SENATE ELECTION NEWS
A story worth hyping: Democrats in the Senate
Jonathan Bernstein, Washington Post – November 7, 2012
The Democrats are replacing a group of aging, past-prime senators (or in some cases senators who were never very active beyond providing constituent service and a vote) with a highly promising group of newcomers. We’ll have to see which ones become stars, but Tammy Baldwin, Elizabeth Warren, Martin Heinrich, Tim Kaine and Mazie Hirono would all seem to have a great deal of potential. Not only that, but several strong senators first elected in 2006 will now continue their careers.
Tammy Baldwin Wins Wisconsin, Becoming the First Openly Gay U.S. Senator
Abby D. Phillip, ABC News – November 6, 2012
ABC News projects that Tammy Baldwin has won the U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin, making history as the first openly gay U.S. Senator. Baldwin’s win keeps the Senate seat long held by retiring Sen. Herb Kohl in Democratic hands, and ends a bitter race that pitted two long-time Wisconsin politicians against each other.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Obama, fresh from re-election, has little time to savor win
Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick, Reuters – November 7, 2012
Fresh from a decisive re-election win, President Barack Obama returns from the campaign trail on Wednesday with little time to savor victory, facing urgent economic and fiscal challenges and a still-divided Congress capable of blocking his every move.
Netanyahu: Israel-US alliance ‘stronger than ever’
Jerusalem Post – November 7, 2012
Israeli officials weigh in on Obama’s election win; Barak says Obama’s policy is based on support for Israeli security; Peres: Obama will do everything for Mideast peace; Lapid, Molla slam PM for ruining relationship with US.
DEFENSE SPENDING
“Lame Duck” Congress Must Act to Prevent Sequestration
Michele Nash-Hoff, Huffington Post – November 7, 2012
Regardless of the outcome of the election, the members of the “lame duck” Congress must act like statesmen instead of the intensely partisan politicians of the past several years to prevent sequestration. Call your U. S. Senator and Congressional representative to urge them to approve a budget that will prevent sequestration. Otherwise, one of companies that closes or the jobs lost may be your own.
CYBERSECURITY
Security experts push back at ‘Cyber Pearl Harbor’ warning
Taylor Armerding, CSO – November 7, 2012
he nation’s top national security leaders have convinced President Obama and much of the leadership in Congress that the U.S. is at risk of a “Cyber Pearl Harbor” or “Digital 9/11” if it does not take drastic measures to improve both defensive and offensive cybersecurity capabilities against hostile nation states. But the leaders, Defense (DoD) Secretary Leon Panetta and Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano have not, however, convinced every expert in the cybersecurity community, and there is now some increasingly vocal push-back from some of them.
IRAN
What the President Should Now Do About Iran
Roya Boroumand, Huffington Post Opinion – November 7, 2012
To make a difference, the future American president should challenge Iran’s leaders with a well-articulated human rights agenda, a consistent multilateral policy containing clear demands and landmarks aimed at opening a space for Iranian citizens to express themselves.
Iran to take part in talks on nuclear-free Middle East
Adrian Croft, Reuters – November 6, 2012
Iran said on Tuesday it would go to a proposed international conference in December on creating a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East, but there was little hope of progress even if the meeting goes ahead given deep-rooted regional animosities.
SYRIA
Turkey to request NATO missile defense on Syria border
Reuters – November 7, 2012
Turkey is to make an imminent official request to NATO to station Patriot missiles along its border with Syria, a senior Turkish foreign ministry official said on Wednesday.
