Tuesday's global agenda: U.S. counterterrorism under the microscope

Your morning global affairs speed-read

The Open Society Justice Initiative today released its report on “Globalizing Torture,” billed as “the most comprehensive account yet assembled of the human rights abuses associated with CIA secret detention and extraordinary rendition operations. It details for the first time what was done to the 136 known victims, and lists the 54 foreign governments that participated in these operations.”

The report comes as the Obama administration, under pressure from lawmakers, on Monday released its legal rationale for targeting U.S. citizens abroad.

Mali donors conference: World governments meet in Brussels, Belgium, today to discuss the funding, equipping and training of an 8,000-strong African force, which is expected to eventually take over the fighting in Mali from France.

Biden in Britain: Vice President Biden meets today with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on the final leg of his three-country trip to Europe. He will attend a meeting of the United Kingdom National Security Council later in the day before heading back to the U.S.

On the Hill: The House Foreign Affairs and Energy & Commerce panels hold a joint hearing this morning on U.N. proposals to regulate the Internet. And the House Foreign Affairs panel on the Middle East and North Africa holds a hearing on “The Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation: Threatening Peace Prospects.”

In other news: 

U.S. had shot at taking down north African Islamist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar a decade ago [The Washington Post]

The Obama administration interfered in Mexico's choice of secretary of Defense, reports The New York Times.

Lobbying and regulations:

Paige Reffe is lobbying on behalf of Montenegro.

Africa Travel Association, Inc. “promotes travel, tourism and transport to and within Africa and strengthens intra-Africa partnerships.” The governments of Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe are among its 12 directors.

World Zionist Organization -- American Section, Inc is registered to “foster the ideals of Zionism and Judaism, and the unity of the Jewish people, to encourage the immigration of Jews to Israel and their resettlement and rehabilitation therein in industry, agriculture, commerce, and the trades; and to assist and further their cultural, educational, religious, social, artistic, and scientific endeavors to encourage, foster and promote the knowledge and study of Hebrew language and literature, Jewish culture, history, philosophy and traditions, and the achievement of the Zionist ideal; and in connection therewith, to disseminate, publish and otherwise make available cultural, literary, religious, social, artistic, scientific and other publications and works relating to Judaism, Zionism, Israel and kindred subjects.”

The State's Department's Shipping Coordinating Committee meets Feb. 25; its Advisory Committee on International Postal and Delivery Services will meet March 6.

Global Affairs news you might have missed: 

Senate passes bill allowing State Department to beef up embassy security

Biden vows climate change action in meeting with France's president

Libya interventionist Samantha Power leaving White House

Ireland's ambassador to the U.S. sets goals for EU presidency

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