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H1 New York Times Options Dwindling for Clinton Hillary Rodham Clinton lost an opportunity to sow new doubts among Democratic leaders about Barack Obama’s general-election appeal.

On the issues that matter most to voters, McCain has positioned himself with Republican party orthodoxy against voters, writes David Frum

Seize the moment, talk to Medvedev The new Russian presidency offers a modest opportunity, but the west must stand firm on issues of international law

Seven habits finance regulators must acquire Unless we are comfortable with a crisis every five years or so, financial regulation must be radically reconsidered. Tighter rules are desirable in the longer-run interests of the banking industry itself let alone the public’s. What should such regulation look like, asks Martin Wolf

G. JOHN IKENBERRY RESPONDS: The Rise of Asia AND the West

The Times Dmitri Medvedev: the long hello Given time, Russia's new President can be more than a new face

Petraeus, Afghanistan and the Lessons of Iraq | Stratfor

The Missing Debate By: Stephen F. Cohen | The Nation None of the remaining presidential candidates have seriously addressed, or even seem fully aware of, what should be our greatest foreign policy concern--Russia's singular capacity to endanger or enhance our national security. Overshadowed by the US disaster in Iraq, Moscow's importance will continue long after that war ends.

Guardian As it turns 60, the fear is Israel has decided it can get by without peace Jonathan Freedland: This nation was forged in refuge, not imperialism. But its people have grown cynical about hopes for a deal with Palestinians

Plus ça change Leader: Inauguration ceremony of Russia's third president demonstrates that Putin intends to hold the reins

Wars of Scarcity By: Michael T. Klare | The Nation US military planners are preparing for future wars driven not by ideology or politics, but by the fight to control scarce resources.

Los Angeles Times In Iraq, U.S. walks tightrope with Sadr

The military is battling militiamen loyal to the cleric, but takes pains to not blame his Mahdi Army, whose political and social services role make it immensely popular.

Iraqi militia commanders harden stance toward U.S.

Elements of the Mahdi Army are accepting help from old foes in Iran. The move is a pragmatic shift by a movement under siege from rival Shiite groups and U.S. troops

'The Godfather' doctrine By John C. Hulsman and A. Wess Mitchell

Coppola's film offers lessons in diplomacy that we can't refuse

Washington Post Obama Wins N.C.; Clinton Leads in Indiana

For Front-Runner, One Decisive Victory And One Battle That Could Prolong Race

The Challenge Of Creating A Lasting Peace In a Baghdad District, U.S. Troops Struggle to Manage Vying Forces

Washington's Battle Over Israel's Birth By Richard Holbrooke

Remembering the epic struggle over how to respond to Israel's declaration of independence.

CRS “China’s Foreign Policy and ‘Soft Power’ in South America, Asia, and Africa,” April 2008.

Rethinking Counterinsurgency: RAND Counterinsurgency Study — Volume 5 Source: RAND Corporation Summary (PDF; 325 KB) + Full Document (PDF; 645 KB) Past insurgent movements were primarily monolithic or national in form, had very specific local goals, and derived most of their power from the local population. These limitations made past rebellions vulnerable to strong military responses. In contrast, the modern jihadist insurgency is characterized by its complex and global nature. Unlike past insurgent forms that aspired to shape national politics, the jihadist movement espouses larger thematic goals, like overthrowing the global order. The modern jihadist insurgency is also more global in terms of its popular support and operational territory. It makes far better use of communications technology and propaganda to reach the minds and hearts of global audiences.

NYT THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

The Democratic Recession

We need to do everything possible to develop alternatives to oil to weaken the petro-dictators.

After 60 Years, Arabs in Israel Are Outsiders Israel’s 1.3 million Arab citizens are still far less well off than Israeli Jews and feel increasingly unwanted.

Christian Science Monitor

McCain courts blue-collar Democrats His lead strategist says if McCain were to get 20 percent of these voters he will win.

Is the U.S. doing enough to alleviate the world food crisis?

President Bush has asked for almost $1 billion in new funds. But critics say the aid may come too late.

Elements of the Bush Doctrine Will Outlive the Bush Presidency By: Alan W. Dowd | World Politics Review U.S. President George W. Bush has been dismissed as a lame duck, but it appears that significant elements of the doctrine that bears his name will endure long after he leaves the White House

Addressing Iran's Nuclear Ambitions MIT CIS A 20-page US House testimony on US policy towards Iran's nuclear ambitions

OPEC Oil Export Revenues
Source: Energy Information Administration - OPEC members earned $674 billion in net oil export revenues in 2007, a 10 percent increase from 2006. Saudi Arabia earned the largest share of these earnings, $194 billion, representing 29 percent of total OPEC revenues. On a per-capita basis, OPEC net oil export earning reached $1,143, a 8 percent increase from 2006.

Has the Surge Put Iraq on the Path to Success? - CFR debate

Der Spiegel Neoconservative Lawrence Kaplan on Iraq: 'I Don't See Anything Good That Has Come from this War"

WSJ Analysts Forecast Oil at $150 a Barrel

War in Iraq: The Public Perspectives Source: Center for Strategic & International Studies Full Report (PDF; 1.7 MB)