Morning Brief, Thursday, October 26
Iraq The Post's Thomas Ricks gives Bush's presser yesterday the treatment, stressing that the rhetoric about progress in Iraq appears to be unraveling. The U.S. can't even get Maliki to get behind timelines. And with five more U.S. troops killed yesterday, this month continues to be one of the deadliest since the war began. Ellen ...
Iraq
Iraq
The Post's Thomas Ricks gives Bush's presser yesterday the treatment, stressing that the rhetoric about progress in Iraq appears to be unraveling. The U.S. can't even get Maliki to get behind timelines. And with five more U.S. troops killed yesterday, this month continues to be one of the deadliest since the war began.
Ellen Knickmeyer's contribution today about how chaos in Iraq has silenced democracy activists in Syria has to depress even the most diehard Iraq optimist.
Afghanistan and NATO
Local officials contend that dozens of civilians have been killed in NATO operations in southern Afghanistan in recent days. NATO is investigating the allegations.
Extreme wealth
Who's the highest paid CEO? By everyone's count, it's Barry Diller – who, by one estimate, took home $295 million last year. And today Goldman Sachs released the list of the lucky 115 new partners it has named – a golden ticket to astronomical bonuses and influence.
Elsewhere
A landmark domestic violence law goes into effect in India today. A poll authority crisis rocks an already tense Bangladesh. Thousands of students angry about a fake diploma scandal riot in eastern China. And an uneasy France faces new violence on the eve of the anniversary of last year's riots.
More from Foreign Policy

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?
The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World
It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.
Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing
The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.