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Ambassador Robert Ford attacked in Syria

Natalie Gonnella
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As the Syrian government continues it's violent crack down against anti-regime protesters, Assad loyalists are also turning their aggression to US Ambassador Robert Ford. 

Despite repeated calls from Republican lawmakers urging Ford's recall, Politico reports:

The U.S. Ambassador to Syria - who has repeatedly demonstrated his support for anti-government protestors - was attacked in Damascus last week by a supporter of President Bashal al-Assad, a new video shows.

A video broadcast by Syrian television pictures pro-Assad protestors following Ambassador Robert Ford and chanting slogans. One protestor then approaches Ford from behind and tries to wrap him in a poster featuring a picture of the Syrian president.

Ford’s security team, which was already rushing him to a waiting car, pushed the Ambassador into the vehicle.

Tensions have been heating up between the Syria and the United States over the last several months.

We must do better: Nine states still lagging behind when it comes to combating human trafficking

Natalie Gonnella
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A leader in the fight against modern-day slavery, and one of the most prominent anti-trafficking organizations in the US and Japan, Polaris Project this week released the 2011 update to their annual state ratings, which tracks the presence /absence of 10 key statutes they believe to be integral to combating exploitation across the US.

Sadly, despite human trafficking being one of the largest and fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world, less than a dozen states come close to meeting all 10 conditions, with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming, sorely lagging behind:

7-9 conditions met | 5-6 conditions met | 3-4 conditions met | 0-2 contions met

While there have been significant improvements across the country, the fact that most states continue to overlook a number of the suggested statutes remains extremely worrying. As Polaris Project's Policy Director Mary Ellison said in regards to the report's release:

Every day we are identifying an alarming number of victims from every state through the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline. Ten years after the passage of the federal anti-trafficking law, forty-five states, including D.C., now have sex trafficking criminal statutes, and forty-eight states have labor trafficking criminal statutes...Continuing to improve the legal framework at the state level by enacting critically important statutes will literally save lives.

With over 100,000 US minors at risk of commercial sexual exploitation each year alone, we must do better.

Further information on Polaris Project's 2011 analysis is available to view here.

US official: Al Qaeda no. 2 killed In Pakistan

Natalie Gonnella
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In another major blow to Al Qaeda, a senior US official says the terrorist group's second-in-command (Atiyah Abd al-Rahman) has been killed in Pakistan. CBS News reports:

Al Qaeda's second-in-command, Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, has been killed in Pakistan, delivering another big blow to a terrorist group that the U.S. believes to be on the verge of defeat, a senior Obama administration official said Saturday.

The Libyan national who was the network's former operational leader rose to al Qaeda's No. 2 spot after the U.S. killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden during a raid on his Pakistan compound in May.

Al-Rahman was killed Aug. 22 in the lawless Pakistani tribal region of Waziristan, according to the official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss intelligence issues.

Rebels take control of Gadhafi compound: "Strategically, this means that Tripoli has fallen"

According to NBC News:

Rebel forces gained "full control" over Moammar Gadhafi's fortified Bab al-Aziziya compound in Libya's capital Tuesday.

The compound, which was heavily damaged by NATO airstrikes, had emerged as one of the last centers of government resistance.

"Strategically, this means that Tripoli has fallen," NBC's Richard Engel said from inside the compound.

An Associated Press reporter at the scene said the compound's green gates were blasted open, allowing hundreds of rebels poured into the complex, some driving golf carts as the area resounded with celebratory gunfire.

It was not immediately clear whether Gadhafi or members of his immediate family were in the compound when it was breached by the rebels, but the ferocity of the battle led many to speculate that the maverick leader may have been inside.

Taking security measures into their own hands, Arizona wants your help to expand the country's southern border fence

Natalie Gonnella
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When it comes to border security, President Obama may prefer mocking attacks over addressing security gaps, but that isn't going to stop the lawmakers of Arizona from securing their state.  And thanks to a new law that went into effect today, so long as they can raise both private donations and landowner support, the people of Arizona can now build their own barrier along the state's southern border without the approval (or aggravation) of the federal government.

Citing the fact that the border fence in Yuma successfully prevented 93 percent of all undocumented crossings in that area, Arizona's leaders hope to replicate that success throughout the rest of the state.

With the help of the recently launched Border Donation Service of the State of Arizona, Republican state Senator Steve Smith, who sponsored the legislation aims to raise at least $50 million from nationwide donations.

USA Today notes that, overall in Arizona:

The state's southern border is about 370 miles long. About a third of that, mostly in the western part of the state between Yuma and Nogales, has the type of fence lawmakers want. The rest either has no fencing or has fencing designed to keep out vehicles. In that part of the state, the fence is only a few feet tall and is made of barbed wire or wooden posts. Smith said most illegal immigrants cross into the eastern part of Arizona over that more porous border.

The Joint Border Security Advisory Committee will oversee the administration and management of the construction and maintenance of the fence, and 100% of donations, which will be held by the Arizona State Treasury's office, go directly to the project.

For more information on the Arizona border security initiative, visit www.buildtheborderfence.com.

Ahead of today's Twitter @townhall, a look at some of the 140 character queries from congressional Republicans

Natalie Gonnella
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As the White House prepares for its first Twitter based Town Hall meeting today, thousands of #AskObama tweets have poured across the social media site.  And while most of the questions won't make it to this afternoon's 'prime time' event, GOP Congress members have tactfully used the opportunity to push for answers on a number of pressing policy concerns.

From the ATF to unemployment, here's a look at some of the 140 character queries for President Obama from congressional Republicans:

Congressman Tom Price:

@RepTomPrice Are you going to release an updated, score-able budget, rather than just a political speech? #AskObama

Congressman Tom Graves:

@RepTomGraves #AskObama with unemployment at 9.1%, do you have a plan #4jobs?

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart:

@MarioDB #AskObama: Mr. President, Your Chosen Head Of The DNC Says Democrats Own The Economy. Do You Agree? Is This The Obama Economy?

Republican Study Committee:

@RepublicanStudy #AskObama what he has against a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. #CutCapBalance

House Ways and Means Committee:

@WaysandMeansGOP #AskObama Why are you holding up the 3 bipartisan trade agreements that would create 250K US Jobs? 1.usa.gov/lCfVwZ

House Natural Resources Committee:

@NatResources Why is your Admin. placing the majority of American #offshore #energy resources off limits? #askobama j.mp/r67QES

House Oversight Chair Darrell Issa:

@DarrellIssa #AskObama: who is right on #fastandfurious: Eric Holder or #ATFDir.Melson, whom we just interviewed? INFO:http://1.usa.gov/pvqXJQ #2nd

Congressman Tim Huelskamp:

@CongHuelskamp #AskObama: Will you back #GOP leg that hinders job-killing regulation + red tape? jobs.GOP.Gov #4jobs

Congressman Tom Rooney:

@TomRooney 798 days, $3.2 trillion in new debt since Senate Democrats passed a budget. What's your plan #4Jobs? #AskObama

Congressman Bob Gibbs:

@RepBobGibbs #AskObama: Will you tell the Senate 2 vote on #HR872, leg that will reduce uncertainty #smallbiz owners say prevent them from hiring? #4jobs

Congressman David Rivera:

@RepRivera Will Free Trade Agreements w/ Colombia, Panama & S Korea come before Cong, w/out additional conditions, before Aug recess? #AskObama #4jobs

Congressman Dennis Ross:

@RepDennisRoss Which is a better revenue generator? Economic growth or tax increases? Unlike the classroom lecture, u can't have both.#AskObama

Senator Orrin Hatch:

@OrrinHatch Gas prices are high. We’re losing 90m barrels of oil due to your moratorium, plus jobs. Why not open more land in Utah? #AskObama

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers:

@RepReneeEllmers What are you doing to remove regulation, taxation and uncertainty which small biz owners say prevent them from hiring? #askobama #4jobs

House Foreign Affairs Committee chair urges the immediate recall of the US envoy to Syria

Natalie Gonnella
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Joining the growing wave of voices demanding that the White House to get serious about the current situation in Syria, House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen this morning issued a stern statement calling for the immediate recall of the US Ambassador to Syria, an action the Obama administration should have initiated long before today.

A vocal advocate of the protection of freedom and human rights, here's a look at what the Congresswoman had to say:

The recess appointment of an Ambassador to Syria was an ill-advised overture to the Syrian regime by the Administration. The Administration should reverse this mistake by recalling the Ambassador immediately.

Ambassador Ford’s recent participation in a regime-organized tour of northern Syria provided legitimacy to a ploy aimed at covering up the regime’s violence against the Syrian people. It compromised U.S. credibility with freedom and pro-democracy advocates within Syria at a critical time. 

The regime has made it clear though its brutal actions and through the refusal of senior officials to meet with the Ambassador that it is not interested in diplomacy. Any continued presence of a U.S. Ambassador will either be used by the regime for propaganda purposes or just plain ignored

For the first time in a decade as many Republicans as Democrats say the US "should mind its own business" when it comes to global affairs

Natalie Gonnella
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As opposition grows in Washington over US action in Libya, a recent Pew research poll reveals that when it comes to global engagement, nearly half of GOP voters feel the US should "mind it's own business":

[F]or the first time in a decade, as many Republicans (45%) as Democrats (43%) said the United States “should mind its own business internationally.” In three surveys conducted between 2002 and 2005, only about half as many Republicans as Democrats expressed this view.

Overall, "majorites in every partisan group –including 55% of conservative Republicans – said the U.S. 'should pay less attention to problems overseas and concentrate on problems here at home.'"

While this change is attitude is not entirely surprising considering current criticism coming from lawmakers and 2012 contenders, it is still troubling. As Senator John McCain commented earlier today on ABC's This Week:

The fact is, our interests are our values. And our values are that we don't want people needlessly slaughtered by the thousands if we can prevent such activity

Abrams, Kagan, Kristol: "Don't cut and run in Libya"

Natalie Gonnella
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In response to recent efforts by lawmakers to slash funding for operations in Libya, Elliott Abrams, Bill Kristol and Robert Kagan are circulating a letter for signature to conservative foreign policy experts, arguing the pressing need for continued action against the Gadhafi regime.

Addressed to House Republicans, here's a look at what the trio (and the signatories) had to say:

We thank you for your leadership as Congress exercises its Constitutional responsibilities on the issue of America's military actions in Libya. We are gravely concerned, however, by news reports that Congress may consider reducing or cutting funding for U.S. involvement in the NATO-led military operations against the oppressive regime of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi.  Such a decision would be an abdication of our responsibilities as an ally and as the leader of the Western alliance.  It would result in the perpetuation in power of a ruthless dictator who has ordered terrorist attacks on the United States in the past, has pursued nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, and who can be expected to return to these activities should he survive.  To cut off funding for current efforts would, in short, be profoundly contrary to American interests.

We share the concerns of many in Congress about the way in which the Obama administration has conducted and justified this operation. The problem is not that he has done too much, however, but that he has done too little to achieve the goal of removing Qaddafi from power.  The United States should be leading in this effort, not trailing behind our allies.  We should be doing more to help the Libyan opposition, which deserves our support.  We should not be allowing ourselves to be held hostage to U.N. Security Council resolutions and irresolute allies.

The full letter is available to view here.

Seven Republicans back Libya lawsuit

Natalie Gonnella
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Less than 24 hours after Speaker John Boehner's warning to the administration in regard to it's neglect for the War Powers Act, a bipartisan group of lawmakers have taken matters into their own hands, filing a lawsuit against President Obama for his failure to seek congressional authorization for military action in Libya

The Hill reports:

Led by Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.), the members contend the White House broke the law when it launched military operations against Libyan strongman Col. Moammar Gadhafi in March without congressional authorization...

Aside from Kucinich and Jones, eight other House members endorsed the lawsuit, including GOP Reps. Howard Coble (N.C.), John Duncan (Tenn.), Roscoe Bartlett (Md.), Ron Paul (Texas), Tim Johnson (Ill.) and Dan Burton (Ind.), and Democratic Reps. John Conyers (Mich.) and Michael Capuano (Mass.).

The full complaint is available to view here.