Wednesday, September 01, 2010

09/01/10

* Obama declares U.S. combat mission in Iraq over After more than seven years of war, President Barack Obama declared the combat mission in Iraq over on Tuesday night.

* Trying to Buck Odds, Obama Takes On 3 Big Mideast Tasks President Obama is attempting a triple play this week that eluded his predecessors over the past two decades.

* Barak to Haaretz: Israel ready to cede parts of Jerusalem in peace deal Ehud Barak has always vacillated between peace and security, dovishness and hawkishness, left wing and right wing.

* A Peace Plan Within Our Grasp It's been 10 long years since the Palestinians and Israelis last came close to establishing a permanent peace.

* Sarkozy, Mubarak see role for Mediterranean Union in Mideast talks French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Egyptian counterpart, Hosny Mubarak, said Monday in Paris that the Mediterranean Union (UPM) could yet become an important factor in finding a peace settlement in the Mideast.

* US moves into final military phase in Iraq The U.S. on Wednesday moved into the final phase of its military involvement in Iraq.

* Dr. Kedar Warns: Iran May Take Over Persian Gulf Dr. Mordechai Kedar, an expert on Arab politics and Islamic Fundamentalism at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies warns that Iran may be planning a full takeover of Persian Gulf states.

* Italian Outrage Over Gaddafi 'Convert-to-Islam' Party in Rome Italian politicians and media expressed outrage this week over a "convert-to-Islam" party held in Rome by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

* Barroso blames capitals for plunge in EU popularity Faced with a plunging popularity of the EU institutions, European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso has blamed national capitals for not defending the European project.

* Ashton: West Bank killings aimed at peace talks The gunning down of four Israeli civilians in the West Bank on Tuesday (31 August) must not derail the new round of Middle East peace talks.