The Short List - January 13, 2012

International

• A few British sources are claiming Pakistani Prime Minister Yousef Reza Gilani called a UK diplomat expressing a panicky fear of an army coup being imminent.
• In Nigeria, a union oil workers strikes will continue even has union leaders are negotiating with the President Goodluck Jonathan.  **Editorial Note:  Great name for a head of state or greatest name for a head of state?**
• Myanmar's ruling junta continues to loosen its grip with the release of at least 100 political prisoners so far with an many as 651 expected to be release.  According to state media they are being released to assist in "nation-building."  ** Editorial Note:  What the f*** did HRC say to these guys a few months back to get this kind of response?**
• Former Taliban walking the beat in Northern Afghanistan.  Sounds encouraging, but could be disastrous, especially considering this is in the North.
• The U.S. is taking two army brigades (and a good chunk of its security umbrella) home.  Europe will have to find their own armed forces.

Domestic

• Romney is holding off most attacks against his time at Bain Capital, and those attackers won't be helped by a Four Pinocchios rating for King of Bain.  There has been some great commentary about how strange it is to see Republicans attacking a Republican for doing the corporate thing.  For Romney, even if he outlasts the Bain attacks, evangelicals could still line up behind one of the other guys and derail the whole thing.
• The President asked Congress for the authority to streamline the organization of the federal government.  The House GOP checked the caller ID, pick up the receiver, said "No," and hung up.
• I'm re-linking this because it was that good, but the experience of old and new manufacturing in Greenville, SC.  It is worth every minute to listen to.  If you're more of a reader, the guy that put the report together has a cover story in The Atlantic.

**Programming Note:  Your editor will be on travel the early part of next week, so the Short List may or may not be published.**

re: Executive Authority & War Making

Over at Lawfare, Ben Wittes has been reposting Peter Marguiles' dispatches from the AALS conference. This one summarizes the discussion there had on the different views of the President's authority to engage in hostilities absent Congressional authorization. Back in March, DCExile echoed Jack Goldsmith (also of Lawfare) here. Now, Marty Lederman has outlined an eminently sensible approach:

Marty suggested that the Clinton and Obama Administrations have been seeking an alternative to these problematic approaches that accounts for all post-WW II executive practice with the (dramatic) exception of the Korean War.  Marty cited Walter Dellinger’s OLC memos from the Clinton administration and Caroline Krass’s memo on initiation of the Libyan intervention, which calibrated the degree of presidential unilateralism permitted to the duration, intensity, and scope of the military intervention.  In essence, those memos suggest (without articulating and hard and fast rules) that the President alone can authorize brief and relatively costless (in blood and treasure) interventions, while bigger, more protracted conflicts require congressional authorization.  

What Kind Of Day Has It Been

International

• Yesterday, a video emerged of U.S. Marines (scout snipers, evidently) urinating on what appear to be Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. SecDef Panetta called President Karzai to assure him that there will be an investigation; reportedly, the Marines have already been identified. The Taliban have indicated the video will not affect their willingness to negotiate. 
• South Sudan six months on.
• Al-Shabaab militants launched a raid into Kenya. 

Domestic

• Will Mitt suffer the fate of John Kerry and lose for failure to connect with voters?
• Greenspan, when the sheen came off.
• Dollar-dollar-bill, y'all.
• The Justice Department gave the okay to the President for last week's recess appointments. This seems eminently reasonable.

What Kind Of Day Has It Been

International

• As Jason noted, another Iranian scientist was assassinated today. NPR notes that it was at least the fourth such assassination in two years (and the fifth in five years). 
• Today is the ten year anniversary of the opening of Guantanamo Bay (nee Camp X-Ray). Vanity Fair presents an oral history. The anniversary has been marked by a fair amount of nonsense and inaccuracy--unsurprisingly, Marc Thiessen took to the Diane Rehm Show to produce much of it.
• Ranking countries by nuclear security.

Domestic

• As Jason noted, I was totally wrong about Romney's showing in New Hampshire. What a tremendous night for Republican John Kerry. 
• My hopes and dreams for a Newt Gingrich scorned destroying the GOP are unraveling.
• Elizabeth Warren had a huge haul in the fourth quarter.

The Short List - January 11, 2012

International

• An Iranian nuclear scientist was killed by a targeted car bomb Tuesday.  The Iranian government is blaming Israel and the U.S.  In other Iran news, China remains reluctant to cut Iranian oil imports.
• Drone strikes have begun anew in Pakistan, as a strike is believed to have killed 4 militants.  Unrelated, but related news, Pakistan's Defence Secretary has been fired.
• North Korea may be looking for a food-for-nukes deal.
• The Greek experience with austerity comes under questioning.  **Editorial Note: So you're saying if you spend less money, the economy contracts?  And I am shocked to find gambling going on in this establishment!**

Domestic

• Romney wins New Hampshire with 39%, sorry Ben.  Further down the card, it's Paul, Huntsman, Gingrich, Santorum, and Perry.  Perry failed to capture more than 1%.  As the Romney Inevitable Express starts to pick up steam, conservative activists look to block the tracks in South Carolina.  And Dana Milbank, fun distraction at times, talks about being a journalist on the campaign trail.
• Planet Money considers the past and future of American manufacturing.

What Kind Of Day Has It Been

International

• Another day, another batch of Iranians rescued by the USN at sea.
• We moved closer to doomsday today. But not this close.
• Israel is preparing to receive Syrian refugees once the regime falls and the bloodletting begins.
• Ireland Scotland long a province be a nation once again. Bonus: A Nation Once Again

Domestic

• These folks that had exit polls for Iowa early that turned out to be the real exit polls have exit polls for New Hampshire, too. DCExile has no idea if they're real. The question of exit poll accuracy in general is an entirely different subject.
• Nate Silver says Romney wins with 39. I respectfully disagree--I think Romney pulls in less than 35, likely less than 33. 
• Damn it, yard signs do not vote. No, not even in New Hampshire.
• The Socialist Party of America had this to say about President Obama: 

The notion that Barack Obama is a socialist ranks among the greatest fairy tales in American society -- right up there with the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the idea that if you work hard enough your children will live a better life than you," Socialist Party spokeswoman Lynn Lomibao said in an email. "Socialists know what Obama is: another corporate funded politician placed in the White House to protect the wealth and status of the 1 percent.

Satisfied, Republicans?

The Short List - January 10, 2012

International

• President Assad has gone on the offensive in Syria, claiming foreign interventions have fomented the sustained unrest in that country.
• With friends like these, Ahmadinejad continues his Latin American trip complete with TV show appearances and rants against the U.S.
• As the prison facility at Guantanamo Bay turns 10, human rights groups and detainees plan protests of the facility's continued existence.
• Suu Kyi, recently freed from house arrest, will run for parliament in Myanmar.

Domestic

• It's primary day in New Hampshire and the town of Dixville Notch once again claims its mantle as first primary in the nation.  Mitt Romney was leading going in to today, but he's been suffering some blows in recent days from his GOP rivals, especially from Newt Gingrich who seems to be balancing good Newt and bad Newt.
• At the White House, Chief of Staff Daley is out and OMB Director Lew will take up the post.
• Texas asks for more time for insurance providers in the state to achieve an 80/20 split of funds going to healthcare versus finds going to administrative costs and profits as part of the role out of the affordable care act.
• Roll Tide.

The Short List - January 9, 2012

International

• Iran has sentenced a former Marine, and they believe a CIA Agent, to death.  Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad flew to Venezuela hoping to find a friend.  There are reports this morning of diplomats confirming Iran's nuclear enrichment in a bunker.


• A gunman in an Afghan army uniform killed a US soldier in that country.


• The end of oil subsidies in Nigeria continue to be met with violence.


• Is the Arab Spring good or bad for the US?

Domestic

• Heavy is the crown as Romney took the majority if the barbs from GOP opponents yesterday morning.  There is an interesting shift where back in September is was pile on Obama.  Yesterday Romney wanted to talk about Obama and everyone else wanted to talk about Romney.  And for John Huntsman it all comes down to the Granite State.  Is it just me or would the best debate, the debate America deserves be the debate between Obama and Huntsman?


• The Supreme Court will hear arguments about Texas re-districting.

What Kind Of Day Has It Been

International

• AQI continues to work to restart Iraq's sectarian civil war. Today, bombs targeting Shiites killed 72.
• Slate interviews Mustafa Barghouti on the issue of Palestinian statehood.
• Prosecutors in Egypt are seeking the death penalty for Mubarak. 
• Friend of the blog Reza Marashi made an appearance on the Diane Rehm show.
• Qatar owns up to the failings of Arab League monitors in Syria.

Domestic

• President Obama announced his vision for a less expensive defense posture.
• Rick Santorum is drawing large crowds and media attention in New Hampshire. He has moved to up to third place in one New Hampshire poll (although he still lags some 30 points behind Romney) and his fundraising is at an all time high.
• Romney's campaign suffers blowback on the weak McCain endorsement rally that we noted yesterday.

The Short List - January 5, 2012

International

• According to Afghan officials, Iran is making a move to get closer to Afghanistan in an attempt to marginalize America.  Meanwhile, Karzai has endorsed the idea of direct U.S.-Taliban negotiations, though he did manage to take a shot at the U.S. in the process.


• In Pakistan, the Pakistani Taliban claim to have killed 15 soldiers in North Waziristan.


• Activists in Syria claim the government there has staged tranquility for the benefit of the Arab League observers.

Domestic

• Heavy is the crown for Romney as the field of GOP candidates train their ire on him in the granite state.  Oh and Santorum believes there are no Palestinians in the West Bank.


• President Obama will visit the Pentagon today to announce his new strategic vision of the military intended to change the mission of the nation's military in light of a changing world and austere budget environments.  Some are concerned this new strategy would make the U.S. incapable of executing two wars at the same time.

What Kind Of Day Has It Been

International

• Syrian activists complain that government tanks are still occupying cities in violation of the Arab League agreement. Arab League observers seem less relevant by the hour.
• EU agrees to embargo Iranian crude.

Domestic

• In the wake of last night's Iowa caucuses, Bachmann (5% of caucus attendees) dropped out but Perry (10%) stayed in--despite initial indications that Perry would retreat to Texas to "reassess" and drop out.
• John McCain endorsed Mitt Romney in New Hampshire. This Editor views McCain's endorsement as meaningless in a state Romney is likely to win handedly (and in a newscycle he has no hope of winning: see linked article's title).
• Obama belatedly recess appoints Richard Cordray. Finally.

The Short List - January 4, 2012

International

• Iran's warning to U.S. ships didn't impact the U.S. military, but has impacted oil prices.
• The U.S. continues to push Myanmar to reform.
• Syria claims the U.S. wants to stoke unrest in that country.  Stories like this make Santorum's criticism of Obama's reaction to the 2009 green movement in Iran all the more asinine.
• Armed groups continue to clash in Libya, but they have selected a new chief of the armed forces.

Domestic

• The Iowa caucus results are in and Romney wins by the skin of his teeth over Santorum.  Paul came in third, then Gingrich, Perry, and Bachmann.  Let the media story-telling begin: Romney has problems.  Santorum has surged.  Perry is heading back to Crawford Austin.  Gingrich is on the attack in New Hampshire.  Meanwhile, DCExile might just have to start the countdown clock til the end of the Bachmann campaign.
• Airlines are fighting in court a regulation that will compel them to disclose the full price of tickets, not just the base fare.

What Kind Of Day Has It Been

International

• Iran warned the United States not to bring another carrier group into the Gulf. The United States told Iran, rightly, to go to hell.
• Syria's armed rebels threaten to escalate attacks.
• Israelis and Palestinians met today in Jordan.
• At the urging of the Afghan Taliban, a new umbrella group for disparate Pakistani militants has been announced. The Shura-i-Muraqba will (supposedly) unite the TTP, the Haqqani Network, Nazir's organization (erstwhile of the TTP), and Hafiz Gul Bahadur's organization. Notably, unlike the Afghan Taliban and the rest of the Pakistani groups now united, the TTP seeks the overthrow of Pakistan. This would seem to be rather problematic. [Note: Bill Roggio at Long War Journal attributes the umbrella organization to AQ and not the Afghan Taliban.]

Domestic Iowa

• As Jason noted, it's caucus day in Iowa. If you're an Iowan, find your caucus location through the Iowa GOP's website. Wikipedia does a good job of breaking down the Republican caucus process, which is substantially different than the Democratic caucus process--the GOP uses secret ballots and there is no viability threshold or realignment. I will be watching, beer-in-hand, with a few other veterans of '08, trying not to remember the pain of having my teeth kicked in. 
• Bonus: Why Iowa goes first.
• Double Bonus: Results.
• Triple Bonus (h/t Carly).

The Short List - January 3, 2012

After a holiday break, we're back.

International

• The Taliban has reportedly opened up its Qatar offices to U.S. officials to negotiate, however in their invitation to the U.S. they make no mention of the elected government in Kabul.


• Egypt is holding its third round of elections as the country moves forward to resolution.


• The Arab League may remove observers from Syria as reports of government violence against citizens and protesters continue.


• In South Sudan, tribal conflict has forced many thousands to flee their homes.  The UN is working to step in.


• In Libya two armed groups clashed over the detention of members of one of the armed groups.

Domestic

• It's Iowa caucus day and the Washington Post breaks down the final day of campaigning.  Meanwhile, Dan Balz asks if the candidate will shape the party or if it'll be the other way around.  And John Huntsman will be lonely in New Hampshire for just a few more hours.


• Another week, another cry for infrastructure investment.


• The minimum wage in Washington state.

The Hollowing Out of Higher Education

This piece in the Washington Post describes the decline of state dollars flowing to so-called "public ivies."  This connects to an issue that was brought up on last Sunday's Meet the Press.  Put simply, states aren't investing in higher education anymore.

From my own experience I saw tuition climb 24% from the freshmen year of college to my senior year at a state school in Illinois.  I also saw the graphs that charted how in the early 1980s for every $1 dollar of tuition paid by a student, the state of Illinois paid $9.  Now that ratio is close to or less than 1 to 1.

What this leads to is fewer kids going to college or those that do go amassing large amounts of debt that necessitates a high-paying job to service that burden, which are becoming harder to come by as well.  This was a major element of the Occupy Wall Street protests.  Now I know not everyone needs to go to college and I do think we need to direct more kids toward technical/vocational colleges then to English 101 then we currently do, but it's not like this money is being shifted.  It's just going away.  Surely it's in the national interest to have centers of learning to equip students with the knowledge and the critical thinking skills needed to drive innovation.  And yet, this is a topic that pops up and fizzles out.

When I think about this issue and those that would suggest I think everyone should get a college degree for free, (not a half bad idea) I am always reminded of this clip from The West Wing.  It's supposed to be hard, but surely the government has an interest in making it easier.  Surely those that want an education should be able to do so without racking up massive amounts of debt.

Chart of the Day

From the Washington Post, the Toil Index: