Morning Brief: Obama arrives to controversy in Iraq

Mon, 07/21/2008 - 9:52am

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QASSEM ZEIN/AFP/Getty Images

Controversy erupted over the weekend when Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told German magazine Der Spiegel that he more or less agrees with U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama's timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Through spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh, Maliki later claimed he was misinterpreted, but did not specify exactly how -- the translator who allegedly mistranslated the interview works for Maliki, and Der Spiegel stands by its version. The story behind Dabbagh's statement is revealing: The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad had contacted Maliki's office, seeking clarification after his remarks to Der Spiegel, and U.S. Central Command distributed Dabbagh's statement to American news organizations.

All of this, of course, happened against the backdrop of a visit by Obama himself, which began Monday. First stop? Basra. He also meets with Maliki and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani today. Obama renewed his call Sunday to move troops from Iraq to Afghanistan.

Decision '08

The Obama campaign's cash on hand is increasing while John McCain's is decreasing.

After his defeat in 2000, McCain "mastered the art of political triangulation," according to a long profile of the Arizona senator in the New York Times.

Why does either man want the job, anyway?

Global Economy

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson predicted a period of "slow growth" Sunday, stressing that the U.S. banking sector is sound after two large mortgage companies stumbled last week. Nonetheless, the mortgage meltdown is spurring growing concern abroad.

Americas

A U.S. B-52 bomber has crashed off the coast of Guam.

Tijuana, Mexico, is apparently the place to buy suicide drugs.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has offered to give the king of Spain a hug.

Asia

Twin bus explosions in China's southwestern Yunnan province may be the work of terrorists.

The six-party talks over North Korea's nuclear program are about to be kicked up a notch, to the ministerial level.

China and Russia have settled a long-running border dispute.

Thailand and Cambodia's border dispute, in contrast, is just heating up.

Middle East and Africa

Western powers did not get the response they were seeking from Iran this weekend. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Iran must give a "serious answer" in two weeks.

Zimbabwe's opposition is reportedly close to signing a framework deal with the government of Robert Mugabe.

Nairobi, Kenya, is a hotbed of computer programming.

Europe

Europe is offering to cut its farm tariffs by 60 percent.

In a game of chicken, who will blink first: BP or the Kremlin?

French authorities admit that a facility where a quantity of Semtex explosive has gone missing wasn't well-guarded.

Today's Agenda

British PM Gordon Brown is visiting Israel.

Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers are meeting to discuss a deteriorating situation in Kashmir.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is visiting Ireland to discuss the Lisbon Treaty.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Ukraine to talk about NATO and EU membership.

The White House welcomes Kosovo's president and prime minister.

The trial of Osama bin Laden's ex-driver, Salim Hamdan, begins in Guantánamo.

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Democracy for Zimbabwe

by Jdealla on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 11:21am
I am a friend of Zimbabwe, and I hope the people are finally heard. I don't know about all these "talks about talks". My argument is that the people of Zimbabwe should be heard, not be the victims of a lousy compromise. I wrote a blog today that talks what i think should be done. You can read the full story at SemiPolitico So, what could these two men possibly be talking about? Even with the numbers from the first election being close, it is clear that Morgan Tsvangirai is the leader in the hearts and minds of the vast majority of Zimbabweans. How can this be with only 4.7% margin of victory? Think about it; Zimbabwe is a fear society. Mugabe controls the nation by, as we have just seen, using force when things don’t go his way. In light of this, it takes a brave man to run against him in an election, but it takes a braver man to vote against him. Mugabe has been the president of the country since 1987. Twenty years. If you want more compelling evidence that Mugabe uses force to rule, compare SemiPolitico

Barack Obamah

by Mindy Jageacks on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 9:23pm
Why? Would a fake black man be President of the US. A majority of Americans would vote for a white man to be President. He gets so much publicity, it's over rated. NO ONE will end up voting him in. But if JOHN MCain is the President then he'll just do what the old Administration did and continue with that. We have a choice in the matter. American people just do what they want anyway. Regardless, of who is who in the Office.

Drinking Laws in USA

by Mindy Jageacks on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 9:32pm
You have to be 21 years old to buy Alcohol. If you drink and drive you get a DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol.) Which mean you could go to jail, Loose your drivers liscense, show up in court, or go to a rehab center for drug and alcohol. You have to be 16-18 years old to get a Drivers Liscense.

Civil War In America

by Mindy Jageacks on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 9:38pm
Who runs and controlls and what rules for civilization does America use? We the People run America. Anyone and Everyone can try to change the Constitution for any reason. It says in the American Constitution that you have the right to bear arms and sell and purchase Tobacco. Because of Liberal Groups who like to write new constitutions and new laws whatever they think, must be fought in a court of Law. No lives lost over that one!