Rantburg Relief Files III

Europe

BBC: Muhammad cartoon row intensifies

Newspapers across Europe have reprinted caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad to show support for a Danish paper whose cartoons have sparked Muslim outrage.

Drudge: Floor collapses in Turin Olympic Center

Home Front

Front Page Mag: Sheehan's Shenanigans

Drudge: Kerry says 53% of students don't graduate high school

Editor & Publisher: Joint Chiefs Send Rare Protest Letter to 'Wash Post' Over 'Reprehensible' Toles Cartoon

The letter, not yet published by the Post, charges that the six military leaders "believe you and Mr. Toles have done a disservice to your readers and your paper's reputation by using such a callous depiction of those who have volunteered to defend this nation, and as a result, have suffered traumatic and life-altering wounds. ... As the Joint Chiefs, it is rare that we all put our hand to one letter, but we cannot let this reprehensible cartoon go unanswered."

Drudge:
FLASH: FBI seeking to interview two NY TIMES reporters about conversations with former Pentagon official, rep of pro-Israeli lobbying group after unauthorized disclosure of classified information... MORE...

Maybe Bush isn't losing the war on the homefront

In the Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113875543240761615.html?mod=opinion&ojcontent=otep
And also http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/31/AR2006013101081.html

George Bush's New 'French Connection' [EFL]
By DAVID IGNATIUS
The Washington Post
February 1, 2006

Once every five or six weeks, a French presidential adviser named Maurice Gourdault-Montagne flies to Washington to meet with his American counterpart, national security adviser Stephen Hadley. They meet for several hours coordinating strategy on Iran, Syria, Lebanon and other hot spots. In between trips, they talk often on the phone. Welcome to the French Connection. Though the link between the top foreign-policy advisers of Presidents Bush and Chirac is almost unknown to the outside world, it has emerged as an increasingly important element of U.S. planning. France may still be the butt of jokes among American politicians, but in these private contacts, the Elysee Palace has become a most important and effective ally of the White House.

...Bruised by the war in Iraq, the Bush administration is now working hard to conduct its foreign policy in tandem with international allies and, where possible, through the U.N.

...In framing policy on Syria and Iran, the French and Americans have consciously played a good cop/bad cop routine. The Americans demand tough U.N. language; the French bring the Russians and Chinese on board for a slightly watered-down version. ... An illustration is the compromise that came this week—to refer Iran to the Security Council for its violations of nuclear agreements, but give Iran another month to comply before any formal recommendation. The French argue that it's crucial now to maintain international solidarity on Iran, even at the price of a brief delay. What's interesting is that the Bush administration seems to agree.

Google News: West Virginia shuts down coal mines for safety review

Iraq

WAPO: U.S. hands over part of Iraq's Green Zone

Google News: Boycotted trial goes on

Commentary

Real Clear Politics: Hamas has taken off the mask, Israel can take off the gloves

Real Clear Politics: The Alito Confirmation How the Left views the Bush nominations. These people haven't a clue how the real world works.

Real Clear Politics: John Stossel, "Is our children learning?"

Real Clear Politics: Democrats need to focus on a coherent message

Illegal Immigration's financial costs

Thanks to Jen for several of the articles on this page.