OFF THE WIRE :

• Hezbollah says Lebanese government has declared war
[AP, 08 May 08]
• Sunnis and Shiites clash for a second day in Lebanon
[AP, 08 May 08]
• Russian military says it could further increase Abkhazia force
[AP, 08 May 08]
• Burundi Army Says It Killed 50 Rebels in Clashes
[Reuters, 08 May 08]
• Former Guantánamo Detainee Tied to Attack
[New York Times, 08 May 08]
• Putin is approved as prime minister
[International Herald Tribune, 08 May 08]
• Violence in Zimbabwe Disrupts Schools and Aid
[New York Times, 08 May 08]
• Berlusconi forms new Italy government
[Reuters, 07 May 08]
• U.S. indicts Russian on four terrorism charges
[AP, 07 May 08]
• Iranian resistance group wins repeal of British ban
[International Herald Tribune, 07 May 08]
• Ethiopian soldiers accused of war crimes in Somalia
[AP, 06 May 08]
• Abkhazia claims to have shot down two Georgian spy planes
[AP, 04 May 08]

ASIA & THE PACIFIC :

New York Times, 08 May 08, by Seth Mydans
A Reclusive Government, Forced to Ask for Help
'In opening its doors to international disaster relief, Myanmar’s military government is breaching a wall of isolation it has built around itself over nearly half a century.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 May 08, by David Montero
Disaster may loosen junta's grip in Burma (Myanmar)
'A May 10 poll could underscore how unpopular the regime is, as it slowly opens to foreign aid.'

International Herald Tribune, 08 May 08, by Jonathan Adams
In battle with China for allies, Taiwan resorts to riskier tactics
'A scandal here over a bungled Taiwan attempt to forge official ties with Papua New Guinea has thrown a spotlight on the long-running, shadowy war between China and Taiwan for allies.'

New York Times, 08 May 08, by Martin Fackler
In His Visit to Japan, China Leader Seeks Amity
'The leaders of China and Japan pledged Wednesday to make their nations partners instead of rivals as the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, began a good-will mission to Tokyo aimed at improving often tense relations between the Asian powers.'

[ recent stories from Asia and the Pacific ]

IRAQ :

Christian Science Monitor, 07 May 08, by Sam Dagher
As Baghdad grapples with Sadr City, Iraqi Kurdistan busily builds 'Dream City'
'The Kurdistan Regional Government is briskly pursuing oil and gas contracts and economic development, a drive that is chafing Iraq's central government in Baghdad.'

[ recent stories from Iraq ]

BRITAIN, EUROPE & RUSSIA :

International Herald Tribune, 07 May 08, by Judy Dempsey
U.S. could look beyond Poland for a missile-shield base
'In what is becoming a game of brinkmanship between the United States and one of its closest European allies, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday that Washington was prepared to seek a different location for part of its planned antiballistic missile shield if the Polish government could not agree on the terms.'

International Herald Tribune, 07 May 08, by Anthee Carassava
Greek islands, overwhelmed by refugees, seek help
'A rash of refugees from Africa, southern Asia and the Middle East has been crossing the Aegean Sea and besieging a cluster of craggy Greek islands.'

[ recent stories from Europe, Britain and Russia ]

US MILITARY, THE PENTAGON, &
INTELLIGENCE :

Christian Science Monitor, 07 May 08, by Jill Carroll
A soldier's quest to save Iraqi, Afghan interpreters
'Targeted by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, they find a haven in America.'

[ recent stories about the US military,
the Pentagon and intelligence ]

COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS :

International Herald Tribune, 08 May 08, by Alex Rondos
What side are we on?
'Georgia is under threat of partial occupation by Russia and thus has become a moral lightning rod for the West. All the demons of our 20th-century history are bubbling up again in this embattled outpost of Western interests.'

International Herald Tribune, 07 May 08, by editorial staff
Medvedev's first crisis
'Russia is playing a game of cat-and-mouse with Georgia that could quickly turn deadly.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 May 08, by editorial staff
Burma's Katrina moment
'A cyclone's ruin exposes a need for the kind of democracy that responds well to disasters.'

Washington Times, 07 May 08, by J. Peter Pham
Ships of fools?
'To fully appreciate the complications and dangers America faces in the post Sept. 11, 2001, world, consider recent actions taken by the government of one of America's strategic allies. ... the Mongolian government in recent years has encouraged the development of a fleet of ships. It now has a significant and a growing maritime presence. ... Despite receiving millions of dollars from America's public purse, Mongolia appears to have no problem renting out its flag to weapons proliferators, criminals and other shady figures who endanger the security of the United States and its allies.'

Los Angeles Times 'Babylon and Beyond' blog, 07 May 08, by Tina Susman
IRAQ: The language of war
'The United States' language toward Sadr and his Mahdi Army has undergone a radical change since last year when, at news conferences and in interviews, U.S. military and political leaders freely referred to it by its Arabic acronym, JAM. Splinter groups were known as Rogue JAM. When Sadr last August called on JAM to cease armed activities, ostensibly so he could sort out the Rogue JAM from the real JAM, some began referring to his truce-abiding fighters as Frozen JAM.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 May 08, by Ben White
In praise of Palestinian steadfastness
'Despite 60 years of hardship, real achievement, too.'

[ recent commentary and analysis ]

ISRAEL, THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA :

New York Times, 08 May 08, by Nada Bakri
Clashes in General Strike in Lebanon
'Supporters of the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah, trying to enforce a general strike called by labor unions, clashed with government supporters and blocked roads in Beirut on Wednesday, escalating tensions as the country remained mired in its worst political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.'

International Herald Tribune, 06 May 08, by Robert F. Worth
In democracy Kuwait trusts, but not much
'In a region where autocracy is the rule, Kuwait is a remarkable exception, with a powerful and truculent elected Parliament that sets the emir's salary and is the nation's sole source of legislation.'

International Herald Tribune, 06 May 08, by Ethan Bronner
For Israel's Arabs, 60 years of regret
'Better off and better integrated than ever in their history, freer than the vast majority of other Arabs, Israel's 1.3 million Arab citizens are still far less well off than Israeli Jews and feel increasingly unwanted.'

International Herald Tribune, 05 May 08, by Michael R. Gordon
Hezbollah trains Iraqis in Iran, officials say
'Militants from the Lebanese group Hezbollah have been training Iraqi militia fighters at a camp near Tehran, according to American interrogation reports that the United States has supplied to the Iraqi government.'

International Herald Tribune/AP, 05 May 08
Weakened Olmert talks with Abbas
'The agenda Monday between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders included Israeli settlements and roadblocks in the West Bank, a Palestinian official said, two issues that were given prominent mention by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her latest diplomatic mission in the region over the weekend.'

International Herald Tribune, 02 May 08, by Isabel Kershner
Israeli tactics collide with peace process
'Suicide bombings in Israel have dropped off so significantly that the nation's security officials now dare to speak openly of success. But the very steps they are taking to thwart bombers appear to collide head on with the government's agenda of achieving peace with the Palestinians.'

[ recent stories from the Middle East ]