Morning Brief, Friday, January 26

2008

JOE RAEDLE/Getty Images

With California Republican Duncan Hunter joining the race yesterday, speculation turns to two prominent politicians who haven’t declared: Chuck Hagel and Al Gore. Hagel has gone way, way off the reservation this week in Congress and in the pages of GQ magazine, so it’s hard to image him exciting the Republican base.

Middle East

Now they’re attacking the pet fair in Baghdad?

U.S. troops may now kill Iranian operatives in Iraq. And Iran can launch spy satellites into space.

More factional fighting in Gaza. 

Impeachment hearings begin Monday for the Israeli president, who is accused of rape. 

Europe

Kosovo will be allowed to secede from Serbia, if the United States and its European allies have their way. 

Missing in Davos this year: Hollywood celebrities. 

Asia

Standing up to U.S. pressure, Hamid Karzai says Afghanistan won’t spray poppy fields. Meanwhile, the United States expects a tough spring surge from the Taliban. President Bush wants more resources in order to meet the challenge.

In India, yoga has become a topic of controversy. 

Elsewhere 

Five people were killed by gunfire in Somalia, as the African Union struggles to come up with a peacekeeping mission to fill the power vacuum in Mogadishu.

Thousands of people may starve in Zimbabwe.

Flex-fuel cars could be on the way for U.S. car buyers.