Two Israeli ambassadors have been subject to car bombs abroad; Obama has proposed a 2013 budget; China’s next president will revisit the United States; and Rick Santorum has taken a decisive lead over Mitt Romney in some polls. Elsewhere, Whitney Houston’s death has been ruled a drug overdose and Lil’ Wayne freestyles a critique of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaboration.
Aaron + Caitlin
CRUCIAL:
Admiral Seeks Freer Hand in Deployment of Elite Forces http://nyti.ms/yabgbd
Admiral William H. McRaven is asking for permission to use his Special Operations command with a freer hand across the globe. As the Pentagon budget shrinks and the United States movse away from an active occupying role internationally, these flexible and movable troops are considered incredibly important for maintaining stability abroad. Some critics fear that these troops could hurt internationals relations with local nations considering the split with ties to Pakistan after the bin Laden raid.
Rejecting Arab League Pressure, Syria Resumes Shelling, Reports Say http://nyti.ms/ztY76U
Syrian officials rejected the Arab League request for a United Nations peacekeeping mission. Not only did the nation led by Bashar al-Assad reject a peacekeeping deal, the government continued to shell the city of Homs. Opposition forces claim that al-Assad’s forces killed up to 23 people on Sunday alone. Both Russia and China are defending al-Assad’s regime.
Israel Blames Iran for Attacks in India and Georgia http://nyti.ms/AAhVEx
On Monday two different vehicles used by Israeli ambassadors were targeted with car bombs abroad. In New Delhi, a bomb was flung into a car used by the Israeli embassy and successfully exploded the vehicle, injuring two. In Tbilisi, a bomb was found in a car used by an Israeli ambassador and diffused by local police. No one has formally taken credit for the attacks but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanytahu has alleged that the act was committed by Iran. Israeli has been working to systematically end Iran’s nuclear program by assassinating Iranian physicists and attacking their nuclear capabilities.
China’s president-in-waiting heads to Washington for a visit crucial to both nations http://wapo.st/yM89Bg
China’s next president, Xi Jinping, is visiting the United States in preparation for his future role. Jinping is known for his comfort speaking off a script, a skill current president Hu Jintao lacks. Included in Jinping’s itinerary is a visit with the middle-class Iowa family who housed him in the 1980s, a trip to the White House, and a rumored appearance at a Los Angeles Lakers game. This entire trip is well choreographed to maintain an image of a strong leader.
Obama’s budget headed to Congress, http://buswk.co/x2DYye
President Obama has sent a proposed budget to Congress that includes $4 trillion in deficit reduction. The budget would increase spending in education and transportation and would attempt to keep government spending at levels necessary to stabilize the economy. For the next year the nation would still have a deficit over $1 trillion but would shrink the deficit to just above $500 billion by 2018. Republicans are criticizing the plan as not doing enough to address the deficit.
Schiphol airport reopens after bomb threat http://buswk.co/yhYWxM
The Schiphol airport in Amsterdam was temporarily paralyzed by a man in a bathroom stall who claimed to have explosives. Two terminals were evacuated and many flights were delayed as professional negotiators got a handle on the situation. Dutch officials say the man is no longer a danger to the public but will disclose neither his name nor whether or not he was armed. This was taken quite seriously because the Schiphol airport is the hub in which the “Underwear Bomber” left en route for Detroit.
GE to hire 5,000 veterans over next 5 years http://usat.ly/wC8jUn
General Electric has announced intentions to hire over 5,000 former members of the armed services through the next half decade. They also announced plans to spend over half a billion dollars to expand their aviation program. Additionally they will open 3 new plants and create over 400 new jobs.
CULTURAL:
Whitney Houston died from drug overdose, not drowning: report, http://nyp.st/x3rJPV
Adele Is 6 for 6 at the Grammy Awards, http://nyti.ms/zWxexL
Jolie pens script about Afghanistan http://bit.ly/yBi2Pk
Lil’ Wayne Disses The Throne! http://bit.ly/xxrOuc
Willie Nelson sings Coldplay better than Coldplay? http://on.msnbc.com/wlauOj
Tags: adele, Angelina Jolie, GE, israel, Lil Wayne, Obama, Schiphol, Syria, Whitney Houston, Willie Nelson, Xi Jinping
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Aaron Ghitelman Bio: Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
