UNITED STATES
Stop Coddling the Super-Rich
Warren Buffet, New York Times- August 14, 2011
Our leaders have asked for “shared sacrifice.” But when they did the asking, they spared me. I checked with my mega-rich friends to learn what pain they were expecting. They, too, were left untouched.
For Cuts, Pentagon must choose among weapons, personnel
David Alexander, Reuters- August 15, 2011
A decision to cut $350 billion in security spending over the next decade will force the Pentagon to make difficult trade-offs that could lead to layoffs, canceled weapons systems or a smaller nuclear arsenal.
IRAQ
Dozens of attacks in Iraq’s deadliest day of year
Michael Schmidt, New York Times- August 15, 2011
A chilling series of fatal attacks across Iraq on Monday sent a disheartening message to the Iraqi and American governments: After hundreds of billions of dollars spent since the United States invasion in 2003, and tens of thousands of lives lost, insurgents remain a potent and perhaps resurging threat to Iraqis and the American troops still in the country.
PAKISTAN
Stealthy stand-off in Pakistan
Financial Times- August 15, 2011
The news that Pakistan allowed China access to remnants of the top secret US stealth helicopter downed in the raid to kill Osama bin Laden is a sign of the deep mistrust between Islamabad and Washington.
NORTH KOREA
U.S, South Korea begin war drills aimed at North Korea
Sam Kim, Associates Press- August 16, 2011
The United States and South Korea on Tuesday began joint war games that North Korea has warned would choke off budding diplomacy and drive the Korean peninsula to war.
Canada tightens sanctions on North Korea
David Ljunggren, Reuters- August 15, 2011
Canada has tightened sanctions against North Korea to punish the secretive Asian nation for “aggressive actions” such as the sinking of a South Korean corvette, the foreign ministry said on Monday.
LIBYA
Gadafi isolates as rebels advance, aide flees to Cairo
Leila Fadel, Washington Post- August 15, 2011
A top Libyan security official apparently defected Monday, deepening the isolation for Moammar Gaddafi as a rebel advance threatened to place a stranglehold on the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
IRAN
Iran says Russia nuclear plan may lead to more cooperation
Henry Meyer, San Francisco Chronical- August 16, 2011
Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, said a Russian proposal meant to bring his country back to talks over its controversial nuclear program can be a start for further “cooperation”.
