Morning Brief, Tuesday, December 4

Middle East

ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images

Iran hailed the new U.S. National Intelligence Estimate on its nuclear program as proof that its intentions are peaceful. Obviously, the NIE undermines the U.S. administration’s claims (World War III, anyone?) at a time when it is pushing for a third round of U.N. sanctions.

In a separate incident, Iran expelled Canada’s ambassador.

The Iraqi Red Crescent estimates that as many as 28,000 Iraqis have come home since mid-September.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has questions about the U.S. military’s assessment of the independence of Iraqi security forces.

Asia

The U.S. military is considering arming Afghan tribes against the Taliban and al Qaeda.

Pakistan’s two major opposition parties met to coordinate a possible boycott of the upcoming elections, scheduled for January 8.

Taiwan’s 15-year-olds lead the world in math skills, according to a new survey by the OECD. Surprisingly, Finland scores among the top two in math, reading, and science.

Europe

The British teacher who was jailed for naming a teddy bear “Mohammed” arrived home from Sudan.

Unemployment in the eurozone has fallen to its lowest level since 1999.

Italian police arrested dozens of Mafia members in fresh raids on the notorious Cosa Nostra.

Elsewhere

The United States may withdraw its support for the Somali transitional federal government and back an independent Somaliland. As it happens, Somalia’s president is in serious condition in a Kenyan hospital. Meanwhile, the U.N. World Food Programme is sounding the alarm about the humanitarian situation, especially in Mogadishu.

On the hot seat in Bali: China, India, and the United States—the three major countries that have resisted a binding international emissions regime.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez says his mistake was in timing the referendum before Venezuelans were “politically mature enough” for socialism.

The world is losing the war on pirated goods, top officials say. 

Today’s Agenda

• Poland’s new prime minister, Donald Tusk, is visiting EU officials in Brussels.
• The president of Macedonia visits China.
• Hanukkah begins today at sundown.
• The winners of the Worst EU Lobbying Awards of 2007 are to be announced in Brussels.
• U.S. President George W. Bush will hold a news conference at 10:10 a.m. EST today to change the subject from Iran discuss Iraq war funding.

Yesterday on Passport

• What We’re Reading
• Suspect in Litvinenko murder wins parliament seat
• Wolfowitz returns… so what?

Web Exclusive

• The Truth About Sovereign Wealth Funds
  Worried about oil-rich foreigners taking over your economy? You shouldn’t be. In reality, it is citizens of unaccountable, paternalistic regimes who stand to lose most when rulers play games with their national wealth. By Anders Åslund