Abdullah Names Governmental Process Top Priority In Afghanistan

By Miles Wolf Tamboli-Talk Radio News Service

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, former foreign minister for Afghanistan and presidential candidate in Afghanistan's 2009 elections, highlighted efforts to reform the Afghan government, Monday. The former presidential candidate, who was defeated in the highly disputed democratic election last August to Hamid Karzai, chose to focus his attention on establishing peace, instead of ending war.

"In terms of priorities of the country, some might put security, Al Qaeda, Taliban as a top priority; another, corruption, bad governance, but in the whole package of issues that you are dealing with and we are dealing with, I think that the political process - the democratic process - which the fate of 30 million, the population of Afghanistan, will depend upon; that's the most critical."

Although the struggle between Western and Afghan forces with insurgents in the turbulent nation continues, Abdullah voiced his opinion that the primary focus should be on establishing a strong, transparent, accountable, and effective government.

The Afghan politician spoke positively about U.S. efforts to establish democratic governance in the region, and called for America's continued support.

"What is expected by the United States? To stand by the democratic process, and to help it and to secure it."

Administration Facing Important Fiscal Decisions, Says Larry Summers

By Miles Wolf Tamboli-Talk Radio News Service

National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers spoke positively Monday about America's economic situation, but warned that the U.S. is not in the clear yet.

"The fiscal policy choices the United States makes over the next several years will be as consequential as any we have made in a very long time," said Summers, emphasizing the importance of the decisions the Obama administration will be making and has been making since 2008.

Summers attributed much of the recent economic growth to the administration's Recovery Act, stating that, "the combination of tax cuts, emergency support for the newly unemployed, fiscal support for states and a range of catalyzing investments from infrastructure to energy have played their intended role."

Citing estimates by the Federal Budget Office, Summers then stressed the role of redefining health care in economic recovery. According to Summers, health care costs constituted 18% of our national GDP this year; twice the percentage of 1980. This figure is expected to expand to one third of our GDP by 2040, which would explain Summers' support of new health care legislation; "It is for these reasons that the president believed and acted on the conviction that reforming our health insurance system had to be the top priority in renewing our national economy"

Summers expounded that, although he believes the Obama administration acted prudently and prospectively, he warned against over-confidence; "The depression scenario that appeared a very real threat a year ago now appears remote. Yet ... [despite] growing signs of recovery, for millions of Americans the economic emergency grinds on."

U.S. To "Lead The World In Clean Car Development," Says Granholm

By Miles Wolf Tamboli
Talk Radio News Service

"I believe we need to seize the momentum following last month's historic new fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards, and I believe President Obama's announcement today does just that," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday, following the President's announcement and signing of a memorandum pledging to place stricter regulations on auto emissions for medium and large-size trucks.

During a conference call with reporters, LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson advocated last year's National Fuel Efficiency Policy, which requires that cars and light trucks reach an average fuel economy of 35.5 gallons per mile by 2016. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D), who joined in the call, called the policy a "win-win-win" agreement, and attributed the recent economic recovery of her state - whose unemployment rates were, she said, "spiraling out of control" in 2008 - to the legislation which was just finally passed this April. The policy put forth by the administration one year ago is designed to potentially save the nation 1.8 billion barrels of oil in coming years.

Granholm applauded the President's endeavors to create a "national standard," by which she hopes that Michigan may, "produce the best fuel efficient vehicles in the world." Jackson asserted that the President's new memorandum, "sets our nation on the path to lead the world in the development of clean cars."

Added LaHood, "We are laying the foundation for a cleaner, greener transportation sector. This new and improved transportation sector will provide greater environmental benefits, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and enhance America's competitiveness with a new generation of advanced electric vehicles."

Albright Addresses The Future Of NATO

By Miles Wolf Tamboli-Talk Radio News Service

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday on the future of NATO and how the coalition could evolve to meet twenty-first century threats.

Albright, who chaired a panel to determine NATO's Strategic Concept, called for a "comprehensive approach" - an idea to create a civilian arm of NATO forces, in part as a response to the alliance's experience over the past decade in nation-building in Afghanistan. Albright also emphasized that the framers of the new Strategic Concept did not want Afghanistan to be, "the be-all and end-all of NATO." She stated that there must be lessons learned from the mission, but that NATO's strategic outlook, "has to go beyond just Afghanistan."

As the Senate continues to weigh the ratification of the START Treaty, an arms reduction agreement between Russia and the U.S., Albright proclaimed that as long as nuclear arms exist "in the system," NATO will continue relying on a nuclear component. The former Secretary of State also portrayed energy security as a primary NATO concern in the future.

Pelosi Touts Legislation To Spur Job Growth, Crack Down On Outsourcing

by Miles Wolf Tamboli-Talk Radio News Service

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) focused on job creation in her weekly news conference Thursday. In the briefing, Pelosi presented information about a new jobs bill, the name of which seems to explain itself well.

The American Jobs, Closing of Loopholes, and Prevention of Outsourcing Act is "about creating jobs, preventing outsourcing of jobs overseas, [and] closing loopholes of corporations and wealthy individuals from avoiding U.S. taxes," according to Pelosi.

The bill will tax fund managers' income and make it harder for large corporations to evade taxes. It also provides unemployment insurance to those who have lost their jobs "through no fault of their own."

The bill is expected to reach the House floor by Tuesday. Pelosi explained that the goal of putting off the vote is to increase transparency by posting the proposed bill on the internet in time for it to be seen.

"We are very proud of what is in it," said Pelosi.

Pelosi mentioned that the House will again be taking up the COMPETES Act and HIRE Act, which would spur job growth by allocating funding towards research and giving businesses that hire unemployed individuals tax cuts respectively.