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**Programming Note:  Your editor will be on travel the early part of next week, so the Short List may or may not be published.**