Foreign Policy/International Relations

Former Ambassador Richard Holbrooke to Speak as Adams Lecturer Feb 28

gkumar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:34:36 -0500

Former Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke (right) will come to Collegiate School February 28 to speak as our Adams Lecturer. Mini-biography follows; leave questions that you want to be addressed as responses to this message.

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Kosovo Declares Independence; Majority of EU Shows Support

gkumar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:23:11 -0500

Kosovo declared its independence, which the US and other EU states respect, while Russia and Serbia do not.

Full Articles at: New York Times -- Kosovo Recognized by Some; Financial Times -- EU Struggles for Unity over Kosovo

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Pakistanis Give Musharraf the BOOT

gkumar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:17:40 -0500

Pakistanis earlier voted opverwhelmingly to overthrow current President Pervez Musharraf. Nearly all of the leading figures of Musharraf's party have been voted out of office.

Full Article at: New York Times -- Pakistanis Deal Severe Defeat to Mussharaf

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Chinese Inflation Taking a Toll on US

dvaino — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:08:09 -0500

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Kenyan opposition leader killed

dvaino — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:11:16 -0500

One of Kenya's more conciliatory politicians has just been killed in what looks like a deliberate hit. Unfortunately, this has great potential to worsen the already bad situation there, and certainly has sabotaged efforts at reconciliation.

Times Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/world/africa/30kenya.html?hp

Foreign Policy/International Relations

US Markets Volatile; Fed Cuts Interest Rates by .75%

gkumar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:26:40 -0500

Well, the day that many feared would yield a market as bad as the markets after Sept. 11 instead yielded a different enviornment. Perhaps most crucial was the Fed's decision to cut interest rates by a huge .75%, a move that inspired many investors to keep their money in the markets.

Full Article at: Wall Street Journal -- Stocks Stage Comback But Fail to Post Gains

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Economies Worldwide Plunge

gkumar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:18:37 -0500

Economies all over the world took a MAJOR hit, and it's going to be interesting to see how the New York Stock Exchange opens tomorrow to this environment.

Full Artcle at: New York Times -- Stocks Plunge Worldwide on Fears of US Recession

Photo Credit: http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=172087436&size=s

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Washington Debates over how to Stimulate the Economy

gkumar — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:12:15 -0500

Washington is curently debating how to apporach a much-needed economic stimulus.

Full article at: New York Times -- Tax Rebate or Payment? A Policy Debate

Photo Credit: http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1920384330&size=s

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Clinton, McCain take Nevada Caucus, South Carolina Primary Respectively

gkumar — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:05:02 -0500

Hillary Clinton fairly decisively won over Democratic opponent Barack Obama in the Nevada Caucus (51% over Obama's 45%), despite the latter's endorsement from the Culinary Union. John McCain narrowly won in highly contested South Carolina over Mike Huckabee; this race was seen as an essential win for both candidates.

Full Article at: Reuters -- McCain and Clinton Look to Next Battle

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Pakistani Jihadis Spilling into Peshawar

dvaino — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:15:08 -0500

Peshawar is a city right in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan where the major militancy is going on, so as cities go it's not terribly surprising. However, it says something that the extremists are beginning to have a major impact in a very big city.

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Recent Kenyan Elections Causes Great Turmoil

gkumar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:59:25 -0500

Kenyans were outraged at the recent declaration that incumbent President Mwai Kibaki won the election, despite of widespread evidence of rigging. More than 100 people were killed in riots, and "some streets are beginning to look like war zones."

Full Article at: New York Times -- Turmoil Grows in Kenya, With More than 100 Dead

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Former Prime Minister Sharif Calls for Musharraf's Resignation, Amid Possibility of Delayed Parliamentary Elections

gkumar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:45:04 -0500

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for current Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's immediate resignation. Sharrif has also said that his party will participate in the parliamentary elections if they continue as scheduled on January 8 -- overturning his previous decision to boycott the elections.

Full Article at: New York Times -- Elections Face Possible Delays as Pakistani Tensions Grow

Foreign Policy/International Relations

By Criticizing Edwards, Obama May Lose Support with Crucial Interest Groups

gkumar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:32:24 -0500

Obama has charged Edwards as a "hypocrite because, while Mr. Edwards has said he favors banning unregulated campaign money from outside groups, his campaign is getting millions of dollars...from outside contributors -- namely unions."

Full Article at: New York Times -- Whose interests Are Special?

Foreign Policy/International Relations

"Pakistan Awaits Election Decision"

gkumar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:56:16 -0500

The Pakistani people are waiting for electoral officials to decide on the date of parliamentary elections, currently scheduled for January 8. Many hope that these elections might shift power away from military officials (such as current Prime Minister Pervez Musharraf) to civilian rule.

Full article at: Reuters -- Pakistan Awaits Election Decision

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Bin Laden Threatens Israel

gkumar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:46:28 -0500

In a newly released tape, Osama Bin Laden urged Sunni Iraqis against fighting Al Qaeda. Bin Laden directly targeted Israel, claiming, "We intend to liberate Palestine, the whole of Palestine."

Full Article at: CNN -- Purported bin Laden Message Has Warnings for Iraq, Israel

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Former Governors: Huckabee Launches Offensive Attacks against Romney

gkumar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:31:00 -0500

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has been attacking his various opponents, calling Mitt Romney's criticisms against his and John McCain's records "dishonest."

Full Article at: Washington Post -- Huckabee Fights Back Against Romney

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Edwards Campaigns Hard to Win Iowa

gkumar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:19:37 -0500

Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards is in a three-way tie with Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. He has fought vigorously to win the caucuses in Iowa, and he might win this Jan. 3.

Full Article at: Washington Post -- Edwards Fights to the Finish

Foreign Policy/International Relations

In Troubled Environment, Incumbent President Mwai Kibaki Wins Kenya's Narrowest Election in History

gkumar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:10:56 -0500

Mwai Kibaki yesterday won the Presidential elections in Kenya, in spite of the promised demonstrations and allegations of vote-rigging.

Full Article at: Washington Post -- Amid Protests, Kibaki Declared President of Kenya (Side note: registration to the Washington Post Online is free.)

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Bhutto's Son and Husband to Lead Party

gkumar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:01:20 -0500

Benazir Bhutto, who was recently assassinated, will be succeeded by her husband and 19-year-old son as heads of the Pakistan People's Party.

Full Article at: New York Times -- Bhutto's Son and Husband to Lead Party

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Assassinated

dvaino — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:21:17 -0500

As the title says. AFX article: http://www.forbes.com/topstories/home/feeds/afx/2007/12/27/afx4477634.html

Sorry for the lack of a picture; my internet connection is being stupid.

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Speech by Medvedev, Putin's nominee for Russian President

dvaino — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:09:42 -0500

Putin has endorsed a fellow named Medvedev whom nobody's ever heard of for President in the next elections. Apparently Medvedev is extremely weak on his own, and owes his position completely to Putin, which of course seems to make it clear that Putin will still be steering the government for some time to come.

On an unrelated note, Gautam, you've been really busy over the last week and a half...

Foreign Policy/International Relations

"Democrats Call for Inquiry in Destruction of Tapes by C.I.A."

gkumar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:06:30 -0500

Edward Kennedy, Democratic Senator of Massachusetts, represented some Democrats when he declared, "we haven't seen anything likes this [cover up] since the 18 and half-minute gap on the tapes of Richard Nixon." Full article at: New York Times -- Democrats Call for Inquiry in Destruction

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Bush Takes on Political Heat for N.I.E. Report

gkumar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:57:11 -0500

Bush is having to deal with an increasing amount of political turmoil, after the National Intelligence Estimate declared that Iran stopped its nuclear arms program in 2003.

Full article at: Financial Times -- Bush Under Attack over Iran

Foreign Policy/International Relations

EXCLUSIVE: CIA Destroys Tapes of the Interrogation of Terror Suspects

gkumar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:54:28 -0500

The CIA, the New York Times recently reported, destroyed tapes depicting the CIA interrogations of "terror suspects" in 2005, amidst the growing political scrutiny of the government's programs and actions.

This is fairly explosive news, and the full article can be found at: New York Times -- C.I.A. Destroyed Tapes of Interrogations

Foreign Policy/International Relations

US Supreme Court Justices Hear Guantanamo Case

gkumar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:15:41 -0500

The Chief lawyer for the Bush administration debated against a lawyer for six detainees; the defending lawyer implied that Gitmo (as Guantanamo is sometimes called) is against all morals of Ameircan justice.

Full Article at: New York Times -- Justices Hear Arguements in Guantamo Cases

Photo Credit:

Foreign Policy/International Relations

"Bush Says Iran Must Explain Past Nuclear Work"

gkumar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:07:43 -0500

Bush recently announced that Iranians had the choice to not “continue on a path of isolation that is not in the best interests of the Iranian people" -- even though Iran stopped its nuclear program in 2003.

Full Article at: New York Times -- Bush

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Venezuela Blocks Chavez's Bid for More Power

gkumar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:56:41 -0500

Venezuelans recently voted against a referendum suggested by Chavez--a referendum that would have accelerated Chavez's socialist reforms.

Full article at: New York Times -- Venezuela Vote Sets Roadblock on Chavez Path

Photo Credit: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/484678558_73991d93c4_m.jpg

Foreign Policy/International Relations

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE: IRAN NUCLEAR ARMS PROGRAM

gkumar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:38:20 -0500

The New York Times provides a link to the ORIGINAL N.I.E. document -- Text: Key Judgments of National Intelligence Estimate.

This is definitely worth checking out -- it's only 8 pages.

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Iran Stopped Their Nuclear Arms Program Back in 2003

gkumar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:28:28 -0500

After threatening to attack Iran, the Bush administration recently received notice that Iran had discontinued their nuclear arms program back in 2003.

Full Article at: New York Times -- U.S. Says Iran Ended Atomic Arms Work AND Wall Street Journal -- Iran Nuclear-Program Stopped

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Israel releases 429 Palestinian prisoners

dvaino — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:27:40 -0500

As a goodwill gesture to strengthen Abbas. Article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7122757,00.html

Another interesting article: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1467000

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Venezuela Debates Over Granting Chavez More Power

gkumar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:52:58 -0500

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Turkey Attaks Kurdish Iraq

gkumar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:16:21 -0500

Turkey recently attacked the PKK, the Kurdish Political Party, infliciting heavy casualties.

Full Article at: Reuters -- Turkey inflicts heavy casualties on PKK in Iraq

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Obama Pulls Ahead of Clinton in Iowa

gkumar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:59:04 -0500

It's always important to remember what's going on at home to see what's going to happen away. It seems that Obama might (emphasis on "might") have pulled ahead of Clinton in Iowa -- possibly due to Oprah's endorsement.

Full article at: DesmoinesRegister.com -- Obama Pulls ahead

Foreign Policy/International Relations

Russia Votes: Putin's "United Russia" Elections

gkumar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:37:55 -0500

Russians are currently voting for one of eleven political parties; current Russian president's party--United Russia--is currently far ahead in the polls.

Full article at: New York Times -- http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/world/europe/03russiacnd.html?hp