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28 Oct 2009 19:55

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U.S., World: Pakistan has lots of American help to topple the Taliban

  • 150 people the number of American Special Forces soldiers and support personnel are helping Pakistan – a number that’s doubled in the last eight months source
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21 Oct 2009 23:12

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U.S., World: The nuclear breakthrough in Iran: Looking forward, not back

  • Everybody who participated at the meeting was trying to help, trying to look to the future and not to the past, trying to heal the wounds that existed for many, many years.
  • International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei • On the draft proposal with Iran, which would transfer the country’s nuclear material abroad to be reworked for medical purposes. Iran has two and a half days to sign it. The deal, which the U.S. played a key role in creating, is something of a compromise – Iran would be allowed to keep nuclear material, but not enough to create a bomb. If it goes through, it could become a real lynchpin for the Obama administration – bro might be worthy of that Nobel Peace Price he won. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 Oct 2009 11:44

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U.S., World: Obama, straight up: I don’t deserve the Nobel Peace Prize

  • You know that feeling you get when you go to a surprise party and the gifts are extra-awesome, to the point where it feels a bit overdone? That’s how Obama feels right now. He does a good job twisting it, though, as something not personally about him but the country’s overall changed diplomatic direction. When the guy winning the Nobel Peace Prize feels like he doesn’t deserve it, the Nobel committee is giving it for the wrong reasons. Hey, Nobel people: Call back in four years when the president has made it worthwhile (or not).source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Oct 2009 09:53

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World: Daily poll: Is peace between Israel and Palestine worth fighting for?

  • Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s foreign minister, added complication to the U.S.’ latest attempt to forge peace between both sides by suggesting that the conflict won’t be able to be solved. “I am going to say very clearly – there are conflicts that have not been completely solved and people have learned to live with it, like Cyprus,” he said. Do you agree? Vote above.source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Oct 2009 11:00

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U.S., World: Daily poll: Iran’s nuclear talks with other world powers

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19 Aug 2009 21:34

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U.S., World: North Korea: We gave you back your women. Now talk to us.

  • They feel, the North Koreans, that by giving us the two American journalists, that they’ve made an important gesture. And now they’re saying the ball’s in our court.
  • New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson • Talking about the current diplomatic situation with North Korea. They want bilateral talks (a.k.a. just the U.S. and North Korea), but the U.S. remains committed to having those talks as part of a larger group of countries. It just confirms what we knew all along: Euna Lee and Laura Ling were pawns for North Korea. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 3 Comments • Permalink

15 Aug 2009 20:32

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U.S., World: Jim Webb in Myanmar: We knew we always liked that guy

Sen. Jim Webb (with home-jailed activist Aung San Suu Kyi) proves in Myanmar what Bill Clinton did in North Korea: Diplomacy works. source
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13 Aug 2009 11:16

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Culture, World: Don’t laugh: “Muppet diplomacy” useful diplomatic tool

  • Muppets give children, and the parents who watch the show with them, a chance to explore other cultures from the safety of their living room, where no one will criticize them for being curious.
  • Sesame Workshop President and CEO Gary Knell • Describing the use of the various versions of “Sesame Street” to teach friendly lessons that various countries, often militant, may not be teaching children. Daoud Kuttab, who executive produces “Shara’a Simsim,” a localized version of “Sesame Street” for Palestinian children, agrees: “I would say 3-, 4-, 5-year olds — if we don’t catch them at that early age, we do risk losing them to all kinds of propaganda, whether it’s conservative, religious or fundamentalist.” The world needs more Cookie Monster. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Aug 2009 10:40

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U.S., World: Welcome back to the U.S., Laura Ling and Euna Lee

Not many people are met at the airport by their boss – especially if their boss is Al Gore. But for Current TV producer Euna Lee, it was well-deserved. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

04 Aug 2009 20:39

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Politics: Hillary Clinton’s trump card: Bill Clinton as problem-solver?

  • Now that Bill has successfully completed his North Korea mission, he is sure to play an increasingly prominent role in foreign affairs. The trick for Hillary will be to use him to solidify rather than undermine her position as Secretary of State.
  • Huffington Post columnist Jacob Heilbrunn • Discussing how Bill Clinton’s role as dealbroker in North Korea could pay huge dividends for his wife, who actually has an official role in the Obama administration. Obama lucked out, Heilbrunn notes, saying “he knew that he was getting a twofer.” • source
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