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On AMANPOUR. tonight, Christiane will be interviewing former British prime minister, and now Middle East peace envoy, Tony Blair, about the breakdown of the peace process and how it may be possible to resume negotiations. Noted author and theologian Karen Armstrong will also join us to preview the International Charter for Compassion, debuting Nov. 12 worldwide. The Charter is a global initiative bringing together all faiths to redefine the golden rule: “Treat others as you wish to be treated”. Christiane will pose to both her and Rabbi David Saperstein questions about how this religious reinvigoration will impact modern moral dilemmas. There’s plenty of other international news this morning. Here are some perspectives on some other stories making news that resonate way beyond the headlines.
Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
KOREAN PENINSULA – will new naval skirmish be followed by more clashes?
– Navies of North and South Korea exchange fire in disputed waters along western coast
– It was first naval clash between the two countries in seven years
– South Korea: its navy opened fire after a N. Korean ship crossed the demarcation line and ignored warnings to turn back. N. Korean ship damaged. No S. Korean casualties
– North Korea: South guilty of a “provocation” while a patrol boat was on “routine guard”. No word on N. Korean casualties, if any
QUESTION: What impact, if any, will this clash have on possibility of new talks on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program?
AFGHANISTAN – how close is the Obama Administration to making a decision on troops?
– White House national security adviser issues rare public statement strongly denying media report President has privately decided to send close to 40,000 additional troops
– National Security Adviser Jim Jones: “reports that President Obama has made a decision about Afghanistan are absolutely false”
– Statement followed report on CBS News that Obama has tentatively decided to send four more combat brigades plus support troops to Afghanistan early next year
– That report suggests President could be considering meeting the U.S. commander’s request for an additional 40,000 troops in Afghanistan to fight growing Taliban insurgency
QUESTION: Are some people at the Pentagon trying to force the President to make a quicker decision than he wants on troop levels in Afghanistan?
ISRAEL/U.S. RELATIONS – how bad are relations between Pres. Obama and the Israeli government?
– Pres. Obama meets with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in unusually low profile visit to the White House after dark and with no joint media appearance
– Meeting came as America’s Middle East peace mission is on the brink of collapse
– Afterward, WH issued only a broad statement on the talks, saying both sides discussed “how to move forward”. No comment from Israelis on meeting
– U.S., Israel, Palestinians can’t agree on how to tackle contentious issue of Israeli settlement construction in West Bank and east Jerusalem
QUESTION: has the U.S. lost its ability to influence Israeli policy in the Middle East peace process?