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16 Nov 2009 10:30

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U.S., World: We’re already dumping a lot of money into Pakistan’s intelligence

  • ⅓ of the Pakistan intelligence agency’s cash comes from the CIA source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Nov 2009 10:23

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World: U.S. to Pakistan: Increase your efforts against the Taliban

  • The U.S. says Afghan troop increase useless without more Pakistan help. Question: If you’re trying to smoke out a group like the Taliban, do you focus on one country when they’re clearly seeping into another one? Of course not. Which is why the U.S. is trying to increase pressure on Pakistan, sending Gen. James L. Jones (along with a sternly-written letter) to make a case for an expanded effort. In fact, some officials advocating minimal troop increases suggest that it’s merely a matter of keeping the Taliban smoked out near Pakistan. We’ll see. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Nov 2009 21:18

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U.S., World: Whatever the “Alavi Foundation” is, Iran, the U.S. doesn’t like it

  • For two decades, the Alavi Foundation’s affairs have been directed by various Iranian officials, including Iranian ambassadors to the United Nations, in violation of a series of American laws.
  • U.S. attorney Preet Bharara • On the ownership of mosques, skyscrapers and other buildings by the Alavi Foundation. The U.S. siezed these buildings, claiming they were a front for the Iranian government. The tenets and occupants of the properties are safe, and they’re not getting kicked out; it’s the owner who is screwed. This ought to make that whole nuclear deal easier to pull off. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Nov 2009 08:34

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U.S.: It’s election day 2009. Here’s a roundup of the various races.

  • Thanks to Sarah Palin, New York’s 23rd district is on everyone’s mind. The GOP candidate dropped out over the weekend. source
  • Jersey’s Jon Corzine is a fairly unpopular governor, but is still doing well in the race to keep his seat. It’s close, though. source
  • Maine voters get the chance to decide whether gay marriage should be legal in the state. It could be a huge precedent. source
  • Democrat Creigh Deeds is lagging behind Republican Bob McDonnell in Virginia; is this a dry run for elections in 2010? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Oct 2009 11:00

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World: Coup canceled? Manuel Zelaya might be Honduras’ leader again

The U.S. sealed the deal, again playing its solid diplomatic hand and got something done without a single military push. Hopefully it sticks. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Oct 2009 22:04

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U.S., World: Afghanistan officially a sucky place to be for U.S. troops

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Oct 2009 10:13

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U.S., World: The risks of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan are pretty high

Reuters uses a pretty stark example of how a nothing mission quickly turned deadly. Obama, pay heed as you decide to add more troops. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

29 Oct 2009 09:54

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World: Now offering bribes to Taliban members (if they quit)? The U.S.

  • This could either be inspired or a bag of fail. The U.S. has a unique way of trying to pare down the Taliban’s power in Afghanistan: They’re talking about offering money to members if they quit. It’s one with pitfalls – it’ll probably only work temporarily to buy time and loyalty. But it replicates a program that was used in Iraq to strong effect. We’re not sure how we feel about essentially bribing people to switch sides. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

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
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Oct 2009 12:59

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World: There’s kind of a problem with that Iran nuclear deal on the table

  • Russia, the U.S. and France have agreed to a draft deal by the IAEA to compromise on Iran’s nuke program. source
  • Iran isn’t. They appear to be stalling, looking for a way to keep the West busy while it plays footsie. Figures. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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