Morning Brief, Wednesday, June 14

The NYT calls Bush's surprise visit to Baghdad yesterday "powerful political theater," summing up most of the other coverage. Maliki was less comfortable: Mr. Maliki, at 56 a newcomer to government office, appeared uneasy at times during the visit, smiling when he greeted Mr. Bush on his arrival in the palace rotunda, but otherwise looking ...

The NYT calls Bush's surprise visit to Baghdad yesterday "powerful political theater," summing up most of the other coverage. Maliki was less comfortable:

The NYT calls Bush's surprise visit to Baghdad yesterday "powerful political theater," summing up most of the other coverage. Maliki was less comfortable:

Mr. Maliki, at 56 a newcomer to government office, appeared uneasy at times during the visit, smiling when he greeted Mr. Bush on his arrival in the palace rotunda, but otherwise looking mostly somber. One Iraqi official said the visit was a double-edged sword for Mr. Maliki — allowing Iraq's 25 million people to see that he enjoyed the personal backing of the American leader, but also inviting criticism from Iraqis who regard most of the politicians who have run for office under the American-sponsored elections as American stooges.

But Maliki's seizing the opportunity to turn the boat around. Tough new security measures around Baghdad were put in place today, with 40,000 Iraqi and US troops out on the streets.

ElBaradei rubber stamps the US-India nuclear deal, calling it a "creative break with the past" that will be a "step forward for both India and the international community." 

Ignatius calls on the US to close Guantanamo because it is dehumanizing the captors, and a former prisoner at the camp describes his despondent years there. 

Somali Islamists seize another key town north of Mogadishu, even as they assure the West that they are Somalia's best chance for peace and stability

Closing arguments in Saddam's trial will begin Monday. France jails 25 Islamist militants for planning attacks in France in support of Chechan militants. A look inside Iran's most notorious jail. New Pew survey finds favorable views of the United States slipping further around the world.

A new oil balance of power is emerging, and the GAO warns the US is unprepared for a Venezuelan oil embargo. Friedman hammers away at GM's subsidized gasoline offer.

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

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