Israel 's Chief of Staff Lieutenant Benny Gantz (R), US military chief Martin Dempsey (C) and US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro (L) salute during an official ceremony at the Rabin military base in the Mediterranean city of Tel Aviv on Jan. 20, 2012.
Taking Stock – The Jerusalem Post says Israel’s security cabinet has been briefed on a worst-case scenario in a potential war with Iran. Israeli TV news station Channel 10 reported that experts estimate less than 300 people would be killed during three weeks of non-stop fighting on multiple fronts in the event of an Iranian attack, the newspaper writes.
Independent Streak – Radio Free Europe examines whether the victory of opposition candidate Yevgeny Urlashov in Yaroslavl’s weekend mayoral election was an exception – or the latest sign of a groundswell of anti-Kremlin sentiment in the regions that may continue to play out during elections for a batch of regional parliaments, city councils, and mayors’ offices on October 14.
On the Brink – Pakistani daily Dawn reports on the continued violence plaguing the city of Karachi, after more murders and mayhem Monday. As pressure grows on national politicians to act, the paper says President Asif Ali Zardari has called for a “scientific study on sectarianism, extremism, land grabbing, street crimes, targeted killings, political rivalries and migration from other parts of the country.”
Expulsion Nation – The BBC writes about the French government deporting two suspected radical Islamists Monday in a continued crackdown on Islamic extremists. The increased measures come weeks after attacks by al-Qaeda-inspired gunman Mohammed Merah left seven dead. Speaking at an election rally over the weekend, President Nicolas Sarkozy told the crowd there will be “no leniency” for extremists. Three more men are expected to be deported.
Two Devils – In an editorial on Mali, Nigerian newspaper Vanguard (via All Africa) argues that fighting between the Tuareg rebels in the north and last month’s military coup in the south threatens to destroy the nation, and therefore affects all of West Africa. “We must do everything in our power to avoid the rebel takeover of Mali. If we do, we will rue our negligence,” it writes.
Gross National Happiness – The Atlantic explores if happiness has a place in international economic development. A high-level U.N. event Monday adds contentment to the measures of a healthy society. The 800,000 person nation of Bhutan is the model after swapping Gross National Product for Gross National Happiness 40 years ago.