Mr. Ryan Evans

National:
On September 6th, Republican party member Fred Thompson will formally anounce his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election. He will make the announcement via webcast through his campaign website. He will then launch his campaign with a quick tour in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. These are early primary states. Thompson plans on casting himself as the most mainstream and consistent GOP candidate in the race. He was at one time an actor on the hit television program, "Law and Order" as well, so he brings starpower to the field as well. However, expects speculate that he will not be able to overtake favorites such as: John McCain, Rudy Guliani, or Mitt Romney.

Opinion:
I also doubt his likelihood of winning the Republican nomination.He may have "starpower", but so does the rest of the field. McCain is obviously well-known, voted one America's ten best Senators by Time Magazine, and Guliani in dealing with the September 11th attacks. I seriously doubt Thompson has the means or experience to overtake these other two candidates.

National:
Seyed Mostafa Maghloubi, an Iranian born United States citizen tried to sell night-vision goggles, and 100,000 Uzi submachine guns to an Iranian faction opposed to president Mahmoud Ahmadineejad. Maghloubi was caught in a sting operation. He thought he was selling arms to an arms dealer, rather than an FBI operative. He pleaded guilty to a court for exporting arms to Iran, which carries the prospective penalty of 20 years in prison and a 250,000 dollar penalty. Maghloubi will be sentenced on November 26th.

Opinion:
Operations such as these need to become a much bigger priority. Not to say they aren't already, but the CIA and FBI need to take potential threats and leads into much more serious consideration.Although, this man was against the current regime in Iran, whom the United States is at odds with, it is still not his place to deal arms. In this day and age, we cannot have people like this running wild through the black markets.

International:
In Kabul, Afghanistan a wanted Taliban leader was killed during a United States led raid. Mullah Brother served as a top Taliban leader in the government until it's removal in 2001. He also served on the leadership council with Mullah Mohammad Omar. Brother was killed in the Southern Afghan province of Helmand. All this is according to the Afghan Defense Ministry.

Opinion:
This is good. This is progress. It is quite disheartening to say this regarding death, but men such as these should have no place in this world, or at least a free world. However, it is encouraging to see how the Taliban government was removed. At least one country is trying to battle terrorism, outside of the United States. This is encouraging.

International:
In the troubled northwestern sector of Pakistan, Pakistani militants captured 100 to 120 Pakistani militants. The soldiers were traveling in 16 trucks carrying food and water between the remote towns of Wana and Ladha. There was no sign of a battle or a struggle. However, the reports could not be immediately confirmed because of how remote and dangerous the area is. Pakistan is a key United States ally, and is also receiving pressure from Washington to deploy more troops to the border, so as to prevent further attacks against Afghanistan and U.S. troops who are stationed there.

Opinion:
Once again, we see the ruthlessness of radical militants at work. Pakstan needs to be much more resolute and committed to defending itself. Along with Saudi Arabia, it fails in securing its borders,(ha does America even do this?) which allows terrorists to terrorize the general population. These allies in the Middle East need to buckle down and stand their ground. If this happens, this troubled area will be much less dangerous and maybe a bit more tolerable.