Morning Brief, Tuesday, November 27
Middle East Getty Images The Annapolis Conference begins today amid diminished expectations from observers and “restrained optimism” from the White House. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said he only agreed to participate because the Bush administration promised to wrap up negotiations within a year. Back in Gaza, hardliners condemned the peace talks. The governments of Iraq ...
Middle East
Middle East
The Annapolis Conference begins today amid diminished expectations from observers and “restrained optimism” from the White House. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said he only agreed to participate because the Bush administration promised to wrap up negotiations within a year. Back in Gaza, hardliners condemned the peace talks.
The governments of Iraq and the United States agreed to negotiate a long-term security arrangement. Text of the joint declaration here.
Iran has a new missile with a claimed range of 1,250 miles.
Abu Dhabi is set to buy $7.5 billion worth of shares in Citigroup.
Asia
In Beijing, French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned that China could face carbon taxes on its exports to Europe.
Chinese officials said the Three Gorges Dam has nothing to do with all of those pesky geological and environmental problems.
Pakistani President and Army Chief of Staff Pervez Musharraf bade his troops adieu Tuesday in Rawalpindi and promised to step down from his military post on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Army claims it is making progress against pro-Taliban militants in the tribal area of Swat.
Europe
Youth violence is spreading in the suburbs of Paris.
Iceland tops the U.N.’s Human Development Index, surpassing Norway. (The United States slipped four places to rank 12th in this year’s Index.)
In a booming Russia, Soviet-style nostalgia wear is the epitome of chic.
Elsewhere
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore visited the White House yesterday and met President Bush privately for the first time since December 2000.
Hugo Chávez is building a “socialist city” in the mountains of Venezuela.
Consulting firm Deloitte announced its 2007 list of the fastest-growing companies in North America, with Sirius satellite radio taking the top spot.
Today’s Agenda
- South Korea’s defense minister is in North Korea to discuss ways to reduce border tensions.
- NASA will publish new, more detailed map of Antarctica.
- London hosts the British Fashion Awards.
- Zurich welcomes various masters of the universe for Hedge Funds World 2007.
Yesterday on Passport
- Will we still be paying for Iraq in 2100?
- I guess you get what you pay for
- A tale of two color revolutions
Web Exclusive
- The FP Debate: Should the U.S. Abandon Pervez Musharraf?
Is it time to send Pervez Musharraf packing? Two top experts on South Asia, Daniel Markey of the Council on Foreign Relations and Husain Haqqani of Boston University, square off on the tottering Pakistani president’s fate.
Blake Hounshell is a former managing editor of Foreign Policy.
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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.
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