Morning Brief, Friday, June 30

Hamdan Ruling

It's very broad, it's very significant, and it's a slam."

Ouch. And that's a Bush administration lawyer talking. Here's more on the rebuke to the administration's broad interpretation of its own powers. Bush will likely go to congress seeking approval for the military tribunals. LAT's Rosa Brooks thinks yesterday's Supreme Court ruling could open the door to war-crimes prosecutions of US officials.  

Israel/Palestine

Hamas PM denounces Israeli operations in Gaza and the Palestinian Interior Ministry is hit by air strikes. Steven Erlanger reports on the attitude shift Israel has had toward Hamas this week, and the Arab street condemns the seizure of Hamas officials. Ha'aretz urges calm and for the government to return to its senses:

The government was caught up too quickly in a whirlwind of prestige mixed with fatigue. It must return to its senses at once, be satisfied with the threats it has made, free the detained Hamas politicians and open negotiations. The issue is a soldier who must be brought home, not changing the face of the Middle East.

The War on Terror

In a new recording, Osama bin Laden heaps praise on Zarqawi. Richard Clarke and Roger Cressey argue that it's folly to claim that news articles about financial tracking programs reveal counterterrorism methods to terrorists.

Elsewhere

Not a single woman wins office in Kuwaiti elections yesterday. As expected, US lawmakers offer initial support for the US-India nuclear deal. Trying to cobble a peace together in East Timor. Chinese President Hu Jintao wants to put an end to corruption. Bush seeks approval from congress for the sale of F16s to Pakistan. Iran says no dice to a response to nuclear incentives before August. After notorious Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony denies he's done wrong, one of his victims disagrees.