Curator / Politics Today / World Affairs / Asia / Central Asia /
October 31, 2008
Central Asia
Afghan War Deterioriating, McCain and Obama Advisers Briefed · Senior Bush administration officials briefed campaign advisers to John McCain and Barack Obama two weeks ago, on the grim news that the situation in Afghanistan is getting worse and a plan must be in place before January's Inaugural. (NYT)
IMF Extends $9B Loan To Pakistan · The International Monetary Fund reportedly agreed Friday to extend a $9 billion loan to Pakistan in an effort to help it meet foreign debt payments amid the global credit crisis. (CNBC)
Credit Turmoil Sinks Asian, European Markets · Stocks in Asia and Europe fell sharply Monday as steps by European governments to guarantee bank deposits failed to quell credit crisis fears. The Nikkei 225 declined 4.3% while Britain's FTSE 100 index lost 5.6% in late trading. The DAX and CAC40 lost 5.5% and 5.9% respectively. (NYT)
UN Alleges Deadliest U.S.-Afghan Civilian Toll · The UN and Afghan government report that as many as 90 civilians were killed in a U.S. bombardment. Gen. David D. McKiernan, US commander for Afghanistan, disagrees with the finding. (NYT)
Karzai Unmoved By Musharraf Departure · Time is reporting that Afghan president Hamid Karzai is less concerned with the resignation of Pervez Musharraf, outgoing President of Pakistan, and more focused on institutional changes which he says are needed to improve relations between the two countries. (Time)