Month: July 2009

Clinton Seeks ‘Multi-Partner World,’ Warns Iran on Time

In her first comprehensive policy address since becoming secretary of state nearly six months ago, Hillary Clinton Wednesday called for a "multi-partner” — as opposed to a "multi-polar" — world" and defended President Barack Obama’s policy of engagement with adversaries, including Iran. But she also warned Tehran that time is growing short for it to … Continue reading “Clinton Seeks ‘Multi-Partner World,’ Warns Iran on Time”

Kurds Caught Up in Biden’s Diplomatic Offensive

The indefinite postponement of a referendum on Iraqi Kurdistan’s controversial draft constitution just days after a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has given rise to speculation that Washington may have played a role in the delay. Despite initial expectations that the charter would be put to a vote on Jul. 25 amid Kurdish … Continue reading “Kurds Caught Up in Biden’s Diplomatic Offensive”

Wednesday: 14 Iraqis Killed, 69 Wounded

Updated at 11:36 p.m. EDT, July 15, 2009 At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 69 more were wounded on what would have been a quiet day if not for a bombing in Ramadi. The bombing and an unrelated arrest in another Anbar city may signal that the quiet province could once again see regular violence from Sunni militias.

Clinton Orders Review to Enhance ‘Smart Power’

In a new initiative designed to reduce the imbalance between "hard" and "soft" power in U.S. policies abroad, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has launched a planning process designed to better coordinate U.S. foreign and development policies in pursuit of what Clinton has called "smart power." Speaking at "town-hall meetings" at the State Department and … Continue reading “Clinton Orders Review to Enhance ‘Smart Power’”

Israeli Spy Ring Threatens Fragile Peace

RAMALLAH – The UN Security Council has warned that the existence of a large Israeli-run espionage network in Lebanon could threaten a fragile peace established between the two countries following the end of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war. Lebanon’s citizens and its security establishment have been rocked by the arrest of over 30 Lebanese military and … Continue reading “Israeli Spy Ring Threatens Fragile Peace”

The Remaking of Iraq

Anthony Shadid has, without a doubt, been the finest American mainstream journalist to cover Iraq in the period after the 2003 invasion. He’s now back in Baghdad for the Washington Post, telling the saddest story of all (“In the City of Cement“). Here’s part of what he wrote just after American troops largely withdrew to … Continue reading “The Remaking of Iraq”