IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

What we're reading: Thursday, December 6, 2012

"US, NATO behind 'insecurity' in Afghanistan, Karzai says" by Atia Abawi, NBC News
karzaishort2_121206
karzaishort2_121206

"US, NATO behind 'insecurity' in Afghanistan, Karzai says" by Atia Abawi, NBC News

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai sharply criticized the United States in an exclusive interview with NBC News on Thursday, blaming American and NATO forces for some of the growing insecurity in his country.'Part of the insecurity is coming to us from the structures that NATO and America created in Afghanistan,' Karzai said during a one-on-one interview at the presidential palace. However, he also acknowledged that much of the country's violence was caused by insurgent groups."

"DeMint will leave Senate to head Heritage Foundation" by Michael O'Brien, NBC News

"South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, an influential Republican who has helped prod his party rightward, will step down from his seat in January to become the next director of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank."

"Boehner Gains Strong Backing From House Republicans" by Jennifer Steinhauer, The New York Times

"With a daunting fiscal crisis looming and conservatives outside the House torching him at every turn, Speaker John A. Boehner might be assumed to have a shaky hold on his gavel. Instead, it appears he is enjoying the broadest support of his tumultuous two-year speakership from House Republicans."

"The Political Risks of Cliff-Diving" by Karl Rove, The Wall Street Journal 

"President Barack Obama has clear advantages in the public-opinion contest over the fiscal cliff. He recently won re-election, Democrats increased their Senate majority and the GOP controls only the House. In the Nov. 25 ABC News/Washington Post poll, 60% of respondents said they support "raising taxes on incomes over $250,000 a year," the centerpiece of Mr. Obama's approach. Yet the president might be overplaying his hand—which would have ramifications not only for the fiscal cliff but for his entire second term."

"WATCH: Ex-senator goes ‘gangnam’ for fiscal cliff action," TODAY

"Former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson discusses the new movement of Republicans abandoning staunch opposition to higher taxes and explains the YouTube video of him dancing to pop song "Gangnam Style" to show his commitment to avoiding the fiscal cliff."