Al-Qaeda group claims responsibility for 155 deaths in Baghdad; ASEAN leaves Buram unresolved; Tensions flare in Iran; Chinese military growth 'minimal', says general; and more
Top of the Agenda: Al-Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Baghdad Bombings
Al-Qaeda's umbrella group in Iraq claimed responsibility (WSJ) for the Baghdad bombings on Monday that killed at least 155 people. The attack was the deadliest in two years and raised concerns over whether the country can protect itself ahead of elections in January and a withdrawal of US troops. Iraq's foreign minister has called for a United Nations inquiry (Al Jazeera) into the bombings to examine the support foreign countries have given insurgents.
Separately, Iraqi lawmakers scheduled a Tuesday meeting to break the deadlock (BBC) over an election law involving the disputed northern city of Kirkuk. The deadlock threatens to delay the January 16 election and exacerbate the country's security problems.
Analysis:
Middle East expert Joost Hiltermann says in a CFR interview that Iraq appears headed for an uncertain, and potentially violent, political season with no clear dominant faction emerging ahead of January parliamentary elections.
Background:
A CFR Backgrounder examines Iraq's political landscape.
PACIFIC RIM: China Military Growth
A top Chinese general said that China's rapid military modernization only meets its minimum defense requirements (Sydney Morning Herald) ahead of meetings at the Pentagon Tuesday. General Xu Caihou will hold talks with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates to discuss concerns over China's high-tech military buildup.
This CFR Backgrounder looks at China's military power.
Southeast Asia: The latest summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) made progress (Asia Times) on economic integration but left issues such as Burma unresolved.
In this podcast, CFR's Kara McDonald assesses the new US policy on Burma. She says the success of the strategy hinges on the US ability to work with Buram's regional partners to build a multilateral consensus on how to deal with the country.
Read more about the new US policy on Burma here.
ELSEWHERE:
Iranian post-election tensions flare at media expo.
Obama gives $3.4 billion for "smart" electric grid.
This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org