Angela Merkel Should Press Ahead Without U.S. at G8 Summit

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9

While I was camping over the weekend I missed the release by Greenpeace of a leaked U.S. memo to Germany regarding the G8 text on climate change. In past years, when I’ve returned from meetings of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) or the Conference of Parties (COP) to the U.N.

Paulson Plays the Rude Card Against Chinese: No Windfall Expected

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15

(Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson and China Vice Premier Wu Yi perform the US-China hit, Strained Smiles.) Wow. Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson just about did everything wrong but spit on Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi today at the premature wrap-up of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) meeting in Washington.

A Neocon War-Planning Vacation to the Bahamas!

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11

Jim Lobe, one of the best international affairs correspondents who has resisted the trend towards homogenization in his sector’s coverage, has launched a blog, and he has a cool expose on a neocon retreat being planned for the Bahamas on May 30. The conference is titled “Confronting The Iranian Threat: The Way Forward.

Bush to Ditch START Framework

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5

Steve hosted a really interesting reception last night on the USS Sequoia for people interested in U.S.-Cuba policy. I managed to get past my characteristic awkwardness in DC-style networking situations and it paid off, as I met some very smart and passionate individuals.

Michael Baroody Withdraws

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5

For days, I have been intending to write a longer note about the objections to Michael Baroody that some have had about his appointment by President Bush to serve as head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Richardson is Hitting the Mark on Energy

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54

To no one’s surprise, Bill Richardson is officially a candidate for President. Richardson is showing well right now in Iowa, though some people doubt he can break through to the supposed “top tier” of candidates. I think he certainly has the potential; whether or not his candidacy really takes off remains to be seen.