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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 any kind of agreement between factions is reached. ++ Aiming for conventional democracy in Afghanistan is pointless; our only hope now is for controlled warlordism.

God Save the Queen - She is Saving Us

Paul Krugman, The New York Times | October 13, 2008

Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling “have shown us the way through this financial crisis.” ++ The British Prime Minister and his officials lead the world in assessing the financial crisis and quickly enacting an apt solution. ++ The problem: lack of capital in the banking system; Brown’s solution: equity injections, a type of temporary nationalization, with the first commitment of funds coming to banks today. ++ The continent is following suit, injecting funds into European banks, and even Paulson is now beginning to see the light.

G7 Must Work With IMF to Avert Global Recession

Peter Boone & Simon Johnson | October 13, 2008

It will not suffice if the G7 only saves the financial systems of its own members. ++ The wealthiest nations can afford to shore up their banks, but emerging countries won’t be able to do the same on their own. ++ Steep recessions will follow in emerging regions and will in turn dampen the economies of Western Europe and the US. ++ Therefore, in its own interest the G7 should ensure that their banks continue to deal with emerging market banks and support the IMF in its work with countries that require fiscal support.

Russia Strengthens Iran's Hand

Atul Aneja, the Hindu | October 13, 2008

Recent developments have greatly reduced the chances of a war against Iran. ++ Washington had planned to conduct air strikes against Iran from Georgian soil. ++ Russian intervention makes it impossible, which has “strengthened Iran’s hand.” ++ Russia undermined US efforts to impose new sanctions against Tehran during the Security Council’s meeting last month. ++ The fact that Americans are now preoccupied with the financial crisis and presidential elections make an intervention in Iran even less probable in the near future.

American-Chinese Scramble for Africa

Thomas M. Skypek, Booz Allen Hamilton | October 13, 2008

China’s demand for raw materials and new markets boosts its appetite for economic and military involvement in Africa. ++ The African continent is increasingly serving as a proxy battleground for Beijing and Washington. ++ China exports weapons to states hostile to the US thus complicating American counterterrorism actions. ++ Chinese involvement in Africa must be countered. ++ Bush took a first step by setting up AFRICOM, but his successor still has a long way to go to contain the People’s Republic’s ambitions in the region.