 RFE/RL Headlines 12/2/2009 7:35:25 PM A daily digest of the English-language news and analysis written by the staff of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| News Pakistan Warns Against 'Fallout' From Afghan Surge Pakistan today called on the United States to work closely with Islamabad to ensure that there is "no adverse fallout" of its new Afghan war strategy on Pakistan. More  Afghanistan Troop Surge 'To Start In 2-3 Weeks' U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the first deployments of a 30,000-strong "surge" announced by President Barack Obama will start arriving in Afghanistan in 2-3 weeks. More  Brazil's Lula Seeks To Expand Ties With Ukraine Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva is leading a delegation in Ukraine for the second day of a two-day visit intended to increase bilateral cooperation. More  Kazakhstan's Rights Record Comes Under Fresh Criticism Kazakhstan's human rights record came under fresh criticism today as the former Soviet republic prepared to take over the chair of Europe's top security body for the first time from Greece. More  Obama's Commander Says Now Has Tools For Afghan War The top U.S. battlefield commander said today that President Barack Obama's 30,000-strong troop increase for the Afghan war would make a huge difference, as the White House prepared to sell the new strategy to Congress. More  New EU Foreign-Policy Chief Faces Tough Questions The European Union's new foreign-policy chief, Catherine Ashton, faced tough questioning on her suitability for the post when she appeared today before members of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. Some members have expressed the opinion that her confirmation is uncertain in view of her past leftist activities and lack of experience. More  NATO Struggles To Match Obama's Strategy NATO allies are struggling to match the 30,000-troop "surge" in Afghanistan announced by U.S. President Barack Obama. While NATO's secretary-general welcomed Obama's strategic statement, he said he could only pledge 5,000 additional non-U.S. troops. More  Suicide Bomber Kills One In Pakistani Capital A suicide bomber blew himself up outside Pakistan's naval headquarters in Islamabad today, killing a guard and critically wounding two navy soldiers. More A newspaper editor and well-known critic of Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has been sentenced to nine years in jail, his lawyer said, the longest jail term yet for fomenting unrest after June's disputed elections. More  Islamists Claim Responsibility For Russian Bombing An Internet site linked to Chechen separatist fighters said today that it has received a letter from Islamist militants who claim responsibility for the bombing of a Russian express train last week that killed 26 people. More  Tajik Human Rights Activist 'Not Allowed' Into Kyrgyzstan Rights campaigners in Bishkek say a Tajik human rights activist was not allowed to enter Kyrgyzstan today, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. More  Rights Group Criticizes Uzbekistan's Repressive Policies Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the Uzbek government continues its repressive policies and is still detaining many rights activists despite the recent release of political prisoner Sanjar Umarov, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reports. More  Former British Prime Minister Blair Visits Azerbaijan Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku as part of a private visit, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports. More  At Least 10 Turkmen Children Die In Bus Accident At least 10 schoolchildren, a teacher, and a bus driver died when their minibus fell into the Karakum canal in Turkmenistan's southern Akhal Province last week, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports. More A Turkish citizen has been detained by Ukrainian police and security service officers in Kyiv for his alleged involvement in terrorist operations, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports. More  Russia's Ruling Party Commemorates Terror Victims Russia's ruling United Russia party is holding memorial gatherings in Moscow and St. Petersburg today to commemorate victims of terrorist attacks in Russia in the last 10 years, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports. More  Chechen Activist's Killing 'Not Connected To Her Work' Prosecutors in Chechnya say the killing of a prominent human rights activist in August was not connected to her work, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports. More  Moldovan Politicians Mark Romanian National Day For the first time in a decade, Moldovan leaders held official celebrations in Chisinau on Romania's National Day and renewed calls for closer ties between the two countries, which share a common language and history, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports. More  Russian Muftis Award Kazan's Coach For Winning Soccer Title Russia's Council of Muftis has recognized the coach of the champion soccer team Rubin Kazan at a ceremony in Moscow, RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service reports. More  Excluded Aspirant Criticizes Uzbek Election Process A member of a pro-presidential political party in Uzbekistan has harshly criticized the party chairman and the election process after she was not allowed to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reports. More  The Suspicious Death Of Russian Journalist Olga Kotovskaya The International Press Institute (IPI) is drawing attention to the death of Kaliningrad-based broadcast journalist Olga Kotovskaya. More  Sochi Rising It's only 1528 days to the Sochi Winter Olympics and they've just launched their new logo and brand. More  Comfy Prison Pic Sparks Outrage In Armenia RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports that the Justice Ministry has ordered an inquiry after a photo emerged of pro-government newspaper editor meeting under seemingly comfy prison conditions with three convicted murderers. More RFE/RL Radio Free Afghanistan Director Akbar Ayazi outlines the two primary reservations that Afghans are likely to have in response to U.S. President Barack Obama's announced strategy for Afghan and Pakistan. More  The Rundown - December 2 A comprehensive review of news, views, and analysis on RFE/RL's broadcast region More  Live From Moscow, It's The Putin Show! It's that time of year again -- time for Vladimir Putin's annual live question and answer session with carefully screened and perfectly vetted ordinary citizens. More  Taking The Fight To Al-Qaeda Eight years after the war against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan began, U.S. President Barack Obama has unveiled a new strategy "to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat" the extremist network and its local allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan. More  What Afghans Think About Surge Afghans are expressing mixed feelings about Barack Obama's plans to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. Some would prefer to see the U.S. focus on training Afghan forces to enable them to defend their country on their own. More  Kazan Writer's Festival -- Giving Life Back Its Meaning Tatarstan's capital, Kazan, is usually thought of as a political hub. But the city also has a vibrant cultural life that focuses on preserving the legacy of some of Russia's most illustrious cultural figures. More  Full Text Of Obama's Speech The text of President Barack Obama's speech at the United States Military Academy at West Point on December 1, as issued by the White House. More |
