Morning Brief, Thursday, July 26
Middle East Pool/Getty Images The biggest Sunni umbrella group in Iraq warns it will withdraw from the government if PM Nuri al-Maliki doesn’t meet the bloc’s political demands. Bechtel, a top U.S. contractor, is meeting fewer than half of its targets in Iraq. Iran may be interested in higher-level talks with the United States, but ...
Middle East
Middle East
The biggest Sunni umbrella group in Iraq warns it will withdraw from the government if PM Nuri al-Maliki doesn’t meet the bloc’s political demands.
Bechtel, a top U.S. contractor, is meeting fewer than half of its targets in Iraq.
Iran may be interested in higher-level talks with the United States, but the Bush administration is not enthused.
Europe
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to boost his country’s military and espionage capabilities. He’s also seeking to expand the powers of the Security Council.
British PM Gordon Brown proposed a package of aggressive new anti-terrorism measures.
It’s hot in southern Europe. Very hot.
Asia
Members of the party of Japan’s struggling PM, Shinzo Abe, are attacking him on the campaign trail ahead of Sunday’s upper-house elections.
Taliban members killed one South Korean hostage; the remaining 22 are probably still alive.
An angry North Korean representative derided his country’s failed military talks with South Korea as “fruitless.”
Elsewhere
Oil is back up to $77 per barrel.
Sales of existing homes were down nearly 4 percent in the United States in June.
Ethiopia agreed to allow food shipments into Ogaden, a rebellious area that the Ethiopian government has sought to squeeze into submission in recent weeks.
Today’s Agenda
- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hosts U.N. chief Ban Ki Moon for a chat about climate change.
Yesterday on Passport
Blake Hounshell is a former managing editor of Foreign Policy.
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.