COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS ARCHIVE :

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New York Times 'Room for Debate', 30 Dec 09, by the editors
Aviation Security and the Israeli Model
'What can the U.S. learn, if anything, from a different system of passenger screening?'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Jan 10, by Dan Murphy
Has Al Qaeda made air travel more dangerous?
'The decade that just ended may have started with the 9/11 attacks in the US. But even with those deaths factored in, it was one of the safest decades ever when it came to fatalities on commercial airlines.'

New York Times 'At War', 04 Jan 10, by John Leland
Iraqracy
'Gen. David H. Petraeus, the head of the United States Central Command, assured reporters on New Year’s morning that the scheduled draw-down of American troops would not be affected by the delay in Iraq’s national parliamentary elections ...'

NPR 'All Things Considered', 28 Dec 09, with Robert Siegel
Examining Impact Of Pirate Attacks
'Ship hijackings and hostage-takings carried out earlier this year by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden dominated the news. Peter Pham, senior fellow at the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, discusses the rising numbers of pirate attacks despite the U.S.-led naval efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.'

AP, 11 Dec 09, by Steven R. Hurst
Analysis: Obama's case for war in support of peace
'Barack Obama split the difference in his Nobel speech, laying down a doctrine that will likely define his presidency: a steadfast defense of warfare against evil, praise of nonviolence and exhortations for mankind to affirm the "spark of the divine" in everyone.'

Washington Post, 11 Dec 09, by Eugene Robinson
War and peace
'President Obama accepted the Nobel for peacemaking by delivering an eloquent, often grim treatise on the nature and necessity of warfare.'

New York Times, 10 Dec 09
Obama’s Nobel Remarks
'... the transcript of President Obama's speech at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo on Wednesday, as released by the White House ...'

PBS NewsHour, 07 Dec 09, with Jim Lehrer
Mullen on Afghanistan: 'We Have Not Set a Withdrawal Date'
'n an interview with Jim Lehrer, Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen discusses President Obama's plan to send an additional 30,000 soldiers to Afghanistan and a timetable for U.S. withdrawal.'

Washington Post, 11 Dec 09, by Stephen J. Hadley
A continued surge
'Obama's Afghanistan strategy deserves support'

New York Times, 10 Dec 09, by Ahmed Rashid, Marc Lynch and Nathaniel Fick
A Deadline We Can Believe In?
'President Obama said that troop withdrawals from Afghanistan will begin in 18 months. Some of his advisers have hinted that the deadline is flexible. So, should we stick to the timeline or not?'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Dec 09, by editorial board
NATO steps up in Afghanistan
'All things considered, NATO has done well – so far – in responding to President Obama's request for more troops.'

New York Times, 07 Dec 09, by Roger Cohen
Afghanistan on Main Street
'... as a political statement and as an acknowledgment of the limits of American power after the first decade of the 21st century, [Obama's] speech was adroit.'

Washington Post, 11 Dec 09, by Fred Hiatt
Does Japan still matter?
'... as the longest-standing and most successful democracy in the non-Western world, it is a hugely important role model, and potentially a leader, in supporting freedom and the rule of law.'

New York Times, 10 Dec 09, by Roger Cohen
Obama's Japan Headache
'... when U.S. ties with its most important Asian ally get ugly over security rather than semiconductors, the world must be changing.'

New York Times, 05 Dec 09, by editorial staff
Mr. Putin in Perpetuity?
'... under Mr. Putin, Russia has strayed far from the democratic model. It is a place where journalists and human rights activists are murdered with impunity, political and business opponents are thrown in jail and independent media have been seriously degraded.'

New York Times 'Opinionator', 04 Dec 09, by Tobin Harshaw
Al Qaeda in the Cross Hairs
'President Obama is firing 30,000 more troops at the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and according to The Times’s Scott Shane, they aren’t the only incoming threats ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Dec 09, by Mohamad Bazzi
Israel, Lebanon, and the Middle East conflict
'Israel and Lebanon have more pressing concerns than war with each other, but bickering could escalate to incite war if the US and Europe don't help.'

WhoRunsGov.com/Foreign Policy, Dec 09
Who Runs the War?
'Identify and profile the top behind-the-scenes decision makers crafting the new Afghan war strategy.'

PBS NewHour, 02 Dec 09, with Jim Lehrer
Gates: Afghans Need to Accelerate Stabilization Efforts
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates talks to Jim Lehrer about President Obama's decision to deploy 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan after the new year.'

New York Times, 01 Dec 09, by editorial staff
The Afghanistan Speech
'Americans have reason to be pessimistic, if not despairing, about the war in Afghanistan. ... In his speech Tuesday night, President Obama showed considerable political courage by addressing that pessimism and despair head-on.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Dec 09, by editorial board
Five reasons for hope in the Obama Afghanistan plan
'One key is not setting a final exit date, which would only allow the Taliban to wait out the US.'

Washington Post, 03 Dec 09, by editorial staff
What Mr. Obama changed
'Four ways in which the president shifted the Afghan strategy his generals proposed.'

Washington Post, 03 Dec 09, by E.J. Dionne Jr.
A Goldilocks strategy
'... Obama's surge-and-wind-down strategy is both gutsy and politically risky, a view that defies depictions of Tuesday's address as a contrived effort to please everyone.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Dec 09, by Danielle Pletka
A conservative's praise for Obama's Afghanistan strategy
'Principle matters, and having an American president who is willing to stand by American principles will mean that more nations will stand with us and share our burdens.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Dec 09, by Graham E. Fuller
Obama speech: kicking the can down the road in Afghanistan
'But at least by establishing a withdrawal date in Afghanistan, Obama put Kabul on notice to start solving its own problems.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Dec 09, by Oliver Roy
Obama agenda in Afghanistan: Don't forget about Pakistan
'If the US wants fundamental change, it must alleviate Pashtun frustration in Afghanistan and get Pakistan to give up supporting Islamists and the Taliban.'

New York Times, 02 Dec 09, by David Eagleman
America on Deadline
'For his Afghanistan timetable to have emotional power, President Obama would do well to define and adhere to intermediate goals.'

Washington Post, 03 Dec 09, by Dana Milbank
Obama's Afghan deadline all but missed
'The initial analysis of Obama's Afghanistan surge portrayed it as a split-the-difference policy that gave something to both sides: 30,000 more troops for the hawks, and a withdrawal schedule for doves. But the testimony made clear that while the troop increase is solid, the pullout plans are vague and tentative.'

Washington Post, 03 Dec 09, by George F. Will
This will not end well
'... Obama's second new Afghanistan policy in less than nine months strikingly resembles his predecessor's plan for Iraq, which was: As Iraq's security forces stand up, U.S. forces will stand down.'

Washington Post 'Post Partisan', 03 Dec 09, by Robert Kagan
Obama's lonely decision
'Why did he turn against the foreign policy establishment on Afghanistan?'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov 09, by Mamoun Fandy
The real reason Iran can't be trusted
'As they confront Iran's nuclear aims, negotiators must mind the Shiite doctrine of deceit called "taqiyya."'

Pulitzer Gateway, Oct 09
Fragile States: Bosnia
[video] 'It has been 14 years since the Dayton Peace Accords, brokered at an Ohio Air Force base, ended the brutal civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. ... the country is in political crisis, unable to move forward towards its dream of successful integration with the European Union, and ultimate sovereignty with the departure of the Office of the High Representative. This report examines this new political instability and explores whether Bosnia and Herzegovina could be at risk of returning to violent conflict.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Nov 09, by editorial board
Swiss minaret vote and vague fears about Islam
'General concern about creeping Islamic power, rather than a critical national problem with mosques, appears to have produced the Swiss minaret vote banning construction of the towers.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Nov 09, by Helena Cobban
Can Obama stand up to Israel?
'It won't be easy, but President Obama must hold Israel to account, both for the two-state solution and the safety of US troops around the world.'

New York Times 'At War', 16 Nov 09, by Tim Hsia
China’s Growing Military Might
'As President Obama makes his first visit to China, he has stressed that a rising China can be a source of shared strength. ... Capt. Tim Hsia considers what a more powerful China might mean for America’s military.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Nov 09, by Julian Baum
Obama's mission impossible with China
'His challenge: form a working partnership with a resurgent nation that eschews international leadership.'

New York Times, 17 Nov 09, by Steven Simon
Why We Should Put Jihad on Trial
'The Justice Department’s decision to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, in a federal court in New York City has elicited several criticisms. Most are pointless, but one — the idea that it will give a terrorist a platform from which he could stir up support in the Muslim world for his radical views — is well taken. ... The truth is, if the trial provides a propaganda platform for anybody, it will be for our side.'

Washington Post, 18 Nov 09, by Michael Gerson
Holder's trials and errors
'... how did Holder become the most destructive member of Barack Obama's Cabinet?'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Nov 09, by editorial board
Middle East peace: Can Palestinians do an end run around Israel?
'Palestinian leader Abbas tries to carry the Middle East peace process directly to the UN. But Israel's plans for 900 new homes in East Jerusalem only shows that it's just as willing to take unilateral action. No one wins when both sides refuse to negotiate.'

New York Times, 16 Nov 09, by Roger Cohen
A Mideast Truce
'The president tried to rekindle peace talks by confronting Israel on settlements, coaxing Palestinians to resume negotiations, and reaching out to the Muslim world. The effort has failed. It has alienated Israel, where Obama is unpopular, and brought the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, close to resignation. It’s time to think again.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Nov 09, by John V. Whitbeck
Middle East peace: Is two-state solution kaput?
'If a two-state deal isn't reached by 2011, then Palestinians should push for a one-state solution.'

Haaretz, 16 Nov 09, by Akiva Eldar
Would Israel accept a state-and-a-half solution?
'Kadima MK Shaul Mofaz's peace plan is a refreshing change, particularly in light of his past, although no peace agreement will emerge from it.'

Washington Post, 18 Nov 09, by David Ignatius
Ramallah's road map to statehood
'A state-building plan that deserves the endorsement of the U.S.'

PBS NewsHour, 18 Nov 09, with Gwen Ifill
Afghan Corruption Complicates U.S. War Review
'Gwen Ifill speaks with Afghanistan experts about the government's corruption and what that could mean for U.S. war strategy there.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Nov 09, by Mark Moyar
Obama's Afghanistan plan: the warlord factor
'We owe it to our troops and to our Afghan friends to put the very best American and Afghan leaders in the provinces.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Nov 09, by Walter Rodgers
Pacifying Afghanistan: a dangerous dream
'Does President Obama realize the difficulty of the task faced by America’s young men and women there?'

New York Times, 16 Nov 09, by Oliver Englehart
The Minefields of Afghanistan
[video] 'The filmmaker Oliver Englehart follows a local team working to clear mines from a residential area in Afghanistan, where buried explosives are a finite, but persistent problem.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Nov 09, by John Hughes
Why Hillary Clinton babies Indonesia and bullies Pakistan
'Indonesia has shown it can develop democracy and confront extremists on its own. Pakistan clearly needs sharp reminders.'

Washington Post, 15 Nov 09, by Ernesto Londoño
Was the Iraq war worth it? A divided city tries to answer.
'As the American military footprint thins out in places such as Samarra, many U.S. soldiers are returning home making a strong case that they are leaving behind a country with a fighting chance. Just how good Iraq's odds are remains an open question ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Nov 09, by editorial board
Fort Hood killings and the red flags for violence
'The Pentagon can learn from post-Columbine schools and from gang-ridden cities how to see warning signs for would-be killers.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Nov 09, by editorial board
On his trip, will Obama reset the Asian order?
'Bids by Japan and China for regional influence are reminders of the reason for US preeminence.'

Washington Post, 12 Nov 09, by Sheila A. Smith
Reshaping an Asian partnership
'In Tokyo, the president should aim at restoring faith in Washington's ability to adjust to Japan's new politics. Old habits of lecturing Tokyo on its responsibilities must end.'

New York Times 'The Opinionator', 09 Nov 09, by Eric Etheridge
The Meaning of Fort Hood
'The attempt to sort out the meaning of the murderous actions of Maj. Nidal Hasan has consumed numerous blog cycles since Thursday. Does Hasan’s rampage signal an internal jihadi threat we’re ill-equipped to thwart, or was it just another meaningless moment of American lone-gunman violence?'

Family Security Matters, 10 Nov 09, by W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
The Jihadist Who Infiltrated the U.S. Army’s Officer Corps
'Walid Phares: "What made Maj. Hasan tick is an ideology. What made his attack that day at that hour is to be investigated. I four analysists, especially within the government, can't figure out what makes a jihadist - lone wolf or not - tick, we have a problem."'

Washington Post, 12 Nov 09, by editorial staff
In plain sight?
'Unheeded red flags surrounded Maj. Nidal M. Hasan.'

PBS NewsHour, 09 Nov 09, with Tom Bearden
Fort Hood Community Struggles to Make Sense of Tragedy
'... how the Fort Hood community is reacting to last week's shooting at the U.S. Army base that killed 13 people and injured dozens more.'

The Times (UK), 11 Nov 09, by Bronwen Maddox
Chávez should know what’s good for him and his revolution
'The provocation which Venezuela is hurling at Colombia is part of a decade-long cold war which should never become a hot war — except that it now suits President Chávez to take it to the brink.'

New York Times, 11 Nov 09, by Michael Auslin
Creaky Alliance
'President Obama lands in Tokyo this week as U.S.-Japan relations hit their lowest point in years.'

New York Times, 10 Nov 09, by Deepa Narayan
The Taliban Solution
'A powerful grassroots movement has blossomed in Afghanistan, giving its people new hope, self-esteem and a sense of belonging. The problem is that this movement is the Taliban.'

Wall Street Journal, 10 Nov 09, by Fouad Ajami
From Berlin to Baghdad
'... we shouldn't be surprised with some of history's repetitions. There are again the appeasers who see these furies of Islam as America's comeuppance, there are those who think we have overreached and that we are riding into storms of our own making. And in the foreign world there are chameleons who feign desire for our friendship while subverting our causes.'

Wall Street Journal, 10 Nov 09, by editorial staff
After the Fort Hood Massacre
'Sorting the Hasans from patriotic Muslims in the U.S. military.'

PBS NewsHour, 09 Nov 09
20 Years After Fall of Berlin Wall, Some Iron Curtain Divisions Remain
'Twenty years ago, the Berlin Wall came down, signaling the demise of the Cold War. As world leaders gathered to mark the historic event at Brandenburg Gate on Monday, a historian, pollster and German correspondent discussed what the events meant.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Nov 09, by editorial board
The Berlin wall and violent Islamic jihad
'A persistent, united effort by governments and individuals brought down the Berlin wall. The same strategy can crack the wall of jihadist ideology.'

Wall Street Journal, 10 Nov 09, by editorial staff
Democracy and Iraq
'Disputes among the three largest Iraqi communities—Kurd, Shiite and Sunni—can be bitterly fought. But now the setting is usually in the halls of parliament or Iraq's many media outlets, and these fights don't pose a danger to a unified Iraq.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Nov 09, by Kishore Mahubani
Obama, West, reread Fukuyama to the end, and look East
'The Western footprint on the world is about to get a whole lot smaller.'

New York Times, 11 Nov 09, by Nicholas D. Kristof
America’s Defining Choice
'... one question is whether we’re better off spending that money blowing up things in Helmand Province or building up things in America.'

Washington Post 'On Leadership', 06 Nov 09, by Lt. Col. Todd Henshaw (Ret.)
Ft. Hood reveals hidden wounds
'... the multitude of deployments, the type of warfare, and the lack of a clear end have placed our servicemen and women, and their families under considerable stress.'

New York Times, 03 Nov 09, by editorial staff
Some Sense on Defense Spending
'Presidents, and those aspiring to be presidents, routinely promise to reform the defense procurement process. And defense contractors, their lobbyists and the military services routinely ensure that never happens.'

PBS NewsHour, 03 Nov 09, with Gwen Ifill
U.S. Policymakers See Potential Shift in Afghanistan
'Gwen Ifill speaks with policymakers about the American response to President Karzai's victory this week.'

PBS NewsHour, 03 Nov 09, with Margaret Warner
Karzai Calls for Afghan Unity After Election
'Margaret Warner updates the situation in Afghanistan, where she has been reporting on President Hamid Karzai's victory after a disputed election.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Nov 09, by Mina Al Oraibi
Can Afghanistan be saved?
'An interview with NATO Secretary-General Anders Rasmussen.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Oct 09, by Micah Zenko
Don't rush the Afghan debate
'History shows that if Washington acts too quickly, it could get it wrong –and hurt relations with the US military.'

Politico, 04 Nov 09, by Alex Conant
Why delay on an Afghanistan decision?
'Obama is not searching for a new strategy now because of a dark cloud on the horizon but because the current situation has been unacceptable for some time. Time is now wasting.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Nov 09, by editorial board
5 ways to move forward with (and without) Karzai in Afghanistan
'The US needs to help the tainted Afghan president – and local and regional leaders – visibly improve the lives of the population.'

New York Review of Books 'Blog', 28 Oct 09, by Joost R. Hiltermann
Iraq: A Bigger Threat Than Bombs
'... the problems in Iraq are much more profound, and much more threatening, than occasional bomb blasts, however powerful. The bombings distract from the sobering fact that politics remain so dysfunctional as to disable governance.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Nov 09, by editorial board
On Iran and North Korea, Obama's nuclear-free vision is at stake
'Their latest defiance will undermine his grand goal. He must act more forcefully.'

National Post, 04 Nov 09, by George Jonas
The ghosts of Eastern Europe
'n a series leading up to the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, we asked our contributors to look back at their thoughts on that fateful day, and to reflect on whether history fulfilled the dreams that sprang from the rubble near Checkpoint Charlie.'

New York Times, 03 Nov 09, by Roger Cohen
The Man Who Opened the Gate
[video] 'Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the columnist Roger Cohen describes how a former East German border guard kept that fateful night peaceful, rather than filled with bloodshed.'

Washington Post 'On Leadership', 02 Nov 09, by Steve Pearlstein and Raju Narisetti
Secrets of military leadership?
'A new survey out from the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership shows Americans have significantly higher confidence in military leaders than leaders in government, business and the media -- and that this confidence rose over the past year, in spite of two ongoing, unresolved conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. What explains this high level of trust in military leadership? What can leaders in other sectors learn from the military?'

New York Times 'At War', 03 Nov 09, by C.J. Chivers
The M-16 Argument Heats Up, Again
'... reports of malfunctions, and concerns that the M-16 and M-4 and their cartridges lack so-called stopping power, have created a sustained set of criticisms about the United States military’s primary small arms.'

New York Times 'At War', 03 Nov 09, by Tim Hsia
The Digital Fog of War
'... unfortunately the military’s digital capabilities for soldiers on the ground are severely limited.'

Foreign Policy, Nov/Dec 09, by Alex Strick Van Linschoten and Felix Kuehn
"See You Soon, If We’re Still Alive"
'... as the only two Westerners living permanently in Kandahar without blast walls and intrusive security restrictions to protect us, it has been a mix of isolation, boredom, disarmingly potent realizations, and outright depression in the face of what is happening.'

Foreign Policy, Nov/Dec 09, by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita
Recipe for Failure
'Why Copenhagen will be a bust, and other prophecies from the foreign-policy world's leading predictioneer.'

Washington Post, 06 Nov 09, by Michael B. Mukasey
The right place to try terrorists
'The very transfer of prisoners from Guantanamo to this country has consequences.'

New York Times, 28 Oct 09, by Victor Sebestyen
Transcripts of Defeat
'There are many in Washington now calling on President Obama to cut his losses and find an exit strategy from Afghanistan. Even if he agreed, it may not be an easy business.'

New York Times, 27 Oct 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
Don’t Build Up
'It is crunch time on Afghanistan, so here’s my vote: We need to be thinking about how to reduce our footprint and our goals there in a responsible way, not dig in deeper.'

PBS NewsHour, 29 Oct 09, with Judy Woodruff
Ex-State Department Official Explains Exit Over Afghan War Strategy
'Matthew Hoh, the first U.S. official known to resign in protest to America's presence in Afghanistan, discusses his objections to the war.'

New York Times, 29 Oct 09, by David Brooks
The Tenacity Question
'Military experts say that President Obama is intellectually sophisticated, but they do not know if he has the determination needed from a war president.'

New York Times, 29 Oct 09, by editorial staff
Mrs. Clinton in Pakistan
'If Washington is ever to enlist Pakistan as a reliable ally, it is going to have to do a much better job of explaining itself.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Oct 09, by editorial board
Turkey's worrisome approach to Iran, Israel
'Ankara must be careful that its "zero problems" policy on its borders doesn't create new problems that alienate old friends.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Oct 09, by Rima Merhi
The US should make a U-turn on its approach to Hezbullah
'Past efforts to uproot the militant group have failed. Obama must try a different tack and focus on Israel and Lebanon.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 Oct 09, by Steve Yetiv
An American decline would undermine global security
'Adversaries and allies alike should remember the unique role of the US in keeping the world safe and prosperous – and help out.'

New York Times, 28 Oct 09, by Najim Abed Al-Jabouri
For Every Iraqi Party, an Army of Its Own
'While things are far better than a few years ago, one huge task remains: getting the public to trust the Iraqi security forces.'

New York Times 'At War', 28 Oct 09, by John F. Burns
Ask John Burns: Karzai’s Brother and the C.I.A.
'Times reporters Dexter Filkins, Mark Mazzetti and James Risen write that the brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, the most powerful figure in southern Afghanistan and who is accused of having ties to the nation’s huge opium trade, has been on the C.I.A. payroll since 2001.'

New York Times 'At War', 22 Oct 09, by John F. Burns
John Burns Q. and A.: Private Military Contractors
'John F. Burns answered reader questions on the American military’s use of private contractors in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.'

New York Times 'At War', 29 Oct 09, by James Dao
A Resignation in Afghanistan Reverberates
'News about Matthew Hoh, a State Department employee in Afghanistan who resigned out of frustration with American policies, has stirred passionate comment on the Internet that mirrors the debate over whether President Obama should send more troops to Afghanistan.'

The Times (UK), 15 Oct 09, by Bronwen Maddox
Eastern Europe loses direction as the West loses focus
'The collapse of the Romanian Government means that quite a bit of Central and Eastern Europe is now without steady leadership.'

The Times (UK), 30 Oct 09, by Tony Brenton
Five ways Britain can get the most from Russia
'When David Miliband visits Moscow next week there will be mad talk of a "new Cold War". On the contrary, we should be optimistic.'

New York Times 'The Conversation', 29 Oct 09, by David Brooks and Bob Herbert
Support for the Troops
'"... the president is deciding what we should be doing with regard to troop deployments in Afghanistan. It seems to me that however one feels about this war and the war in Iraq, the environment here on the home front is bizarre."'

New York Times 'Outposts', 29 Oct 09, by Timothy Egan
Napoleon’s Dynamite
'For the president, if thoughtful dithering produces a more enlightened policy, he will be well served by stretching time.'

Washington Post, 29 Oct 09, by Robert Kagan
Iran: Can Obama play hardball?
'Many of us worry that, for Obama, engagement is an end in itself, not a means to an end.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct 09, by Jacob Bronsther and Shalev Roisman
The third front in Afghanistan: the American public
'The US must convince its Afghan allies of its commitment to developing a stable nation. That can't happen without US public support.'

New York Times, 21 Oct 09, by Max Boot
There’s No Substitute for Troops on the Ground
'Some in the White House and Congress imagine that our troops can muddle along at current levels while training the Afghan security forces to take over. But this ignores the brutal logic of war: Either you have the initiative or the enemy does.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct 09, by editorial board
Obama's hard line on Sudan: Will it also be hardball?
'The future of Africa's largest country, including Darfur, depends on the president's willingness to twist arms.'

AllAfrica.com, 19 Oct 09, by Rebecca Hamilton
Sudan: Face of a Nation on the Brink
'Today, Sudan stands on a precipice - of partition, and perhaps a return to all-out war. The next 18 months will determine not only the future of Sudan, but also what the coming decade will look like across the Horn of Africa.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct 09, by Reuel Marc Gerecht
Why defeating the Taliban is key to stopping Al Qaeda
'Only in Afghanistan and Pakistan have we seen jihadism actually take root in large numbers.'

New York Times, 20 Oct 09, by editorial staff
Mr. Karzai Relents
'To ensure that the runoff is fair and credible, it’s going to take a lot more effort and high-level attention — and even more arm-twisting. And there are less than three weeks before the Nov. 7 vote.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct 09, by editorial board
Obama's civilian task in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq
'He must help weak elected leaders amid conflict in all three Islamic nations.'

Asia Times, 22 Oct 09, by Zahid U Kramet
Islamabad dismayed by 'dithering' US
'... the overall impression in Pakistan is that rather than any decisive victory, the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are now looking for a face-saving exit to leave Pakistan to face the brunt of the fallout - once again.'

PBS NewsHour, 16 Oct 09, with Margaret Warner
Afghan Expert Riedel Weighs Obama's Strategic Options
'Former CIA officer and terrorism expert Bruce Riedel discusses his book, "The Search for Al Qaeda: Its Leadership, Ideology, and Future" and his work chairing an Afghanistan policy review for the Obama administration.'

New York Times, 21 Oct 09, by editorial staff
Robert Mugabe vs. Zimbabwe
'If the flawed power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe cannot be fixed, then new elections, supervised by the international community, must be scheduled.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct 09, by Juan Carlos Zarate
Obama must shift focus off Guantánamo
'The new White House should use the president's credibility abroad, while he still has it, to focus attention on the underlying questions related to detention and terrorism prevention.'

Washington Post, 21 Oct 09, by editorial staff
The clock is ticking
'The White House and Congress can still do right by the Uighurs.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct 09, by F. Stephen Larrabee and Christopher Chivvis
Biden's task in eastern Europe: Reassurance
'After the decision to cancel missile defense plans in Poland and the Czech Republic, the US needs to do more than damage control to soothe ties there.'

New York Times 'Home Fires', 20 Oct 09, by Brian Turner
To Bedlam and Back
'Vietnam veterans were shamed. How should today’s soldiers be welcomed back into society?'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct 09, by Nathan Gardels
To the West: Don't sacrifice democracy with Iran
'Two questions for 2003 Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi.'

PBS 'Frontline', 13 Oct 09
Obama's War
'In a war that has last eight years, what is the way forward now?'

Washington Post, 15 Oct 09, by David Ignatius
Careful to a Fault on Afghanistan
'Afghanistan could be the most important decision of Barack Obama's presidency. Maybe that's why he is, in effect, making it twice.'

New York Times, 14 Oct 09, by Robert A. Pape
To Beat the Taliban, Fight from Afar
'America will best serve its interests in Afghanistan and the region by shifting to a new strategy of off-shore balancing, which relies on air and naval power from a distance, while also working with local security forces on the ground. The reason for this becomes clear when one examines the rise of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan in recent years.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct 09, by Prince Turki al-Faisal
Seven steps to a secure Afghanistan
'Work with Karzai, stop calling the Taliban "terrorists," weigh in on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, convene a security meeting on Al Qaeda, focus on Kashmir, make sure to target terrorists in Afghanistan, and take on the heroin trade.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct 09, by Joshua Gross
The road to stability in Afghanistan runs through Pakistan and India
'The US needs to take a holistic regional approach.'

PBS NewsHour, 13 Oct 09, with Margaret Warner et al
Afghanistan's Disputed Election Complicates U.S. War Strategy
'As President Obama develops a new Afghanistan strategy, rising violence there and an unresolved election have combined to sap public support for the war. Ashraf Ghani, a former Afghan presidential candidate, discusses his country's future.'

New York Times, 13 Oct 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
Not Good Enough
'Before we send more troops to Afghanistan, the Obama administration needs to focus on what kind of Afghan government we have as our partner.'

Asia Times, 13 Oct 09, by Zahid U Kramet
Kerry-Lugar bill a Catch-22 for Pakistan
'Leading voices berate the bill as turning Pakistan into an American neo-colony. The dilemma is whether to align with the US to combat militancy, or take a principled stand in support of a weak democracy.'

Washington Post, 11 Oct 09, by Greg Jaffe
Obama Wanted a Petraeus. Buyer Beware.
'These days, the last thing that the White House and the Pentagon brass want is a general who can bypass the chain of command; a general who speaks directly to the president; a general who emerges as the dominant American voice on the war. The last thing they want, in other words, is another Petraeus.'

Voice of America, 14 Oct 09, with J. Peter Pham et al
Straight Talk Africa
[audio/video] Discussing the political and economic influence in Africa of the People's Republic of China as the mainland regime celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Washington Post, 15 Oct 09, by editorial staff
How to Engage Iran
'A fellow Nobel Peace laureate offers some friendly advice, and a rebuke, to President Obama.'

New York Times 'At War', 13 Oct 09
Ask John Burns: Reliance on Private Contractors
'It became one of the most contentious aspects of the Iraqi war, with complaints that contractors were trigger-happy, that the use of them masked the true scale and cost of the war and that their presence tangled up the war effort with unclear accountability and lines of authority.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Oct 09, by Nathan Stock
Talk to Hamas now or fight new radicals indefinitely
'Obama can't afford to let history repeat itself in the Middle East.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Oct 09, by Abolhassan Bani-Sadr
A reformed Islam could save Afghanistan
'The despotic and misogynist narratives of Islam must be challenged by interpretations that embrace freedom and human rights.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Oct 09, by editorial board
Pakistan's wary eye on Obama's Afghanistan debate
'A planned Pakistani military offensive should embolden US efforts against the Taliban.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Oct 09, by editorial board
Congress needs McChrystal's candid advice on Afghanistan
'Obama was wise to meet top lawmakers today, but he must unmuzzle the top brass.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Oct 09, by Arif Rafiq
A Muslim solution for Afghanistan
'Let Muslim nations, not Western coalition, lead the mission to bring peace there.'

New York Times 'Homefires', 13 Oct 09, by Lee Kelley
The Distance Between
'A veteran and father of two, on why he is not going back to Iraq.'

New York Times, 09 Oct 09, by editorial staff
The Peace Prize
'The left denounced the Nobel committee for giving the prize to a wartime president. The right proclaimed that Mr. Obama sold out the United States by engaging in diplomacy.'

PBS NewsHour, 09 Oct 09, with Judy Woodruff et al
How the Peace Prize Could Affect Obama's Presidency
'... reactions from policy experts on President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize and [a discussion of] what the award means for his presidency.'

New York Times, 10 Oct 09, by Antony Beevor
Hitler’s Jaws of Death
'The assertion by American researchers that Hitler might have escaped from Berlin because a skull fragment in a Moscow archive was not his but a young woman’s is rich in paradox.'

Washington Post, 08 Oct 09, by David Ignatius
Testing Obama's Doctrine
'Lofty Ideals and Afghan Reality'

Asia Times, 08 Oct 09, by Ira Chernus
Obama trapped behind wall of containment
'... Obama's troubles in the Middle East are not caused primarily by "bad guys" such as Iran, nor by Israel's supposed power or that of the domestic "Israeli lobby". Instead, he's trapped in the conundrum that's built into US containment strategy. No matter what other nations do or don't do, everything that looks like it might be a solution only turns out to create new problems.'

NewsHour, 07 Oct 09, with Judy Woodruff
Pakistan's Role in Fighting Terror Under Review
'Pakistan affirmed its resolve to continue fighting al-Qaida and also providing enforcements for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.'

NewsHour, 06 Oct 09, with Kwame Holman
Obama Brings Congress Into Afghan Strategy Review
'Reporters offer insight into President Obama's meeting with lawmakers Tuesday to discuss a strategy shift in Afghanistan and Pakistan.'

Washington Post, 06 Oct 09, by Eugene Robinson
Out of Line on Afghanistan
'McChrystal's view -- that a strategy employing fewer resources, in pursuit of more limited goals, would be "short-sighted" -- is something the White House needs to hear. ... But McChrystal is out of line in trying to sell his position publicly, as he did last week in a speech in London.'

NewsHour, 05 Oct 09, with Jim Lehrer
New Attacks Add Gravity to Afghan Strategy Review
'The U.S. toll in Afghanistan climbed after a weekend of heavy casualties as President Obama considers a push from top military commanders to add more troops to the conflict. Two military experts offer their views.'

New York Times, 05 Oct 09, by Slawomir Debski
Taking Central Europe for Granted
'Washington’s pullout from the missile defense projects in Poland and the Czech Republic has been received there with disappointment. Not so much because of the logic behind the decision, but mostly because of the arrogant way it was sold to the world, trampling previous informal arrangements. The credibility of U.S. foreign policy was dealt a painful blow.'

New York Times, 07 Oct 09, by editorial staff
Patriot Act Excesses
'Three high-profile provisions of the USA Patriot Act are about to expire. That should be a chance for Congress to give serious consideration to curtailing some of the excessive powers it granted to the executive branch during the Bush years ...'

New York Times, 07 Oct 09, by editorial staff
The Tanker Saga, Continued
'Trying to recover from past mistakes, the Pentagon has initiated a third competition for a new Air Force midair refueling tanker. After two bungled attempts, defense officials, contractors and Congress really need to get it right this time.'

New York Times, 05 Oct 09, by Vladimir Shlapentokh
Russian Anti-Americanism
'The animosity toward the United States is fomented by Russia’s leaders primarily for domestic consumption — to sustain and cultivate the image of Russia as a besieged fortress and of Putin as the savior of the country.'

New York Times, 05 Oct 09, by H.D.S. Greenway
Iran Assumptions
'We seem to be painting ourselves into a corner of worst-case scenarios when it comes to Iran.'

New York Times, 04 Oct 09, by Karen Donfried and Mitchell B. Reiss
Now Comes the Hard Part
'Some signs suggest that Europe may be content to allow Mr. Obama to go it alone in Afghanistan.'

NewsHour, 01 Oct 09, with Margaret Warner
Disputed Afghan Election Leads to U.N. Staff Shake-up
'A top U.S. official at the U.N. mission to Afghanistan has been dismissed after he accused his boss of hiding evidence of election fraud. The ousted diplomat, Peter Galbraith, and a U.N. official discuss the dispute.'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Oct 09, by Caitlin Talmadge
To win in Afghanistan Obama must learn from Vietnam
'A prompt exit from the country – and attainment of many of America's more ambitious strategic goals there – ultimately depends on the viability of Afghan security forces, not on the US military's tactics or force levels. Unfortunately, building Afghan forces is likely to be much more difficult than often recognized.'

New York Times, 03 Oct 09, by editorial staff
Negotiating With Tehran
'... we are skeptical about Tehran’s offer this week to send most of its stock of low-enriched uranium to Russia and France to be turned into reactor fuel.'

New York Times, 30 Sep 09, by Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett
How to Press the Advantage with Iran
'... when [Iran] suspended uranium enrichment from 2003 to 2005 — Western powers offered nothing in return, and instead sought to “restrict our rights even further.” This was more than a diplomatic failure by the West — it was also a serious blow to the credibility of reform-minded politicians in Iran.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Sep 09, by Jamsheed K. Choksy and Nina Shea
Iran's nuclear crisis: Obama could play the human rights card
'One issue that should be put on the table is what Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad put on display this week in New York: Iran's religious minorities.'

Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep 09, by editorial board
China must stop coddling Iran
'The disclosure of a secret uranium enrichment facility in Iran shouldpressure Beijing to reconsider its objection to possible tougher sanctions.'

New York Times 'The Caucus', 30 Sep 09, by Ashley Southall
The Early Word: Troop Levels
'General McChrystal and the White House have denied that there has been any strain between the two men, but the general’s troop request has been a political thorn in the president’s side.'

Asia Times, 30 Sep 09, by John Feffer
If Afghanistan is its test, NATO is failing
'What was once billed as the most powerful military alliance in history will surely outlive its failures in Afghanistan and its adjustment to new global threats. But it may survive in name alone.'

American Enterprise Institute/The Weekly Standard, 05 Oct 09 issue, by Frederick W. Kagan and Kimberly Kagan
How Not to Defeat al Qaeda
'President Obama has announced his intention to conduct a review of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan from first principles before deciding whether or not to accept General Stanley McChrystal's proposed strategy and request for more forces. This review is delaying the decision. If the delay goes on much longer, it will force military leaders either to rush the deployment in a way that increases the strain on soldiers and their families or to lose the opportunity to affect the spring campaign.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Sep 09, by Jacob Bronsther
What do neocons have to do with Obama?
'President Obama may be a pragmatist, but he's now in charge of two fundamentally neoconservative wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep 09, by Gilead Ini
The unseen bias in Middle East reporting
'Journalists defy common sense when they call Fatah 'moderate' and Netanyahu's administration "hardline".'

New York Times, 30 Sep 09, by editorial staff
An Incomplete State Secrets Fix
'One of the ways that the Bush administration tried to avoid accountability for its serious misconduct in the name of fighting terrorism was the misuse of an evidentiary rule called the state secrets privilege. The Obama administration has essentially embraced the Bush approach in existing cases ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep 09, by editorial board
Will Obama really prosecute CIA interrogators?
'If most former CIA chiefs oppose a probe of agents who questioned terror suspects, the president must listen.'

Family Security Matters, 28 Sep 09, by Dr. Walid Phares
Warning: The Jihadists are Mushrooming Inside America
'It is unprecedented in American counterterrorism annals: in one day, the nation was dealing with three separate jihadist plots to blow up civilian and other targets inside the homeland. Although the cases were addressed at different time periods by the FBI and other agencies, nevertheless, the thickening web of terror attempts breached the crossing line of U.S. national security.'

New York Times, 24 Sep 09, by Kurt Volker
Deciphering the Fallout on Obama's Missile Plan
'... for Europeans of whatever stripe, missile defense was never really the issue. Rather, it had become a proxy for a host of other issues and anxieties that, even after Thursday’s announcement, remain sensitive and unresolved.'

New York Times, 23 Sep 09, by Thomas Lehrman and Justin Muzinich
Nuclear-Free Seas
'In the Law of the Sea, ships involved in piracy or the slave trade can be detained; thus, so should ships carrying nuclear materials.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Sep 09, by editorial board
Europe, don't go wobbly on Afghanistan
'Pressure is building in Germany, which faces elections Sunday, and elsewhere to withdraw troops. Leaders such as Angela Merkel must explain the grave risk of a cut-and-run strategy.'

Washington Post, 24 Sep 09, by David Ignatius
Britain's Afghan Wisdom
'When it comes to Afghanistan, the British have a special perspective: Every mistake the United States has made recently, they made 150 years ago. So it's worth listening to British experts in the debate over Afghan strategy.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Sep 09, by Hossein Askari
A smarter way to sanction Iran
'"Crippling sanctions" on the oil sector wouldn't work. But the US Treasury Department can deal Tehran a significant financial blow using existing laws.'

New York Times, 22 Sep 09, by Gordon Brown
All Together Now
'... five urgent challenges confront us and we cannot delay our responses. ... International agreement — and progress — on Afghanization must be among the most urgent priorities ... The world is threatened, too, by a looming new arms race.'

New York Times, 22 Sep 09, by William J. Mcdonough, Thomas R. Pickering, and Thomas J. Miller
'Do as I Do' Diplomacy
'When President Obama steps to the podium at the opening session of the 64th U.N. General Assembly ... This occasion will provide a singular opportunity for the president to move forward with his promise to restore America’s global standing, and he can do so by invoking a somewhat forgotten tool of U.S. foreign policy — international treaty law.'

Washington Post, 22 Sep 09
Excerpts from Interview with U.N. Ambassador Susan E. Rice
'On defining U.S. interests at the United Nations ... On the role of the United Nations ... On competing for influence with America's traditional adversaries, including Iran, North Korea and Sudan ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep 09, by editorial board
Obama's deft move on anti-Iran defense missiles
'He holds a bolder card just before talks with Tehran about its nuclear program around the corner.'

Washington Post, 24 Sep 09, by Dana Milbank
Talking Transparency Isn't the Same as Seeing It Through
'Obama may have promised new openness, but "so far, the continuities between the Obama and Bush administration overwhelm the differences," says Steven Aftergood, who runs the Project on Government Secrecy for the Federation of American Scientists.'

New York Times, 17 Sep 09, by editorial staff
Missile Sense
'... the Pentagon will deploy a less-ambitious — but more feasible — system of interceptors and sensors, first on ships and later on land. ... managing the diplomacy — particularly the disappointment of the Central Europeans — and the politics in this country will require a very deft hand.'

NewsHour, 16 Sep 09, with Margaret Warner
Doubts Linger Over Targeting Al-Qaida Safe Havens
'Growing unease has arisen in Washington over U.S. strategy aimed against eliminating so called "safe havens" for terror operatives in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Somalia. Margaret Warner talks to experts for insight.'

Christian Science Monitor, 16 Sep 09, by John Hughes
Obama's dilemma in Iraq's Camp Ashraf
'The US isn't supposed to intervene. But unless it does, Iranian exiles there face retribution from a brutal regime.'

New York Times, 10 Sep 09, by Ansar Rahel and Jon Krakauer
To Save Afghanistan, Look to Its Past
'... if a majority of Afghans do not consider the president and his government to be legitimate, the military campaign now being waged by the United States and its allies is doomed to fail, regardless of the number of troops deployed.'

New York Times, 15 Sep 09, by Joseph Kearns Goodwin
Afghanistan’s Other Front
'Without a concerted campaign to root out corruption within the administration of President Hamid Karzai, all America’s efforts there will be in vain.'

Radio Free Europe, 14 Sep 09, by Ajmal Samadi
Why Afghanistan Needs A New Transitional Authority
'Over the past few years under Karzai, Afghanistan has fallen from the middle of the pack in terms of corruption to one of the most corrupt states on Transparency International’s global corruption index.'

Washington Post, 16 Sep 09, by editorial staff
A Test for Iran
'Tehran's treatment of Western nationals it has accused of fomenting unrest will show its seriousness about talks.'

New York Times, 17 Sep 09, by Richard Goldstone
Justice in Gaza
'... I believe deeply in the rule of law and the laws of war, and the principle that in armed conflict civilians should to the greatest extent possible be protected from harm. In the fighting in Gaza, all sides flouted that fundamental principle.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep 09, by Rachel Brown
Middle East peace effort's missing key: female negotiators.
'Women bear the brunt of conflict, so their input for peace is essential.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep 09, by Gerard DeGroot
America's got to end its deadly devotion to democracy
'Washington needs to rid itself of the politically correct attitude that all nations are capable of becoming sustainable democracies.'

Washington Post, 13 Sep 09, by David Finkel
One Day at War
'While Washington argued, the 2-16 Rangers fought a different battle.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep 09, by editorial board
Obama's options to avert war with Iran
'As the nuclear standoff builds to a late-September deadline, the US must maneuver as well as Kennedy did during the 1962 Cuban crisis.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Sep 09, by Anne Marie Drew
Closing Guantanamo will be a mistake
'Much of the public perception of the detention camps is wrong.'

Washington Post, 16 Sep 09, by Paul R. Pillar
Who's Afraid of A Terrorist Haven?
'How important to terrorist groups is any physical haven? More to the point: How much does a haven affect the danger of terrorist attacks against U.S. interests, especially the U.S. homeland?'

Slate, 07 Sep 09, by Christopher Hitchens
Don't Forget Why We're in Afghanistan and Iraq
'Whatever political decisions are made about our posture toward the rather sketchy Karzai or Maliki governments, the long-term abilities conferred by this bitterly won battle-hardening constitute an asset that is unquantifiable.'

Editor and Publisher, 03 Sep 09, by Joseph L. Galloway
Afghanistan 'Not Worth One More American Soldier'
'The debate over our creeping military mission in distant Afghanistan grows ever hotter, and before we march even deeper into trouble, perhaps it’s time to dig out the old Powell Doctrine and answer the eight questions it poses.'

New York Times, 12 Sep 09, by Jon Meacham
Our Reporter, Ahmadinejad’s Prisoner
'If Iran can so easily become a totalitarian caricature, imprisoning journalists and mostly peaceful protesters, what else is it capable of?'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Sep 09, by editorial board
Obama's two fronts in the Afghan war
'He must reduce a credibility gap with Americans on his goals and tactics. A fraudulent vote in Afghanistan doesn't help.'

Washington Post, 08 Sep 09, by Anne Applebaum
Will Obama Fight For Afghanistan?
'... the Afghan war is suddenly at the center of political debate in several Western countries. At stake are not merely tactics and strategy but a far more fundamental question: Should we still be in Afghanistan at all?'

New York Times, 03 Sep 09, by Mark Moyar
Can the U.S. Lead Afghans?
'... in Afghanistan, as in past counterinsurgencies, it is important to remember that all troop numbers are not created equal. When it comes to indigenous forces, quality often matters more than quantity, and quality often declines when quantity increases.'

Wall Street Journal, 04 Sep 09, by Dan Senor and Peter Wehner
Afghanistan Is Not 'Obama's War'
'In his column for the Washington Post on Tuesday, the influential conservative George Will provided intellectual fodder for the campaign among some Republicans to hang the Afghanistan war around the Obama administration’s neck. ... the case of conservative opposition to the war in Afghanistan—as well as increasingly in Iraq—is symptomatic of something larger: the long history of political parties out of power advancing a neo-isolationist outlook.'

Wall Street Journal, 05 Sep 09, by Frederick W. Kagan
A Stable Pakistan Needs a Stable Afghanistan
'The fight against militant Islam must be pursued on both sides of the border.'

Asia Times, 10 Sep 09, by Brian M Downing
Blinded in the fog of war
'Amid the endless cant and rhetoric that followed the United States-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the original purposes of the wars can be lost. The first casualty is said to be the truth; the second might well be remembering that wars should increase national security.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Sep 09, by Alexander Noyes and Richard Bennet
Can Somalia be saved?
'To avoid aiding rebels, Obama must cease direct aid to the government and work with regional neighbors.'

Washington Post, 06 Sep 09, by Jimmy Carter
The Elders' View of the Middle East
'Increasingly desperate Palestinians see little prospect of their plight being alleviated; political, business and academic leaders are making contingency plans should President Obama's efforts fail.'

Washington Post, 08 Sep 09, by Elliott Abrams
What Carter Missed in the Middle East
'As with most of Carter's recent statements about Israel and the Palestinians, instead of facts we get vignettes from recent Carter travels. And while he finds "a growing sense of concern and despair" among "increasingly desperate" Palestinians, polls do not sustain this view.'

New York Times 'At War', 08 Sep 09, by Tim Hsia
History Lessons and Counterinsurgency
'In his second “A Soldier Writes” column, Capt. Tim Hsia considers the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan against the historical backdrop of the experiences of Britain and Russia there.'

Asia Times, 10 Sep 09, by Brian M Downing
Blinded in the fog of war
'Amid the endless cant and rhetoric that followed the United States-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the original purposes of the wars can be lost. The first casualty is said to be the truth; the second might well be remembering that wars should increase national security.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Sep 09, by David Montero
How effective are terrorist rehabilitation programs?
Recent attacks in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have left some wondering whether attempts to turn militants away from terrorism have failed.

Family Security Matters, 09 Sep 09, by Walid Phares
Beslan: Jihad Against Children Must Trigger Global Response
'Wars have always had inhuman results, no matter what is the scale. Since the early 20th century, terrorism has perpetrated mass killing of innocents, condemned by all moral values.'

NewsHour, 01 Sep 09, with Gwen Ifill
Grim Military Report Stirs Questions on Afghan Strategy
'A sober assessment by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan calling conditions on the ground there "serious" have raised new questions about U.S. and NATO strategy against the Taliban. Experts speak with Gwen Ifill about the chances for victory in Afghanistan.'

Washington Post, 02 Sep 09, by David Ignatius
A Middle Way On Afghanistan?
'Rather than producing a mandate for good governance, as U.S. officials once hoped, the balloting has instead brought allegations of fraud, political squabbling and delay, and a new set of headaches in the war against the Taliban.'

Washington Post, 01 Sep 09, by George F. Will
Time to Get Out of Afghanistan
'U.S. strategy -- protecting the population -- is increasingly troop-intensive while Americans are increasingly impatient about "deteriorating" (says Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) conditions. The war already is nearly 50 percent longer than the combined U.S. involvements in two world wars, and NATO assistance is reluctant and often risible.'

New York Times 'Room for Debate', 01 Sep 09, by the editors
Is It Time to Negotiate With the Taliban?
'How might talks with insurgents in Afghanistan be carried out?'

New York Times 'At War', 02 Sep 09, by John F. Burns
John Burns Answers Your Questions on ‘Wobbly’ U.S. Allies
'... many questions, especially about Afghanistan, tend to reflect the deepening sense that America is overcommitted militarily, and at risk of finding itself mired in a new quagmire.'

New York Times 'At War', 02 Sep 09, by Ethan Bronner
Low Expectations May Be a Helpful Start for Mideast Talks
'For a process that evokes little optimism on either side, there is an awful lot of diplomatic activity just now aimed at restarting Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Sep 09, by Ali Wyne
Should Pakistan prosecute Musharraf?
'Targeting only the former president would be unfair. But going after all guilty parties would destabilize the country. Parliament may just have to let the past be the past.'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Sep 09, by Elizabeth Pond
Seventy years after World War II's start, old enemies take stock
'Polish enmity toward Germany is gone, but tension with Russia remains.'

New York Times, 02 Sep 09, by editorial staff
Profiling the Messengers
'Some good news from Afghanistan is that American commanders have wisely canceled a contract with a public relations firm accused of profiling correspondents with negative-to-positive ratings to help determine whether they may report in the war zone with troops.'

National Defense University, October 09, by Richard L. Russell
Future Gulf War
[pdf] 'Weighing Arab and American Forces against Iranian Capabilities'

New York Times, 02 Sep 09, by Roger Cohen
Iran’s Flip-Flopper Supreme
'The Islamic Republic threatens itself more than others. For the United States to threaten Iran - through sanctions or otherwise - would be pointless.'

New York Times, 02 Sep 09, by Max Blumenthal
Ike’s Other Warning
'Although Eisenhower is commonly remembered for a farewell address that raised concerns about the “military-industrial complex,” his letter offers an equally important — and relevant — warning: to beware the danger posed by those seeking freedom from the “mental stress and burden” of democracy.'

New York Times, 01 Sep 09, by editorial staff
After Iraq, the Battle at Home
'Legislation must be passed to protect all service members’ custody rights. And the Pentagon should examine how it can enforce — not just help draft — family care plans.'

Newsmax.com, 28 Aug 09, by Walid Phares
Scots Trade Compassion for Oil Dollars With Release of Terrorist
'The release by Scottish authorities of convicted Libyan intelligence agent Abdel Baset al-Megrahi from prison has created one of the most negative emotional reactions in the United States and other countries.'

New York Times 'At War', 26 Aug 09, by C.J. Chivers
A War Won Less by Force Than by Persuasion?
'This week, the latest counterinsurgency guidance for the American and international units fighting the Afghan war was released by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who commands the International Security Assistance Force. ... The war will be won not by destroying the enemy, but by persuading the people. The international forces will have succeeded when the government of Afghanistan is supported by the population.'

Financial Times, 23 Aug 09, by Bruce Ackerman and Oona Hathaway
America needs to prepare for early Iraq pullout
'America's legal relationship with Iraq is falling apart. Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, has announced a referendum next January on the agreement that governs US military operations. If voters say No, as most expect, Iraq will withdraw from the accord. Under the terms of the agreement, American troops will then have to leave the country in January 2011, nearly a year earlier than planned.'

Washington Post, 25 Aug 09, by David Ignatius
Behind the Carnage in Baghdad
'As security deteriorates in Baghdad, there's a new cause for worry: The head of the U.S.-trained Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) has quit in a long-running quarrel with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki -- depriving that country of a key leader in the fight against sectarian terrorism.'

Washington Post, 24 Aug 09, by editorial staff
The Tehran File
'The IAEA needs to tell the world what it knows about Iran's nuclear program -- and soon.'

New York Times, 25 Aug 09, by editorial staff
The Torture Papers
'... Mr. Obama and his political advisers continue to shrink from the broad investigation of the full range of his predecessor's trampling on human rights, civil liberties and judicial safeguards that would allow this country to make sure this sordid history is behind it for good.'

Washington Post, 24 Aug 09, by Jeffrey H. Smith
CIA Accountability
'6 Reasons Not to Prosecute Interrogators'

Washington Post, 25 Aug 09, by Eugene Robinson
History That Obama Can't Ignore
'History's demands can seem inconvenient, unfair or unreasonable. But they can't be ignored. The Obama administration has a legal and moral duty to determine whether crimes were committed in the Bush-era detention and interrogation of "war on terror" prisoners -- and, if so, to prosecute those responsible.'

New York Times 'Room for Debate', 24 Aug 09, by the editors
Prosecuting the C.I.A.
'... some legal and national security experts [discuss] what the scope of such an inquiry should be and whether C.I.A. employees and contractors should be subject to potential prosecution.'

New York Times, 22 Aug 09, by editorial staff
Battle's Latent Scars
'... the Army has announced an ambitious program to train soldiers in the risks of stress, depression and suicide. On the modern battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, one out of five active or returning soldiers is suffering from these ailments.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug 09, by Thomas H. Johnson and M. Chris Mason
Democracy in Afghanistan is wishful thinking
'In a feudal society that long picked leaders according to religion and tradition, the winner of today's election may be seen as illegitimate – simply because he is elected.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug 09, by editorial board
Taking the Mideast peace plunge
'The Obama administration hopes all parties will jump into the peace process together. Egypt's Mubarak and other Arab leaders must leap, too.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug 09, by Marc Gustafson
The 'genocide' in Darfur isn't what it seems
'From 2006 until 2008, when the Save Darfur Coalition and many other groups began to pressure the government, the allocation of US funds shifted dramatically from humanitarian aid to peacekeeping, presumably due to the influence of the lobbyists and public pressure campaigns.'

The Atlantic, Aug 09, by Robert D. Kaplan
The Wrong Man for the Job
'Obama's new ambassador to Iraq is a star diplomat—but has no experience in the Arab world. Why Christopher Hill is a bad choice.'

The Atlantic, Aug 09, by Robert D. Kaplan
Losing Patience with Israel
'More than democracy, Washington wants stability in the Middle East. That means leaning against the interests of the Jewish state.'

The Atlantic, 24 Aug 09, by D.B. Grady
When Patience Is Policy
'The next president of Afghanistan faces the twin perils of a galvanized Taliban and an international community fast losing patience. But if the Afghan state is to succeed, patience will be a key factor. Unlike Iraq, where the civilizational foundation for a stable republic existed before the first U.S. boot touched ground, Afghanistan is nation building in its purest form.'

Asia Times, 26 Aug 09, by M K Bhadrakumar
A United States-Iran opportunity arises
'The Iranian puzzle doesn't easily give way. But Holbrooke will not be deterred by the West's struggle with Iran's game. He holds a clearcut brief: how far will Tehran be willing to work with the Obama administration for the stabilization of Afghanistan?'

New York Times, 19 Aug 09, by Zbigniew Brzezinski
NATO and World Security
'NATO now confronts historically unprecedented risks to global security. The paradox of our time is that the world, increasingly connected and economically interdependent, is experiencing intensifying popular unrest. Yet there is no effective global security mechanism for coping with the growing threat of chaos stemming from humanity’s recent political awakening.'

New York Times, 19 Aug 09, by Hassina Sherjan, Atif B., Mirwais Ahmadzai and Ahmad Wali Arian
As Afghanistan Votes, Will the Taliban Win?
'With Afghanistan’s second-ever presidential election coming on Thursday, the Op-Ed editors asked four Afghans to report on the moods of voters in their communities.'

New York Times, 19 Aug 09, by Selig S. Harrison
Afghanistan’s Tyranny of the Minority
'As the debate intensifies within the Obama administration over how to stabilize Afghanistan, one major problem is conspicuously missing from the discussion: the growing alienation of the country’s largest ethnic group, the Pashtun tribes, who make up an estimated 42 percent of the population of 33 million. One of the basic reasons many Pashtuns support the Taliban insurgency is that their historic rivals, ethnic Tajiks, hold most of the key levers of power in the government.'

Asia Times, 19 Aug 09, by George Friedman
Washington ponders its endgame
'In its haste to lay plans for its departure from Iraq, the United States promised everyone everything. This leaves Washington with two choices. Leave a residual force of about 20,000 troops to guarantee Sunni and Kurdish interests, or allow the country to become a cockpit for competition among neighboring countries.'

StrategyPage, 16 Aug 09
Why Iraqis Still Fight Like Arabs
'The first thing the Americans noted was that the Iraqis were not sharing information on what the terrorists were up to. Bomb removal teams from the army or police operated as if the other did not exist, even if they patrolled the same roads. Different intel organizations in the police and military would not share information, or work together. This, and a lot of other bad habits are fairly common throughout the Arab world, even though U.S. advisors have been pointing out the downside of these traits for decades.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug 09, by editorial staff
Taking the Mideast peace plunge
'The Obama administration hopes all parties will jump into the peace process together. Egypt's Mubarak and other Arab leaders must leap, too.'

Washington Post, 17 Aug 09, by Michele Dunne
A Message for Mubarak
'Why is the Obama administration backing off democracy promotion just as Egypt faces critical elections and a likely leadership change? It appears to be worried that Mubarak will withhold cooperation on regional peace and stability if Washington annoys him by expressing concern for the rights of Egyptians.'

New York Times, 18 Aug 09, by editorial staff
Visit to Myanmar
'We hope this new attitude means that Myanmar’s leaders are looking for ways to lessen their isolation and are finally ready to loosen their iron grip. We encourage the Obama administration to test that proposition. But it is far too early to lift sanctions on one of the world’s most authoritarian regimes.'

New York Times, 19 Aug 09, by Guénaël Mettraux
A Nuremberg for Guantánamo
'Trying these men stateside would necessarily require the compromise of long-cherished principles of American law. Yet continuing to hold them without the prospect of a fair trial or delivering them to undemocratic governments are alternatives not worthy of the Obama administration or of the United States.'

Asia Times, 20 Aug 09, by Peter Van Nguyen Aug
It's all a North Korean plot
'North Korea's plan to upset the international community is a well thought out strategy. The political and military leaders are wary of a succession struggle and regime collapse if Kim Jong-il passes away. Hence, they are toying with China-style economic liberalization and nuclear brinkmanship to ward off future prosecution for human-rights abuses.'

Asia Times, 19 Aug 09, by Jian Junbo
China-EU ties caught in vicious cycle
'China and the European Union are part of a "comprehensive strategic partnership", but critics say it is neither comprehensive nor strategic. China resents perceived EU meddling in its internal affairs, while the EU cannot hide its distaste for China's ideological heritage. In this environment of mistrust, only economic cooperation proves fruitful.'

Asia Times, 19 Aug 09, by David Gosset
Xinjiang serves as pan-Asian pivot
'The portrayal of the deadly riots that gripped China's far-western Xinjiang province as "ethnic strife" does not do justice to the complex forces at work in this vast and strategically vital region along the ancient Silk Road. Such misunderstandings belie the crucial role Xinjiang could play in stabilizing Central Asia.'

NPR, 20 Aug 09, with Steve Isnkeep
1979: Remembering 'The Siege Of Mecca'
'Yaroslav Trofimov, a reporter with The Wall Street Journal, talks with Steve Isnkeep about the 1979 siege of the Grand Mosque at Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is the holiest site in Islam, and gunmen held it for two weeks. It was one of the events that gave rise to al Qaida, and Yaroslav wrote about it in his book The Siege of Mecca.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 11 Aug 09, by Robert Mackey
Have Pakistani Nuclear Facilities Already Been Attacked?
'In a little-noticed article published last month, a British academic pointed out that Islamist militants in Pakistan have launched at least three attacks in the past two years on military bases that may contain nuclear weapons.'

New York Times, 10 Aug 09, by editorial staff
More Than Missiles
'With the apparent killing of the Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud by an American drone, President Obama seems to be having some success with his military policy for Pakistan. He is having less luck in Washington. ... force alone will not be enough to defeat the extremists.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug 09, by editorial board
How to free Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi
'As Obama reviews US policy toward the Burmese regime, he must look to the country's Buddhists.'

New York Times, 10 Aug 09, by Hussein Agha and Robert Malley
The Two-State Solution Doesn’t Solve Anything
'Bowing to American pressure, Mr. Netanyahu conceded the principle of a Palestinian state, but then described it in a way that stripped it of meaningful sovereignty. ... As for Hamas, recognition of the state of Israel has always been and remains taboo.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Aug 09, by editorial board
Somalia is Obama's new 'Afghanistan'
'While beefing up military support, he also needs to reach out to moderate Islamic militants.'

Washington Post, 13 Aug 09, by Carol Graham and Jeremy Shapiro
Why Are Afghans Smiling?
'... unless we understand what makes Afghans so counterintuitively cheerful, we are unlikely to ultimately win their "hearts and minds."'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Aug 09, by editorial board
Clinton 'rescue' in North Korea leaves Obama on the spot
'By letting a former president hold talks with North Korea, the current president leaves a democratic ally, South Korea, in the cold.'

New York Times, 05 Aug 09, by editorial staff
Next Steps With North Korea
'Sending a former president to secure the release of two journalists detained by North Korea was a big step, but Bill Clinton’s trip will have been well worth the effort if it laid the groundwork for truly productive talks on North Korea’s nuclear programs.'

Washington Post, 06 Aug 09, by editorial staff
Pressure Point
'The release of two American journalists is no reason to ease up on North Korea.'

New York Times, 05 Aug 09, by Nicholas D. Kristof
Rethinking North Korea, With Sticks
'There are new indications that North Korea may be transferring nuclear weapons technology to Myanmar, the dictatorship also known as Burma, and that it earlier supplied a reactor to Syria.'

New York Times, 06 Aug 09, by Morton Abramowitz
Pakistan’s Human Debacle
'The Pakistan military’s offensive against the Taliban in the Swat Valley has been hailed as a success despite the exodus of some two million men, women and children. Information is sparse because the area is still closed to the outside world, but reports from relief officials are trickling out and they say the dismal plight of the displaced and those returning home threatens to squander gains from disrupting the Taliban.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Aug 09, by editorial board
Georgia's best defense against Russia: democracy
'Moscow wants to make an example of its tiny neighbor in turmoil. If the Georgian president follows through on democratic reforms, he can prove Moscow wrong.'

Washington Post, 06 Aug 09, by Mikheil Saakashvili
Georgia, On the Rebound
'Our democratic institutions are growing. Foreign investors are returning. The world should recognize that the kind of behavior Russia exhibited last August threatens not only Georgia but our entire region.'

New York Times, 05 Aug 06, by Mark Lenzi and Lincoln Mitchell
Georgia, One Year Later
'In the year since the war between Russia and Georgia, it has become clear that in addition to the vague intention of resetting U.S. relations with Russia, Washington must develop distinct policies for Georgia and the other countries on Russia’s periphery and not continue to simply lump bilateral relations with post-Soviet governments together or in terms of their individual relations with Moscow.'

New York Times, 04 Aug 06, by Andrew C. Kuchins and Thomas Sanderson
Central Asia’s Northern Exposure
'Russian agreement to allow U.S. military over-flight rights to ferry lethal goods to Afghanistan was one of the signal achievements of the recent meetings in Moscow between Presidents Barack Obama and Dimtri Medvedev.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Aug 09, by Reza Kahlili
As a CIA spy, I saw in Iran what the West cannot ignore
'We must defend freedom in Iran soon – or deal with nuclear-armed fanatics later.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jul 09, by editorial board
Why Iran's regime is at odds with itself
'Crackdown on dissent only reveals the contradiction of this theocracy.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Aug 09, by Chris Seiple
Success in Afghanistan lies where religion and politics meet
'US counterinsurgency strategy must take account of Pashto-Islamist justice.'

Washington Post, 02 Aug 09, by Greg Jaffe
There's Still a War In Iraq. It Isn't Ours.
'That doesn't mean that the United States won or achieved all of its aims or that fighting among Iraqis will stop. It doesn't mean that Iraq is stable, democratic and relatively free of corruption. The war is over for the United States because the Iraqis don't really need or want American forces around anymore.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Aug 09, by Georgie Hanlin
A slice of life from an Army wife
'When my husband left home (and his baby boy) for his sixth deployment, goodbye took on a different meaning.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jul 09, by editorial board
An exit strategy for Obama in Afghanistan
'Separate deals with Taliban groups might splinter the enemy. But the US must be wary.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jul 09, by Zhiqun Zhu
Should Obama sign a peace treaty with North Korea?
'It's too late to rid the country of nukes, but we can keep its program under control.'

New York Times, 27 Jul 09, by Aluf Benn
Why Won’t Obama Talk to Israel?
'... given the importance the president has placed on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If Israel is part of the problem, it’s also part of the solution. Yet so far, neither the president nor any senior administration official has given a speech or an interview aimed at an Israeli audience, beyond brief statements made at diplomatic photo ops.'

OpenDemocracy, 27 Jul 09, by Paul Rogers
America’s new-old military thinking
'From Somalia to Iraq, Afghanistan to Lebanon, an emerging global landscape of variable security threats is provoking United States military analysts into an intense process of reflection.'

Washington Post, 30 Jul 09, by Colum Lynch
In Fighting Radical Islam, Tricky Course for U.S. Aid
'... some scholars say that restrictions on USAID and other American civilian agencies have undercut the United States' ability to win the hearts and minds of Muslims in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, where Islam plays a central role in public and private life.'

New York Times, 29 Jul 09, by editorial staff
The Military Is Not the Police
'It was disturbing to learn the other day just how close the last administration came to violating laws barring the military from engaging in law enforcement when President George W. Bush considered sending troops into a Buffalo suburb in 2002 to arrest terrorism suspects. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily a problem of the past. More needs to be done to ensure that the military is not illegally deployed in this country.'

Washington Post, 30 Jul 09, by David Ignatius
No Unguarded Moment
'It's Time to Scale Back the Security Mania'

American Chronicle, 22 Jul 09, by Ahmed Mohamed Egal
Heads Firmly in the Sand – Western Diplomacy & the Rise of Terrorism in the Horn of Africa
'The Western Powers and the UN Security Council persist in deluding themselves that the TFG remains the "government" of Somalia and that it is capable of mounting an effective fight against the extremists of Al-Shabaab and its allies, notably the Hizb-al-Islam of Hassan Dahir Aweys.'

NewsHour, 22 Jul 09, with Margaret Warner et al
On Asia Tour, Clinton Issues Warnings to N. Korea, Iran
'Michael Green from the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Trudy Rubin of The Philadelphia Inquirer examine Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's diplomatic victories and setbacks on her trip to India and Thailand.'

New York Times, 22 Jul 09, by Neil MacFarquhar
When to Step In to Stop War Crimes Causes Fissures
'On the face of it, a commitment by all United Nations member states to reach an understanding on how the world body should intervene to stop genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing would not seem like a major stretch.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Jul 09, by Ira Straus
Are summits of rich Western nations obsolete?
'Obama's instinct seems to be to abandon the G-8 in favor of purely global structures, perhaps like the old League of Nations configuration. Yet the failure of the league left us with important lessons at a terrible cost: The working core of the world order is Atlantic-based, and the UN needs its Atlantic core to be well organized if it is to work at all.'

Asia Times, 22 Jul 09, by David Bromwich
Serial war as a way of life
'From American humanitarian intervention and wars of choice to President Barack Obama's present Af-Pak war - and finally to wars beyond the horizon - wars have become an American way of life.'

NewsHour, 15 Jul 09, with Dan Sagalyn
Author Compares U.S. Actions in Afghanistan With the Past
[podcast] 'The RAND Corporation's Seth Jones, who recently wrote "In the Graveyard of Empires: America's War in Afghanistan," compares the current mission in Afghanistan with past military efforts by other countries.'

Asia Times, 15 Jul 09, by Richard M Bennett
Behind the mind games in the Gulf
'From fighter aircraft equipped with bunker-busting munitions to submarines armed with cruise missiles, Israel certainly has the hardware to make a serious attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. Whatever the mind games and the rhetoric, the claims and denials, it remains highly unlikely, though, that an attack could avoid some form of direct United States involvement.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jul 09, by Norman H. Olsen
What Palestinians really think about Obama
'The lack of US contact with Gaza has created a gulf that thwarts progress in the region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jul 09, by Reza Aslan
Should Obama talk to Ahmadinejad?
'Western dialogue with Tehran won't reward a repressive regime. It will offer Iranians hope.'

New York Times, 14 Jul 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
Goodbye Iraq, and Good Luck
'Iraqis know who they were, and they don't always like it, but they still have not figured out whom they want to be as a country.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jul 09, by Michael Adler
Iran's nuclear program: three lessons for Obama
'If Washington is serious about halting weapons development, it can't let Iran off the hook.'

Asia Times, 16 Jul 09, by Michael Kugelman
Tread lightly with Pakistan's lashkars
'Tribal militias, lashkars, have risen in recent days to capture and kill militants in Pakistan's remote northwestern districts - a trend that Islamabad and Washington call emblematic of anti-Taliban sentiment surging through the country. But close association with the fiercely independent lashkars poses grave risks.'

Human Events, 15 Jul 09, by Rowan Scarborough
Wiretaps Work
'An independent federal investigation into President Bush's warrantless intercepts of al Qaeda communications found that intelligence agencies followed the program's procedures, did not spy on innocent Americans and gleaned valuable information on the terror network.'

Washington Post, 15 Jul 09, by David Ignatius
Kicking The CIA (Again)
'Oversight of these secret activities is necessary. But turning the CIA into a political football, as both Republicans and Democrats have done in recent years, defeats the purpose of oversight.'

New York Times, 14 Jul 09, by editorial staff
Injustice in the Name of Security
'Federal lawmakers also erred by not focusing the 2002 port security law exclusively on offenses that relate to terrorism, like possession of explosives or espionage.'

Christian Science Monitor, 03 Jul 09, by Diane Cameron
Why art is vital to freedom
'To grasp the real-life significance of artists as political agents we have only to remember Cambodia, Russia, Czechoslovakia, and China. ... It's no coincidence that repressive governments often go after poets, painters, and playwrights. The artistic sensibility and the practice of making art create a habit of asking questions ...'

New York Times, 08 Jul 09, by Philip Taubman
Obama's Big Missile Test
'Now that Mr. Obama has set a promising arms reduction agenda with President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia, he faces the greater challenge of getting his own government and the American nuclear weapons establishment to support his audacious plan to make deep weapons cuts and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Jul 09, by editorial board
Africa awaits Obama's turn on leadership
'Every recent US president has faced major crises in Africa – the Rwanda genocide, US embassy bombings, Darfur, Zimbabwe. Barack Obama, who makes his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa July 10 and 11, inherits several of these crises. Others loom. The lesson for Mr. Obama? To develop a cohesive strategy for Africa that gets at those conditions that may lead to conflict.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jul 09, by Leif-Eric Easley
Why China might turn on North Korea
'As Beijing strives to become a responsible great power, the costs of staying allied with North Korea may come to surpass the costs of abandoning it.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jul 09, by editorial board
What price for a nuclear-free world?
'Obama's concessions to Moscow for a new arms treaty may go too far.'

New York Times, 07 Jul 09, by Errol Morris
McNamara in Context
'How should the secretary of defense be remembered? As a public servant, hawk, technocrat, hero or all of the above?'

New York Times, 07 Jul 09, by editorial staff
Now Xinjiang
'The Uighurs have long been mistreated. Beijing has invested heavily over the last decade to exploit the region's rich oil and gas deposits and at the same time financed a huge influx of Han migrants.'

New York Times, 03 Jul 09, by editorial staff
Mr. Obama and Mr. Medvedev
'There are certainly a lot of other difficult issues that need their joint attention. We are especially eager to see them make progress on reducing their nuclear arsenals ...'

New York Times, 03 Jul 09, by editorial staff
After the Crackdown
'Tragically, Iran's government appears to have driven back the most significant challenge to its repressive rule since the 1979 revolution.'

Asia Times, 08 Jul 09, by Chalmers Johnson
Baseless expenditures
'The United States empire of bases - at US$102 billion a year already the world's costliest military enterprise - just got a good deal more expensive with the projected $736 million new American war embassy to be built in Islamabad, Pakistan. For other countries getting a bit weary of the American military presence on their soil: cash in now, before it's too late.'

Asia Times, 07 Jul 09, by Brian M Downing
Crossing the Helmand
'The ambitious goals of the United States surge in Afghanistan - to drive the Taliban out, curtail the opium trade and win hearts and minds - faces a stern test in Helmand province. By starting the offensive in a Taliban stronghold, the army has ignored a basic tenet of counter-insurgency warfare - to begin in districts where insurgent support is weak.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jul 09, by Lawrence J. Korb, Sean E. Duggan and Laura Conley
How to end 'Don't ask, don't tell'
'The policy that keeps gays from serving openly undermines military readiness and does not make sense practically, financially, or morally. So what is holding the administration back?'

NewsHour, 30 Jun 09, with Jim Lehrer
Upon U.S. Troop Pullback, Jones Assesses Iraq's Future
'U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraqi cities prompted a national holiday, but continued violence leaves the country's stability in question. National Security Adviser retired Gen. Jim Jones discusses the path ahead in Iraq.'

Washington Post, 02 Jul 09, by John R. Bolton
Time for an Israeli Strike?
'With Iran's hard-line mullahs and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unmistakably back in control, Israel's decision of whether to use military force against Tehran's nuclear weapons program is more urgent than ever.'

Washington Post, 02 Jul 09, by
Russia's Grand Inquisitor
'U.S. analysts talk about a new strategic partnership, but Russian officials are mistrustful of large American designs.'

Stratfor, 29 Jun 09, by George Friedman
The Real Struggle in Iran and Implications for U.S. Dialogue
'... the real struggle in Iran has not yet been settled, nor was it ever about the liberalization of the regime. Rather, it has been about the role of the clergy — particularly the old-guard clergy — in Iranian life, and the future of particular personalities among this clergy.'

New York Times, 01 Jul 09, by Álvaro Vargas Llosa
The Winner in Honduras: Chávez
'In pushing the limits of democracy by trying to force a constitutional change that would permit his re-election, [President Manuel Zelaya] set a trap for the military. The military fell for it, turning an unpopular president who was nearing the end of his term into an international cause célèbre.'

Stratfor, 30 Jun 09, by George Friedman
Russia, Poland and U.S. Strategy
[video] 'George Friedman analyzes the upcoming summit July 6-8 between Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama from a geopolitical perspective. Likely topics on the agenda include Iran, Afghanistan, U.S. ballistic missile defense installations in Poland and Russia's sphere of influence.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jun 09, by editorial board
Iraq's next milestone: the Kurdish question
'The survival of the country depends on bridging the Kurd-Arab divide.'

Townhall.com, 29 Jun 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Violence in Iran: What the West Needs to Know
'Saturday, I discussed Iran with Middle East expert Dr. Walid Phares – director of the Future of Terrorism Project for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies – for the initial Q&A in what will be an ongoing series of interviews, "Three Questions for Dr. Walid Phares," providing timely perspective on Middle East issues and international terrorism as events unfold.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jun 09, by Lydia Khalil
Iran today: 1979 revolution redux?
'Reformers hope to fulfill the work they began 30 years ago.'

PBS NewsHour, 29 Jun 09
Military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy Faces New Scrutiny
'President Barack Obama met with gay rights activists on Monday, giving the strongest signal yet he may move to lift the ban on gays openly serving in the military. Watch extended interviews from Monday's NewsHour report on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" debate here.'

San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Jun 09, by J. Peter Phan
The Invisible Hook : The Hidden Economics of Pirates
[book review] '... Peter Leeson, an economics professor at George Mason University, offers a fascinating perspective into the world of Blackbeard, "Black Bart" Roberts and "Calico Jack" Rackham in his highly readable book ...'

Washington Post, 01 Jul 09, by Barry Wingard
No Justice Today at Guantanamo
'The Obama administration is reportedly considering an executive order that would "reassert presidential authority to incarcerate terrorism suspects indefinitely," and the situation at the prison itself is worsening.'

New York Times, 01 Jul 09, by Luis Moreno-Ocampo
Impunity No More
'In 1998, more than 100 states adopted the Rome Statute to end impunity for those crimes that we had thought, over and over, would never happen again, only to see them occur, again and again: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.'

Wall Street Journal, 29 Jun 09, by Joshua Muravchik
The Abandonment of Democracy
'The most surprising thing about the first half-year of Barack Obama's presidency, at least in the realm of foreign policy, has been its indifference to the issues of human rights and democracy.'

Washington Post, 23 Jun 09, by Heather Wilson
A Weak Spot in Our Defenses
'Attacks on computer systems will be an integral element of future conflict, and the United States is more dependent on computer networks than any other nation. Both policymakers and the military are in the early stages of coming to grips with this threat.'

Washington Post, 23 Jun 09, by Andrew S. Natsios
Obama, Adrift On Sudan
'... disputes within the Obama administration are inhibiting U.S. efforts to stop Sudan's slide toward civil war at a time when unified American leadership is essential.'

Washington Post, 23 Jun 09, by Richard Cohen
President Cool Plays It Right
'The foreign policy sins of the United States fall into two categories: commission and omission. The commission ones include the wars in Vietnam and Iraq, and a one-time Latin American policy tailored to the needs of United Fruit Co. The sins of omission are less well-known.'

Washington Post, 22 Jun 09, by E.J. Dionne Jr.
Obama's Iran Dilemma
'... there is a tension in the progressive worldview. Usually, the left also favors restraint in foreign policy. It typically prefers negotiation to war, advises caution in the use of American power and recoils at what it sees as the trigger-happiness of parts of the right. Iraq is Exhibit A for the dangers of presuming that American power can easily remake the world.'

Washington Post, 25 Jun 09, by Mona Eltahawy
The Sounds of Silence on Iran
'The Arabs are quiet, but their silence is surely tempered with discomfort.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jun 09, by editorial board
Will digital dissent win in Iran and China?
'Such regimes are more reliant on the Internet yet they try to curb it. In the end, they won't win.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jun 09, by Helena Cobban
My talk with Hamas about peace with Israel
'The US should follow the Northern Ireland and South African models – which had principles, not preconditions.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jun 09, by editorial board
What Iraq can teach Iran
'Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq shows religion can play an influential, but background, role in a secular democracy.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jun 09, by Trita Parsi
What Obama must do now on Iran
'Condemn violence, without picking sides.'

Asia Times, 22 Jun 09, by Peter Lee
A convenient North Korean distraction
'The North Korean crisis represents a collision of two anachronisms: the world's last Stalinist state versus a fading Cold War alliance ill-equipped to face the challenge of China, a burgeoning regional power determined to expand its influence through investment, trade and diplomacy and avoid confrontation on the United States' primary terms of advantage: military power.'

New York Times, 25 Jun 09, by Asli Aydintasbas
Free to Be a Kurd
'Armed with new self-confidence and higher democratic standards, the Turkish government has quietly crafted a bold initiative to persuade the PKK to surrender in return for political representation and, eventually, an amnesty. The deal has the potential to put an end to one of the deadliest conflicts in this region.'

Stratfor, 16 Jun 09
Iranian Elections, Israel and the United States
[video] 'George Friedman discusses the tense future of the Middle East following the recent Iranian elections.'

Washington Post, 19 Jun 09, by David Ignatius
This Is for Real
'What's happening on the streets of Tehran is a lesson in what makes history ...'

Washington Post, 18 Jun 09, by Nader Mousavizadeh
Engage Iran, Not Ahmadinejad
'A two-pronged approach to dealing with Iran and not its president.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jun 09, by Geneive Abdo
Iran's protests do not a revolution make
'Ahmadinejad's reelection signals an end to an internal power struggle that has been under way for 20 years.'

Washington Post, 17 Jun 09, by Robert Kagan
Obama, Siding With the Regime
'The turmoil in Iran since last week's election has confused the foreign policy debate here in the United States in interesting ways.'

Washington Post, 16 Jun 09, by David Ignatius
Obama's Message to Iran
'The stormy Iranian elections are one more sign of how the world has been shaken up in the age of Barack Obama. ... President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is claiming a new mandate, but what the world sees is the regime's vulnerability.'

Washington Post, 16 Jun 09, by Jeffrey Gedmin
What Do Iranians Want?
'... the truth is that we can't know precisely what different parts of Iranian society think. Things such as free media, a thriving community of nongovernmental organizations, opinion polling in a society free of secret-police informers -- and ultimately fair and free elections, of course -- give us an idea of what's on people's minds.'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Jun 09, by John Hughes
A nuclear-free world? Not yet.
'Obama is right to seek reductions. But nukes are still fundamental to deterrence.'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Jun 09, by Mansoor Ijaz
How India and Pakistan can resolve Kashmir now
'The political atmosphere between the two is ripe for a summit deal.'

National Post, 17 Jun 09, by Jonathan Kay
Pakistan: land of unintended consequences
'While journalists often talk about the Taliban as if it were a single, unified force, there are in fact many Talibans.'

Washington Post, 14 Jun 09, by Nicholas Schmidle
Pakistan's Next Fight? Don't Go There.
'The Obama administration has shown a refreshing realism in its policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan, and if it wants to succeed there, it should encourage the Pakistani army to stay out of Waziristan -- at least for now.'

FrontlineClub.com, 11 Jun 09, by Mike Hills
The 'Obama effect' and Hezbollah's election tactics
'... don't be fooled into thinking that anything [Obama] said in the Maghreb was powerful enough to convince Lebanese voters to choose one politician over another.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jun 09, by Larry Cox
Obama must prosecute Bush-era torture enablers
'Should they prosecute or protect those responsible for the torture of detainees in secret CIA detention centers? If our leaders wish to steer our country back to the right side of the law, they must act immediately and unequivocally to prosecute.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jun 09, by Helena Cobban
Obama's link to the Muslim world: Turkey
'The West can learn a lot from Ankara's perspective and democratic successes.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jun 09, by Denis Corboy, William Courtney and Kenneth Yalowitz
A wake-up call for Georgia, Ukraine – and the West
'Bickering and divisiveness among democrats within former Soviet states could lead to authoritarian, anti-Western rule.'

Washington Post, 19 Jun 09, by John M. Shalikashvili
Gays in the Military: Let the Evidence Speak
'Tradition is a critical military value, and the armed forces have a long-standing tradition of banning gay men and lesbians. Equally important military traditions, however, are learning and adapting ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jun 09, by Ben Arnoldy
Why the Taliban won't take over Pakistan
'For reasons of geography, ethnicity, military inferiority, and ancient rivalries, they represent neither the immediate threat that is often portrayed nor the inevitable victors that the West fears.'

Human Events, 10 Jun 09, by James Zumwalt
Journalist Pawns in the Nuclear Game
'The arrest of Ling and Lee near the border on March 17 was not the work of "overzealous"� North Korean guards. Overzealousness is a trait that has been outlawed in North Korea, and it can get you executed very quickly. These guards acted on a direct order from superiors -- as did their superiors in passing the order down. What we will never know is whether the order was specifically to target Americans or whether, as far as Pyongyang was concerned, two Americans were just the luck of the draw.'

Washington Post, 10 Jun 09, by Michael O'Hanlon
Obama's Defense Budget Gap
'After three months of very impressive decisions regarding national security, President Obama made perhaps his first significant mistake. It concerns the defense budget, where his plans are insufficient to support the national security establishment over the next five years.'

Washington Post, 10 Jun 09, by Glenn Kessler
Man Behind Iran Policy Faces Big Task
'As one of the main architects of the Obama administration's Iran policy, Ross is crafting a way to reach out to Iran to persuade its leaders to abandon any plan to develop nuclear weapons. ... If engagement fails, Ross probably will have to shift course and help devise a blunt-force strategy to accomplish the same goal.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Jun 09, by editorial board
Lebanon's voters answer Iran's guns
'Hezbollah's loss in Sunday's election should end its veto power, and perhaps its gun power.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Jun 09, by Allan Richarz
Don't fall for North Korea's trap
'Rogue states are using US reporters as pawns. Only swift retribution will stop the cynical game.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Jun 09, by John Hughes
North Korea's defiance puts Obama in a corner
'Its nuclear and missile tests are a setback for the president's concept of engagement with rogue nations.'

New York Times, 09 Jun 09, by editorial staff
The Ban on Gays in the Military
'Unfortunately, neither President Obama nor Congress shows much appetite for moving to end a ban that is not only unfair to gay men and lesbians but damaging to the military as well.'

Washington Post, 11 Jun 09, by David Ignatius
Duel of the Spy Chiefs
'A Turf War Exposes a Botched Reorganization'

Human Events, 03 Jun 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from Devil Dogs to the Great Crusade
'June 6, 1918: U.S. Marines attack and destroy Imperial German Army positions during the Battle of Belleau Wood (an old French hunting preserve near Chateau-Thierry, France) in a grisly close-quarters slugfest, after which the Germans -- convinced the Marines are special American "shock troops"� -- nickname their foes, teufelhunden (devil dogs). At one point during the fighting, Gunnery Sgt. Dan Daly -- a two-time Medal of Honor recipient -- dashes out in front of his Marines and shouts to them: "Come on you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?!"�

New York Times, 02 Jun 09, by editorial staff
What the Muslim World Wants to Hear From Obama
'President Obama's tour of the Middle East is intended to set the groundwork for a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and improve the image of the United States in the Muslim world. On Thursday, he is scheduled to give his first speech in Cairo. Here are seven views from the region about what he should say.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Jun 09, by editorial board
In Cairo, Obama must thank moderate Muslims
'Gratitude for standing up to the radicals' ideology can bring respect for the US.'

New York Times, 03 Jun 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
Obama on Obama
'... the president has no illusions that one speech will make lambs lie down with lions. Rather, he sees it as part of his broader diplomatic approach ...'

The New Nation (Bangladesh), 03 Jun 09, by Clay Ramsay
A new approach in the Mideast
'As President Obama shifts into a round of White House meetings with leaders from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab world, and looks for footholds that let him try new approaches, he has a quiet ally in his corner: the American public.'

The Guardian, 03 Jun 09, by Jeremy Sharon
What should Israel do about Iran?
'If the international community fails to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Israel may take matters into its own hands.'

Asia Times, 03 Jun 09, by M K Bhadrakumar
Iran wages lonely war on terror
'Tehran is probing deeper into last week's deadly mosque bombing in Zahedan, but has yet to point any fingers at the West. Iran can't raise an international scandal with US President Barack Obama set to address the Muslim world on Thursday, and its June 12 national election so delicately poised. Looking further, Tehran realizes rhetorical outbursts against Washington will only play into Israeli hands.'

Asia Times, 03 Jun 09, by Francesco Sisci
Pyongyang better left to its devices
'The crisis evolving on the Korean Peninsula with the North's testing of a nuclear device last month is extremely complicated, ... we shall try to make sense of it.'

Washington Post, 02 Jun 09, by Anne Applebaum
Shadow Boxing in Pyongyang
'... China has more influence over the North Korean regime than all of the other U.N. Security Council members put together, but it does not use this influence to stop Pyongyang's nuclear program.'

Asia Times, 03 Jun 09, by Donald Kirk
The hazards of a hasty succession
'If it is confirmed that the ailing North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has named his Swiss-educated youngest son, Kim Jong-un, as his successor, any optimism should be guarded. Untested in combat and over-privileged, the 26-year-old may not be accepted by the million-strong military establishment, leading to either calamitous internal strife or him taking a harder line than his father to prove himself.'

Washington Post, 31 May 09, by Jack Goldsmith
The Detainee Shell Game
'The revelation last weekend that the United States is increasingly using foreign intelligence services to capture, interrogate and detain terrorist suspects points up an uncomfortable truth about the war against Islamist terrorists.'

Washington Post, 02 Jun 09, by Pedro Nikken and Geoffrey Nice
What the U.N. Can't Ignore in Burma
'... while the imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi, without trial, has long been denounced, a less-publicized travesty has been underway in Burma for much of the past 15 years.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Jun 09, by Christopher Paul
Rethink Washington's 'War of Ideas'
'The most effective way to persuade people to adopt a new point of view is not to attack their current perspective. Ideas can compete, but the logic such competition follows cannot be accurately characterized as "war."'

Newsweek/Washington Post, 28 May 09, by John Pomfret
China's Military Game Changer?
'... despite all this talk of a G2, despite all these signs that Taiwan and China are moving ineluctably closer together, China's military continues to have U.S. forces in their sights.'

Newsweek/Washington Post, 02 Jun 09, by Mansoor Ijaz
Time for Peace in Kashmir
'India's political maturity and growing economic power give it maneuvering room not available to Pakistan, a country besieged by Islamist insurgency, shattered confidence in institutions and a failed economy.'

Washington Post, 31 May 09, by David Greenberg
The Cold War Duel That Never Dies
Review of Alger Hiss and the Battle for History, by Susan Jacoby

Christian Science Monitor, 27 May 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Has North Korea finally gone too far?
'Consensus is rising in the international community: Enough cajoling, it's time to get tough.'

New York Times, 27 May 09, by editorial staff
North Korea Tests
'Erratic, frightening and hugely self-destructive. Those are the words we would use to describe North Korea's behavior.'

New York Times, 27 May 09, by Roger Cohen
Obama in Netanyahu's Web
'Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, won the first round over President Barack Obama. That's not good for American interests or for Israel's long-term security.'

New York Times, 27 May 09, by Greg Mills and Jeffrey Herbst
Bring Zimbabwe in From the Cold
'After years of rightly criticizing President Robert Mugabe's authoritarian rule in Zimbabwe, Western countries now face a different, and difficult, set of decisions.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 May 09, by Eric Reeves
Stand up to Sudan's thugs
'Men with guns can't be the only ones at the peace table.'

Family Security Matters, 26 May 09, by W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
Hizballah's Phoneprints All Over Hariri Assassination?
'The Lebanon-based Jihadist terrorist group, Hizballah, is now believed to have been directly involved in the 2005 Valentine's Day Massacre of 23 people in Beirut ­ including former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri (the primary target of the bomb-assassins) ­ according to a May 23 article in Der Spiegel.'

Family Security Matters, 27 May 09, by Joan Swirsky
Something Terrible Has Happened to Michael
'In my opinion, it's a miscarriage of justice for a soldier who is fighting for the Constitutional rights we hold dear ­ the right to due process and a fair trial ­ to be denied those rights in his own trial! And what about the demoralization this causes other U.S. troops, who continue to fight on behalf of the freedom and security of our nation? Whether they are U.S. border patrol agents, members of the armed forces, or FBI agents, no individual who is serving on the frontlines in the War on Terror should be afforded anything less than a fair trial.'

Human Events, 27 May 09, by W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
Military Milestones from Jackson at Pensacola to the Lions of Cantigny
'"Decoration Day"� -- the predecessor to Memorial Day -- is first observed by order of U.S. Army Gen. John A. Logan, who had decreed on May 5: "The 30th day of May 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."�'

Human Events, 27 May 09, by James Zumwalt
For Iran, It's Apocalypse Now
'Since first taking office, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned an imminent apocalypse awaits mankind -- for which Iran will be the catalyst. With his impending re-election, Ahmadinejad's threats need be taken seriously.'

FOX News, 26 May 09
Human Events Editor on N. Korea: U.S. 'Being Played Like a Pretty Cheap Fiddle'
'"Right now, we are being played like a pretty cheap fiddle, Neil, by the Iranians, North Koreans, the Chinese and the Russians. I don't see any effort by the Obama administration to go outside the framework of the United Nations to get a coalition going."'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 09, by David Peck
Are we winning or losing in Afghanistan?
'Until Washington gets serious about performance metrics that gauge both success and failure, we won't really know.'

Wall Street Journal, 14 May 09, by editorial staff
A General for Afghanistan
Gen. McChrystal brings the new American way of war to an old theater. Bob Gates's decision to prematurely retire General David McKiernan as the senior U.S. commander in Afghanistan solidifies the Defense Secretary's reputation as firer in chief. We can only wish his cabinet colleagues draw on his example in dealing with their own sub-par performers.

Washington Post, 13 May 09, by David Ignatius
Petraeus's Tougher Fight
'It's a small irony of history that Gen. David Petraeus, attacked by the left for his role in revitalizing the Bush administration's effort in Iraq, is now being asked by a Democratic president to do much the same thing in Afghanistan. The Centcom commander intends to apply the same counterinsurgency tactics he developed in Iraq, but Afghanistan will be in many ways a tougher fight.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 09, by Ariel Cohen
Obama puts Israel at risk
'As he and Netanyahu prepare to meet, US-Israeli relations are sinking toward an all-time low.'

Washington Post, 13 May 09, by editorial staff
Engage With Burma?
'Sure, but not just with the generals'

NewsHour, 12 May 09, with Ray Suarez et al
New Army Leadership Faces Familiar Challenges in Afghanistan Efforts
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he needed new thinking and new approaches when he shuffled the top military leadership in Afghanistan on Monday. Analysts examine how new leadership could impact the war and the future of the Army.'

NewsHour, 11 May 09
Military Shake-up in Afghanistan Signals New Strategy Push
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates tapped Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the new top commander in Afghanistan, replacing Gen. David McKiernan. Time magazine's Pentagon reporter Mark Thompson examines the move.'

New York Times, 11 May 09, by editorial staff
An Agenda for Mr. Netanyahu
'Mr. Obama and his aides have been telegraphing their intentions for weeks. But the Israeli leader's responses have been unconvincing and insufficient. Growing tensions were obvious when his White House meeting slid later into May — after Mr. Obama hosted Arab leaders.'

NewsHour, 08 May 09, with Margaret Warner
Zardari Assesses War on Taliban, Appeals for Aid
'Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari describes his country's offensive against the Taliban and other militant threats, and calls for more aid in this new "war of the world."'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 May 09, by John Hughes
Islam and democracy can – and do – coexist
'Just look at successes in Indonesia and Turkey.'

NewsHour, 06 May 09, with Jeffery Brown
White House Hones its Strategy in Two-Front War
'On the day President Obama met with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the White House to discuss military and diplomatic strategy in combating the Taliban, two analysts assesses the obstacles standing in the way of stability in the region.'

Reuters, 07 May 09, by Jon Herskovitz
Q+A: What's the real threat of N.Korea's nuclear program?
'There is increased activity at North Korea's known nuclear test site, a South Korean news report said on Thursday, suggesting Pyongyang is gearing up for a new test as it has threatened in response to tightened U.N. sanctions.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 May 09, by editorial board
The Obama doctrine: Charm enemies, arm-twist friends
'For a friendly foreign leader, a visit to the White House can be a visit to the woodshed.'

Asia Times, 07 May 09, by W Andrew Terrill
Iraq on brink of third great mistake
'If Iraq's leaders treat Sunni groups that are being infiltrated by al-Qaeda as potential enemies, it would be one of the most disastrous decisions made since 2003 - it would push the Sunni community back down the path of resistance and insurgency.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 May 09, by Micah Zenko
Are US missile strikes in Pakistan a dud policy?
'Predator drones have negative consequences that should be openly debated.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 07 May 09, by Robert Mackey
The West Bank Archipelago
'This week, leading Israeli, Palestinian and American officials have agreed that the creation of a Palestinian state on territory in the West Bank and Gaza is essential to peace in the Middle East. But spend any time looking at a map of the West Bank as it is today, or with any of the many different proposals for how that map might be redrawn to accommodate the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians, and it becomes clear why any sensible mapmaker might choose to steer well clear of the challenge of drawing up that state.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 05 May 09, by Robert Mackey
Pakistan's British-Drawn Borders
'... Pakistan and the rest of the world believes that Afghanistan ends (and Pakistan begins) more or less where a 1,600-mile line was drawn on the world map in 1893, at the direction of a British colonial officer named Henry Mortimer Durand, who sought to define the outer edge of what was then British India.'

International Analyst Network, 27 Apr 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Remarks by W. Thomas Smith Jr. delivered at Fabrique Nationale, April 24, 2009
'So we see in the end, the American soldier – no matter what is put in front of him, no matter what he is asked to do – will always deliver. Missioon first. Then the men. Then himself. He will do these things with courage, honesty, humility, selflessness, creativity, instant willing obedience (without excuse), an ability to take charge on a moment's notice "exhibiting decisiveness, but modifying decisions when necessary " and always sincerely respecting and loving his fellow man. Now, if you think this sounds like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, my response is, "why not?"�'

New York Times, 29 Apr 09, by Paddy Ashdown and Joseph Ingram
Falling Short on Afghanistan
'A just-released report from Afghanistan's Ministry of Finance has produced some shocking findings with disturbing implications for the future of the war-ridden country and its unstable neighborhood. Yet the report and its conclusions have failed to capture the attention of the key politicians overseeing financial and military support from Afghanistan's allies.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr 09, by an American aid worker
What Afghanistan can learn from the Taliban
'... most significantly for American taxpayers, foreign agencies admit it is only through baksheesh that any constructive work can be done in Afghanistan.'

Fox News, 23 Apr 09, by Walid Phares
The Taliban's "AfPak" Strategy: A Jihadi Preemptive War
'... the current advances of the Taliban aim at a preemptive war against the Government in Islamabad and against the US led Coalition in Afghanistan. Worse, they also aim at the nukes. In short, the Jihadi strategy is going faster than the international community's efforts.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 Apr 09, by Norman H. Olsen
No more make-believe in the Middle East
'Bibi's policies may be misguided, but at least he doesn't pretend to be a peacemaker. Such intellectual honesty could prove salutary.'

Asia Times, 28 Apr 09, by Ameen Izzadeen
Many paths to Colombo's victory push
'Although the Sri Lankan government will claim the lion's share of the glory for what appears to be the imminent defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a number of other factors have contributed to the Tigers' demise. The coming to power of an Indian government opposed to the group, a key split in the rebels and the US's "war on terror" all played a part.'

New York Times, 28 Apr 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
A Torturous Compromise
'Weighing everything, President Obama got it about as right as one could when he decided to ban the use of torture, to release the Bush torture memos for public scrutiny and to not prosecute the lawyers and interrogators who implemented the policy. But there is nothing for us to be happy about in any of this.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 28 Apr 09, by Robert Mackey
North Korea Duels With Iran for Top Axis Ranking
'As if wrangling over nuclear disarmament talks, claiming to have launched a satellite into orbit and seizing not one but two female American reporters was not enough to make it clear that North Korea is willing to go all out in its battle against Iran for the top slot in the Axis of Evil world rankings, on Wednesday the government in Pyongyang threatened to start enriching uranium.'

Washington Post, 30 Apr 09, by David Ignatius
National Security Facilitator
'One of the puzzles of the Obama administration's first few months was how the National Security Council would work under Gen. James Jones. He had the tricky challenge of managing an all-star "team of rivals" and working with a young president who was just 6 when Jones went off to Vietnam in 1967 as a Marine Corps second lieutenant.'

Washington Post, 30 Apr 09, by editorial staff
Courting Mr. Chávez
'... Ms. Clinton seems to believe that Mr. Chávez's escalating domestic repression shouldn't be an impediment to better relations with the United States -- an attitude in keeping with her already-stated views about such nations as China, Egypt and Turkey.'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Apr 09, by Kyndra Rotunda
US soldiers are heroes, not terrorists
'Homeland Security's warning is unjustified. ... How does being a soldier put one on the path to becoming a domestic terrorist? The answer is clear and simple: It doesn't.'

Financial Times, 23 Apr 09, by Tony Barber
China sees EU as mere pawn in global game
'Viewed from Brussels, China's importance to the world's international security and economic systems has never been greater. Viewed from Beijing, the European Union's importance has rarely been smaller.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Apr 09, by Kent Hughes Butts and Geoffrey D. Dabelko
One way to boost US-China military cooperation
'Recently, the Defense Department warned that lack of Chinese transparency and dialogue between the Chinese and US militaries could lead to dangerous miscalculations on both sides. ... The White House issued a statement stressing the "importance of raising the level and frequency of the US-China military-to-military dialogue," ... One such way to begin military dialogue between the United States and China is by using environmental issues.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr 09, by Ted Galen Carpenter
A bold Plan B for North Korea
'The US should consider inducing China to topple the Kim regime.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr 09, by Noah Bialostozky
New US administration, new take on the 'war on terror'
'Definitional nuance will strengthen world response to terrorism.'

Asia Times, 23 Apr 09, by Andrei Lankov
Why Pyongyang clings to its weapons
'Often portrayed as deranged zealots, North Korea's leaders are actually cold-minded Machiavellians. They successfully used a rocket launch as a sideshow to regain the international spotlight and remind the world of the real threat: their nuclear weapons. And these are not going to go away any time soon.'

Asia Times, 22 Apr 09, by Kaveh L Afrasiabi
The strange case of Roxana Saberi
'The possibility that American-Iranian reporter Roxana Saberi was an unwitting accomplice in the Western drive for intelligence cannot be ruled out. If this is the case, the real culprits are the information-mongering governments that are pressing Iran with sanctions without any evidence that Tehran is on the march toward nuclear weapons.'

Asia Times, 21 Apr 09, by Henry C K Liu
Brzezinski's G-2 grand strategy
'Former US national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, in seeking a United States and China "Group of Two" to jointly address global challenges, rightly recognizes that the days of a unipolar world order are numbered. His mistake is in believing China wants to partner a weakening US, or would gain from such ties.'

Foreign Policy, April 09, by Raenette Taljaard
Think Again: South Africa
'It emerged from apartheid a bright young democracy, but Mandela's South Africa is today a fading miracle. As voters go to the polls on April 22, the country's most trying days may yet be ahead.'

Foreign Policy, April 09, by J. Peter Pham
The Pirate Economy: Why the U.S. Navy can't win this fight.
'This weekend's incident highlights what the world's best-trained military can accomplish under the right conditions. But it also underscores the limits of force in the face of a seemingly intractable challenge posed by the Somali pirates.'

PBS NewsHour, 13 Apr 09, with Gwen Ifill
Combating Piracy Poses New Challenge for U.S. Ships
'President Obama vowed Monday to halt the rise of piracy as details emerged about the rescue of a U.S. sea captain. Analysts weigh how to best protect U.S. ships from pirates.'

The Times, 16 Apr 09, by Ben Macintyre
The battle against piracy begins in Mogadishu
'The Somali marauders who are terrorising shipping have deep roots in the local "shifta" tradition of outlaw robber gangs.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Apr 09, by Scott Baldauf
Will pirates join forces with Islamist militias in Somalia?
'Escalation of violence could lead pirate gangs to join radical militants, including those with ties to Al Qaeda, say analysts.'

Human Events, 15 Apr 09, by Robert Spencer
The Somali Pirates Are Jihadists
'This week, we celebrate the Navy SEALs' rescue of American ship captain Richard Phillips. Their action, from the night airdrop that delivered them to the waiting warships to the split-second action in which three of the pirates were killed, was what we expect from our best special operations troops. But while we praise their skill, let's not lose sight of who Phillips' captors were. His Somali pirate captors are Islamic jihadists, dedicated to the same goals as Osama bin Laden and other jihadists around the world.'

Family Security Matters, 15 Apr 09, by Frank Gaffney, Jr.
Someone Tell the White House: The Cold War is Over
'America needs an informed and rigorous national debate before adopting defense budget cuts and arms control initiatives that reflect nostalgia for a world now gone but that risk blowing up the one we now inhabit.'

New York Times, 14 Apr 09, by editorial staff
Women, Extremism and Two Key States
'There have been two recent reminders of the cost of extremism. ... The cases represent an officially sanctioned brutality that violates American values and international human rights norms. They also sabotage chances of building stable healthy societies in Pakistan and Afghanistan.'

Asia Times, 16 Apr 09, by Ira Chernus
Requiem for the 'war on terror'
'It was undoubtedly one of the least sonorous acronyms in the United States' bureaucratic history - GWOT for George W Bush's "global war on terror" - and suddenly, thanks to the Barack Obama administration, it's gone. It has been replaced by a hardly less sonorous one, OCO, standing for the blandly Orwellian "Overseas Contingency Operation", and it carries with it great significance.'

Middle East Times, 14 Apr 09, by editorial staff
It's High Time to Ban Cluster Bombs
'In the aftermath of the Second Lebanon War between Israel and Hezbollah two summers ago, as in the more recent conflict between Russia and Georgia last summer, large numbers of cluster munitions were deployed and thousands of unexploded ordnance still remain scattered in civilian populated areas.'

PBS NewsHour, 08 Apr 09, with Judy Woodruff
Secretary of Defense Gates Defends New Budget Priorities
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates sits down with Judy Woodruff to discuss the insurgency in Iraq, the need for assistance in Afghanistan and shifts in long-term spending priorities.'

Middle East Times, 09 Apr 09, by John Daly
Turkey's Complexities Demand Obama's Listening Ear
'Given the complexities of Turkey's national, international, security and economic policies and concerns, President Obama's inclination to hear out his NATO ally will go a long way toward determining the ultimate success or failure of his visit.'

Washington Post, 07 Apr 09, by David Ignatius
Listening in Kabul
'[Richard Holbrooke's and Adm. Mike Mullen's] Afghanistan visit was an unusual exercise in strategic listening for a superpower that during the Bush years treated communications strategy as a problem of talking more loudly.'

Washington Post, 07 Apr 09, by William Kristol
A World Without Nukes -- Just Like 1939
'In Prague on Sunday, President Obama committed his administration to putting us on a "trajectory" toward "a world without nuclear weapons." ... to justify a world without nuclear weapons, what Obama would really have to envision is a world without war, or without threats of war. That's an ancient vision. It's one reason American presidents have tried to encourage the spread of liberal democracy and responsible regimes around the world.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 05 Apr 09, by editorial staff
A Coffin, a Flag, a Photograph
'For the first time in 18 years, the Pentagon granted the news media access on Sunday night to cover the arrival of a coffin to Dover Air Force Base from overseas.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Apr 09, by editorial board
Obama and Medvedev hit 'reset' on arms control
'It makes sense to restart relations by cutting nukes.'

New York Times, 03 Apr 09, by George Bisharat
Israel on Trial
'Chilling testimony by Israeli soldiers substantiates charges that Israel's Gaza Strip assault entailed grave violations of international law. The emergence of a predominantly right-wing, nationalist government in Israel suggests that there may be more violations to come.'

openDemocracy, 17 Mar 09, by Tarek Osman
Democracy-support and the Arab world: after the fall
'An appeal to Barack Obama to reinvigorate the United States's democracy-promotion efforts in the Arab world is based on flawed understanding both of political Islam and the real needs of the region's people ...'

openDemocracy, 06 Apr 09, by Shadi Hamid
Democracy's time: a reply to Tarek Osman
'... the region is ready - and has long been ready - for substantive democratic change, and that a diverse coalition of middle-eastern actors (including moderate Islamists, liberals, and leftists) hopes that the American president will not forget their struggle against autocracy.'

New York Times, 01 Apr 09, by editorial staff
North Korea's Test
'Whether it intends to put a satellite in orbit — as it claims — or test a long-range missile, as the Obama administration and many others suspect, Pyongyang has fueled dangerous new tensions in East Asia.'

New York Times, 01 Apr 09, by B. R. Myers
To Beat a Dictator, Ignore Him
'Not so long ago, when we wanted to learn why hostile leaders were hostile, we studied their ideologies. Nowadays, having learned that ideology is either dead or an arbitrary system of signs, we analyze leaders by "putting ourselves in their shoes" — in other words, by assuming that everyone thinks the way we do.'

Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar 09, by editorial board
Obama's foreign-policy credo: listen and lead
'In this century, American presidents will have to listen more than they're used to.'

New York Times, 31 Mar 09, by James Traub
Can Pakistan Be Governed?
'Pakistan feels as if it's falling apart. ... American policy has arguably made the situation even worse, for the Predator-drone attacks along the border, though effective, drive the Taliban eastward, deeper into Pakistan. And the strategy has been only reinforcing hostility to the United States among ordinary Pakistanis. Pakistan has made itself the supreme conundrum of American foreign policy.'

Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar 09, by Michael Adler
World's nuclear watchdog needs a strong and wily chief
'Promoting peaceful atomic energy while keeping nuclear weapons in check will require a strong International Atomic Energy Agency. Its current struggle to pick a new director shows how high the stakes are.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar 09, by Joost Hiltermann
The US exit from Iraq: how to steer clear of danger
'The strategy must focus less on elections and more on political bargains that promote a new Iraqi national compact.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Mar 09, by Ben White
What it means to talk with Hamas
'Engaging it is fundamentally about accepting (perhaps uncomfortable) facts.'

Middle East Times, 02 Apr 09, by Aijaz Zaka Syed
View From Dubai: Obama's War Strategy - A Rehash of Bush's Failed Policies
'U.S. President Barack Obama has come up with his own plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan. And one is amazed at the world of difference between his approach and that of his predecessor.'

Middle East Times, 01 Apr 09, by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
Why Obama Should Speak to the Muslim World
'As he travels to Turkey April 7, U.S. President Barack Obama takes the next step to fulfill his pledge to address the Muslim world. Some critics have warned him: "Don't do it." I believe they are wrong. This is just the right thing to do, and Obama is the one to do it.'

Asia Times, 02 Apr 09, by Kaveh L Afrasiabi
Iran looks through Obama's poker face
'While much has been made about the "new season of diplomacy" between Tehran and Washington, many in Iran point to crippling United States-backed sanctions and call any reported thaw in relations hugely premature. The US wants it both ways - to gang up on Iran at the United Nations, while seeking its help in resolving increasingly dangerous regional issues, starting with Afghanistan.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Mar 09, by editorial staff
Watershed moment on nuclear arms
'In less than nine months, the 1991 Start I treaty expires. It contains the basic rules of verification that give both Moscow and Washington the confidence that they know the size and location of the other's nuclear forces. The Bush administration made little effort to work out a replacement deal. So we are encouraged that American and Russian officials seem to want a new agreement.'

Middle East Times, 26 Mar 09, by editorial staff
Taking Syria Seriously
'A serious U.S. engagement with Syria is long overdue and essential. Syria cannot be ignored or outflanked on the key issues of Israeli-Arab peace, border security for Iraq, the future of Lebanon or the reining in of Hezbollah, the Syrian- and Iranian-backed Party of God in Lebanon.'

International Herald Tribune, 25 Mar 09, by The Boston Globe editorial staff
In Darfur case, a big lie
'The president of the UN General Assembly insults the suffering millions in Darfur by saying that the indictment of Sudan's strongman Omar Bashir is an example of racism. ... The victims of Bashir's crimes against humanity in Darfur are members of black African ethnic groups: the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa peoples. The regime behind the massacres, as well as its proxy militias, known as the Janjaweed, are Arab. Victims and perpetrators alike are Muslim.'

Human Events, 25 Mar 09, by Robert Spencer
Returning to Jihad in Iraq
'Just as the prisoners of Camp Bucca are returning to the jihad, so eventually will the country as a whole, despite our best efforts to create a pluralistic parliamentary society including all of Iraq's disparate and warring factions.'

International Herald Tribune, 25 Mar 09, by Roger Cohen
Roger Cohen: The fierce urgency of peace
'Pressure on President Obama to recast the failed American approach to Israel-Palestine is building.'

Asia Times, 24 Mar 09, by Shahir Shahidsaless
Why the US can't bully Iran
'After 30 years of hostility, a massive wall of mistrust separates the governments of Iran and the United States. The obstacle will remain as long as Washington persists in speaking to Iran in a condescending manner and continues to wave threats of sanctions. Strong talk will only plant seeds of resistance, while sanctions, Iranians believe, will never threaten the nation's existence.'

International Herald Tribune, 24 Mar 09, by David Brooks
Combat and community
'Before the Soviet invasion in 1979, Afghan towns had three parallel authority structures: the tribal elders, the religious clerics and the government representatives. The Soviets decimated the tribes and the indigenous government. That left only the mullahs, and their sudden unchecked prominence helped explain the rise of the Taliban. The terror and the fall of the Taliban reduced clerical authority, too. By 2002, when the coalition forces arrived, village society was fractured, social capital decimated. The resulting disorder has been a perfect nesting ground for the insurgents.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar 09, by Elizabeth Pond
Russia: Unclenching its fist?
'Improved Polish-Russian ties bode well for the US.'

Human Events, 23 Mar 09, by Walid Phares
Britain's Doublespeak on Terror
'If the British government wishes to engage in talks with a terrorist organization, it must make that case and not obfuscate its true intentions of working with the Hizballah's political wing. At the end of the day, Hizballah will remain who it is, who it says it is and who it will continue to be: a terrorist organization devoted to Jihad against the West.'

Maine Public Broadcasting 'Speaking in Maine', 20 Mar 09
Foreign Policy Challenges Facing Obama
Former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcrott addresses the 2009 Camden Conference. 'He advised Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush and has been a critic of the war in Iraq and the administration of George W. Bush.'

Diane Rehm Show (WAMU), 19 Mar 09, with Susan Page and guests Thom Shanker, Robert Work, Andrew Exum and Robert Haddick
The State of the U. S. Military
'On the sixth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, a look at how the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are affecting the state of the U.S. military -- its troop levels, funding, and the role of technology in how wars are fought.'

New York Times, 19 Mar 09, by Michael Slackman
A Leader Beyond Reproach Limits the Possibilities for Political Change
'Libya recognizes its problems and is trying to respond, after a fashion. But whatever Libya does, it must stay within the boundaries of a system created by Colonel Qaddafi, or Brother Leader, as he is called. And that is the country’s Achilles’ heel: by nearly every practical measure, the system has failed Libyans, but it is his system, so it is above reproach.'

Washington Post, 18 Mar 09, by John McCain and Joseph Lieberman
Our Must-Win War
'The 'minimalist' path is wrong for Afghanistan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar 09, by Eric T. Olson
Rethink the Afghanistan surge
'A US general explains why the Iraq model doesn't apply.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar 09, by the editorial board
Gremlins in Kremlin's arms surge
'A conventional and nuclear buildup will end up hurting Russia's economy.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Mar 09, by Lakhdar Brahimi
A slaughter waiting to happen
'An estimated 150,000 civilians are now trapped in a tiny pocket of land between Sri Lankan military forces, whose artillery shells regularly fall among them, and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who shoot at them if they try to escape.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar 09, by Bill Glucroft
The liability of political limbo in Israel
'The absence of bold, pragmatic political leadership since 1948, including the necessary confrontation of religious and political extremists after 1967, now threatens the very existence of Israel as a Jewish state that is also moral and democratic.'

The World (PRI), 18 Mar 09, with Lisa Mullins
The cold war and the Middle East
[audio] Rashid Khalidi, professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University, speaks about his new book, "Sowing Crisis - The Cold War and American Dominance in the Middle East."

Human Events, 18 Mar 09, by Michael Groothousen
Is China Threatening Freedom of the Seas?
'Most people are aware of the confrontation last week between USNS Impeccable and several Chinese naval vessels. The incident ended peacefully, but it bodes ill for China's neighbors and all who want the sea lanes open to free navigation and trade.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Mar 09, by Noah Feldman
A prison of words
'Has the Obama administration changed the legal rules for detaining suspects in the war on terrorism, or is it continuing in the footsteps of the Bush administration?'

Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar 09, by Lawrence Pintak
Obama starts well with Muslims but must do more
'Perceptions are a critical piece of the foreign policy matrix. From the perception of the Islamic world, the Obama administration is ticking off many of the right boxes. ... But despite the initial euphoria about the Obama win, cynicism among the world's Muslims still runs deep, particularly here in the Arab world.'

Family Security Matters, 12 Mar 09, FSM National Security Team
Top Takes on National Security - Is negotiating with an Islamist entity a good idea?
'Negotiating with terrorists accomplishes five things, each of which favors the terrorists.'

Center for Security Policy, 11 Mar 09, by Christopher Holton
The myth of America's 'tough' Iran policy
'Iran has been allowed to kidnap and kill Americans for decades, whether directly or by proxy, without fear of severe repercussions. For years the US State Department has declared that Iran is the world's "most active" sponsor of terrorism, yet the Ayatollahs have not been forced to pay a significant price. Iran has armed and aided our enemies - including Al Qaeda - and threatened our allies and has gotten away with it.'

World Affairs Council, 30 Jan 09, speaker: John Bruton, EU Ambassador to the United States
Outlook for US-EU Relations Under the Obama Administration
[audio] 'With a new administration in the White House, what will political change in Washington mean for transatlantic relations between Europe and the United States? From the turmoil in closely-linked financial markets to greater engagement with international institutions to combating terrorism and climate change, how can governments on both sides of the Atlantic turn a series of separate problems into a chain of interlinked opportunities?'

The World (PRI), 18 Mar 09, with Lisa Mullins
Pakistan's deal with the Taliban
[audio] 'Lisa Mullins speaks with Kristen Rouse about her concerns over the introduction of a form of Sharia law in Pakistan's Swat Valley. Rouse is a former US Army Supply Sergeant who served along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. She says she's seen the damage the Taliban's done in Afghanistan, and thinks it's a mistake for Pakistan to make deals with the Taliban.'

Middle East Times, 19 Mar 09, by Aijaz Zaka Syed
View from Dubai: Reinventing Hope in Pakistan
'All new nations go through turmoil and all sorts of political and social upheavals. However, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has perhaps had more than its share of woes since its creation.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar 09, by Xenia Dormandy
India: America's indispensable ally
'At a time when so much of the broader Middle East and South Asia is in disarray, it may be tempting to put India – an ally and friend of the United States – on the back burner. But it is precisely because India is a friend and ally, and because of the severity of regional and global problems, that the US needs to nurture this relationship.'

Middle East Times, 11 Mar 09, by Claude Salhani, Editor
Has the Arab-Israeli Conflict Morphed into the Arab-Israeli-Persian Conflict?
'What used to be a relatively straightforward conflict over real estate has become a complicated war of religion, natural resources, and of course real estate - but with one more explosive ingredient, if you will excuse the pun: nuclear weapons.'

Middle East Times, 12 Mar 09, by editorial staff
What a Week It Was!
'This has been an interesting week for U.S. foreign policy, where there has been more movement from the State Department in just one week than quite possibly there has been during the entire second term of the previous administration.'

Middle East Times, 12 Mar 09, by Claude Salhani, Editor
Chairman of Joint Chiefs: Iran Can Develop Nukes
'[Admiral Mullen] pointed to Iran's backing of Hezbollah in Lebanon, of Hamas in Gaza, and of its support of terrorism, saying that Iran could be "a constructive power in that part of the world," but instead chooses to support and promote terrorism.'

Asia Times, 11 Mar 09, by Dmitry Shlapentokh
Russia has 'Chechnya' ploy for Afghanistan
'With the administration of United States President Barack Obama treating the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan as a priority, given the resurgence of the Taliban, Russia has become an important player in the region.'

Asia Times, 10 Mar 09, by Walid Phares
A futile search for 'moderate' Taliban
'It's all very well for the United States to say that it wants to identify moderate elements in the Taliban and engage them. But there is no such thing as "another" Taliban - there are only sub-militias that are not called the Taliban. The real moderates will come from the younger population out of the schools - later, much later.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Mar 09, by Nathan A. Sales
The Patriot Act isn't broken
'Its abuse must stop. Proper protection is key.'

Boston Globe, 09 Mar 09, by Tyler E. Boudreau
The military's post-traumatic stress dilemma
'Where psychological and traumatic brain injuries can still, to some extent, be doubted and debated, and when their treatment stands in opposition to troop strength and to mission accomplishment, the needs of those wounded service members will be subordinated.'

International Herald Tribune, 05 Mar 09, by Nicholas D. Kristof
Wanted president
'Bashir is now testing the international community, and President Barack Obama and other world leaders must respond immediately and decisively, in conjunction with as many non-Western nations as possible.'

The Guardian, 05 Mar 09, by Simon Tisdall
Game on in the Middle East
'During her tour, Hillary Clinton has made clear that the grand US-Iran battle for strategic control of the region has been joined. The ... underlying message was simple: game on.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Mar 09, by editorial board
Catch F-22 for Obama
'The most advanced warplane in history, the F-22 Raptor, is on Barack Obama's chopping block. Yet the president faces a no-win situation. If somehow he gets Congress to stop paying for more of the stealthy jets – whose full cost is $354 million a plane – thousands of defense workers will quickly lose their jobs in a recession.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Mar 09, by John Dempsey and J Alexander Thier
Who has the power in Afghanistan?
'That question is key to promoting unity and ending the insurgency.'

International Herald Tribune, 03 Mar 09, by Celestine Bohlen, Bloomberg News
America hasn't learned an old Afghan lesson
'Here's a scary thought. The United States could be walking in the Soviet Union's shoes. Twenty years after the Soviet Army pulled out of Afghanistan, the United States is ramping up troop commitments in a country famously known as "the graveyard of empires."'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Mar 09, by editorial board
Obama can't leave Iraq in the lurch
'Despite his pullout schedule, he must still help Iraqis reconcile on two key issues.'

Asia Times, 27 Feb 09, by Richard M Bennett
A reality check on Iran and the 'bomb'
'... Some may choose to see this event as "crossing the red line" and even as a trigger for military action as the threat of a nuclear capable Iran may well simply not be tolerated in some quarters. However, before such an argument can be easily accepted, it would be wise to consider just what actually constitutes a threat.'

Armed Forces Journal, Mar 09, by Ralph Peters
The damage done
'Much has been written about the concrete errors of the Bush administration in the military and strategic spheres, but the focus is ever upon the immediate costs, with little regard to the crippling of future policy formulation and the diminution of our range of options in the crises of tomorrow.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Feb 09, by Henry A. Kissinger
The way forward
'Afghanistan is the archetypal international problem requiring a multilateral solution.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Feb 09, by Michael Slackman
Looking for peace in a loaded term
'If President Barack Obama is serious about repairing relations with the Arab world and re-establishing the United States as an honest broker in Middle East peace talks, one step would be to bridge a chasm in perception that centers on one contentious word: terrorism.'

Jerusalem Post, 26 Feb 09, by Edwin Black
The Iran-Israel nuclear endgame is now much closer
'In recent days, four key developments have clicked in to edge Iran and Israel much closer to a military denouement with profound consequences for American oil that the nation is not prepared to meet.'

Middle East Times, 26 Feb 09, by editorial staff
Misunderstanding America
'Without a doubt Syria plays a key role in bridging the peace – or if it so chooses, in spoiling the attempts at peacemaking in the Middle East.'

Middle East Times, 24 Feb 09, by Cesar Chelala
Peace With Syria Could Catalyze Middle East Process
'Recent events in Israel and Gaza make any rapprochement between Israel and the Palestinians beyond a cease-fire rather improbable at the moment. In this situation, it is important to conduct peace talks with Syria. This could energize the process and lead to an all-encompassing peace agreement in the region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb 09, by Malou Innocent
Outlook on China: peaceful partner or warmonger?
'Economic difficulty could impel Beijing to sow regional conflict. American policies shouldn't add fuel to the fire.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Feb 09, by William Lyon
Syria and the IAEA; Why we’re ‘gonna’ be ‘doin’
'Syria is suspected of having built an undeclared nuclear reactor that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in September 2007. The IAEA has found strong evidence to support this accusation but, as yet, has no proof. It has repeatedly asked Syria for greater access on a voluntary basis. Syria has repeatedly refused.'

Carnegie Endowment, Jan-Feb 09
Foreign Policy for the Next President
'President Obama has inherited a tougher foreign policy inbox than any president has faced since Harry Truman; establishing priorities among dozens of conflicts and crises requires new understanding of the most critical regions, the most salient issues within them, and the issues ripest for new direction. In this series, the Carnegie Endowment brings together leading thinkers ... to provide useful, realistic advice on the most pressing foreign policy challenges ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Feb 09, by Walter Rodgers
A reality check for Obama in Afghanistan
'He's facing pressure to increase US troop levels there. Has Washington learned nothing from the Soviet experience?'

Middle East Times, 19 Feb 09, by Daily Times of Pakistan
Holbrooke Lands in Troubled Waters
'Not just geographically, but it seems also geopolitically, Pakistan lies at the center of the special envoy's brief. This can both be positive and negative depending on how the game is played by all the actors in the days and months ahead.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Feb 09, by Roger Cohen
Reading Khamenei in Tehran
'The central Iranian political fact of recent years has been the reinforcement of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. How to engage with Iran begins and ends with him.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb 09, by John Hughes
A Russian answer to Iran's threat
'Moscow can bring Tehran to heel, if the US price is right. Is Obama ready to give up missile defense to make that happen?'

Family Security Matters, 18 Feb 09, by Peter Brookes
Tough love for Tehran: Danger in a careless seduction
'While we should welcome better bilateral relations with Iran after 30 years of mutual hostility, Washington must ensure that any engagement protects and advances U.S. interests - not just Iran's.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Feb 09, by Philip Taubman
Learning not to love the bomb
'If the White House wants to resuscitate talks with Russia about nuclear-arms reduction, it will need to break free from Cold War thinking.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Feb 09, by Christine Ahn and Paul Liem
Putting peace first
'In the West, the conventional wisdom is that North Korea engages in "provocative" activity like missile testing in order to blackmail the United States into negotiations. What is forgotten, however, is that in the absence of an ongoing peace dialogue, the status quo between the United States and North Korea is that of two countries at war, held at bay only by a fragile truce.'

Washington Post, 19 Feb 09, by Rena Pederson
Burma's Agony
'It is up to the Obama foreign policy team to put more backbone in the U.N. efforts. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks yesterday about sanctions drew new attention to the issue.'

Washington Post, 15 Feb 09, by Thomas E. Ricks
The war in Iraq isn't over. The main events may not even have happened yet.
'President Obama campaigned on withdrawing from Iraq, but even he has talked about a post-occupation force. The widespread expectation inside the U.S. military is that we will have tens of thousands of troops there for years to come.'

International Herald Tribune, 10 Feb 09, by David Sanger
Is Tehran ready to talk?
'When President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran on Tuesday took up President Barack Obama's oft-repeated invitation for direct talks between the United States and Iran - something that has not happened in 30 years - he seemed to be signaling the start of a long-delayed war-or-peace drama that may define the Obama administration's first engagement with the rest of the world.'

Asia Times, 11 Feb 09, by Pepe Escobar
US-Iran Wall of Mistrust, Part 1: Obama's Persian double
'If current Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad remains a mirror image of the departed George W Bush, Khatami could not be a more fitting mirror image of Obama.'

Middle East Times, 12 Feb 09, by Rami G. Khouri
Here Comes the Four-State Solution
'The difficulties that plague peace prospects today are all man-made ones that can just as easily be reversed and removed by new men and women leaders who act with courage and wisdom.'

International Herald Tribune, 11 Feb 09, by editorial staff
Continuity of the wrong kind
'The Obama administration should not be invoking state secrets to cover up charges of rendition and torture.'

Asia Times, 12 Feb 09, by Kosuke Takahashi
A roadmap to peace with North Korea
'Almost two decades have passed since the North Korean nuclear crisis first bubbled over, kick-starting international negotiations with Pyongyang, yet the impasse is far from over.'

International Herald Tribune, 11 Feb 09, by Philip Bowring
Giving democracy a chance
'The Bangladesh paradox: dynamic civic society but very low standards of governance.'

Family Security Matters, 07 Feb 09, by Maj. W. Thomas Smith Jr.
CRC Open-Source Intelligence Briefs
'Lebanon: Naharnet is reporting an apparent warning issued by the Lebanese Army to two Lebanese members of parliament (MPs) whom the Army claims may be targeted by terrorists.'

Human Events, 11 Feb 09, by Rowan Scarborough
Taliban Taunts U.S. Eavesdroppers
'Taliban and al Qaeda operatives have become increasingly savvy on how to defeat U.S. communications intercepts, making it more difficult to stop attacks as the U.S. prepares to send up to 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan.'

Human Events, 10 Feb 09, by Clare M. Lopez
Why U.S. Policy Leans Too Close to Terrorist Appeasement
'Maneuvering behind Washington, D.C. policymaking scenes to exert influence on U.S. decision makers is pretty standard for a host of legitimate interest groups, including many foreign countries. Concern is indicated, however, when the guiding influence behind such maneuvering emanates from the top levels of a regime like Iran's that holds top spot on the Department of State's state sponsors of terror list, makes no secret of its hatred and enmity for the U.S. and our ally Israel, and acts in myriad ways to support those who have assassinated, held, kidnapped, killed, and tortured American civilians and military over a 30-year period.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
Don't try this at home
'The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now broken into so many pieces it may take a whole State Department of its own to resolve it.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Feb 09, by Sandy Tolan
George Mitchell and the end of the two-state solution
'Israel's settlement growth means we have to find a different plan.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Roger Cohen
The unthinkable option
'In the effort to get Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. military option is not an option. It is unthinkable.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Dinshaw Mistry and Charles D. Ferguson
Iran's missiles: Don't go ballistic
'Iran demonstrated its growing missile capabilities on Tuesday when it launched a satellite into orbit. But this should not force Europe and the United States to rush decisions on deploying a missile defense system in Europe.'

International Herald Tribune, 02 Feb 09, by John Vinocur
U.S. and Iran: Who's clenching or extending?
'With Iran so far advanced in making enriched uranium that some experts think it could produce enough for an atomic bomb sometime this year, the Obama administration and its European friends have gotten no closer to stopping the rush to a nuclear weapon that they insist is "unacceptable."'

International Herald Tribune, 03 Feb 09, by John R. Bolton
Iraq's victory, Iran's loss
'Critics of the Iraq war asserted that overthrowing Saddam Hussein in 2003 strengthened Iran's position. Had we left Saddam in power, the theory goes, Iran would be less of a global threat. This argument is fundamentally wrong.'

Human Events, 04 Feb 09, by J. David Patterson
Buy These Instead
'... But there’s one undeniable fact: one of the most sure ways to stimulate the economy -- and to save or create jobs -- is to buy the aircraft, ships and other systems that our armed forces need to protect the nation.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Boston Globe editorial staff
The anguish of Sri Lanka
'It does not matter whether the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse or the leadership of the rebel Tamil Tigers is most to blame for the suffering of 250,000 civilians trapped in the war zone. The war has to be stopped.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jan 09, by Nigel Ashton
Obama's Middle East peace lesson
'Jordan's King Hussein worked for peace for decades. His insight is key.'

Middle East Times, 28 Jan 09, by editorial staff
Preparing for the Failure of Mideast Peace Talks
'... if any of the parties enter into negotiations with a preconception that peace remains beyond the realm of possibility, then, by all means, the talks are more likely than not, doomed to fail.'

International Herald Tribune, 28 Jan 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
The five-state solution
'What might King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia propose if asked to update his plan for peace in the Middle East?'

International Herald Tribune, 28 Jan 09, by Roger Cohen
After the war on terror
'What's left is what matters: defeating terrorist organizations. That's not a war. It's a strategic challenge.'

Washington Post, 28 Jan 09, by Asif Ali Zardari
Partnering With Pakistan
'Pakistan has repeatedly been identified as the most critical external problem facing the new administration. The situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India is indeed critical, but its severity actually presents an opportunity for aggressive and innovative action.'

The Washington Times, 27 Jan 09, by John Bolton
A circular negotiations game?
'Iran's nuclear weapons program will necessarily be high on the foreign-policy agenda for newly inaugurated President Obama. During the campaign, Candidate Barack Obama argued strenuously that he could do a better job negotiating with Iran than his opponents. His task now, however, is significantly complicated by the three weeks of recent fighting in the Gaza Strip, and the impending Israeli elections on Feb. 10.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jan 09, by Alexandra Vacroux
How to warm US-Russia relations
'Rather than ignoring Russia until disputes get ugly, the United States could be looking for new pathways to engagement. Laid step by step through areas of common ground (take cooperation on global health, space, and renegotiated arms treaties for starters), these pathways could then give us more room to maneuver when we negotiate our real conflicts.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Jan 09, by Boston Globe editorial staff
A fragile chance for peace in Central Africa
'The capture [of warlord leader Laurent Nkunda] was unexpected because of the unlikely alliance that brought it about: a team of Rwandan and Congolese forces. ... This unlikely partnership is a good sign for the war-torn region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jan 09, by Natalie Parke
In Uganda, justice, or just a publicity stunt?
'For a couple of decades, Uganda has been viewed as a model of development in Africa. The only glaring blemish on Uganda's cheek has been its failure and perceived unwillingness to resolve the conflict in Northern Uganda.'

Asia Times, 27 Jan 09, by Owen Fletcher
A peek into China's military mind
'China's latest national defense white paper shows a desire for further military modernization and a "leapfrog development" of technology, even as the armed forces remain underfunded and only at the beginning of a transformation. The paper also takes a swipe at United States "hegemonism and power politics", while laying the responsibility for trying to improve China-US relations at Washington's feet.'

New York Review of Books, 12 Feb 09 issue, by William Luers, Thomas R. Pickering, Jim Walsh
How to Deal with Iran
'Three of the most pressing national security issues facing the Obama administration – nuclear proliferation, the war in Iraq, and the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan – have one element in common: Iran.'

Asia Times, 26 Jan 09, by M K Bhadrakumar
Russia stops US on road to Afghanistan
'Moscow has indeed agreed in principle to grant permission to the United States to use a transit route to Afghanistan via Russian territory. But before this happens, Russia wants something in return: to challenge the US's secret veto power over Afghanistan's external relations and to prise Kabul out of Washington's stranglehold.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jan 09, by Bill Glucroft
Israel's bigger battle ahead: its national identity
'Can the Jewish homeland democracy fully include Arabs?'

International Herald Tribune, 21 Jan 09, by editorial staff
The (now silent) guns of January
'We are relieved that the guns and rockets are finally quieting in Gaza. ... We fear that will be only temporary unless Israelis, Palestinians and the rest of the world work to ensure that the constant resort to war in the Middle East is finally replaced by a durable peace. This is not a negotiated cease-fire. For both sides, it is grudging and unilateral. The immediate challenge is to find ways to make the situation more stable.'

International Herald Tribune, 21 Jan 09, by Olivier Roy
Hamas and the Taliban: Islamists you can talk to
'The concept of a "war on terror" has thwarted any political approach to the conflicts in favor of an elusive military victory.'

Washington Post, 22 Jan 09, by George McGovern
Calling a Time Out
'Please do not try to put Afghanistan aright with the U.S. military. To send our troops out of Iraq and into Afghanistan would be a near-perfect example of going from the frying pan into the fire.'

Middle East Times, 22 Jan 09, by Alon Ben-Meir
A War Against Hamas – Not the Palestinian People
'Having achieved its war objectives, Israel must demonstrate that the war was waged against Hamas and not the Palestinian people.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jan 09, by Jake Dizard
Latin America's democracy crossroad
'Democracy looks strong, but it will be put to the test.'

This Is Africa (Financial Times), Jan 09, by Peter Guest
A new American future?
'Barack Obama's election has granted the US a reprieve from the harsh judgements levelled at his predecessor by many Africans, but faced with trouble at home, can the new administration meet Africa's expectations for change?'

Asia Times, 22 Jan 09, by M K Bhadrakumar
Kabul's rift with the US widens
'President Hamid Karzai is making it clear to Washington he'll be no pushover should the United States indeed be seeking a regime change in Afghanistan to support its "surge" strategy. A consummate politician, Karzai has made some smart calculations of late and acquired unlikely allies in Germany and France. Afghan presidential elections are due this year and Karzai is digging in for a fight.'

Asia Times, 22 Jan 09, by Jing-dong Yuan
The way forward for US-Sino ties
'President Barack Obama's handling of Sino-US relations will be a crucial factor in ensuring the success of his inaugural pledge to focus on multilateralism to solve global challenges. ... by displaying sensitivity to China's core interests, the US can consolidate a partnership which has matured well over the past three decades.'

Asia Times, 21 Jan 09, by Kaveh L Afrasiabi
Obama and the other ceasefire
'In his inaugural speech, President Barack Obama promised the Muslim world "a new way forward". With conflicts raging in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Middle East appalled by the smoldering war in Gaza, Obama's pledge was exquisitely timed. Still, many are waiting to see if the new president will keep his promise or turn once again to America's old ally, Israel.'

Asia Times, 15 Jan 09, by Russ Wellen
Keeping Pakistan's nukes extremist-free
'Pakistan has made great strides in the security of its nuclear weapons, yet fears linger that its arsenal could fall into the hands of extremists, given the links between sections of the military and intelligence with jihadis. Harebrained schemes have been floated for intervention by the United States should the situation appear to be getting out of control. But ultimately it's only the people of Pakistan who can guarantee their nuclear safety.'

International Herald Tribune, 15 Jan 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
Israel's goals in Gaza?
'I was one of the few people who argued back in 2006 that Israel actually won the war in Lebanon started by Hezbollah. You need to study that war and its aftermath to understand Gaza and how it is part of a new strategic ballgame in the Arab-Israel arena, which will demand of the Obama team a new approach.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jan 09, by Daniel Noah Moses and Aaron Shneyer
Gaza needs a peace stimulus
'History shows the power of people-to-people contact.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jan 09, by John Hughes
Obama's new approach on Iran
'It's hardly heresy for the US to talk to its enemies.'

International Herald Tribune, 13 Jan 09, by Geoffrey Wheatcroft
Judging Israel
'Leaving aside the latest dismal exhibition of European division, indecision and impotence, political leaders in Western Europe have habitually tended much more toward the Israeli side than have their voters.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jan 09, by Norman H. Olsen and Matthew N. Olsen
An inside story of how the US magnified Palestinian suffering
'The covert push to empower Fatah failed. And isolating Hamas just made things worse. But it's not too late to change course.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Jan 09, by editorial board
The long tunnel to a Gaza peace
'Egypt, like other Arab states, must stand up to Iran and close the arms traffic to Hamas.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Jan 09, by Dietrich von Kyaw
How to revitalize the US-European partnership
'President-elect Obama has caught the imagination of the world, including the Europeans. They welcome his promise of a better mix of American military might with soft power and diplomacy.'

Middle East Times, 08 Jan 09, by editorial staff
Israel's and Hamas' Four Options in Gaza
The most likely option to be chosen: Continue fighting until the European-Turkish-Egyptian initiative succeeds.

International Herald Tribune, 07 Jan 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
The Mideast's Ground Zero
'Gaza is a mini-version of three great struggles that have been playing out since 1948: 1) Who is going to be the regional superpower - Egypt? Saudi Arabia? Iran? 2) Should there be a Jewish state in the Middle East and, if so, on what Palestinian terms? And 3) Who is going to dominate Arab society - Islamists who are intolerant of other faiths and want to choke off modernity, or modernists who want to embrace the future, with an Arab-Muslim face?'

Middle East Times, 07 Jan 09, by Claude Salhani
Will Lebanon be the Next Front?
'Since the recent spate of violence erupted in Gaza Lebanon's leadership have been pressuring Hezbollah to avoid instigating Israel into opening up a second front in which Lebanon would end up paying a huge price.'

Asia Times, 07 Jan 09, by Richard M Bennett
Ground realities in Gaza
'One of the most important single aspects of the Israeli ground action in Gaza - Operation Cast Lead - is the intensely difficult and probably lengthy process of trying to deny the border areas to the highly mobile and easily hidden Hamas missile-firing teams.'

Human Events, 06 Jan 09, by Ted Nugent
Israel's Path To Peace
'There comes a point when violence is clearly the only answer. Peace most often throughout history is achieved through the application of relentless and superior firepower. Now is such a time for Israel.'

Asia Times, 07 Jan 09, by Brian M Downing
Surging towards stalemate in Afghanistan
'The United States plan to soon double the number of its troops in Afghanistan from about 30,000 to 60,000 will entail at least as many problems as advantages, notably the issues of increased supply lines in Pakistan and an influx of foreign jihadis. And the surge may set the stage for a form of conflict whose name will never be officially uttered but which might be coming - a war of attrition that the US can ill afford.'

Asia Times, 07 Jan 09, by Sreeram Chaulia
A high cost for more feet on the ground
'The surge in Afghanistan is guaranteed to exacerbate the sufferings of Afghan civilians and unlikely to succeed militarily in comparison to its Iraqi counterpart. However, should alternative logistical routes to Pakistan open up to bookend the increase in supplies, the United States could break free from its dependence on Islamabad.'

The Washington Times, 04 Jan 09, by J. Peter Pham
A challenge from Senegal
'One of the most significant legacies George W. Bush bequeaths the new president is the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC), an initiative that has revolutionized U.S. foreign assistance. The MCC targets a select group of countries based on their demonstrated commitment to good governance, free markets and investments in people. Targeted countries are provided with sums of money large enough and with flexible enough terms to make a real difference. Half of the 39 countries worldwide currently eligible for some MCC funding are in Africa and more than two-thirds of the funding committed so far has been destined for Africa. '

Townhall.com, 02 Jan 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Israel Must Fight and Win
'Israel has a right – in fact an obligation to its people – to fight madmen who deliberately target civilian populations (with no military value whatsoever) with rockets, mortars, and suicide bombers.'

2008 Commentary and Analysis archive
2007 Commentary and Analysis archive