What news from foreign countries will we be talking about in two months? To keep readers abreast of the latest developments abroad, Brian Stewart will provide semi-regular commentary for the blog, highlighting global alerts that merit attention.
Perhaps the most conspicuous guest at the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran is Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The odds are fairly strong that his meeting today with Iran's top leaders has unnerved many in Washington, not least former ambassador Robert Blackwill, who have labored tirelessly to persuade New Delhi of the merits of a close U.S.-Indian alliance.
The Prime Minister’s trip has placed New Delhi’s ties with Tehran under fresh scrutiny. On Wednesday, Mr. Singh is set to meet the Islamic Republic’s top rulers, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – the first meetings of this level since 2001.
Mr. Singh is expected to try to advance India’s energy and security interests by developing closer ties, but doing so without making the U.S. uncomfortable will be a challenge.
