the crisis, wary of being seen as interfering in the region – as it has in the past.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Jul 09, by Tyler Bridges, McClatchy Newspapers
How the Honduras crisis boosts Venezuela's Chávez
'President Hugo Chávez, an avowed socialist and critic of the United States, has emerged in the unlikely role as the leading champion of democracy for Honduras.'

Washington Post, 06 Jul 09, by Mary Beth Sheridan
For U.S. and OAS, New Challenges to Latin American Democracy
'The Obama administration has signaled its support for democracy in Latin America by condemning the coup in Honduras, reducing military cooperation and joining with other countries in the hemisphere yesterday in a rare suspension of a nation from the Organization of American States.'

Washington Post, 05 Jul 09, by William Booth and Juan Forero
U.S. Misread Scale of Honduran Rift
'Although the U.S. government knew for months that Honduras was on the brink of political chaos, officials say they underestimated how fearful the Honduran elite and the military were of ousted President Manuel Zelaya and his ally President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jul 09, by Alexandra Marks
Bring terrorists to US? Better than leaving Gitmo open, panel says.
'In a letter to Congress Tuesday, 17 terrorism experts said America's super-maximum security prisons can handle detainees from Guantánamo.'

Washington Post, 01 Jul 09, by Dan Balz
Have We Forgotten Iraq?
'The celebrations in Iraq marking the pullback of U.S. combat forces from Baghdad and other cities stand in stark contrast to the reaction in the United States.'

Washington Post, 01 Jul 09, by Glenn Kessler
U.S. Targets Firms Tied To N. Korea Arms Trade
'The Obama administration yesterday began a campaign to curtail North Korea's ability to finance its trade in missiles and nuclear materials, with the Treasury and State Departments announcing actions against two North Korean companies, including one allegedly connected to the building of a nuclear reactor in Syria.'

New York Times, 01 Jul 09, by Marc Lacey and Ginger Thompson
Compromise Is Sought to Honduras Standoff
'As the public standoff between Honduras and the rest of the world hardened, quiet negotiations got under way on Wednesday to lay the groundwork for a possible return of the nation’s ousted president, Manuel Zelaya.'

Washington Post, 01 Jul 09, by William Booth
Two Hondurans Headed for Clash
'The two presidents of Honduras were headed on a collision course Tuesday, as the president ousted by a coup vowed to return and his replacement threatened to arrest him the minute he lands.'

New York Times, 01 Jul 09, by Marc Lacey
Leader’s Ouster Not a Coup, Says the Honduran Military
'... the chief lawyer of the Honduran armed forces insisted that what soldiers carried out over the weekend when they detained President Manuel Zelaya was no coup d’état.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jun 09, by Howard LaFranchi
International pressure builds to reinstate Honduran president
'The UN General Assembly condemned the coup Tuesday, but analysts say any peaceful resolution to the crisis would need to give a hearing to all sides.'

New York Times, 30 Jun 09, by Simon Romero
Obama’s Stance Deflects Chávez’s Finger-Pointing
'While Mr. Chávez continued to portray Washington as the coup’s possible orchestrator, others in Latin America failed to see it that way.'

New York Times, 28 Jun 09, by Simon Romero
Rare Hemisphere Unity in Assailing Honduran Coup
'With their condemnation on Sunday of the coup ousting President Manuel Zelaya in Honduras, governments in the Western Hemisphere from across the ideological spectrum found a rare issue around which they could swiftly arrive at unity.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jun 09, by David Cook
Biden gets new role in Iraq policy
'Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed Tuesday that President Obama had asked Biden to begin “working with General [Raymond] Odierno and Ambassador [Christopher] Hill in working with the Iraqis toward overcoming their political differences and achieving the type of reconciliation that we all understand has yet to fully take place.”'

Washington Post, 29 Jun 09, by Juan Forero
Colombia's Uribe Faces a More Wary U.S.
'... the United States is concerned about the wiretapping and surveillance of Uribe's critics by an intelligence agency controlled by the presidency and reports that as many as 1,700 civilians have been killed by Colombian army units ...'

Los Angeles Times/AP, 29 Jun 09, by Edith M. Lederer, AP
US ready to beef up UN peacekeeping operations with military observers, officers and police
'U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said President Barack Obama's administration will explore ways to assist peacekeeping operations including by training peacekeepers and providing equipment and transportation.'

Washington Post, 23 Jun 09, by Scott Wilson
Iran Unrest Reveals Split In U.S. on Its Role Abroad
'Iran's post-election tumult has exposed the sharply divergent ways in which the Obama administration and its Republican opponents view the nature of American power and the president's role in speaking to political dissent outside the borders of the United States.'

New York Times, 22 Jun 09, by Mark Landler and Mark Mazzetti
U.S. Scrambles for Information on Iran
'With no diplomatic relations and with foreign journalists largely expelled from the country, an administration that was already struggling to make sense of Iran finds itself picking up tidbits about the crisis in the same ways private citizens do ...'

Wall Street Journal, 19 Jun 09, by Yochi J. Dreazen
U.S. Fortifies Hawaii to Meet Threat From Korea
'The U.S. is moving ground-to-air missile defenses to Hawaii as tensions escalate between Washington and Pyongyang over North Korea's recent moves to restart its nuclear-weapon program and resume test-firing long-range missiles.'

Washington Post, 18 Jun 09, by Glenn Kessler
U.S. Struggling for Right Response to Iran
'Obama Seeks Way to Acknowledge Protesters Without Alienating Ayatollah'

New York Times, 16 Jun 09, by Jeff Zeleny and Helene Cooper
Obama Warns Against Direct Involvement by U.S. in Iran
'President Obama said Tuesday that it would be counterproductive for the United States "to be seen as meddling" in the disputed Iranian presidential election, dismissing criticism from several leading Republicans that he has failed to speak out forcefully enough on behalf of the Iranian opposition.'

Washington Post, 17 Jun 09, by Walter Pincus
U.S. Weighs Integrating Russia Into Missile Plan
'Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III told Congress yesterday that the Obama administration is exploring ways to involve two Russian radar installations in a missile-defense system for Central Europe. The comment raised new doubts about whether the administration would stick with its predecessor's plan to put U.S. interceptors in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic, which has been coolly received by Russia and some in Europe.'

Washington Post, 17 Jun 09, by R. Jeffrey Smith and Joby Warrick
CIA Fights Full Release Of Detainee Report
'The CIA is pushing the Obama administration to maintain the secrecy of significant portions of a comprehensive internal account of the agency's interrogation program, according to two intelligence officials.'

Washington Post, 17 Jun 09, by Mike Musgrove
Twitter Is a Player In Iran's Drama
'The State Department asked social-networking site Twitter to delay scheduled maintenance earlier this week to avoid disrupting communications among tech-savvy Iranian citizens as they took to the streets to protest Friday's reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.'

New York Times, 09 Jun 09, by Elisabeth Bumiller
In Congress, Gates Sounds Positive Note on Afghanistan
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Tuesday that he was more hopeful than he had been in a long time about progress in the war in Afghanistan, but that there would have to be significant improvement a year from now for the American public to support the effort.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Jun 09, by Sibylla Brodzinsky
In Colombia, FARC rebels strike back
'The leftist militants have launched 'plan rebirth' following a year of withering setbacks.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Jun 09, by Donald Kirk
US weighs options to free journalists in North Korea
'A tougher stance toward Pyongyang may complicate efforts to negotiate the release of the two women, who were sentenced Monday to 12 years of hard labor.'

Miami Herald, 08 Jun 09, by Casto Ocando, El Nuevo Herald
Venezuelan military targets Chávez critics in its ranks
'Venezuelan army officers and soldiers are upset by a military order that requires the reporting of all comments critical of President Hugo Chávez.'

New York Times, 29 May 09, by Simon Romero
Chávez Seeks Tighter Grip on Military
'Since February, Mr. Chávez has moved against a wide range of domestic critics, and his efforts in recent weeks to strengthen his grip on the armed forces have led to high-profile arrests and a wave of reassignments.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Jun 09, by Tim Rogers
US may punish Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega with $64 million aid cut
'Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets Wednesday with the Millenium Challenge Corporation to decide whether to cancel US aid in response to the leftist leader's alleged attempts to steal elections.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jun 09, by Warren Richey
Guantánamo's untouchables: What to do with Uighurs
'The US moves toward sending the Chinese Muslims to Palau, a remote Pacific island. But some experts say that would be a mistake.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jun 09, by Patrik Jonsson
Shooting of two soldiers in Little Rock puts focus on 'lone wolf' Islamic extremists
'Did alleged attacker Abdulhakid Mujahid Mohammed act on his own, or was he a trained jihadist?'

Washington Post, 07 Jun 09, by Mary Beth Sheridan and Del Quentin Wilber
A Slow Burn Becomes a Raging Fire
'Disdain for U.S. Policies May Have Led to Alleged Spying for Cuba'

Washington Post, 04 Jun 09, by Mary Beth Sheridan
Organization of American States Lifts Cuba's Suspension, With Provisos
'In a surprise move, the Organization of American States yesterday lifted its 47-year suspension of Cuba, with the U.S. government acquiescing but getting conditions on the communist country's full return to the group.'

Washington Post, 03 Jun 09, by Mary Beth Sheridan
Clinton Faces Pressure Over Cuba Policy
'The diplomatic tug of war underscored how U.S. isolation of Cuba, long a hot-button topic in the United States, has emerged as a barrier in the Obama administration's outreach efforts.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Jun 09, by Sara Miller Llana
Will potential US-Cuba thaw dominate OAS meeting?
'This week's meeting of the Organization of American States could pave to way to Cuba's reentry into the group after nearly 50 years – and toward lifting the US embargo.'

New York Times, 02 Jun 09, by William J. Broad
U.S. Releases Secret List of Nuclear Sites Accidentally
'The federal government mistakenly made public a 266-page report, its pages marked "highly confidential," that gives detailed information about hundreds of the nation's civilian nuclear sites and programs, including maps showing the precise locations of stockpiles of fuel for nuclear weapons.'

Washington Post, 03 Jun 09, by Paul Kane and Joby Warrick
Cheney Led Briefings of Lawmakers To Defend Interrogation Techniques
'Cheney's role in helping handle intelligence issues in the Bush administration -- particularly his advocacy for the use of aggressive methods and warrantless wiretapping against alleged terrorists -- has been well documented. But his hands-on role in defending the interrogation program to lawmakers has not been previously publicized.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 09, by Saeed Shah and Warren P. Strobel, McClatchy Newspapers
US to spend $1 billion on embassy expansions in Pakistan, Afghanistan
'Diplomatic presence on the scale of Iraq prompts concerns in Pakistan about American meddling.'

Washington Post, 28 May 09, by R. Jeffrey Smith and Joby Warrick
Nuclear Aims By Pakistan, India Prompt U.S. Concern
'Sometime next year, at a tightly guarded site south of its capital, Pakistan will be ready to start churning out a new stream of plutonium for its nuclear arsenal, which will eventually include warheads for ballistic missiles and cruise missiles capable of being launched from ships, submarines or aircraft.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 May 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Is diplomacy with Iran futile?
'Experts gathered to debate US policy toward Iran, and then let the audience decide.'

Washington Post, 28 May 09, by Carrie Johnson
Review of Government Secrecy Ordered
'President Obama directed his national security adviser and senior Cabinet officials yesterday to examine whether the government keeps too much information secret.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 09, by David Montero
US 'Afpak' strategy troubles some in US and Pakistan
'American lawmakers say they haven't been briefed on plans, as some in Pakistan describe the administration as "confused."'

New York Times, 13 May 09, by Jeff Zeleny and Thom Shanker
Obama Moves to Bar Release of Detainee Abuse Photos
'President Obama said Wednesday that he would fight to prevent the release of photographs documenting abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan by United States military personnel, reversing his position on the issue after commanders warned that the images could set off a deadly backlash against American troops.'

New York Times, 14 May 09, by David Johnston
Bitter Start to a Hearing on Interrogation Tactics
'The first Congressional effort to publicly investigate the Bush administration's brutal interrogations of terrorism suspects opened on Wednesday with a hearing splintered by harshly partisan recriminations.'

Washington Post, 13 May 09, by Carrie Johnson
Former Official: Treatment of Terror Suspects a 'Collective Failure'
'Fresh accounts today by Zelikow and retired FBI special agent Ali Soufan, who dissented from Justice Department conclusions about the legality of waterboarding prisoners, are likely to expose anew rifts within the highest levels of the Bush administration over the practices.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 09, by Jason Motlagh
US fights Taliban on another front: public relations
As Afghan insurgents exploit popular anger at civilian deaths, the US is hitting back with its own message.'

Washington Post, 07 May 09, by Scott Wilson
Obama Stresses Joint Action Against Taliban Push in South Asia
'President Obama declared yesterday that "the security of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States are linked" after meeting with the presidents of those countries, saying his strategy to combat rising extremism through increased development aid and military support reflects that "fundamental truth."'

BBC News, 06 May 09, by Mark Urban
US disquiet over 'Af-Pak' strategy
'The emphasis on combating militancy is a key part of Mr Obama's foreign policy - some indeed would say it is the central issue of it. The Washington meeting, though, has brought to the surface all kinds of tensions about the Obama approach.'

Washington Post, 06 May 09, by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Administration Is Keeping Ally at Arm's Length
'Skepticism of Afghan Leader Shapes Policy : In assessing the nearly eight-year struggle from Washington, senior members of Obama's national security team say Karzai has not done enough to address the grave challenges facing his nation. They deem him to be a mercurial and vacillating chieftain who has tolerated corruption and failed to project his authority beyond the gates of Kabul.'

New York Times, 03 May 09, by David E. Sanger
Pakistan Strife Raises U.S. Doubts on Nuclear Arms
'As the insurgency of the Taliban and Al Qaeda spreads in Pakistan, senior American officials say they are increasingly concerned about new vulnerabilities for Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, including the potential for militants to snatch a weapon in transport or to insert sympathizers into laboratories or fuel-production facilities.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 May 09, by Howard LaFranchi
One aim of US-Afghan-Pakistani summit: a parade for aid
'Congress holds the key to billions in new assistance, but some lawmakers are skeptical it would diminish the terrorist threat.'

New York Times, 06 May 09, by Helene Cooper
National Security Adviser Tries Quieter Approach
'On a foreign policy team of supersize egos, Gen. James L. Jones, President Obama's national security adviser, is flying below the radar.'

New York Times, 29 Apr 09, by Helene Cooper and Jeff Zeleny
Obama ‘Gravely Concerned' About Pakistan
'President Obama said Wednesday that he was "gravely concerned" about the stability of the Pakistani government but that he was confident Pakistan's nuclear arsenal would not fall into the hands of Islamic militants.'

Washington Post, 29 Apr 09, by Karen DeYoung
Taliban Advance in Pakistan Prompts Shift by U.S.
'The Pakistani government's inability to stem Taliban advances has forced the Obama administration to recalibrate its Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy a month after unveiling it.'

New York Times, 30 Apr 09, by Judy Dempsey
U.S. Asking E.U. to Take Detainees
'The U.S. attorney general, Eric H. Holder Jr., made a public appeal Wednesday night for European governments to accept inmates freed from Guantánamo Bay, saying the United States and its allies must overcome divisions of the past and "make unpopular choices."'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr 09, by Liam Stack
US court allows rendition lawsuit against CIA contractor
'The government says state secrets are at risk, but the 9th Circuit is allowing the case to proceed against a Boeing subsidiary that reportedly flew suspects to secret prisons.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Apr 09, by Tom A. Peter
Did CIA 'enhanced interrogation techniques' work or not?
'Forget whether or not the 'torture' tactics on Al Qaeda suspects were justifiable. Debate now rages as to whether they were effective.'

Washington Post, 23 Apr 09, by Dan Balz and Perry Bacon Jr.
Congress Debates Fresh Investigation Of Interrogations
'The legacy of George W. Bush continued to dog President Obama and his administration yesterday, as Congress divided over creating a panel to investigate the harsh interrogation techniques employed under Bush's authorization and the White House tried to contain the controversy over the president's decision to release Justice Department memos justifying and outlining those procedures.'

Washington Post, 22 Apr 09, by Joby Warrick and Peter Finn
Harsh Tactics Readied Before Their Approval
'Intelligence and military officials under the Bush administration began preparing to conduct harsh interrogations long before they were granted legal approval to use such methods -- and weeks before the CIA captured its first high-ranking terrorism suspect, Senate investigators have concluded.'

New York Times, 21 Apr 09, by Scott Shane And Mark Mazzetti
In Adopting Harsh Tactics, No Look at Past Use
'The program began with Central Intelligence Agency leaders in the grip of an alluring idea: They could get tough in terrorist interrogations without risking legal trouble by adopting a set of methods used on Americans during military training. How could that be torture?'

Washington Post, 20 Apr 09, by Scott Wilson
Obama Closes Summit, Vows Broader Engagement With Latin America
'President Obama concluded a summit of the hemisphere's leaders Sunday by articulating a broad new agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean, having gained momentum in his bid to repair relations with some of the region's shrillest critics of the United States.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Apr 09, by Tyler Bridges, McClatchy Newspapers
Will the Obama-Chávez thaw last?
'US officials want the Chávez government to cooperate with US anti-drug efforts, begin issuing visas for US diplomats to enter Venezuela and halt its buying spree of Russia weapons, analysts said. Venezuelan officials want continued respect from the Obama administration and a muted response to Chávez's moves against his political opposition.'

Washington Post, 16 Apr 09, by Ann Scott Tyson and Stephanie McCrummen
U.S. Lays Out Anti-Piracy Plan
'The Obama administration yesterday called for expanding the international counterpiracy effort to deter Somali pirates, secure the release of hostage ships and crews, and freeze pirate assets, yet U.S. military officials said there are no immediate plans to devote more warships to the region.'

Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr 09, by Peter Nicholas
Latin America summit a proving ground for Obama
'President Barack Obama is popular in Latin America, unlike George W. Bush, but he faces opposition over U.S. policies on Cuba and assault weapons.'

Washington Post, 16 Apr 09, by Colum Lynch and Glenn Kessler
U.S. Looks to Balance Response to N. Korea
'Officials press for sanctions while promoting talks.'

PBS NewsHour, 15 Apr 09, with Ray Suarez
New 'Border Czar' to Tackle Drug Violence, Beef Up Security
'The administration's new "border czar" Alan Bersin is charged with improving security and quelling drug violence along the Mexican border. Analysts assess his biggest challenges.'

New York Times, 08 Apr 09, by Mark Landler and Nazila Fathi
U.S. to Join Iran Talks Over Nuclear Program
'The Obama administration said Wednesday that the United States would start participating regularly with other major powers in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.'

AP, 09 Apr 09, by Matthew Lee
US dealings with Iran remain on slippery path
'Efforts by the Obama administration to re-engage with Iran advanced a step and skidded backward all in the same day, underscoring the difficulties the new president faces as he tries to improve U.S. relations with its longtime foe.'

Washington Post, 08 Apr 09, by Michael D. Shear and Kevin Sullivan
Obama Portrays Another Side of U.S.
'President wraps up overseas tour in which humility, partnership were key themes.'

New York Times, 09 Apr 09, by
With 'Annapolis,' a Warning to Israel
'Watchers of Middle East politics were quick to take note of a line in President Obama's address before the Turkish Parliament on Monday in Ankara, in which he mentioned "Annapolis."'

New York Times, 06 Apr 09, by Christopher Drew and Elisabeth Bumiller
Military Budget Reflects a Shift in U.S. Strategy
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced a major reshaping of the Pentagon budget on Monday, with deep cuts in many traditional weapons systems but new billions of dollars for others, along with more troops and new technology to fight the insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan.'

Washington Post, 07 Apr 09, by R. Jeffrey Smith
Gates Proposal Reveals His Alienation from Procurement System
'In calling yesterday for "a dramatic change in the way we acquire military equipment," Gates showed his slow but palpable alienation from the so-called iron triangle of defense contractors, lawmakers and military service executives that has long promoted building the best weapons systems, no matter what the price.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Apr 09, by Mark Clayton and Bridget Huber
To stop pirates, do ships need firepower?
'Most merchant sailors are not trained to use weapons, but some maritime educators say that is changing.'

New York Times, 06 Apr 09, by Helene Cooper and David E. Sanger
Obama Seizes on Missile Launch in Seeking Nuclear Cuts
'Hours after North Korea's missile test, President Obama on Sunday called for new United Nations sanctions and laid out a new approach to American nuclear disarmament policy — one intended to strengthen the United States and its allies in halting proliferation.'

PBS NewsHour, 06 Apr 09
Rice Calls for International Action on North Korea
'U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice said the Obama administration would seek a global response to the crisis prompted by this weekend's missile test by North Korea.'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Apr 09, by Gordon Lubold
Senators grill Petraeus on new Afghanistan strategy
'Top concerns are troop levels and yardsticks for success.'

New York Times, 01 Apr 09, by Elisabeth Bumiller
Petraeus Warns About Militants' Threat to Pakistan
'Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander for Iraq and Afghanistan, warned a Senate panel on Wednesday that militant extremists in Pakistan "could literally take down their state" if left unchallenged, as he and two other top officials presented a grim picture of growing dangers in the region.'

New York Times, 01 Apr 09, by Mark Landler
Obama Administration Has First Face-to-Face Contact With Iran
'... two [recent] American contacts with Iran are another step in the Obama administration's policy of engagement. It is a tentative process, in which the White House makes symbolic gestures, like President Obama's recent video greeting to the Iranian people and government for their New Year, while continuing to formulate its longer-term strategy.'

New York Times, 30 Mar 09, by Thom Shanker and Choe Sang-Hun
No U.S. Plans to Stop Korea on Missile Test
'The United States has no plans for military action to pre-empt the launching of a long-range missile by North Korea and would act only if the missile or its parts appeared to be headed toward American territory, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Sunday.'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Apr 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Reversing Bush policy, US seeks seat on UN Human Rights council
'The US will try to reform the council – some of whose members shield human rights violators – from within, officials said.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Mar 09, by Thom Shanker
U.S. sees Chinese military rise, and a need for more contact
'China is seeking technology and weapons to disrupt the traditional advantages of American forces, and secrecy surrounding its military creates the potential for miscalculation on both sides, according to a Pentagon study released Wednesday.'

International Herald Tribune, 23 Mar 09, by Sheryl Gay Stolberg
Obama takes a different approach as commander in chief
'As he heads toward his next big commander-in-chief moment — a decision on strategy for Afghanistan, possibly this week — Mr. Obama, by necessity and temperament, is wearing the role in ways distinctly different from his predecessor, George W. Bush.'

International Herald Tribune, 23 Mar 09, by Helene Cooper
Obama wants U.S. to have exit strategy for Afghanistan
'The United States must look for a way out of the war in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama said, in a signal that the military buildup in Afghanistan will not be open-ended and will lead to the eventual withdrawal of American and NATO troops from the country.'

BBC News, 18 Mar 09
US tests defence missile system
'The United States military has successfully tested their Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile defence system by shooting down a dummy ballistic missile. THAAD can be used against short and medium range ballistic missiles in their final stage of flight both inside and outside the atmosphere.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Mar 09, by Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt
Obama seeks vastly expanded Afghan security force to help stabilize the nation
'President Obama and his advisers have decided to significantly expand Afghanistan's security forces in the hope that a much larger professional army and national police force could fill a void left by the central government and do more to promote stability in the country, according to senior administration and Pentagon officials.'

International Herald Tribune, 18 Mar 09, by Peter Baker
Obama names retired general as Sudan envoy
'... as the administration ratcheted up pressure against the government in Khartoum for expelling humanitarian relief organizations from the ravaged region of Darfur ... Mr. Obama named Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, a Swahili-speaking retired air force officer who grew up in Africa as the son of missionaries, to the post. He will be taking on one of the most delicate diplomatic missions of the Obama presidency.'

International Herald Tribune, 18 Mar 09, by David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt
U.S. may widen strikes in Pakistan
'President Barack Obama and his national security advisers are considering expanding the American covert war in Pakistan far beyond the unruly tribal areas to strike at a different center of Taliban power in Baluchistan, where top Taliban leaders are orchestrating attacks into southern Afghanistan.'

International Herald Tribune, 18 Mar 09, by John Schwartz
U.S. urged to lift antiterror ban on foreign scholars
'... a coalition of academic and civil liberties groups is calling on the Obama administration to break with the Bush administration’s policies on blocking visas of some foreign scholars, writers and activists. ... the coalition says so-called ideological exclusion "compromises the vitality of academic and political debate in the United States at a time when that debate is exceptionally important."'

International Herald Tribune, 17 Mar 09, by Simon Romero
Violence returns to Peru's remote jungle
'In a remote corner of southern Peru, a renewed military campaign, a resurgent rebel faction and a lucrative cocaine trade is bringing back a deadly terror.'

International Herald Tribune, 16 Mar 09, by Brian Knowlton
Panel flags state of U.S.-Russia relations
'A high-level bipartisan commission recommended Monday that the Obama administration reach out to Russia in a number of ways, putting NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine on hold and taking "a new look" at the planned missile shield in Eastern Europe, possibly even collaborating with Moscow on it.'

International Herald Tribune, 16 Mar 09, by Simon Romero
Chávez tells his navy to take over key seaports
'President Hugo Chávez ordered the Venezuelan Navy to seize seaports in states with major petroleum-exporting installations as part of his effort to assert greater control over infrastructure that had come under the dominion of political opponents in regional elections last year.'

International Herald Tribune, 12 Mar 09, by Thom Shanker and Elisabeth Bumiller
U.S. seeks new Afghan supply routes, even in Iran
'The United States is seeking new supply routes for the war in Afghanistan that would bypass Russia, and has even had logistics experts review overland roads through Iran that might be used by NATO allies, according to military planners and Pentagon officials.'

International Herald Tribune, 12 Mar 09, by Mark Mazzetti and Helene Cooper
Israel stance was undoing of nominee for intelligence post
'Charles Freeman Jr., a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, withdrew himself from consideration for a top intelligence post, following a successful campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists.'

International Herald Tribune, 10 Mar 09, by Stephen Castle
U.S. still considering who to support for NATO post
'With NATO facing its biggest challenge in Afghanistan, sensitivity to the feelings of the Muslim world could be a factor in choosing the new secretary general.'

Washington Post, 11 Mar 09, by Edward Cody
Biden Asks NATO for Aid in Afghanistan
'Vice President Biden told NATO allies here Tuesday that the Obama administration wants their help building a new strategy in Afghanistan because growing security threats there affect all 26 countries in the alliance and because only by working together can they stop terrorist attacks.'

Washington Post, 08 Mar 09, by Scott Wilson
Obama Trip to Include Turkey Visit
'Non-Arab Muslim nation is central to diplomatic approach toward Islamic world.'

International Herald Tribune/Reuters, 05 Mar 09, by Randall Mikkelsen
U.S. role seen in "deterrence" toward Iran
'The United States should emphasise a military "deterrence" policy, including a possible guarantee of nuclear protection for friendly Middle Eastern countries, in persuading Iran to abandon suspected nuclear weapons aims, a think tank recommended on Wednesday.'

International Herald Tribune, 03 Mar 09, by Mark Landler
U.S. will send envoys to engage Syria
'Signaling a new direction in Middle East diplomacy, the Obama administration will dispatch two senior officials to Syria to begin discussions with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said on a visit to Israel on Tuesday. The overture suggests how the Obama administration intends to tackle three interlocking challenges in the Middle East: the nuclear threat posed by Iran, the tensions between Israel and Syria, and the grinding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Syria, experts say, could be the key to all three.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Mar 09, by Marc Lacey
Raúl Castro reaffirms grip on government of Cuba
'After initially portraying himself as a reform-minded leader who intended to shake up Cuba's staid bureaucracy, Raúl Castro ended his first year as president last week without having achieved much in the way of major changes. ... Brian Latell, a former CIA analyst who has watched Cuba for decades, said several days ago that "Raúl Castro may be showing signs of leadership fatigue" - a sentiment shared by other American analysts of Cuba.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Mar 09, by Charlie Savage and Neil A. Lewis
Secret terror memos spur calls for inquiry on Bush rulings
'A day after releasing a set of Bush administration opinions that claimed sweeping presidential powers in fighting terrorism, the Obama administration faced new pressure to support a broad inquiry into interrogation, detention, surveillance and other practices under President George W. Bush.'

Asia Times, 05 Mar 09, by Daniel Luban and Jim Lobe
Obama's spy ruffles hawks' feathers
'The appointment of a top-ranking retired diplomat and vocal critic of Israel to a key intelligence post has triggered an intense backlash from hawkish Israel supporters in Congress and the media who are pressing the administration of President Barack Obama to reconsider.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb 09, by Gordon Lubold and Jane Arraf
Obama adjusts timing on Iraq withdrawal
'The president listens to tactical commanders in extending it to 19 months.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Feb 09, by Peter Baker and Thom Shanker
Obama's Iraq plan has December elections as turning point for pullout
'President Barack Obama's planned Iraq troop drawdown would leave the bulk of American forces in place until early next year while some combat units would remain in place in new roles even beyond a declared August 2010 target for withdrawal, administration officials said Wednesday.'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Feb 09, by Peter Ford
Clinton 'reintroduces' US to Asia
'... Clinton and her Chinese counterpart Yan Jiechi said they were planning to upgrade the "strategic dialogue" that until now has focused on economics, to include political questions.'

International Herald Tribune, 18 Feb 09, by Helene Cooper
Obama will send 17,000 troops to Afghanistan
'President Barack Obama will send an additional 17,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan this spring and summer, putting his stamp firmly on a war that he has long complained is going in the wrong direction.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb 09, by Gordon Lubold
US troop buildup in Afghanistan could be a defining moment
'Obama's order to send 17,000 more troops comes before US has set a clear strategy.'

International Herald Tribune, 18 Feb 09, by Charlie Savage
No sharp break from Bush-era anti-terror policies
'Even as it pulls back from harsh interrogations and other sharply debated aspects of George W. Bush's "war on terrorism," the Obama administration is quietly signaling continued support for other major elements of its predecessor's approach to fighting Al Qaeda.'

Washington Post, 16 Feb 09, by Peter Finn
4 Cases Illustrate Guantanamo Quandaries
'Administration must decide fate of often-flawed proceedings, often-dangerous prisoners.'

International Herald Tribune, 12 Feb 09, by Helene Cooper
Obama weighs adding troops in Afghanistan
'While the decision is expected to be the first significant military move of his presidency, defense officials said that Obama could choose a middle ground, deploying several thousand more troops there in the coming months but postponing a more difficult judgment on a much larger increase in personnel until after the administration completes a review of Afghanistan policy.'

Washington Post, 09 Feb 09, by Craig Whitlock
National Security Team Delivers Grim Appraisal of Afghanistan War
'President Obama's national security team gave a dire assessment Sunday of the war in Afghanistan, with one official calling it a challenge "much tougher than Iraq" and others hinting that it could take years to turn around.'

Washington Post, 04 Feb 09, by Karen DeYoung
Obama Seeks Narrower Focus in Afghan War
'Situation is much worse than new administration realized and will take time to address.'

International Herald Tribune, 03 Feb 09, by Judy Dempsey
Middle East a focus for Clinton and allies
'Moving quickly to explain the Obama administration's policies toward Iran and the Middle East, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton held separate talks Tuesday in Washington with her British and German counterparts as European governments prepare for a major shift in U.S. strategy on these and other security issues.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Helene Cooper and Mark Landler
Obama's outreach to Iran may be backed by tougher sanctions
'While Obama is expected to soften the Bush administration's line against talking to Iran, the aides said, he also may seek to toughen sanctions.'

International Herald Tribune, 03 Feb 09, by Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, Bloomberg News
A model nuclear-power deal?
'The deal with the United Arab Emirates is designed to assist the Arab nation in starting a nuclear-power industry that cannot be converted into a weapon-making enterprise. The agreement may help Obama keep his pledge to crack down on the production and smuggling of nuclear materials.'

Washington Post, 28 Jan 09, by Karen DeYoung
Obama Extends Hand To Arabs and Muslims
'President Obama has launched a determined effort to change the tone, if not yet the substance, of U.S. relations with the Arab and Muslim worlds, saying he is eager to listen to their concerns and acknowledging that Americans "have not been perfect" in their dealings with them.'

International Herald Tribune, 27 Jan 09, by Helene Cooper and Thom Shanker
Aides say Obama to concentrate on military efforts in Afghanistan
'President Barack Obama is planning to refocus U.S. efforts in Afghanistan to concentrate military might on the battle against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, with less emphasis on reconstruction and governance, senior administration officials said Tuesday.'

Washington Post, 23 Jan 09, by Dana Priest
Bush's 'War' On Terror Comes to a Sudden End
'President Obama yesterday eliminated the most controversial tools employed by his predecessor against terrorism suspects. With the stroke of his pen, he effectively declared an end to the "war on terror," as President George W. Bush had defined it, signaling to the world that the reach of the U.S. government in battling its enemies will not be limitless.'

International Herald Tribune, 22 Jan 09, by Mark Mazzetti and William Glaberson
Obama to close foreign prisons and Guantánamo
'The orders would rewrite American rules for the detention of terrorism suspects. ... And the orders would bring to an end a Central Intelligence Agency program that kept terrorism suspects in secret custody for months or years ... They will also prohibit the CIA from using coercive interrogation methods, requiring the agency to follow the same rules used by the military in interrogating terrorism suspects, government officials said.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jan 09, by Warren Richey
Sorting out Guantánamo detainees
'President Obama orders a thorough review of pending terror cases.'

International Herald Tribune, 22 Jan 09, by Peter Baker and Thom Shanker
Obama moves to start Iraq pullout
'President Barack Obama has given his national security team a new mission to end the war in Iraq, nearly six years after U.S.-led forces invaded, but he held off ordering a troop withdrawal right away to hear concerns and options from his military commanders.'

International Herald Tribune, 22 Jan 09, by Steven Erlanger
Gaza war creates broader challenge for new U.S. president
'With the rule of Hamas in Gaza apparently unchallenged and its popularity growing in the West Bank, the new Obama administration faces an immediate policy choice: support a Palestinian unity government, as Egypt and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, want, or continue to isolate Hamas and concentrate on building up the West Bank as a political alternative to radical Islam.'

New York Times, 22 Jan 09, by Mark Landler
Seasoned Negotiator to Serve as a Mideast Envoy
'President Obama moved swiftly to engage on the Middle East on Wednesday, calling Israeli and Arab leaders on his first morning in office and preparing to appoint a seasoned peace negotiator and former senator, George J. Mitchell, as his special emissary to the region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jan 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Five ways Bush's policies changed world
'The Iraq war dominated his presidency, but it isn't the only signature foreign-policy event of his tenure.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jan 09, by Howard LaFranchi
In Iraq, an assertion of US 'hard' power
'Final chapter on war yet to be written; known costs include sagging world standing for US, rise of Iran in the region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jan 09, by Howard LaFranchi
An intense US focus on checking terrorism
'Terrorists have not succeeded in striking on US soil since 9/11. But some say the US focus was too much on a military response, regime change, and a "with us or against us" mentality.'

Washington Post, 14 Jan 09, by Glenn Kessler
At Confirmation Hearing, Clinton Talks of Engagement With Iran
'Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton said yesterday that the incoming Obama administration will seek to engage directly with Iran in an effort to persuade it to abandon its nuclear program and become "a constructive regional actor," underscoring a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy from the Bush administration.'

International Herald Tribune, 13 Jan 09, by Mark Landler
Hoping to influence Clinton on Middle East policy
'Four veteran diplomats - Dennis Ross, Martin Indyk, Daniel Kurtzer and Aaron David Miller - have advice for the incoming secretary of state, much of its contradictory, on how to handle the Arab-Israeli conflict.'

International Herald Tribune, 11 Jan 09, by Anand Giridharadas
In improving ties with India, Bush can claim a foreign policy success
'President George W. Bush's penchant for unilateral deeds, and his moral conviction in favor of democracies, helped raise India to the status of a strategic ally.'

Washington Post, 14 Jan 09, by Walter Pincus
Report Details Iraq Contract Failures
'A $722 million contract to rebuild Iraq's oil and gas production facilities was marked by multiple changes, cost overruns, failure to meet schedules and lack of oversight, according to a new inspector general's report.'

International Herald Tribune, 08 Jan 09, by Peter Baker
Obama is reported set to revise counterterrorism efforts
'The plan would eliminate the independent homeland security adviser's office and assign those duties to the National Security Council to streamline sometimes overlapping functions. A deputy national security adviser would be charged with overseeing the effort to guard against terrorism and to respond to natural disasters.'

Washington Post, 07 Jan 09, by Glenn Kessler
Unintended Consequences Pose Risks for Mideast Policy
'Obama breaks his silence, vows to work for peace deal.'

International Herald Tribune, 06 Jan 09, by Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, Bloomberg News
Chávez and Obama hint at willingness to mend fences
'Venezuela may provide a useful first test for Obama's pledge to engage rather than isolate antagonists. While President Hugo Chávez is one of Washington's noisiest critics, frayed relations would likely be easier to mend than those with nations like Iran and Cuba, whose leaders are even more hostile toward the United States.'

2008 Americas archive
2007 Americas archive