PAKISTAN
Pakistan urges clear U.S. ‘terms of engagement’
AFP- August 2, 2011
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said the United States must provide “clear terms of engagement” in the battle against Islamist militants, if strained bilateral ties are to improve.
Pakistan relying too much on China against U.S.
Chris Allbritton, Reuters- August 2, 2011
Pakistan’s quick response to charges by China that militants involved in attacks in Xinjiang had trained on its soil shows the importance of its ties with Beijing, but it could be a mistake for Islamabad if it relies too much on China.
UNITED STATES
Pentagon faces possibility of hundreds of billions in spending cuts over 10 years
Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times- August 1, 2011
The Pentagon began grappling on Monday with the possibility that it will have to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from the military budget over the next decade, but there were so few details in the debt ceiling deal reached by the White House and Congress that confusion over the actual size of the reductions was rampant.
IRAN
To punish Iran, seize its embassy
Avi Jorisch, New York Times- August 1, 2011
Although Treasury’s announcement, coupled with existing sanctions, has put some pressure on Tehran, much more can be done. Indeed, the White House should take action in its own backyard.
LIBYA
In war-torn Libya, no pause for Ramadan
William Booth, Washington Post- August 1, 2011
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began here at a lonely outpost on the front lines, as rebel forces broke their daylight fast with a handful of dates, a glass of milk and a couple of rocket launches.
NORTH KOREA
Japan: North Korea seeks new missile, China navy active
Eric Talmadge, Associated Press- August 1, 2011
North Korea is developing a new mid-range ballistic missile that could reach as far as the U.S. territory of Guam, Japan’s Defense Ministry said in an annual report released Tuesday.
CHINA
China begins to build its own aircraft carrier
Bill Gertz, The Washington Times- August 1, 2011
China has begun work on its first aircraft carrier and probably will develop two or more, along with outfitting a former Russian carrier that is set to begin sea trials soon, Pentagon officials said.
SOMALIA
U.S. to ease anti-terrorism rules to help Somali famine victims
Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post- August 1, 2011
The Obama administration is moving toward easing anti-terrorism restrictions in Somalia that have hampered delivery of urgently needed aid to famine-stricken parts of the country, officials said Monday.
