Monday's global agenda: Republicans on the attack

Your morning global affairs speed read

Republicans are renewing their attacks against the Obama administration's handling of the investigation into the deadly attack in Libya and the president's entire Middle East policy as they seek an advantage on national security five weeks before the election. Lax security at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi where Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed on Sept. 11 in particular has become a campaign issue. [The New York Times]

House Homeland Security Chairman Pete King (R-N.Y.) has called for Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, to resign. And presidential candidate Mitt Romney penned an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal on Monday calling for a “new strategy toward the Middle East.”

“Middle East policy will be undermined unless we restore the three sinews of our influence: our economic strength, our military strength and the strength of our values,” Romney wrote. The Republican candidate is also expected to deliver major foreign policy address within the next few weeks.

Trade slowdown: The growth in world trade is projected to grow by a dismal 2.5 percent this year — down from almost 14 percent in 2010 — dragging down the U.S. recovery. [The Wall Street Journal]

Electoral dispute: The former Soviet Republic of Georgia votes today in parliamentary elections that could create another foreign policy headache for the Obama administration, with both parties in the bitter campaign turning to the U.S. for support. The vote pits the ruling party against the country's richest man, who made his fortune in Russia and has warned that he won't stand idly by if the election is “stolen” from him. 

In other news: 

Yemen's president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, told The Washington Post that he personally approves every U.S. drone strike in his country.

Coordinated bombings in Iraq against Shiite targets and security forces killed at least 26 people in attacks that one official described as a rallying call by al Qaeda just days after dozens of militants escaped from prison. [The Associated Press]

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists ponders whether Israel has closed the door on the 2012 Middle East WMD-Free Zone Conference, scheduled for December in Helsinki, Finland.

What you might have missed on Global Affairs:

Case for Pakistan aid gets more complicated after Zardari's remarks

White House: Obama in 'full agreement' with Netanyahu on Iran

Congressional pressure grows for Obama on Libya consulate attack

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