International Odds and Ends

There was so much interesting international news, I'm giving it its own odds and ends post...

First, I'll do the Bush crew a favor and start with some good news, highlighting the important work of the State Department and diplomacy: "North Korea has agreed to account for and disable its atomic programs by the end of the year, offering its first timeline for a process long sought by nuclear negotiators."

But over in Iraq, Prime Minister al-Maliki lashed out at his American critics, insisting they fail to recognize his achievements such as stopping the civil war (?!). He stated that such criticism "send[s] regrettable messages which help terrorists." That rhetoric sounds familiar.

British troops completed withdrawal from Basra, "carried out under cover of darkness."

Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, a series of setbacks worsen "a bloody stalemate that has occurred between NATO troops and Taliban fighters across southern Afghanistan this summer."

Over in Pakistan, "Former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto says she will return to the country 'very soon', despite having reached no power-sharing deal with the government."

Rwandan diplomats pledge to help control fighting in Congo.

Finally, Mexican president Felipe Calderón had harsh words for U.S. leaders, criticizing border fence plans and the demonizing of illegal immigrants. He also warned his own citizenry the country's "headed for a crisis" without improvements in jobs and education.