AFGHANISTAN
In Afghanistan, some brace for economic fallout of U.S. exit
Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times- August 19, 2011
Sorosh Tokhi’s wallet is a lot fatter since foreign troops moved into Afghanistan in 2001. As an interpreter for the U.S. military earning $700 a month, he has bought a flat-screen TV and a sport utility vehicle, helped his parents out and paid for relatives’ tuition.
UNITED STATES
White House wants budget options for defense cuts
Kate Brannen, Defense News- August 18, 2011
The White House has directed the Defense Department, along with all other federal agencies, to draw up budget options for 2013 that meet the strict spending guidelines put in place by the debt-ceiling agreement signed into law Aug. 2.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan mosque bomb kills at least 40
Associated Press- August 19, 2011
A bomb has exploded at a mosque in a Pakistani tribal region as hundreds of people were gathered for Friday prayers, killing at least 40 and wounding 85 in the first major attack in the country during Ramadan.
NORTH KOREA
U.S. to provide up to $900,000 in aid
Reuters- August 18, 2011
The United States will provide North Korea with up to $900,000 in emergency flood assistance, the State Department said Thursday in what appeared to be another sign of easing tension between the North and Washington.
North Korea vows to bolster nuclear deterrent to cope with U.S. threat
Kim Kwang-tae, Yonhap- August 17, 2011
North Korea threatened Wednesday to strengthen its nuclear deterrent as it denounced South Korea and the United States for conducting their annual military drills that Pyongyang sees as a rehearsal for invasion.
IRAN
Iran accepts to resume nuclear talks
Xinhua- August 18, 2011
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Wednesday that Iran accepts to resume nuclear talks with the world’s major powers but will not surrender to any pressure.
SYRIA
Where’s the Syria plan?
Eugene Robinson,Washington Post- August 18, 2011
It’s hard to argue withPresident Obama’s call for Bashar al-Assad, the bloodthirsty Syrian dictator, to step down. But it’s also hard to discern any logic or consistency in the administration’s handling of the ongoing tumult in the Arab world.
LIBYA
Libyan rebels gain control of oil refinery in Zawiyah as Qaddafi forces flee
Kareem Fahim, New York Times- August 18, 2011
Rebel fighters claimed complete control of a sprawling oil refinery in this coastal town on Thursday, seizing one of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s most important assets after just three days of fighting and delivering the latest in a string of small victories that have suddenly put the rebels at Tripoli’s door.
