Morning Brief: A fragile peace begins

Top Story

MIKHAIL KLIMENYEV/AFP/Getty Images

Russia and Georgia have reached a cease-fire agreement, but the situation remains fragile and violent. Each side says the other is breaking the truce. The cease-fire, brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, contains six main points, as explained by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev:

• Not to resort to the use of force
• Halt all military action
• Free access to humanitarian aid
• Georgian Armed Forces should return to their bases
• Russian Armed Forces should pull back to their positions prior to combat
• The beginning of international discussions on the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and on ways to ensure their security

"The operation was halted not because President [George] Bush had made a request, but because the goals set by the Russian president had been attained," insisted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Of course, what matters now is the implementation. The agreement is vague enough in points that both sides will seek to interpret it to their liking. The West will call for international peacekeepers, but Russia seems disinclined to agree.

Decision '08

John McCain, taking a tough line on the Georgian war, has sought to use this conflict to highlight his perceived political strengths.

Global Economy

General Motors plans to sell up to $4 billion worth of assets.

Carpool Web sites are seeing a boost, thanks to high gas prices.

Americas

Facing shortages, Venezuela is relaxing price controls on food.

Asia

Pervez Musharraf will step down as Pakistan's president tomorrow, according to the Daily Times. Musharraf has denied the report.

Al Qaeda is taking advantage of Pakistan's political turmoil.

The violence in Kashmir is escalating.

Five American pro-Tibet protestors were hauled away by Beijing security forces. Der Spiegel asks, "Was Beijing 2008 a Mistake?"

Middle East and Africa

The Lebanese city of Tripoli was struck by a bus bomb.

The U.S. Treasury Department moved to expand sanctions on Iran.

No power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe, despite earlier reports.

Europe

A piece of the roof of the European parliament building in Strasbourg, France, has reportedly collapsed.

Today's Agenda

Today is Fidel Castro's 82nd birthday. Hugo Chávez sent him a painting of Simón Bolivar.