The Dubai Ports Deal: Politics and National Security

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Democrats have dreamed about a chance to outflank President Bush on national security. Now, his own administration may have handed opponents an issue. At his cabinet meeting today, President Bush again defended allowing an Arab company to control terminals at ports in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia. He called Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates, "a valuable partner" in the war on terror. But Republican leaders in Congress, right-wing talk radio and neo-conservatives are apoplectic. How serious is the threat to national security in this era of globalization? Is the opposition bashing an Arab country that wants to be friends? Do those details and nuances matter in an election year? Making News: Iraqi Sectarian Violence Up after Attack on Shiite MosqueMore than 100 people--most of them Sunnis--were killed today in Iraq and protests continued in the aftermath of yesterday's bombing of the Shiite Golden Mosque in Samarra. Edward Wong, who's in Baghdad for the New York Times, says that the most powerful Sunni party, the Accord Front, has now quit the talks aimed at forming a unity government with Shiites and Kurds.Reporter's Notebook: South Dakota Challenges Roe v Wade with Abortion BanWith two new conservative justices on the bench, South Dakota is moving to challenge Roe v Wade in the Supreme Court. The State Senate has passed the most far-reaching abortion ban in the US. Even before the Governor signs it, Planned Parenthood is ready to appeal the new law, which would make it a felony to perform abortions--with no exceptions for rape, incest or the mother's health. Keith Perine reports on legal affairs for Congressional Quarterly in Washington DC.
Democrats have dreamed about a chance to outflank President Bush on national security. Now, his own administration may have handed opponents an issue. At his cabinet meeting today, President Bush again defended allowing an Arab company to control terminals at ports in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia. He called Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates, "a valuable partner" in the war on terror. But Republican leaders in Congress, right-wing talk radio and neo-conservatives are apoplectic. How serious is the threat to national security in this era of globalization? Is the opposition bashing an Arab country that wants to be friends? Do those details and nuances matter in an election year?
  • Making News: Iraqi Sectarian Violence Up after Attack on Shiite Mosque
    More than 100 people--most of them Sunnis--were killed today in Iraq and protests continued in the aftermath of yesterday's bombing of the Shiite Golden Mosque in Samarra. Edward Wong, who's in Baghdad for the New York Times, says that the most powerful Sunni party, the Accord Front, has now quit the talks aimed at forming a unity government with Shiites and Kurds.
  • Reporter's Notebook: South Dakota Challenges Roe v Wade with Abortion Ban
    With two new conservative justices on the bench, South Dakota is moving to challenge Roe v Wade in the Supreme Court. The State Senate has passed the most far-reaching abortion ban in the US. Even before the Governor signs it, Planned Parenthood is ready to appeal the new law, which would make it a felony to perform abortions--with no exceptions for rape, incest or the mother's health. Keith Perine reports on legal affairs for Congressional Quarterly in Washington DC.

Wong's article sectarian violence after attack on Shiite mosque

Dubai Ports World

President Bush on takeover of American ports by Dubai-owned company

Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States

Polman's article on friction over Dubai

Zogby on the 'Dubai Ports' debate

Women's Health and Human Life Protection Act (SD HB 1215)

Partial Birth Abortion Act of 2003

Roe v Wade, Supreme Court on (1973)

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Warren Olney