News and Analysis (12/1/09)

Tripling the troop commitment since his inauguration, the President has made Afghanistan War Obama’s war:

• Obama Issues Order for More Troops in Afghanistan (NY Times)

Facing political pressure from every branch of government,  Zardari can’t appease everyone:

• Pakistan’s Zardari Holds Off His Political Foes — For Now (Washington Post)

Tory MP complains, “A normal nation would stop a yacht, check it out, maybe take it back to shore and get rid of them. But this is five, six days into the incident. That is much more worrying, that is more deliberate”:

• Iran Threatens ‘Hard Measures’ Against Seized British Yachtsmen (Guardian)

Abu Dhabi, “cautiously expanding its skyline and portfolio,” warns it may have already put too many assets into Dubai, saying, “‘At some point, you have to temper your support for your own brother when he keeps getting into trouble”:

• Upstart Dubai Turns to Staid Abu Dhabi for Aid (LA Times)

Forbidden to run and shoved out of their own bathroom, women decribe the second-class treatment of Hajj:

• Muslim Women Search for a Space at Hajj (AP / Washington Post)

A reminder than Iran’s nuclear history began with heavy US support:

• The Roots of Iran’s Nuclear Program (CS Monitor)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant