Monday Links -- May 26, 2008

General Petraeus is cautious and optimistic on Iraq, but a lot of Iraqis are not so sure. At least the Mahdi Army arm caches in Sadr City are being dismantled, and instead of shooting at each other they are just yelling at each other .... I guess that is an improvement. Is the U.S. Democratic Party in denial on Iraq? .... and is this General Petraeus's new job?

The U.S. marines are having an impact in Afghanistan, but soldiers are still dying.

In our war against terrorism, the GAO blasts the U.S. effort in confronting safe terrorist havens in Pakistan's tribal regions.

Olmert is doing a lot of talking and negotiating with Syria. Israel also hopes that by talking to Egypt it will be able to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas. In the meantime, Lebanon's Hizbollah's fight against Israel is praised. Former President Carter is telling the EU to break away from the U.S. in containing Hamas in Gaza, and with the same breath tells the world that Israel has 150 nuclear weapons.

As South African ethnic riots and violence continues, other countries are threatening revenge. But some in South Africa are saying that everything is "under control". While Zimbabwean's suffer in South Africa, the South African Government is ignoring the plight of Zimbaweans in Zimbabwe. But at least one old African tyrant will be receiving justice.

Someone is launching air strikes in Somalia and heavy fighting resumes in Magadishu. Meanwhile someone is blowing up pipelines in Nigeria.

The civil war continues in Sri Lanka, with more news here.

Lebanon elects a new president, and (if to be believed) Hezbollah says that it has no plans to control Lebanon, but in the same statement warns the new Lebanese Government.

Some are wondering if Iran may be withholding info needed in nuke probe, and others are saying that they are not cooperating at all. At least American consumer goods are still available in the country.

Mexico's war against drugs is killing its police .... to be a police officer in Mexico .... especially an honest one .... is certainly not a safe job. And yes, crime pays.