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Tito Boeri, Bocconi University | October 15, 2008 Europe has a plan to bail out the banking system, but it might be hard to convince European taxpayers to pick up the bill. ++ In reality gross debt will increase, not taxpayer debt, and by saving banks we save million of jobs - yet strong opposition from national parliaments is still likely. ++ To convince taxpayers, leaders in Europe must do three things: ...More

Ramzy Baroud, Palestine Chronicle | October 15, 2008 Europe is showing willingness to take greater part in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but willingness isn’t readiness. ++ The EU must first stop treating Israel with sensitivity, while simply treating Palestine like a poor country. ++ Israel shuns EU involvement, claiming Europe is soft on terror and rampant with anti-Semitism; thus, its role has always ...More

Editorial, The New York Times | October 15, 2008 Even President Bush has now come to realize that Afghanistan is "the real frontline in the war on terror." ++ America's sixteen intelligence agencies agree that Afghanistan is on a "downward spiral." ++ Sobering estimates say it will be five to ten years before Afghanistan is stabilized. ++ More troops are needed and if NATO allies are unwilling to send them, ...More

Joschka Fischer, Die Zeit (in German) | October 15, 2008 Merkel’s uncertainty regarding the financial crisis is becoming increasingly evident. ++ Recently, three “Merkel myths” have been dispelled: the CSU loss in Bayern ended the idea of Merkel’s electoral invincibility; her rejection of an EU financial rescue plan proves she is not a European; and political vacillation has cast doubt on her ...More

Editorial, The New York Times | October 14, 2008 The nuclear deal with Korea appears to be back on track, which is the only thing President Bush has going for himself. ++ The deal seems predicated on Washington removing Pyongyang from the terror list in exchange for limited inspection access. ++ It is far from an ideal arrangement as "it includes vague and confidential terms that could cause problems." ++ The ...More

Editorial, China View | October 14, 2008 G20 nations represent 85 percent of the world's economy. ++ The forum is essential for addressing the financial meltdown. ++ Developed nations urgently need liquidity; the vast reserves of foreign capital held by emerging economies are the remedy. ++ Bush's first appearance at the G20 highlights this very fact. ++ "It's of all nations' common interest to take ...More

M. A. Saki, Tehran Times | October 14, 2008 As the captains of industry continue to rake in profits with the help of bailouts from "government cronies" without a care for the environment, the ecosystem is facing disaster. ++ We live in a "culture of wastefulness," where a higher standard of living, such as owning a car, often contributes to environmental damage. ++ Education is the solution. ++ The ...More

S. Markedonov, Political and Military Analysis Institute | October 14, 2008 Moscow's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia does not correlate with universal approval, and an international dialogue concerning the status of Georgia is set to begin. ++ Europe has proven itself too dissolute to confront Russia openly: Sarkozy has advocated global mediation, emphasizing Georgia's weakness, and Merkel speaks of "Georgia's core ...More

S. Tilford & P. Whyte, Centre for European Reform | October 14, 2008 Though the UK economy has become more "European," one area of contrast endures: the euro. ++ UK capitalism has been discredited and the credit crunch will be a test that may prove independent currency is bad for financial stability, reviving the case for joining the euro. ++ However, disparities in production, investment, wages and yields between EU countries ...More

Max Hastings, The Guardian | October 13, 2008 The Taliban are losing battles in Afghanistan but are winning the war. ++ The situation looks grimmer now than ever before. ++ The war looks it can’t be won, but we must keep trying. ++ NATO can’t win alone, but it should help the Afghan army defend its government - if it’s willing. ++ A civil war could possibly be a key step before being able ...More