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12 Oct 2011 10:52

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U.S., World: Iran assassination plot: U.S. officials take super-hard line

  • The U.S. has something it’s trying to sell to the world. In case you’re wondering what that is, it’s that Iran is a very bad country — particularly in the wake of an assassination plot involving a Saudi diplomat —and we need to make sure they know it. “It’s critically important that we unite the world in the isolation of and dealing with the Iranians,” Vice President Joe Biden said today. “That’s the surest way to be able to get results.” He suggests that down the line, actions could go beyond sanctions, even, though we’re not at that point yet. He’s not alone. Here’s Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “This really, in the minds of many diplomats and government officials, crosses a line that Iran needs to be held to account for.” You get the feeling from reading these that the U.S. has been waiting for a moment like this for a while. source

03 Jul 2010 11:01

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World: Is Roza Otunbayeva Kyrgyzstan’s big shot at stability?

Otunbayeva, who was part of the coup a couple of months ago, was formally sworn in as president today. She’s the first female leader in the entire region. source

23 Mar 2010 10:08

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World: The U.K. doesn’t think James Bond stuff funny when Israel does it

  • 27 suspects in the killing of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, 26 of which used forged European or Australian passports
  • one unlucky Israeli diplomat just got kicked out of the U.K. for the country’s suspected role in the killing and forged passports source

05 Aug 2009 21:07

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U.S., World: Bill Clinton: “Man, I rule.” Barack Obama: “STORYTIME!”

  • I suspect that President Clinton will have some interesting observations from his trip and I will let him provide those to me.
  • President Barack Obama • Regarding former president Bill Clinton and his visit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Bill, we’re excited, too. Clinton, by the way, is the most senior American diplomat to chill with Kim in almost a decade, since the Clinton administration – you know, his administration. John McCain’s excited, too: “I think it’ll be very interesting. He’s the first Westerner to see Kim since his reported stroke and other problems. I think former President Clinton will have some interesting information.” • source

06 Jul 2009 22:21

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U.S., World: Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe calls some U.S. diplomat an idiot

  • I hope he wasn’t speaking for Obama … You wouldn’t speak to an idiot of that nature. I was very angry with him.
  • Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe • Saying very nice things about Johnnie Carson, the U.S.’ top African official. You know, Bob, we don’t know what Johnnie said to you, but we’re guessing Johnnie has a strong enough handle on diplomatic and economic matters that he wouldn’t let this happen. • source