Week 6

Republicans Intensify Drive to Win Over Jewish Voters

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/27/us/politics/republicans-go-after-jewish-vote.html?_r=1&ref=politics
Article from NYT

Summary:

Republicans have intensified an effort to lure a small but potentially significant group of new or wavering voters from President Obama by using billboards, television advertisements and finely honed voter lists.
Focused on South Florida, Ohio and Nevada, the Republican Jewish Coalition, backed mostly by the casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, a Zionist, has begun spending $6.5 million on an air-and-ground strategy to reach Jewish voters who may view Mr. Obama as unreliable on the question of Israel’s security. Jewish voters, who generally vote for Democrats in big numbers, overwhelmingly supported Mr. Obama in 2008, giving him 78 percent of their vote, according to exit polls conducted by Edison/Mitofsky.

Last week, the coalition began the first in a series of “buyer’s remorse” television ads featuring a Jewish voter concerned about Israel and the economy who declared that he would not vote for Mr. Obama this time around.
The hope among Republican groups is to continue to erode Mr. Obama’s deep-seated popularity in the Jewish community, which polls show has dropped slightly since 2008, by emphasizing first Israel and then the economy.

Week 5

Obama’s Evolution to a Tougher Line on China

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/21/us/politics/obamas-evolution-to-a-tougher-line-on-china.html?hp
Article from NYT

Summary:

President Obama’s patience with China had been fraying for months, and by November 2010 he was fed up. Meeting with President Hu Jintao in Seoul, South Korea, Mr. Obama warned that if China did not do more to curb North Korea’s bellicose behavior, he would have to take steps to shield the United States from the threat of a nuclear missile attack from the North. For the first time in a half dozen stilted encounters, Mr. Obama seemed to get through to the bland, tightly scripted Chinese leader. Mr. Hu dropped his talking points and asked Mr. Obama to clarify what he meant, according to two people who were in the room. The president’s answer included a clear hint that the United States would move warships to the seas off China, a step sure to antagonize the increasingly nationalistic Chinese.

Opinion:

I think China should not support North Korea anymore. North Korea relies on China, so they decides whatever they want such as developing nuclear bomb.

Week 4

Typhoon-stricken North Korea rebuffs aid offer from South

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/asia/north-korea-flood-aid/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
Article from CNN

Summary:

North Korea refused aid from the South Korean government. The impoverished nation was plagued by powerful Tropical Storm Bolaven in August that killed at least 48 people and left tens of thousands homeless. Therefore, South Korea offered aid to North Korea last week. The North initially agreed but requested a list of aid items. However, later, North Korea replied saying that they don't need such aid. North Korea is reported to be in desperate need of aid to cope with flooding. The United Nations World Food Program has called for emergency help for North Korea.

Opinion:

I cannot understand why North Korea refused the aid from the South Korean government.  It is not just simple problem that they can react emotionally. Even though, the relationship between the North and South became worse, South Korea offered aid. I think they have no other choices to recover the damages from typhoon. They should have received the aid from South Korea.

Week 3

Afghanistan fires hundreds of troops over insider attacks

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/05/world/asia/afghanistan-violence/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
Article from CNN

Summary:

Hundreds of Afghan soldiers have been arrested or expelled amid concerns over growing "insider attacks" on NATO troops.  So far this year, more than 40 NATO troops have been killed by Afghanistan security forces or insurgence uniform. They are known as 'green-on-blue' attacks. The rising frequency reasonably prompted U.S. forces in Afghanistan to suspend the training of local police recruits. Afghanistan President, Karzai, promised to implement strict measures.

Opinion:

I think it is a good idea that U.S. temporarily halted training of Afghan police over attacks. This year, 35 such attacks have killed 45 people, U.S. If U.S. forces did not suspend, more people would be at risk.