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We all know the drawbacks of corporate news outlets, and the great blessing that the internet represents for grassroots organizing and information sharing. But of course, the big corporations are very unhappy about losing some control of these matters, and have been pushing for legislation to end internet liberty and make it into the Corporate […]

The USG Open Source Center translates an interview in an Argentinian newspaper with International Atomic Energy Agency head, Mohamed Elbaradei, on how to deal with the Iranian nuclear research program. He cautions that a direct military attack would almost guarantee that Iran develops an atomic bomb. ‘Argentina: IAEA Head Warns Against Using Force Against Iran“Exclusive” […]

The USG Open Source Center rounds up the Urdu press in Pakistan on the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Urdu Press Roundup on Prevailing Political Situation After Sharif’s ReturnPakistan — OSC SummaryWednesday, November 28, 2007 The following is a roundup of excerpts from editorials and an article on the political situation after the […]

Bush’s achievements in the Middle East were supposed to have been the ‘Cedar Revolution’ in Lebanon and the removal of Syria troops; holding fair elections in Palestine in January of 2006; and a deal to have Gen. Pervez Musharraf cohabit politically with Benazir Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People’s Party. As of this weekend, Lebanon […]

On the Annapolis “meeting” (downgraded from a conference), Mark Matthews of the Baltimore Sun contrasts the preparation and success of the Madrid peace conference in 1991 under Bush Sr., with the likely failure to accomplish much in Annapolis. See also the comments of Dick Norton on Annapolis at our Global Affairs group blog. A reminder […]

Professor Richard Tanter of the Nautilus Institute at RMIT in Melbourne writes from Australia: ‘A small note on your comment on Kevin Rudd’s election in Australia. On the question of security policy, this is what I think will happen in the next half year: 1. Iraq: Rudd is committed to removing Australian troops from Iraq, […]

Check out the Firedoglake Book Salon on Sunday, All About The Benjamins: A “Follow The Money” Book Salon Preview. It is the story of how Tom DeLay and other corrupt Republican politicians reduced taxes and regulations on big corporations in the name of helping the common person.

Al-Hayat writing in Arabic profiles Sa’d Uraibi al-Ubaidi, known as “Abu Abd”, the ‘tribal awakening’ leader who, it claims, now controls most of the Sunni Arab neighborhoods of Baghdad. Al-Ubaidi, 35, had served as an officer in the Baath Army. He joined the guerrilla movement against the Americans, being active in the “Islamic Army.” He […]

The USG Open Source Center translates excerpts from Pakistani newspaper editorials concerning the visit over the weekend of US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte to Islamabad. The visit has generated controversy in the United States, as well, since Negroponte declined publicly to condemn Musharraf’s dismissal of the Supreme Court. ‘Pakistan: Urdu Press Roundup on […]