New York Times: As they try to arrest the downward spiral in Iraq and Lebanon, President Bush and his top diplomats appear intent on their strategy of talking only to Arab friends, despite increasing calls inside and outside the administration for them to reach out to Iran and Syria as well.
Bush asking Arab friends for Iraq help
Bush to discuss talking to Iran about Iraq – W.House
Reuters: The White House acknowledged on Monday that sectarian violence in Iraq had entered “a new phase” but denied it amounted to civil war.
Iran backs Venezuela car factory
BBC News: Senior Venezuelan and Iranian government officials have opened a joint car plant in central Venezuela.
Anbar picture grows clearer, and bleaker
Washington Post: The U.S. military is no longer able to defeat a bloody insurgency in western Iraq or counter al-Qaeda’s rising popularity there, according to newly disclosed details from a classified Marine Corps intelligence report that set off debate in recent months about the military’s mission in Anbar province.
Afghanistan rejects Iran’s call to oust “occupiers”
AFP: Afghanistan defended Monday the presence of the nearly 40,000 foreign troops on its soil, rejecting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s statement that they were “occupiers” and should be made to leave.
West must accept a nuclear Iran: Guards chief
AFP: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief General Yahya Rahim Safavi said on Monday the West should accept Tehran as a nuclear power in the Middle East, the Fars news agency reported.
FIFA lift ban on Iran for Asian Games
AFP: World football’s governing body FIFA has temporarily lifted its ban on Iran so it can take part in the Asian Games football competition after frantic behind the scenes manoeuvering.
Britain blasts Iran’s ‘unacceptable’ role in Iraq
AFP: Britain on Monday condemned Iran’s behaviour in fueling violence in neighbouring Iraq as “unacceptable,” calling on Tehran to become a constructive partner with the West or face greater isolation.
Iran to host Holocaust conference
AFP: Iran, which disputes that Jews were slaughtered by the Nazis, is to hold a conference next month to allow historians to clarify “hidden angles” of the Holocaust, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.
Japan slaps penalty for arms-related exports to Iran
AFP: Japan’s government on Tuesday ordered a machinery maker to suspend all exports for two years for illegally sending to Iran grinding machines that can be used to boost rocket fuel.
