The latest news on New Values Voters, World Economic Summit, Obama Interview, Auto Bill, State Budgets, Republican Debate, Immigration Reform, Iraq Cabinet Approves Agreement, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel-Gaza, Iran, Congo, and Select Op-eds.

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New values voters. Study: Election created new 'values voter' "Americans painted a new picture of the 'values voter' in the recent election. They rejected the 'culture wars,' with its narrow agendas and liberal-conservative divisiveness, in favor of politics that build bridges on a range of contentious issues." Election results pointing to new religious coalition "The data indicate Mr. Obama's victory was aided by the emergence of a new and diverse religious coalition that views fighting poverty, protecting the environment, and promoting world peace to be critical issues -- not just abortion rights and same-sex marriage upon which the religious right has focused."

World economic summit. World Leaders Vow Joint Push to Aid Economy "The leaders of 20 countries agreed to work more closely, but put off thornier questions until next year, in an early challenge for the Obama administration." G-20 economic summit brings pledges of teamwork "World leaders agreed to put tighter controls on financial markets and work together to halt the economic crisis now cascading across the globe, but their summit was overshadowed by the knowledge that any long-term plan depended on someone who did not even attend: President-elect Barack Obama." World leaders agree on broad principles to calm economic waters "The summit of the Group of 20, which represents 19 countries and the European Union, called for a range of new regulations of financial institutions, credit rating agencies and other bodies widely blamed for sparking the gravest global economic crisis in decades." Brown claims world backing for plan to tax less, spend more "The Prime Minister will use the conclusions of the G20 summit in Washington to justify plans to raise tax credits for the low paid and speed up building projects on schools, hospitals, housing and transport projects." World leaders let Harper off deficit hook "The Prime Minister emerged from the unprecedented meeting of leaders of the Group of 20 industrial and emerging economies with a freer hand to backtrack on his firm pledge during the election to not run a deficit."

Obama interview. Transition can be time of risk, Obama says "President-elect Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast Sunday evening that he is assembling his national security team as quickly as possible because there potentially can be 'times of vulnerability' to terrorist attacks during White House transition periods." Obama Stresses National Security in First TV Interview Since Election "President-elect Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast last night that selecting his national security team is one of his top priorities since terrorists might try to attack the United States during the White House transition."

Auto bill. Democrats Attach Provisions to Auto Bill "A measure to speed $25 billion in emergency aid to the nation's automakers will include provisions designed to protect taxpayers, congressional Democrats said yesterday, including a ban on bonuses for employees who make more than $200,000 a year and a government oversight board with power to veto corporate decisions." Automakers' pain felt far beyond Detroit "So when Ford, Chrysler or General Motors Corp. sneeze, 600,000 workers in places as widely scattered as Peachtree City, Ga., and Pittsburg, Kan., are likely to catch cold." Economic Crisis Boils Democratic Message Down to Jobs "With unemployment claims at a 14-year high, and with Goldman Sachs economists predicting that the jobless rate could rise to 8.5 percent by the end of 2009, Democrats are seizing on job creation as an argument for aggressive action that they say will be hard for Republicans to resist."

State budgets. Facing Deficits, States Get Out Sharper Knives "Rising unemployment and sharp drops in tax revenue are forcing states to face service cuts, hiring freezes, tax increases, or all of these."

Republican debate. Among Republicans, a Debate Over the Party's Road Map Back to Power "Some conservatives want a return to the basics of the Reagan era, while others warn that the party must update the focus of conservatism." Cantor says GOP is no longer 'relevant' "Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, poised to ascend to House Republicans' No. 2 leader this week, said the Republican Party in Washington is no longer 'relevant' to voters and must stop simply espousing principles."

Immigration reform. Obama faces pressure on immigration reform "Before a huge crowd in San Diego last summer, Barack Obama vowed to make fixing illegal immigration a top priority as president, and Latinos nationwide responded with massive support for him on Election Day. Now, they are pressing him to keep his promise." Chicago petition drive aims to make immigration reform a priority for Obama "Petitions collected Saturday in Chicago at a church in the Pilsen neighborhood will be sent to Obama this week demanding that Immigration raids be dramatically scaled back under his administration. Signed by U.S. citizens on behalf of friends or family in the country illegally, the letters also called for new action on Immigration reform within the first year of Obama's presidency."

Iraq cabinet approves agreement. Pact, Approved in Iraq, Sets Time for U.S. Pullout "Iraq's cabinet approved a security agreement that calls for a full withdrawal of American troops from the country by the end of 2011." Iraqi cabinet approves accord setting U.S. troop withdrawal "Iraq's cabinet approved an agreement with the United States that sets a timetable for the nearly complete withdrawal of American forces within three years - a date Iraqi officials said cannot be extended." Iraq cabinet approves U.S. troop pact "Iraq's cabinet has approved a security pact which allows about 150,000 U.S. troops to remain in the country for another three years, a government spokesman has confirmed."

Afghanistan. Karzai Offers Passage to Taliban Leader for Talks "Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he would guarantee the safety of Mullah Muhammad Omar for peace talks." Afghanistan's Karzai Offers Safety if Taliban Leader Will Negotiate "As international pressure mounts for negotiations with insurgents, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday that he would guarantee the security of Taliban chief Mohammad Omar if he decides to enter into talks."

Pakistan. Pakistan and U.S. Have Tacit Deal On Airstrikes "The United States and Pakistan reached tacit agreement in September on a don't-ask-don't-tell policy that allows unmanned Predator aircraft to attack suspected terrorist targets in rugged western Pakistan, according to senior officials in both countries."

Israel-Gaza. Israel-Hamas cease-fire in peril as violence rises "An Israeli airstrike killed four Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and a rocket exploded near a home in southern Israel on Sunday, the latest violence in a surge of fighting that has threatened to unravel a 5-month-old cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza." IDF brass slams 'war-mongering' by top ministers "Senior Israel Defense Forces officers yesterday criticized certain cabinet ministers for beating the drum for military action in the Gaza Strip."

Iran. Talks yield no new sanctions against Iran's nuclear program "U.S. and other powers fail to reach a deal on ways to press Iran to halt uranium enrichment, even as a report suggests Tehran has made key progress on a heavy-water research reactor." Miliband: Iran feeling the impact of sanctions "Iran is clearly feeling the effect of economic sanctions imposed by the international community over its nuclear program, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told The Jerusalem Post." Barack Obama brings hope of Iran talks, says Shimon Peres "Israel believes that there is a chance for dialogue with Iran if Barack Obama succeeds in uniting the international community behind a common policy."

Congo. Rebel chief agrees to ceasefire in Congo "The rebel leader Laurent Nkunda agreed to support U.N. efforts to restore peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo yesterday even as his troops were battling government forces." Clashes shatter Congo ceasefire "Heavy fighting breaks out in eastern DR Congo despite a rebel leader's offer of a ceasefire with the government."

Editorial. A Military for a Dangerous New World (New York Times) "To protect the nation, the Obama administration will have the incredible task of rebuilding a military that is overtaxed and ill-equipped."