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April 22, 2009
Posted: 1728 GMT
It's on days like today that working at CNN is rewarding. We'll be going live to Islamabad, where there are real fears that Taliban forces are nearing ever closer to the Pakistani capital. We will also take you live to the front lines of the U.S.'s renewed effort to achieve success – however that may be defined today – in Afghanistan. A top U.S. military official recently said that 80% of insurgent violence is now occurring in the southern part of Afghanistan. 17,000 additional American troops will be heading there in the coming months as part of the Obama administration renewed focus in that country. Our Frederick Pleitgen followed one batallion from Iraq to Afghanistan. A real-life, tangible illustration of how America is shifting its war effort from one battleground to another. Also today, the economy. Don't yawn yet. Just consider this number: 4.2%. That's how far the IMF says the Eurozone's economies will shrink this year. The IMF also forecasts that the world economy will shrink 1.3% this year. The worst recession since World War 2. The last people to go thru worse economic times than us are the so-called X generation's grandparents. I'm fascinated by today's crisis not just because of the pain it is causing in people's every day life, but because of how it might force us all to re-arrange priorities when we come out of it. A recent study found that a majority of people polled said they will continue to spend less after the recession is over. But the American economy is two thirds consumer spending. If just a fraction of that disappears, what will drive the world's largest economy – and the rest of the world – to grow? Will Americans have to start making things instead of buying them? But I digress. Also on tap today, we'll discuss the latest on whether Israel's military committed acts that could be classified as "war crimes" during its January offensive in the Gaza strip. Israel today announced it had concluded its own investigation and has cleared its military of any wrongdoing. In today's Idesk poll, we're asking whether you think Israel is guilty of war crimes in Gaza? That and the rest of the world's top news stories. See you on TV! Hala Posted by: CNN Anchor, Hala Gorani |
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