U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gives a coin to Navy Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class Jeffery J. Cokley, assigned to Patrol Squadron 5, Feb. 28, 2009, during an all hands call at Forward Operating Location El Salvador in Comalapa, El Salvador. Cartwright is in El Salvador to thank Sailors and Marines for their service and support.
U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Platoon, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Europe, demonstrate basic entry procedures to security personnel assigned to Naval Support Activity Naples during M-4 carbine and M-16A4 service rifle weapons familiarization training in Naples, Italy, Feb. 11, 2009.
Early Bird summary
Tuesday’s Early Bird leads with coverage of the incident involving Chinese ships in international waters Sunday from the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN. The United States has lodged a formal protest with the government in Beijing, saying five Chinese ships harassed an American surveillance vessel in international waters, in actions the Pentagon described as illegal, unprofessional and dangerous.The incident took place on Sunday about 75 miles off the coast of Hainan island, just south of the Chinese mainland. The American vessel, the Impeccable, was carrying out a surveillance mission that involved towing sonar equipment designed for anti-submarine warfare, Pentagon officials said.The Chinese vessels sailed within 25 feet of the American ship, waved flags and ordered the Impeccable to leave, Pentagon officials said. Two of the Chinese ships blocked the Impeccable after it requested safe transit, while Chinese sailors dropped pieces of wood in its path and tried to hook the cables towing the sonar equipment, the officials said.
Second tier on this morning’s Early Bird comes news from the New York Times reporting that the commander of a secretive branch of America’s Special Operations forces last month ordered a halt to most commando missions in Afghanistan, reflecting a growing concern that civilian deaths caused by American firepower are jeopardizing broader goals there.The halt, which lasted about two weeks, came after a series of nighttime raids by Special Operations troops in recent months killed women and children, and after months of mounting outrage in Afghanistan about civilians killed in air and ground strikes. The order covered all commando missions except those against the highest-ranking leaders of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, military officials said.
Also from the New York Times, with a similar article in the London Daily Telegraph comes a report saying that as the United States prepares to commit 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan, the commander of NATO and American forces there said on Monday that the coalition was “not winning” the war against the resurgent Taliban in parts of the country.Gen. David D. McKiernan’s assessment echoed that of President Obama who said in an interview that the United States was not winning the Afghan war and who raised the possibility of the American military reaching out to moderate elements of the Taliban, much as it did with Sunni militias in Iraq.In an interview published in the French newspaper Le Figaro on Monday, the French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, took the idea further, saying the West should accept a pro-Taliban leadership if Afghans choose such an administration in elections set for next August.
War has ebbed in most parts of Iraq, but not in Mosul, the third-largest city and al-Qaida's last stronghold in the fragile new democracy. And time is running out on the around-the-clock U.S. military patrols of Mosul. U.S. troops must vacate cities by June 30 under an agreement with the Iraqis, and President Obama is ending all American combat operations after August 2010, according to the Arizona Daily Star.The Iraqi security forces are not sure they'll be ready."If you don't have the Americans, this is not going to be good," said an Iraqi army captain who gave his name only as Ahmed to protect his family from insurgents. "I cannot take care of it."
Top officials of the Obama administration met privately yesterday to discuss how to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the Washington Post reports.Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. held the first Cabinet-level meeting of President Obama's Guantanamo Bay task force. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, CIA Director Leon Panetta and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III were among the participants.Obama has pledged to close the U.S. military facility in Cuba within a year, and officials must decide, among other things, which terrorism suspects to ship to other countries and which to try in U.S. courts.
Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that the five detainees at Guantánamo Bay charged with planning the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have filed a document with the military commission at the United States naval base there expressing pride at their accomplishment and accepting full responsibility for the killing of nearly 3,000 people.The document, which may be released publicly on Tuesday, uses the Arabic term for a consultative assembly in describing the five men as the “9/11 Shura Council,” and it says their actions were an offering to God, according to excerpts of the document that were read to a reporter by a government official who was not authorized to discuss it publicly.
The White House has given the Pentagon guidance to delay procurement of aerial refueling tankers by five years and cancel plans for a new long-range bomber, according to three sources close to the discussions, according to Congressional Quarterly Today.No final decisions have been made, and the recommendations are part of negotiations between the Office of Management and Budget and the Defense Department over possible budget trade-offs this year, the sources said. The guidance represents two of the offset options that OMB gave the Pentagon last month regarding the fiscal 2010 Defense budget request.
The Los Angeles Times reports that an infantry battalion from Camp Pendleton and an artillery battalion from Twentynine Palms are among the Marine units assigned to the buildup of forces in Afghanistan, the Marine Corps announced Monday.Also among the units deployed as part of the 8,000-troop 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade are an engineer battalion and helicopter squadron from Camp Pendleton.
A major tribe with close ties to the Pakistani Taliban signed an agreement with the government on Monday to hand over several of the militant group’s local leaders, to lay down arms and to stop harboring foreign militants, according to the New York Times.The agreement with the Mamoond tribe, the largest and most strategically placed in the restive Bajaur region, followed a military victory against the local Taliban last month. It was one of the first major successes of the Pakistani forces against the militants and their affiliates in Al Qaeda since they started operations in the tribal areas in 2003.
Washington Times reports that Czech President Vaclav Klaus said Monday that he is seeking a sign from President Obama as to whether the U.S. will uphold its agreement to deploy missile defenses in the Czech Republic and Poland.Mr. Klaus, an advocate for the deployment, told The Washington Times that he is eager to learn whether Mr. Obama will be as committed to the U.S. defense system as was President George W. Bush.
The resignation of the federal government's cybersecurity coordinator highlights a power struggle underway over how best to defend the government's civilian computer networks against digital attacks, according to the Washington Post.Rod A. Beckstrom resigned the post Friday after less than a year on the job, citing a lack of funding and the National Security Agency's tightening grip on government cybersecurity matters.Beckstrom is director of the National Cyber Security Center -- an organization created last March to help coordinate such security efforts across the intelligence community. But recently, Beckstrom said, efforts have been underway to fold his group into a facility at the NSA.Beckstrom said in an interview over the weekend that his group was formed to coordinate the various agencies' efforts but not to be controlled by the NSA.
Media summary
1. Leading newspaper headlines: The Washington Post leads with a look at how the Obama administration is seeking to put more restrictions on free trade even as world commerce takes a plunge this year because of the global economic crisis. (Slate Magazine)
2. New U.S.-Syria talks ‘productive’: A senior US envoy involved in the first high-level contact between the US and Syria since 2005 has said the talks were "very constructive". (BBC)
3. Iran to mull U.S. Afghan invitation: Iran would consider a US invitation to a conference on Afghanistan later this month, a government spokesman has said. (BBC)
Leading newspaper headlines
The Washington Post leads with a look at how the Obama administration is seeking to put more restrictions on free trade even as world commerce takes a plunge this year because of the global economic crisis. The administration plans to take a harder line on domestic and social issues not only when signing new trade deals but also in determining whether existing agreements will be honored. The New York Times leads with Democratic congressional leaders opposing some of the priorities that President Obama set forth in his budget. Key Democrats are questioning Obama's plan to reduce tax deductions for the wealthiest Americans, cut agriculture subsidies, and reduce spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, among other issues.
The Los Angeles Times leads locally and goes high with Obama's expansion of federal funding for stem-cell research that was accompanied by an order to federal agencies to strengthen the role of science in the policymaking process. The paper says it was the "most forceful break yet from his predecessor's controversial scientific agenda." The Wall Street Journal leads its world-wide newsbox with the Supreme Court's narrowing of the protections of the Voting Rights Act. In a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that a measure designed to help minorities elect their preferred candidate should be applied only to districts where minorities make up more than half the population. In other words, officials don't have to consider race when redrawing voting districts unless minorities make up a majority in an area. The decision could make it more difficult for minorities to challenge redistricting efforts on the basis that they would dilute their votes. USA Today devotes its top slot to Heather McNamara, a 7-year-old who successfully underwent "a daring, high-risk operation" last month. In a 23-hour surgery, doctors removed six vital organs to take out a tumor. It was the first time this kind of operation was performed on a child.
It seems the United States will soon be joining other countries that are embracing trade restrictions amid the economic downturn. Like many other governments around the world, the Obama administration is under increased pressure to protect domestic industries as cheap imports are frequently blamed for job losses. So far, Obama "appears to be toeing a line," as the WP puts it, and is carefully "avoiding words and deeds that directly smack of protectionism." Still, the White House has vowed to impose tougher labor and environmental standards on trade deals and emphasized it would seek new concessions from South Korea and Colombia before continuing with the trade agreements that were signed by the Bush administration.
The NYT declares that Obama "is taking a gamble" by allowing so many of his budget details to be fought over by lawmakers, "each with his own political and parochial calculations." But the White Hosue has made it clear it is ready to fight for its priorities, as those who are against the increased limits on tax deductions quickly found out. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders emphasized that just because issues are coming up doesn't mean that lawmakers are getting ready to gut Obama's proposal. "Not every problem is a deal breaker," Rep. John Spratt, chairman of the House budget committee, said. "We will try and make corrections and accommodations."
The WP declares that objections from Democratic lawmakers on the omnibus spending bill are "signaling that the solidarity of the stimulus debate is fading." While Democrats mostly support the ideas behind Obama's major initiatives, objections are increasing as more details are being put on the table. There are many controversial issues that have been glossed over because of the economic crisis, but they are "waiting in the wings," as Rep. Chris Van Hollen puts it, and will undoubtedly come out once Obama's priorities go from abstract goals to specific legislation.
In a front-page piece, the WP says that Obama's order to lift the limits on stem-cell research was so broad that federal funds could end up going to "much more controversial array of studies" than many had expected. The general feeling was that Obama would limit federally funded scientists to work only on cell lines from embryos that would be discarded by fertility clinics anyway. But Obama didn't give guidance on that issue, and now the National Institutes of Health must decide what kind of research will be supported with taxpayer funds. "He left it wide open," said the director of a bioethics think tank. "Now we are going to have to face a host of morally complicated, politically charged questions." Obama suggested his decision to leave the issue open was part of his pledge to allow scientists, and not politicians, to make these types of determinations.
In a strange piece, the NYT declares that Obama's order "will not divorce science from politics, or strip ideology from presidential decisions." That sounds interesting enough, but it turns out that what the NYT means by that explosive statement is that scientists won't be making policy decisions. This no-duh revelation appears to be fully recognized by scientists, who almost unanimously cheered Obama's move. "We're not dumb," said the chief executive of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, "we know that policy is made on the basis of facts and values."
In another move to get away from controversial actions by the previous administration, Obama ordered executive branch officials to consult the Justice Department before assuming that the signing statements issued by former President Bush are still valid. Bush had faced criticism throughout his administration for attaching statements to laws that directed federal officials to ignore parts of a law that he thought were invalid or restricted the president's constitutional powers. Obama vowed to limit his use of signing statements and said he would raise any constitutional objections with Congress before a bill is passed in order to increase transparency. Some criticized Obama for not going far enough and said he should have brought an end to the practice. While signing statements are typically used to guide government officials on how a law should be implemented, critics say there's still the risk that Obama would make efforts to invalidate the will of elected representatives.
The LAT fronts a look at the security crackdown in Tibet as China appears to be going to extreme lengths to prevent protests to mark the anniversary of the failed uprising that began 50 years ago today and led to the Dalai Lama's exile. A year ago, the region experienced the worst rioting in decades, and with the significant anniversary this year China hopes to avoid a repeat. Foreigners aren't allowed to travel to Tibetan areas, but residents say tens of thousands of paramilitary troops have moved in, phones have been tapped, the Internet has been blocked, and cellular communications have been disrupted so people can't send out text messages. The NYT notes this is just the beginning of what "is shaping up as a very stressful year for the nation's rulers." April marks the 10th anniversary of the major protests by the Falun Gong; the 90th anniversary of the May 4 movement is this year; the 20th anniversary of the crackdown at Tiananmen Square is in June; and in October comes the 60th anniversary of the creation of the People's Republic of China.
In the WP's op-ed page, David Smick writes that since there are no solutions to the banking crisis that don't involve huge political and financial risks, Obama's economic advisers "have adopted a three-pronged approach, delay, delay, delay." While many have been advocating for nationalization, there's a simple reason that officials are terrified to go down the road. Yes, it's the good old credit-default swaps again. "These paper derivatives have become our financial system's new master," declares Smick. The truth is no one knows what will happen, and it seems the Obama administration is paralyzed by fear. It's time for Obama to come clean to the American people, recognize the magnitude of the problem, and appoint a well-known figure who is not from Wall Street to deal with the mess. "The longer we delay fixing the banks, the faster the economy deleverages, the more credit dries up, the further the stock market falls, the higher the ultimate bank bailout price tag for the American taxpayer, and the more we risk falling into a financial black hole from which escape could take decades."
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New US-Syria talks 'constructive'
US envoy Jeffrey Feltman said he looked forward to better ties with Syria
A senior US envoy involved in the first high-level contact between the US and Syria since 2005 has said the talks were "very constructive".
Jeffrey Feltman, acting assistant US secretary of state for the Near East, met officials including Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in Damascus.
Speaking after the talks, Mr Feltman said the US looked forward to progress on bilateral ties and regional issues.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also cited Syria's regional role.
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Iran to mull US Afghan invitation
Afghanistan is Nato's biggest challenge, Hillary Clinton says
Iran would consider a US invitation to a conference on Afghanistan later this month, a government spokesman has said.
Tehran declared that it was ready to review any approach from Western powers, as it would offer any help to its eastern neighbour.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Brussels this week Iran should be included in the Afghanistan summit.
President Obama has said the United States is ready to talk to Iran if it "unclenched its fist".
Iranian government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said: "If America and European countries and others need to use Iran, they should give us [the invitation]."
Nato's 'biggest challenge'
"We will review it with the approach that we are ready to offer any help to Afghanistan," he told a news conference on Saturday, reported Reuters news agency.
Mrs Clinton, who visited Turkey on Saturday, has proposed the conference for 31 March, at a location to be decided. It aims to bring in Afghanistan's other neighbours, such as Pakistan.
She said on Thursday: "There are a lot of reasons why Iran would be interested. So they will be invited. Obviously it is up to them to decide whether to come."
She called Afghanistan "Nato's biggest military challenge".
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he hoped Iran would attend such a meeting, but noted Tehran had failed to attend recent French talks on Afghanistan.
The US is at odds with Iran over its nuclear programme, which Washington says is aimed at building an atomic bomb. Tehran says it is a civilian energy programme.
Iran, which opposed the Taleban regime toppled by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, has experienced a rise in drug use as easily available heroin from Afghan opium harvests flows across the border.
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