Morning Brief, Monday, October 2

War on terror

Rice rejects an account in Bob Woodward's new book that she ignored warnings from CIA Director Tenet about al Qaeda in the months before September 11. 

Harder to ignore is the revelation from a letter found in the "treasure trove" of documents when Zarqawi was killed in Iraq: Al Qaeda HQ is indeed in Pakistan. Is anyone surprised? More trouble for Musharraf over the weekend when claims in his new book are challenged and the lead investigator for this summer's Mumbai train bombings accused Pakistan's spy agency of masterminding the attack.

Is Iran increasing its support for Taliban militants?

Elections in Brazil

Lula fails – just barely – to win outright reelection in Brazil and will now go head-to-head with Geraldo Alckmin next month for the presidency in a race that is looking increasingly competitive.

Hamas and Fatah

Clashes between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza over unpaid salaries leave several dead and the offices of the Hamas-led government destroyed. 

Elsewhere

Don't miss Sens. McCain, Warner, and Graham separating the detainee bill's fact from fiction. Or Joseph Margulies on the unreliability of any form of torture.  

Clashes in Darfur leave dozens dead and force foreign aid workers out one of the largest camps. Is it time to issue an ultimatum to Sudan: Accept U.N. peacekeepers or face the military consequences?

Thailand's new prime minister, a retired general, was sworn in yesterday, though his appointment sends a less than stellar message to those hoping to see Thailand back on the path to democracy. 

EU-US talks on sharing airline passenger data break down over the weekend. Russia and Georgia ramp up the rhetoric, though Georgia hopes to defuse the diplomatic crisis by releasing alleged spies.