The Rebirth of the Great Power Diplomacy of the 19th Century? The First Rumblings of World War III?
THE TELEGRAPH: Last month, Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's hawkish ambassador to Nato refused to reveal how the Kremlin would retaliate if Poland agreed to co-host an American missile defence shield.

But he did promise that the response would come as a "pleasant surprise" for the West.

Just as he intended, the Kremlin's reply was neither pleasant nor, entirely, a surprise.

Alongside the ambitions of Georgia and Ukraine to join Nato, missile defence has been the principal source of tension between Moscow and the West. Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, has threatened to retrain nuclear missiles on Europe for the first time since Soviet times and Russia has already walked away from an arms treaty that was pivotal in ending the Cold War.

But the Russians have gone even further in their threats. Poland faces not just the prospect of having Russian missiles pointing in its direction but also risks "100 percent" a military attack. And not just any attack, if Gen Anatoly Nogovitysn is to be believed, but a nuclear attack.

Under Russia's military doctrine, the country's deputy chief of staff explained, the Kremlin had every justification to launch a nuclear strike against Poland if the missile shield is built.

These are strong words and we have yet to see whether this is mere bluster. Dmitry Medvedev, the president, struck a slightly more moderate note but Mr Putin, the real power in Russia, has not yet given his reaction.

Poland, unlike Georgia, is already a member of Nato. A Russian military assault on the country would, if Warsaw were to invoke article five of the Nato treaty, oblige Britain and the other members of the alliance to come to Poland's rescue. In other words, it could be the beginning of World War III. Analysis: Russia Is a Foe to Be Reckoned With >>> By Adrian Blomfield in Tbilisi | August 15, 2008

TOWNHALL.COM:
Vlad the Assailer >>> By Bill O’Reilly | August 16, 2008

MAIL Online:
Superpower Rivalry Is Once Again a Fact of Life – and Death >>> By Max Hastings | August 16, 2008

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US Demands Russian Troop Pull-Out
Photo of Saakashvili courtesy of Google Images
Watch video: President Saakashvili and the US secretary of state give a news conference >>>
BBC: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has demanded that Russian forces withdraw from Georgia immediately.

It comes after Georgia's president signed an EU-brokered ceasefire deal, after nearly five hours of talks.

In angry comments at a news briefing in Tbilisi, President Mikhail Saakashvili said his country would never accept the loss of any of its territory.

The crisis began when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia a week ago sparking Russian intervention.

President Saakashvili said he had signed the six-point ceasefire agreement - brokered by France - but that it was not a permanent solution. US Demands Russian Troop Pull-Out >>> | August 15, 2008

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Merkel fordert Abzug Rußlands
STUTTGARTER ZEITUNG ONLINE: Berlin/Moskau/Tiflis - Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel hat die russischen Militäraktionen im Südkaukasus deutlich kritisiert und Präsident Dmitri Medwedew zum Truppenanzug aus dem Kerngebiet Georgiens aufgefordert. Nach einem Gespräch mit Medwedew in Sotschi am Schwarzen Meer sagte sie am Freitag, sie habe "einige Aktionen Russlands für nicht verhältnismäßig gehalten". Dazu gehöre insbesondere die Präsenz von Truppen im Kerngebiet Georgiens.

Medwedew sagte, es sei aus seiner Sicht unwahrscheinlich, dass die abtrünnigen georgischen Regionen Südossetien und Abchasien jemals wieder Teil des Landes würden. Russland respektiere zwar das Prinzip der territorialen Integrität. "Nach allem was passiert ist, ist es unwahrscheinlich, dass Osseten und Abchasen jemals wieder in der Lage sein werden, mit Georgien in einem Staat zu leben", fügte der russische Präsident aber hinzu.

Merkel sagte, es müsse "umgehend dazu kommen, dass der Sechs-Punkte-Plan verwirklicht wird, und dass sich die russischen Truppen aus dem Kerngebiet Georgiens wieder zurückziehen". Mit einer Annahme des EU-Plan zur Beilegung der Krise wäre das Problem im Südkaukasus zwar noch nicht gelöst, aber es wäre ein Fortschritt. Merkel fordert Abzug Russlands >>> AP | 15.08.2008

STUTTGARTER ZEITUNG ONLINE:
Merkel reist nach Tiflis: Augenzeugen berichten, russische Truppen seien in Gori einmarschiert >>> DPA | 15.08.2008

NZZ Online:
Saakaschwili macht Europa Vorwürfe: Rice fordert sofortigen russischen Truppenabzug aus Georgien >>> | 15. August 2008

TAGES ANZEIGER:
Georgiens Präsident kritisiert Nato und EU: Michail Saakaschwili gibt dem Westen eine Mitschuld am blutigen Konflikt im Kaukasus >>> | 15. August 2008

LE FIGARO:
Merkel juge irraisonnable l'attitude de la Russie >>> Par Cécile de Corbière, à Berlin | 15.08.2008

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Sharia Courts in the UK: They Must Be Stopped

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Bush Condemns ‘Bullying’ Russia
Watch video: President Bush: "Russia must respect the freedom of its neighbours"
BBC: US President George W Bush has accused Russia of "bullying and intimidation" in its military actions inside Georgia.

Mr Bush demanded that Moscow respect Georgia's territorial integrity and withdraw the troops it sent in a week ago - or risk international isolation.

The crisis began when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia, sparking Russian intervention.

Meanwhile Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili said his country would never accept any foreign occupation.

In a joint news conference with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Mr Saakashvili criticised the West for not granting his country Nato membership earlier this year.

It followed nearly five hours of talks on an EU-brokered ceasefire deal.

The Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, has demanded that Georgia sign the deal immediately - but said only Russia could guarantee peace in the region. Bush Condemns ‘Bullying’ Russia >>> August 15, 2008

THE SPECTATOR:
Russia’s Aggression In Georgia Is A Portent Of Perils To Come: Philip Bobbitt says that the crisis reflects Russia’s determination to remain an old-fashioned nation state, dominating its region. Intellectual imagination will be needed to thwart that ambition: a recognition that the post-Cold War world needs new global institutions >>> By Philip Bobbitt | August 13, 2008

TIME:
Staring Down the Russians: The end of the Cold War was supposed to usher in a new age in which the major powers would no longer dictate to their neighbors how to run their affairs. That is why Russia's invasion of Georgia is so tragic and so potentially ominous. Russia is now on watch: Will it continue to rely on coercion to achieve its imperial aims or is it willing to work within the emerging international system that values cooperation and consensus? >>> By Zbigniew Brzezinski | August 15, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
After Russia's Invasion of Georgia, What Now for the West?: At least for now, the smoke seems to be clearing from the Georgian battlefield. But the extent of the wreckage reaches far beyond that small country >>> By John R Bolton | August 15, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH - Related:
Russian General Says Poland a Nuclear 'Target': Poland has made itself a nuclear target for Russia’s military by hosting elements of a US anti-missile system, a senior Russian general warned >>> By Damien McElroy in Tbilisi | August 15, 2008

MAIL Online:
Russian General Threatens Nuclear Strike on Poland as Bush Demands Moscow Withdraws from Georgia >>> | August 15, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Russia Threatens Nuclear Attack on Poland over US Missile Shield Deal: Russia threatened a nuclear strike against Poland after a landmark deal to site American global anti-missile shields in the country >>> By Harry de Quetteville and Andrew Pierce | August 15, 2008

THE GUARDIAN:
Abdullah Gül Challenges US Superpower Status: US must share power in new world order, says Turkey's controversial president >>> By Stephen Kinzer | August 16, 2008

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An Arab Country As You Might Never Have Imagined
Watch video: Out of the Closet in the Lebanon
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Danish Cartoonist Editor: We’re Ready to Face Jordan Court
THE EARTH TIMES: Amman - The Danish cartoonist who drew caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed three years ago which sparked worldwide protests by Muslims and a boycott of Danish products said he was ready to defend himself in an Amman court, Jordanian media reported Thursday. "I would like to go to Amman to stand trial. However, what I fear is that I would be convicted in advance," Kurt Westergaard told the Jordan Times in an interview that was conducted in Copenhagen earlier this week.

On June 3, Amman Prosecutor Hassan Abdullat subpoenaed Westergaard and 20 other Danish journalists and editors involved in the republication of the 12 controversial images that were originally published in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten in September 2005.

The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed in April by a coalition of media outlets, professional syndicates and political parties.

The prosecutor's move was based on articles in the Jordanian penal code and the country's Press and Publication Law.

Westergaard said he had learnt that he had been subpoenaed by the Amman prosecutor, but that he had not been officially notified of the subpoena.

Asked about the rationale behind the pictures, the 73-year-old artist said, "I made the cartoons to highlight that there are some terrorists who misuse Islam and they take it as their spiritual ammunition."

"I wanted to depict the terrorists as if they were taking the Prophet Mohammed as a hostage. I have no problems with Islam but with the terrorists."

Westergaard described himself as an atheist and stressed his respect for Islam and all religions, but refused to apologize.

"I respect Islam and its followers and I have nothing against it. However, I will not apologize. We have freedom of the press and religion in Denmark," he said. Danish Cartoonist, Editor: We're Ready to Face Jordan Court >>> By DPA | August 14, 2008

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Diana West: Roars About Russia, Bare Whispers About Islam
TOWNHALL.COM: Amazing how quickly the punditocracy switches maps, time zones and histories, simultaneously mastering new combinations of consonants and vowels, to report and react to a "surprise" conflict in Georgia. It's almost hard to recall that, just a few days ago, the most urgent questions confounding most of the media had to do with just how narcissistic John Edwards really is, or what the ramifications of Barack Obama's plans to announce his vice presidential pick via text message might finally be.

Since the sight of tanks rolling usually has a way of concentrating the media mind, the question has become: Whither Russia?
In truth, the demise of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn earlier this month was a journalistic godsend. After all, who hadn't already dusted off their long-retired Soviet history books -- not to mention their long-retired Soviet history experts, all of whom have had the busiest couple of weeks in years -- by the time Vladimir Putin announced last week that "war has started" over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?

Historical memory somewhat refreshed, Western media were ready with the headlines -- "The evil empire is back"; "Welcome to the 19th century"; "The Russian bear's new teeth" -- to promote the main thrust of most stories: namely, that Russia is reverting to tsarist, expansionist, Soviet-style, empire-amassing type. Roars About Russia, Bare Whispers About Islam >>> By Diana West | August 15, 2008

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US Court Rules Saudi Arabia Immune in 9/11 Case
REUTERS: NEW YORK - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, four princes and other Saudi entities are immune from a lawsuit filed by victims of the September 11 attacks and their families alleging they gave material support to al Qaeda, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday.

The ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld a 2006 ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Casey dismissing a claim against Saudi Arabia, a Saudi charity, four princes and a Saudi banker of providing material support to al Qaeda before the September 11 attacks. U.S. Court Rules Saudi Arabia Immune in 9/11 Case >>> | August 14, 2008

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Conservatives’ Favourite Think-Tank Group to Be Sued by Muslims
THE INDEPENDENT: Policy exchange, the right-wing think-tank with close links to Conservative leader David Cameron's inner circle, is facing legal action for accusing British mosques of distributing extremist literature.

The Independent has learnt that the Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in west London has hired the law firm Carter Ruck to sue the think-tank for defamation. An initial complaint will be made "very soon", a source close to the case said.

Al-Manaar claims that Policy Exchange fabricated several receipts used as evidence of purchase. The North London Central Mosque in Finsbury Park, from which the jailed radical preacher Abu Hamza gave sermons, is also understood to be pursuing libel action against the think-tank through the solicitors' firm Dean and Dean. Tories’ Favourite Think-Tank Group Sued by Muslims >>> By Amol Rajan | August 15, 2008

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Die Tage Musharrafs scheinen gezählt
NZZ Online: Die Zeichen mehren sich, dass Pakistans Präsident Musharraf in den nächsten Tagen zurücktreten könnte. Vieles deutet darauf hin, dass Musharraf dem drohenden Amtsenthebungsverfahren entgehen möchte und ins Exil abwandern will. Für die USA bedeutet dies, dass die Karten in diesem geopolitisch wichtigen Gebiet neu gemischt werden.

hoh. Er war General, Putschist und Präsident. Nun droht dem zeitweilen engsten Verbündeten der USA im Hindukusch ein glanz- und ruhmloser Abgang. Die Rede ist von Pervez Musharraf, Präsident der Republik Pakistan. Seit Tagen betreiben die USA Diplomatie auf Hochtouren. Ihr Ziel lautet: Musharraf dazu bewegen, vor Beginn eines Amtsenthebungsverfahren gegen ihn zum Rücktritt zu bewegen. Das ist für einen Staats- und Militärmann eine besonders bittere Pille, lenkte er doch die Geschicke des Landes während gut zehn Jahren. Die Tage Musharrafs scheinen gezählt: Rücktritt von Pakistans Präsidenten immer wahrscheinlicher >>> | 15. August 2008

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Assomption : 50 000 pèlerins 
à Paris et à Lourdes
LE FIGARO: Moins d'un mois avant la visite en France de Benoît XVI, du 12 au 15 septembre, le culte marial confirme son renouveau.

Des milliers de catholiques pratiquants s'apprêtent à suivre messes et processions prévues un peu partout en France pour le 15 août, fête de l'Assomption, qui célèbre «l'enlèvement» au ciel de la Vierge Marie. Cette année, marquée par la venue en septembre prochain du pape Benoît XVI en France, devrait connaître un éclat particulier, tandis que le culte marial confirme son renouveau. À Paris, quelque 20 000 fidèles sont attendus. Certains ont participé dès hier soir à la désormais traditionnelle procession fluviale qui ouvre les festivités, dans l'île de la Cité. Assomption : 50 000 pèlerins 
à Paris et à Lourdes >>> C.G. | 14.08.2008

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Canada to Expel US Army Deserter
BBC: Canada is to deport a United States soldier who fled to the country to avoid deployment in Iraq.

Spc Jeremy Hinzman, 29, was told his family's application for refugee status had been turned down by Canada.

His supporters say Spc Hinzman, who had already served a tour of duty in Afghanistan, was the first Iraq war resister to seek sanctuary in Canada.

Some 200 deserters from the US military are believed to have fled to Canada, some living incognito.

Others have sought refugee status.

Lee Zaslofsky, a spokesman for the War Resisters' Support Campaign, a pressure group helping US deserters in Canada, told AFP news agency Spc Hinzman would face "cruel" and "harsh" punishment in the United States.

Deserters from the US military face a court martial and up to five years in prison. Canada to Expel US Army Deserter >>> | August 13, 2008

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Italy Angered by ‘Fascist’ Label
BBC: The Italian government has lashed out at an influential Catholic magazine which suggested fascism might be resurfacing within the government.

An editorial in the Famiglia Cristiana weekly is critical of government policy towards the Roma community.

Two cabinet ministers said the tone of the article was "irresponsible".

The Vatican has also distanced itself from the publication with a papal spokesman saying it "does not reflect the views of the Holy See".

In an article due to appear in the magazine next week, editorialist Beppe Del Colle writes: "Let's hope their fears are unfounded that another form of fascism is looming here".

'Bludgeoning tone'

The article is accompanied by a famous image of a Jewish child being searched in the Warsaw ghetto.

The magazine has repeatedly denounced tough new measures introduced by Silvio Berlusconi's rightwing government targeting the Roma, or Gypsy, communities whom officials blame for much of the country's violent and petty crime.

One junior minister, Carlo Giovanardi, attacked the magazine saying: "You are fascists, with your bludgeoning tone". Italy Angered by ‘Fascist’ Label >>> | August 14, 2008

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Ahmadinejad Hails Ties with Turkey
BBC: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has highlighted what he says are the strong links between Iran and Turkey ahead of a two-day visit there.

It is his first official visit there since taking office three years ago.

Speaking to reporters at Tehran airport, he said relations had gained momentum since the Islamic Revolution in Iran nearly three decades ago.

The two countries are expected to sign a deal to supply more Iranian gas to Turkey - a close Nato and US ally.

The visit has already provoked controversy in the press over the usual protocol of foreign leaders visiting the mausoleum of the founder of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, says the BBC's Pam O'Toole.

Turkish media have speculated Mr Ahmadinejad is holding talks in Istanbul rather than Ankara to sidestep paying respects to Ataturk, a champion of secularism. Iran President Hails Turkish Ties >>> | August 14, 2008

NZZ Online:
Irans Präsident Ahmadinejad zu Besuch in der Türkei: Gespräche über Atomprogramm und wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit | 14. August 2008

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Arab First Ladies: Short Skirts, High Heels & Wind in the Hair
Photo of the Lebanese and Syrian first ladies, Waafa Sleiman (left) and Assma al-Assad, caught in a gust of wind in a welcoming ceremony in Damascus. Image courtesy of the BBC
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We Need to Stop Being Such Cowards about Islam
THE INDEPENDENT: This is a column condemning cowardice – including my own. It begins with the story of a novel you cannot read. The Jewel of Medina was written by a journalist called Sherry Jones. It recounts the life of Aisha, a girl who was married off at the age of six to a 50-year-old man called Mohamed ibn Abdallah. On her wedding day, Aisha was playing on a see-saw outside her home. Inside, she was being betrothed. The first she knew of it was when she was banned from playing out in the street with the other children. When she was nine, she was taken to live with her husband, now 53. He had sex with her. When she was 14, she was accused of adultery with a man closer to her own age. Not long after, Mohamed decreed that his wives must cover their faces and bodies, even though no other women in Arabia did.

You cannot read this story today – except in the Koran and the Hadith. The man Mohamed ibn Abdallah became known to Muslims as "the Prophet Mohamed", so our ability to explore this story is stunted. The Jewel of Medina was bought by Random House and primed to be a best-seller – before a University of Texas teacher saw proofs and declared it "a national security issue". Random House had visions of a re-run of the Rushdie or the Danish cartoons affairs. Sherry Jones's publisher has pulped the book. It's gone.

In Europe, we are finally abolishing the lingering blasphemy laws that hinder criticism of Christianity. But they are being succeeded by a new blasphemy law preventing criticism of Islam – enforced not by the state, but by jihadis. I seriously considered not writing this column, but the right to criticise religion is as precious – and hard-won – as the right to criticise government. We have to use it or lose it. We Need to Stop Being Such Cowards about Islam >>> By Johann Hari | August 14, 2008

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American Whites ‘Will Be a Minority by 2042'
THE INDEPENDENT: White people will no longer make up a majority of Americans by 2042, according to new US government projections. That's eight years sooner than previous estimates, made in 2004.

The United States has been growing more diverse for decades, but the process has sped up through immigration and higher birth rates among minority residents, especially Hispanics.

It is also growing older.

"The white population is older and very much centered around the aging baby boomers who are well past their high fertility years," said William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

"The future of America is epitomised by the young people today. They are basically the melting pot we are going to see in the future."

The Census Bureau released population projections until 2050, based on rates for births, deaths and immigration.

They are subject to big revisions, depending on immigration policy, cultural changes and natural or manmade disasters.

The US has nearly 305 million people today. The population is projected to hit 400 million in 2039 and 439 million in 2050.

White non-Hispanics make up about two-thirds of the population, but only 55 per cent of those younger than 5.

By 2050, whites will make up 46 per cent of the population and blacks will make up 15 per cent, a relatively small increase from today. Hispanics, who make up about 15 per cent of the population today, will account for 30 per cent in 2050, according to the new projections. American Whites ‘Will Be a Minority by 2042’ >>> AP | August 14, 2008

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Dawkins Tries to Reason with a Muslim

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Pat Condell: A Secular World Is a Sane World

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