Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Fatwa for Pakistan President’s Remarks About Palin

Over the past nine months. Pakistanis have endured the assassination of a popular leader, political upheaval that forced a president to resign, the formation of a new government, an all-out conflict in the tribal belt, and a spate of suicide bombings, including a major attack in the heart of their capital last week. Read

Serbia, Kosovo Target Islamic Nations Ahead of Key U.N. Vote

The bitter dispute between Serbia and newly independent Kosovo comes before the United Nations next week, and both sides have been aiming their lobbying efforts at Islamic nations. Read

Monday, September 29, 2008

Pundits in Russia, Pakistan, Iran Weigh in on Presidential Debate

Reaction to Friday’s presidential debate in parts of the world that were mentioned during the encounter was largely low-key, mirroring the ambivalence expressed by many observers in the United States. Read

Friday, September 26, 2008

China’s Space Mission Comes Amid Push for Ban on Space Weapons

The launch of China’s third manned space mission has focused new attention on the security implications of China’s growing capabilities and concerns about the weaponization of space. Read

Ignorance, Delays Worsened Chinese Milk Crisis

China’s deepening tainted dairy scandal took another turn Friday as a leading candy maker announced it was stopping sales inside the country, following reports that the product had tested positive for melamine in other countries. Read

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Mandatory Abortion Referral Issue Resonates in Australia, U.S.

As the period ends Thursday for public comment on a controversial new HHS rule aimed at protecting health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions, the issue is also causing a stir in Australia, where pending abortion legislation makes it mandatory for a doctor who objects to abortion to refer a patient to a physician who doesn't. Read

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Caribbean Mission Viewed As ‘Russia’s Fist in America’s Belly’

As Russian warships head to the Caribbean for politically charged exercises with the Venezuelan navy, Russian officials and military analysts are talking up the capabilities of the vessels, stung by suggestions that they are not up to the task. Read

World Reacts, Watches, Waits

As the U.S. Congress debates a $700 billion financial rescue package proposed by the U.S. Treasury in a bid to stabilize shaky financial markets, other Western countries are watching closely, while trying to deal with the fallout of the meltdown in their own economies. Read

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Islamic Nations’ Push to Outlaw Religious Defamation Faces Hurdles

Amid growing opposition, a campaign by the world’s Islamic nations to have international bodies outlaw the “defamation” of religion may be facing an uphill battle. Read

Monday, September 22, 2008

No Chavez or Castro, But Here Comes Ahmadinejad

International attention turns to New York this week, where the opening of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session will be marked by speeches, meetings on the sidelines, and possibly confrontations as critics use to opportunity to attack the host nation. Read

Fallout Over Iran Rally and Palin Invitation Roils Jewish Community

America’s Jewish community appears to be more concerned about partisan politics than about the threat posed by Iran, according to some Jewish representatives. Read

Friday, September 19, 2008

Down Syndrome Tests Risky for All Babies, Study Shows

For every three babies found through prenatal testing to have Down syndrome, two babies without the condition are lost through miscarriage as a result of the mother having had the test, a new study in Britain estimates. Read

Thursday, September 18, 2008

McCain Says Obama Put Politics Above National Interest Over Iran Rally

Sen. Barack Obama “chose politics rather than the national interest” by sidestepping the opportunity for a bipartisan stand against Iran’s nuclear drive, Sen. John McCain said Thursday. Read

Palin Invite to Iran Rally Rescinded After Clinton Pullout

The organizers of a rally against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday withdrew an invitation to Gov. Sarah Palin, after Democrats called for such a step, saying the Iran issue was “too important to be tainted by partisanship.” Read

Anti-Christian Violence in India Pegged to Elections

India’s ruling Congress party has stepped up accusations that its Hindu nationalist rival and affiliated groups are stoking anti-Christian sentiment to garner votes ahead of elections due early next year. Read

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Cross-Border Incursions Threaten US-Pakistan Rift

The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff held talks in Pakistan Wednesday amid increased tensions between the two allies. At the same time, Pakistan’s military backed away from reports saying its troops had been ordered to open fire if American forces mount another cross-border raid from Afghanistan. Read

Clinton Avoids Rally Rather Than Share Stage With Palin

Sen. Hillary Clinton is refusing to attend a rally against Iranian hardliners in New York City next week because she would have to share a stage with Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Her decision drew a sharp response from the McCain-Palin campaign Wednesday morning. Read

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Europeans Ponder Energy Security After Georgia War

Moscow’s military intervention in Georgia has lent new urgency to calls to diversify sources and transit routes for energy supplies to Europe, amid signs of strengthening support for pipeline networks that will bypass Russia. Read

Iran’s Ahmadinejad Returning to New York

For the fourth consecutive year, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s plan to attend the U.N. General Assembly’s annual session is drawing protests. Read

Monday, September 15, 2008

E.U. Monitors Expected to Head to Georgia

European Union officials are meeting in Brussels Monday to authorize the establishment of a mission to monitor a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia, but exactly where the monitors will be deployed may become a new source of contention. Read

Birth Control, Eugenics Advocate Honored With Postage Stamp

Britain’s Royal Mail is under fire over a decision to honor a birth control pioneer and eugenicist who shared views on racial purity with the Nazis. Read

Friday, September 12, 2008

Chavez Expels US Envoy, Pledges Military Support for Bolivian Ally

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday gave the U.S. ambassador 72 hours to leave the country, and he recalled his own ambassador from Washington. He described the move as an act of solidarity with fellow leftist Bolivian President Ero Morales. Read

Palin’s Comment on NATO Mutual Defense Causes Stir

The NATO collective defense commitment raised in ABC News’ interview with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been invoked only once in the Alliance’s history – and not in connection with Russia. Read

Thursday, September 11, 2008

U.S-Pakistan at Odds Over Cross-Border Strikes

Seven years after 9/11, the U.S.-Pakistan anti-terrorism alliance that resulted from al-Qaeda’s attack on America is facing a moment of truth. Read

Chavez Hails End of ‘Yankee Hegemony’ As Russian Bombers Arrive

Russia’s defense ministry announced that two Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers landed Wednesday at a military airfield in Venezuela, where they are scheduled to carry out training flights. Read

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Foreigners Support Obama over McCain by More Than 4 to 1, Global Poll Shows

Foreigners support Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama over Republican presidential candidate John McCain by more than 4 to 1, 49 percent to 12 percent, a poll of more than 20,000 people spread across more than 20 foreign countries revealed. Read

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

No Unified Western Response to Russia

One month after Russia invaded Georgia, triggering its worst rift with the West since the Cold War ended, the likelihood of a tough, united Western response is looking more and more remote. Read

Monday, September 08, 2008

Religious ‘Defamation’ on Agenda at UN Rights Session

The United Nations’ Human Rights Council kicks off a new session in Geneva on Monday, and a controversial push by Islamic states to outlaw religious “defamation” is high on the agenda. Read

Russia Confirms Naval War Games Plan in America’s Backyard

Russian officials have confirmed plans to hold naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean, while denying that the move was in response to increased NATO naval activity in the Black Sea since last month’s war in Georgia. Read

Friday, September 05, 2008

Moscow’s Search for Int’l Backing Continues

Russia on Friday was still seeking outside support for its military intervention in the Caucasus, but even its neighboring ex-Soviet allies seemed unready to back the Kremlin’s attempt to redraw Georgia’s international borders. Read

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Foreign Media Cover Alaska’s ‘Sharp-Shooting Mom’

A week ago, most newspaper readers in Britain and Australia -- and in America, for that matter -- had never heard of Sarah Palin. Today, the Republican vice-presidential pick is a household name in those countries, as commentators line up for or against the choice of the energetic Alaska governor. Read

India’s Top Court Orders Report on Anti-Christian Violence

Amid India’s deadliest anti-Christian violence in years, the country’s central government and authorities in the affected state are under fire over a failure to tackle Hindu hardliners. Read

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

2008 GOP Platform Eliminates ‘Commitment’ to U.N.

Both critics and supporters of the United Nations have found applause-worthy features in the Republican Party platform adopted at this week’s convention. Read

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

UN Anti-Terror Effort Bogged Down Over Terrorism Definition

Seven years after the U.N. Security Council responded to 9/11 with a tough resolution aimed at tackling the scourge of terror, its ability to do so remains hamstrung by a failure to agree of a definition of terrorism – and by policies evidently designed to avoid embarrassing or annoying member states. Read

In Japan, 10 Prime Ministers in 15 Years -- and Counting

For the third September in a row, Japan is looking for a new leader, and as was the case last year, a favorite for the post is a pro-U.S. conservative whose foreign policy stances have ruffled feathers in Beijing. Read