Monday Morning Monkeys

BBC: Afghan role at stake in German poll; Walter Kolbow: We are committed to Afghanistan; Paul Schäfer: Germany must pull out of Afghanistan - Paul Schäfer's claim: "The policy of denying we were involved in the harsh reality of war was bound to fail – now we must help the nation find peace." How are the Germans supposed to help Afghanistan fight peace if they give up against the Taliban? Part of the problem has always been that most NATO "partners" have been unwilling to do what it takes to win this war.

CNN: Berlusconi eyes Afghan exit for Italian troops

'Time against' Afghanistan forces (BBC, Times, Petraeus)

Fox: Report Says Iran Has Ability to Make Nuclear Bomb, Iranian Ambassador Tells West to 'Read Between the Lines' on Nuclear Program; Guardian: IAEA secret report: Iran worked on nuclear warhead

BBC: I saw you across the platform... - The BBC has a mildly entertaining piece on what to do if you glimpse someone on public transportation, but don't get a chance to get their name and number.

BBC: Developer showcases new Halo game - I love that video games are now big enough to have become part of mainstream media coverage.

BBC: [space] Station grabs Japanese freighter

BBC: Yemeni conflict has roots in 1960s Cold War politics

BBC: PSNI [Northern Ireland] officers train Libyan police - The irony of this, given that Libya supported the IRA, should be lost on no one.

Guardian: Should you straighten your afro hair? - Being from the Pacific Northwest, an area in which there are almost no black people, I was completely unprepared to arrive in California, and subsequently on the East Coast, where black women's hair can change on a daily basis. Even though the linked article talks about Tyra Banks and Michelle Obama, two women to whom I'm largely indifferent, I found it fascinating.

Wired Danger Room: What a Revamped US Missile Shield Might Look Like; Guardian: Did the US do a deal with Russia? - President Obama really, really, really frustrates me.

Times: A welcome for the British [soldiers] - in Germany

Times: Queen Mother's Personal Letters Revealed

Times: Mad Johnny Baa Lamb is here to save the pit bulls - In Father Timeesque fashion, a columnist for the Times suggests sheep fighting in lieu of dog fighting. Even though he takes the mick out of the United States, it's hilarious. Go read it.

UPI: Al-Qaida seeks to 'rekindle Chechnya war'

UPI: Loss of leader seen to hit al-Qaida hard

LucasArts: The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition; Telltale Games: Tale of Monkey Island - Oh sweet merciful heavens, there are two new Monkey Island projects. That's fantastic!