American Security Council Foundation (ASCF)

FEATURED NEWS POST

Venezuela-Colombia spat to pass, return

By VOA NEWS July 29, 2010 @ 7:47am

Journalists are not supposed to shoot down a good story, but I have to confess that I'm not terribly excited about the news of Venezuela's break of diplomatic relations with Colombia, nor about Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's threat to stop oil exports to the United States.

Despite the big headlines about Latin America's latest conflict, senior Latin American and U.S. diplomats tell me that the spat between Chávez and outgoing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe is likely to subside -- at least for a while -- once Colombia's President-elect Juan Manuel Santos takes office on Aug. 7.

Immigration ruling could send message to states

By The Miami Herald July 29, 2010 @ 7:43am

States that had been watching Arizona's immigration law in hopes of copying it received a rude awakening when a judge put most of the measure on hold and agreed with the Obama administration's core argument that immigration enforcement is the role of the federal government.

The ruling marked a repudiation of the Arizona law as U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton indicated that the government has a good chance at succeeding in its argument that federal immigration law trumps state law. It was an important first-round victory for the government in a fight that may not be settled until the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in.

 

Australia to Impose Nuclear Sanctions on Iran

By VOA NEWS July 29, 2010 @ 7:41am

Australia says it will impose new sanctions on Iran, joining the United States, Canada, European Union, and United Nations.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Thursday that the sanctions, aimed at persuading Iran to halt its nuclear program, will affect more than 110 businesses and individuals.

Fidel Castro to Publish Book that Chronicles Cuban Revolution

By VOA NEWS July 29, 2010 @ 7:37am

Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro says he plans to publish a book next month that focuses on the Cuban revolution that brought him to power more than 50 years ago.

In comments on a government website (Cubadebate.cu) Tuesday, the former Cuban president said the book would be titled The Strategic Victory.

Guineans Ready to Elect New Leader, Says Analyst

By VOA NEWS July 29, 2010 @ 7:34am

The president of Guinea’s Research Institute on Democracy and Rule of Law, a non-governmental organization, said Guineans are anxiously waiting to vote after the electoral commission proposed 14^th August as the date for the presidential election run-off.

Attorney Thierno Balde said Guinea’s transitional President-General, Sekouba Konate, will now have to sign a decree before the proposed date becomes official for the election run-off.