Read This: April 19, 2010 04/19/2010
In case you missed it, Venezuela Militia Day pics (click for more from the Telegraph)
What Our Foreign Policy Should Look Like (Ignatius, WashPo)
The free flow of information has become a decisive strategic variable. That's why dictators are terrified of "color revolutions" broadcast live on CNN. Iran's leaders know that if the world is connected via the Internet, they can't ruthlessly suppress protesters in the streets. Chinese leaders fear that if people can search the Internet freely through Google, the Communist Party will lose an essential tool of control.
Turkey's Iran Ambiguity (Schleifer, JTA)
As an American-led consensus appears to be developing around the need for a new round of sanctions to deal with Iran’s nuclear program, Turkey -- a U.S. ally and NATO member -- is emerging as something of a wild card on the issue. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed accusations that Tehran wants to develop nuclear weapons as “rumors.” Also, in recent months he has focused attention on Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, saying it should be examined as well if Iran’s nuclear program is being scrutinized.
Egypt Strategy (Carnegie)
Egypt is at a critical turning point. It faces substantial leadership changes in the near future without a fair and transparent political process. With three sets of elections coming up over the next eighteen months, Egypt now has the opportunity to energize a process of political, economic, and social reform. If the government responds to demands for responsible political change, Egypt can face the future as a more democratic nation with greater domestic and international support. If, on the other hand, the opportunity for reform is missed, prospects for stability and prosperity in Egypt will be in doubt
The free flow of information has become a decisive strategic variable. That's why dictators are terrified of "color revolutions" broadcast live on CNN. Iran's leaders know that if the world is connected via the Internet, they can't ruthlessly suppress protesters in the streets. Chinese leaders fear that if people can search the Internet freely through Google, the Communist Party will lose an essential tool of control.
Turkey's Iran Ambiguity (Schleifer, JTA)
As an American-led consensus appears to be developing around the need for a new round of sanctions to deal with Iran’s nuclear program, Turkey -- a U.S. ally and NATO member -- is emerging as something of a wild card on the issue. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed accusations that Tehran wants to develop nuclear weapons as “rumors.” Also, in recent months he has focused attention on Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, saying it should be examined as well if Iran’s nuclear program is being scrutinized.
Egypt Strategy (Carnegie)
Egypt is at a critical turning point. It faces substantial leadership changes in the near future without a fair and transparent political process. With three sets of elections coming up over the next eighteen months, Egypt now has the opportunity to energize a process of political, economic, and social reform. If the government responds to demands for responsible political change, Egypt can face the future as a more democratic nation with greater domestic and international support. If, on the other hand, the opportunity for reform is missed, prospects for stability and prosperity in Egypt will be in doubt
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