Morning Brief, Wednesday, April 2
Europe MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images Speaking in Bucharest, Romania, U.S. President George W. Bush urged NATO to “maintain its resolve and finish the fight” in Afghanistan and in the broader war on terrorism. He also urged the alliance to accept new members, but several key NATO countries are skeptical that Ukraine and Georgia will be allowed ...
Europe
Europe
Speaking in Bucharest, Romania, U.S. President George W. Bush urged NATO to “maintain its resolve and finish the fight” in Afghanistan and in the broader war on terrorism. He also urged the alliance to accept new members, but several key NATO countries are skeptical that Ukraine and Georgia will be allowed to begin the accession process.
Irish PM Bertie Ahern is resigning over allegations of financial impropriety, though he says, “I have done no wrong.”
Belarus wants the U.S. Embassy in Minsk to cut its staff to seven.
Asia
The air in Beijing is safe for up to an hour, according to the International Olympic Committee. Amnesty International says that the human rights situation in China is getting worse, not better, with the Olympics. More here.
“Muslim extremists” tried to start a rebellion in the Uighur-dominated Xinjiang region, China says.
Inflation is Asia’s biggest worry, according to the Asian Development Bank.
Middle East
U.S.-made parts used for bomb detonators in Iraq have been traced back to the United Arab Emirates.
The Iraqi government’s handling of its recent offensive in Basra is raising doubts about the viability of further U.S. troops withdrawals.
2008 U.S. Elections
John McCain traded insults with David Letterman last night. Funny stuff.
Reuters asks: Can McCain win if the U.S. economy tanks?
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson explains why he endorsed Barack Obama.
Elsewhere
A runoff election in Zimbabwe is looking increasingly likely, though opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is already acting as if he’s won.
The infamous John Yoo “torture memo” has been released in full.
Global views of the United States are getting better, according to a new BBC World Service poll. Full results here (pdf).
The Cuban government is encouraging private farmers to plant crops on fallow, state-owned land.
Riots have broken out in the Ivory Coast and several other West African countries over rising food prices.
Today’s Agenda
- For the first time since 1992, a Russian president is attending a NATO summit.
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is visiting China for round three of the “strategic economic dialogue.”
- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifes on Capitol Hill. Some in Wall Street apparently think the worst is over for the credit crisis.
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.
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