Middle East

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Marking five years in Iraq, U.S. President George W. Bush professed no regrets, saying, "Removing Saddam Hussein from power was the right decision, and this is a fight that America can and must win."

Non-essential staff at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen have been permitted to leave.

After heavy U.S. lobbying, Iraq moved a step closer to permitting provincial elections this coming fall.

Asia

China has arrested 24 people suspected of "grave crimes" in Tibet.

Western media coverage of the violence in Tibet has angered many Chinese. But Chinese media coverage has not been exactly stellar, and foreign correspondents have also complained of obstruction by Chinese authorities.

Howard French looks at the deepening divide between native Tibetans and Han Chinese.

Chinese President Hu Jintao welcomed Peruvian President Alan Garcia to Beijing. China's activities in Latin America have many pundits wondering, is the Monroe Doctrine dead?

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney made a surprise trip to Afghanistan.

Europe

In an unconfirmed new tape, Osama bin Laden warns Europe of a "reckoning" for publishing controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Infiltrating al Qaeda is really tough, according to U.S. and European officials.

A Dutch provocateur's yet-to-be-released film about Islam is already making many people nervous.

2008 U.S. Elections

Barack Obama says the Iraq war has not made Americans safer.

Former presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee defends Jermiah Wright (video),  Obama's controversial pastor.

David Broder says John McCain missed an opportunity in Iraq to distance himself from President Bush.

Hillary Clinton's long-shot presidential bid has grown a little longer, Adam Nagourney writes.

Global Economy

Why ExxonMobil won't pump more oil.

The good news? Oil is still cheaper than a Starbucks latte.

BusinessWeek takes a look at NAFTA's winners and losers.

Inside the commodity boom.

Elsewhere

IEEE Spectrum publishes science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke's final interview.

President Bush sort of pledged to support Georgia's bid to join NATO.

More than 200 people were arrested during Wednesday's anti-war protests in the United States.

Today's Agenda

• Muslims around the world celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.
• The new government of Belgium is sworn in after a 9-month delay.
• Tunisia celebrates 52 years of independence from France.
• U.S. President George W. Bush hosts Caribbean leaders at the White House.
• South Korean President Lee Myung-bak meets with Japanese PM Yasuo Fukada for the first time.

Yesterday on Passport

• FP nominated for National Magazine Award
• This Week in China
• Sarko keeps an eye out for rumors on the Internets