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Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister | October 10, 2008

World’s financial systems are increasingly interdependent, and solutions to economic slowdown that used to be relevant are now “outworn dogmas.” ++ Cross-continental flows of capital make regional systems of supervision inadequate. ++ A global system of supervision needs to be introduced immediately. ++ The Financial Stability Forum and the International Monetary Fund need to be reformed so that they prevent similar crises in the future rather than just intervene when the situation spins out of control.

Russia: Superpower Pretensions Unrealistic

George Woloshyn, Kyiv Post | October 10, 2008

Russia’s military is almost an obsolete force due to poor training and poor quality of armaments. ++ Russia’s defense budget is just 7% of US spending. ++ It is unlikely that Russia will be able to afford the $200 billion needed for the revival of its military due to declining oil prices. ++ Ukraine also lacks appropriate military equipment and training - both countries are among the biggest arms exporters - but little is sold to their own forces. ++ Ukraine needs a well-trained military equipped with the latest technologies to protect its own boarders.

NATO Loses Control of the Caucasus Conflict

Martin Winter, Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German) | October 10, 2008

NATO has lost itself in the in Caucasus conflict. ++ Medvedev has repeatedly outlined his plans for a EU security architecture - he views his country’s security interests neglected. ++ The EU has almost disqualified itself from diplomatic talks by blindly solidarizing with Georgia. ++ The acceptance of Georgia’s wish for future membership in NATO might be a slight to Russia ++ If NATO refuses Georgia, it might be a sign of obedience to Russia’s wishes. ++ Georgia’s desire for membership is at this point unthinkable.

Next Steps in Dealing With Iran

Michael Gerson, The Washington Post | October 10, 2008

Iran is at most four years away from its nuclear goals - diplomacy is needed. ++ Russia’s offer to provide Iran with enriched nuclear material and US proposals for direct talks in return for the abandonment of nuclear intentions have been turned down. ++ The disapproval of further offers might result in the total isolation of Iran. ++ Using military force is only credible if Iran “can do the final enrichment of weapons-grade material at some secretly constructed facility” or if “it can quickly convert its known centrifuges for such production.”

Negotiating With the Taliban

Gwynne Dyer, The Dawn (Pakistan) | October 10, 2008

The British commander admitted that winning in Afghanistan is unlikely - reducing the Taliban insurgency to a manageable level may be the only realizable goal. ++ Northern ethnic groups, which account for 60% of the population, are backed by the US, but the Taliban are still the major political force for the Pashtuns constituting 40% of the people. ++ Foreign forces are fighting Pashtun nationalism, but a negotiated peace deal must give them a share of power; this might be why Karzai asked King Abdullah to mediate with the Taliban.