Month: March 2011 Page 2 of 5

Here is your R&D for March 23rd:

Rockets From Gaza Hit Deep Into Southern Israel from the New York Times
Violence has returned to Gaza as Israel responded with airstrikes after Palestinians militants fired rockets into southern Israel late Tuesday and early today.  Some analysts believe that militants are launching rockets now because they believe the new Egyptian government will back them.

South Dakota requires 3-day wait before abortion from CNN
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard signed a bill into law yesterday that would require a three day waiting period and counseling before having an abortion.  Abortion opponents hope that the legal battle that will ensue over the bill will weaken or overturn Roe v. Wade.

Who’s in charge? Germans pull forces out of NATO as Libyan coalition falls apart for the UK Daily Mail
The coalition of forces massed against Libya is disintegrating as none of the coalition partners wants to take control of the offensive.  Germany has withdrawn its military forces from the Mediterranean and European allies of the United States are wary of NATO pursuing non-European objectives.

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Here is your R&D for March 22nd:

Egypt’s Referendum: Nervous Steps Forward from the Council on Foreign Relations
Egyptian voters approved several constitutional amendments in a national referendum over the weekend and paved the way for free elections later this year.  Experts worry, though, that liberal forces may not have enough time to organize their campaigns and that extremist forces could take over the government.

McCaskill says she owes nearly $300,000 in back taxes on airplane from the Miami Herald
Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, who faces re-election in 2012, admitted yesterday that she owes almost $300,000 in back taxes on a private airplane.  The incident could haunt McCaskill’s re-election campaign, as Republicans portray the incident as a perfect example of government excess.

America’s Descent Into Strategic Dementia from the Jerusalem Post (courtesy of RealClearPolitics)
America’s intervention in the Libyan civil war demonstrates that American foreign policy is in a tough position and that President Obama’s approach and the neoconservative position are endangering American strategic goals in the region.

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Here is your R&D for March 21st:

US Army ‘kill team’ in Afghanistan posed for photos of murdered civilians from the Guardian
In what is being called President Obama’s Abu Ghraib moment, pictures have surfaced of a rogue U.S. army “kill team” in Afghanistan that murdered civilians and posed with the bodies.  The U.S. has issued an immediate apology to the Afghan citizenry over the incident.

Key dates in U.S. presidential campaign from Reuters
Extempers should be aware of some key dates in the presidential calendar.  This factbox article from Reuters should help.

In Yemen, top military commanders defect from Saleh regime from the Christian Science Monitor
In a blow to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, his half-brother, who is one of Yemen’s top military commanders, defected today and pledged to protect demonstrators against the current government.

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Here is your R&D for March 18th:

Issue Guide: Japan’s Triple Crisis from the Council on Foreign Relations
This analysis brief concerning the Japanese earthquake provides tons of links for extempers who are looking to build their files on the disaster.  Links are provided for articles that give an overview of the situation, the nuclear crisis, and energy and economic impact of the disaster.

U.N. okays military action on Libya from Reuters
Yesterday afternoon the United Nations Security Council, by a vote of 10-0, authorized a no-fly zone over Libya and authorized the use of force to protect civilians from forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi.  Gaddafi has threatened to retaliate by targeting traffic in the Mediterranean.

Justice Dept Finds Abuses In New Orleans Police Department from the Wall Street Journal
After conducting a ten month investigation, the Justice Department has concluded that New Orleans police have used excessive force and racially biased enforcement tactics.  The investigation is the third of the New Orleans Police Department in three decades.

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Here is your R&D for March 17th:

Merkel aims to speed Germany’s nuclear energy exit from Reuters
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government has been a strong proponent of nuclear power, but facing potential backlash over that issue in light of Japan’s problems, she is moving to accelerate her country’s move away from nuclear energy.

Meltdown 101: A brief glossary of nuclear terms from the Christian Science Monitor
Are you not sure what some of the terms mean when Japan’s nuclear crisis is being discussed?  If so, check out this article, which provides some definitions.  It can be helpful for a speech on the subject.

Rageless in Riyadh from Foreign Affairs
According to F. Gregory Gause III, a political sciencist at the University of Vermont, Saudi Arabia’s monarchy will continue to be a force of stability in the volatile Middle East and explains why it is different than other countries that are experiencing protests in the area.

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Here is your R&D for March 16th:

CIA spy charged with murder in Pakistan is freed from the Guardian
Raymond Davis, a CIA spy in Pakistan who was accused of murdering two Pakistani men, was freed after the families of the two men dropped charges in exchange for financial compensation.  Davis was freed under a “blood money” provision of Pakistani law.

Miami-Dade County recalls mayor from the Philadelphia Inquirer
Miami-Dade County residents expressed their anger at high properly taxes by recalling Mayor Carlos Alvarez yesterday.  Based on current data, 88% of residents voted in favor of the recall measure.

We Will Need Honesty to Solve Debt Problem from RealClearPolitics
In this piece, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), discusses the need to be honest when discussing the country’s fiscal woes.  Coburn is one of the most vocal deficit hawks in Washington.

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