“Political geography” on The Daily Caller

TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has eased pressure on Japan over the huge American military bases in the country, while asking for Tokyo’s help with North Korea. (more)

1.) Feds may have to bail out Detroit for a second time — If the federal government decides, in its finite wisdom, that poorly run states and municipalities do not deserve to sink or swim based on the electoral acumen of their residents (or lack thereof), and chooses instead to “bail out” bankrupt members of the American federation, there will be some irony in the decision. In Detroit, two of the city’s public pensions are under investigation for “risky investing” that cost the two funds $480 million in three years. According to the Detroit Free Press, “many of the investments involved secretive middlemen, who pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars, or were vetted by controversial investment adviser Adrian Anderson and his firm, North Point Advisors.” Anderson is currently under investigation by the SEC, but has not been charged. In the meantime, “the pensions are paying the legal bills of Anderson and a second adviser who scrutinized failed real estate deals.” Have you heard the one about the burglar who fell through the woman’s skylight and then demanded that she pay for his medical bills? This is sort of like that. (more)

I think we will see more of the same in 2011 in Mexico. The drug cartel killing spree raises a number of less discussed considerations. We are told the huge American demand for drugs, both grown and manufactured, creates the problem; perhaps in part, but note that we have a longer, more porous border with Canada and we are not seeing a shoot ‘em up culture arising in Calgary or Toronto over meth or heroin exporting to the U.S. Something else is going on as well. We were also told that the continuation of massive illegal immigration from Mexico to the U.S. at least had a ‘safety valve’ effect that lessened tensions in Mexico while earning it nation-saving foreign exchange; but after 11-16 million Mexican nationals have fled to the United States the last 20 years, exactly how has that mass flight and ensuing  remittances of an estimated $30 billion per annum made things any better in Mexico? (more)

In the story of the scourge of Somali piracy, Sunday’s news brings to a close one of the longest-running hostage crises in the region. (more)

The Division of Elections has reviewed write-in ballots for almost half the precincts in Alaska and is counting nearly 98 percent of them for Lisa Murkowski. The Murkowski campaign is acting confident of victory and is accusing Joe Miller of taking “desperate” measures to try to win. (more)

If you thought the battle in 2000 over “hanging chads” in Florida was a thrill, you’ll love Alaska’s possible forthcoming dispute over misspelled write-in ballots for Republican Sen. Lisa Murkouski…Merkosky…Murkowski. (more)

After 69 days stuck underground, most people would be itching to get to the surface and into the arms of family and friends. (more)

Japan on Wednesday said South Korea would face scrutiny over its repeated moves to weaken the won and called on China to act “responsibly” amid escalating fears of a global currency war. (more)

China signaled for the U.S. to stay out of disputes over the South China Sea, three days before President Barack Obama is due to meet with regional leaders concerned over China’s territorial claims in the oil-and gas- rich waters. (more)

Republican Joe Miller attracts 42% of the vote in the first Rasmussen Reports poll of the Alaska Senate race since GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski announced her write-in campaign to try to keep her job. (more)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who lost Alaska’s GOP Senate primary to Tea Party-favorite Joe Miller, announced last Friday she’s going to attempt a write-in candidacy to keep her job. On Sunday, she explained her decision to Candy Crowley on CNN’s State of the Union by saying she is just following what her constituents have been asking her to do. (more)

The Alaska Libertarian Party will not swap its chosen nominee for Sen. Lisa Murkowski if she loses the GOP nomination. (more)

Joe Miller’s surprise victory in the Alaska Republican Senate primary has given Democrats at least a marginal opportunity for a pick up this fall, although that will fade if Lisa Murkowski stays in the race for the general as the Libertarian candidate. (more)

WASHINGTON – Sarah Palin said yesterday that while Massachusetts may “put up with” Senator Scott Brown, the conservatives in her home state of Alaska “wouldn’t stand for” him. (more)

Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee spokesmen were on ABC’s “Top Line” Wednesday with dueling messages coming out of last night’s primary. (more)

CROIX DES BOUQUETS, Haiti — A few months before Wyclef Jean, the hip-hop star, declared his candidacy for president of Haiti, the representative of a struggling tent camp made a pilgrimage to the new headquarters of Mr. Jean’s charity. He arrived, hat in hand, at the eight-acre compound the charity leased after a fund-raising bonanza in response to the Jan. 12 earthquake. (more)

(CNN) — A source familiar with ongoing rescue efforts confirms to CNN that former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has died in a plane crash near Dillingham, Alaska. (more)

The Obama administration has adopted a tougher tone with China in recent weeks as part of a diplomatic balancing act in which the United States welcomes China’s rise in some areas but also confronts Beijing when it butts up against American interests. (more)