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.