News & Opinion on Terrorism & Strategic Communication — November 1, 2007

Karen Hughes Resigns. “She said that she was leaving to return to Texas, rejoining her husband in Austin at the end of the year, but that she would remain a consultant to the State Department. In an interview, Ms. Hughes said part of the reason for her resignation was that it was ‘getting harder and harder to get on that airplane.'” (NY Times, 10/31).

Hughes: People Don’t Care What U.S. Thinks. “The most powerful nation in the world has squandered its influence due to fear-mongering and endless war. On the economic front, things have fallen apart to the point at which Canada’s loony buys more than an American dollar.” (Odwyerpr Blog, 10/30).

State Forcing Diplomats to Take Iraq Assignments…. “The State Department will order as many as 50 U.S. diplomats to take posts in Iraq next year because of expected shortfalls in filling openings there, the first such large-scale forced assignment since the Vietnam War.” (Washington Post, 10/29).

…and They’re Not Very Happy About It. “Uneasy U.S. diplomats yesterday challenged senior State Department officials in unusually blunt terms over a decision to order some of them to serve at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad or risk losing their jobs.” (Washington Post, 11/1).

Ahmadinejad: Iranians Ready for Martyrdom. “President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday millions of Iranians would be ready to sacrifice themselves fighting the country’s enemies, in an apparent reference to the United States and its allies.” (Reuters via Iran Focus, 10/30).