Morning Brief: Secret order permitted attacks on al Qaeda

Top Story

Eric Schmitt and Mark Mazetti of the New York Times report on a secret order issued by former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in 2004 to allow Special Forces units to conduct raids in Syria, Pakistan, and at least 13 other countries thought to house al Qaeda operatives.

The order, which was approved by President George W. Bush, gives the U.S. military license to attack al Qaeda “anywhere in the world,” according to the Times. Schmitt and Mazetti believe there have been “nearly a dozen previously undisclosed attacks” carried out under the order’s authority and with the cooperation of the Central Intelligence Agency. Other missions were canceled for various reasons, “often to the dismay of military commanders.”

U.S. Presidential Transition

President-elect Barack Obama visits President Bush today at the White House. This could be awkward.

Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s chief of staff, indicated Sunday that the president-elect would support a bailout of the auto industry.

The AP reports on Obama’s plans for Guantánamo.

The Washington Post looks at three Bush appointees who are staying on.

Obama is reportedly planning a “wired” presidency.

Economy

Insurance company AIG is getting a new bailout.

The Washington Post reports on how the U.S. Treasury Department gave a $140 billion tax windfall to banks without notifying the Congress.

Widespread disagreement remains ahead of next weekend’s G-20 financial reform summit in Washington.

Asia

China announced a $586 billion stimulus package. Markets rejoiced.

New Zealand elected a new prime minister.

Afghanistan’s transportation minister has been sacked for alleged corruption.

Indonesian radicals reacted angrily to the execution of the Bali bombers.

The island nation of Maldives is saving to buy a new homeland, just in case.

Middle East and Africa

More than two dozen people were killed in a series of bombings in Baghdad.

Sixty Iranian economists signed a new letter condemning the policies of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Israeli politician Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue peace talks with the Palestinians if elected.

Power-sharing negotiations have collapsed again in Zimbabwe.

Europe

Russia is investigating an accident that killed 20 on a nuclear submarine.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy insists that Europe is united ahead of the G-20 summit.

The European Union wants to resume partnership talks with Russia.

Today’s Agenda

Saudi Arabian King Abdullah has arrived in the United States ahead of an interfaith meeting at the United Nations on Wednesday.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus is visiting Ireland to discuss the Lisbon Treaty. The Czech Republic assumes the EU presidency next year.

The Egyptian government was to host reconciliation talks between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah in Cairo this week, but Hamas is boycotting.

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