>><!--top1-->Iraq<!--top1End--> - <!--top1Content-->While Senator Obama is wrapping up his, by all accounts, successful tour of the Middle East, the liberal blogosphere is jumping on Senator McCain's assertion that the "Surge," which is generally defined as beginning in January 2007, spawned the "Anbar Awakening," which is generally thought to have begun in summer 2006. McCain's campaign responded by saying that they occurred at the same time and that they were both spawned by U.S. troops.<!--top1ContentEnd-->

>><!--top2-->Trade<!--top2End--> - <!--top2Content-->After three days of negotiations, ministers from 35 nations meeting in Geneva are no closer to moving forward on the WTO's Doha trade negotiations. In a breakout session last night, the seven main players -- the EU, United States, Australia, China, India, Brazil and Japan -- met in a marathon 12-hour session, that several sources have described as "tense." The main point of contention is over the reduction of domestic farm subsidies in developed nations and the opening of developing nations' borders to industrial good and services. Talks will move forward, but it's unclear whether they will disintegrate before the Saturday close or push through into next week. Robin Pomeroy provides some color.<!--top2ContentEnd-->

>><!--top3-->Sudan<!--top3End--> - <!--top3Content-->President Omar al-Bashir traveled to Darfur yesterday in what some observers have called a "charm offensive." ICC lead prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo recently submitted a request to a three-judge panel to indict Sudan's leader on charges of genocide in the Darfur region.<!--top3ContentEnd-->

• Eric Rosand's response
• Matthew Levitt's response
• Gregory P. Djerejian's response
• What's the Link Between Terrorism and Poverty?
• Meeting the Challenges of International Terrorism
• How the ICC Came to Sudan
• The UN's New "Next-of-Kin" Notification System

Africa

• Sudan - Sudanese Leader Mounts Charm Offensive
• Sudan - Rwanda Threatens Darfur Pullout if U.N. Removes General
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe rivals may reach final deal soon: report
• Senegal - Senegal 'ready' for Habre trial
• East Africa - Oxfam's east Africa appeal

Americas

• Argentina - Cabinet Chief Replaced
• U.S. - US consumer spending remains sluggish
• Venezuela - Venezuela Offers to Host Bases

East Asia

• China - Powerful aftershocks hit China quake area, 1 dead
• China - China Presses Grieving Parents to Take Hush Money
• China - China Sets Zones for Olympics Protests
• Japan - Strong quake jolts north Japan, 107 hurt
• Indonesia - Garuda pilot charged with deliberately crashing his plane
• North Korea - In First Meeting, Rice Presses North Korean on Nuclear Effort
• Philippines - Explosion on Philippine Bus
• Thailand - Thailand Assails Cambodia in Dispute Over Temple

Europe

• France - MPs scrap France's 35-hour week
• Germany - Obama in Germany on European tour
• Germany - Merkel warns of fall in economic growth
• Bosnia - Hunt begins for Karadzic helpers
• Switzerland - Swiss anger at Libyan 'reprisals'
• Serbia - Serbian officials suspect Karadzic stole false name from Bosnian war victim
• Italy - Appeals court reverses ruling that a woman in tight jeans cannot be raped

Middle East

• Israel - Israel revives plan to build new West Bank settlement
• Israel - Obama Meets With Israeli and Palestinian Leaders
• Israel - Obama makes surprise visit to Jerusalem's Western Wall
• Iraq - Turkish jets target PKK in Iraq
• Iraq - Iraqi Measure on Provincial Voting Is Vetoed
• Syria - Talking Into the Sunset

Russia and Former Republics

• Russia - Russia says opposes deadlines for Iran response

South Asia

• India - Five killed in Kashmir explosion
• India - India vows to revive economic reforms
• Pakistan - Nato warning on Pakistan fighters
• Pakistan - Plan Would Use Antiterror Aid on Pakistani Jets
• Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka jets bomb rebels, fighting kills 54 in north