Steven Lee Myers

A poster of chess player Garry Kasparov in Tromso, Norway, where the former world champion lost his bid to become the president of the World Chess Federation, or FIDE.

A chess legend fails in his bid to become the sport’s official king

Culture

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the current president of chess governing body FIDE, beat former world chess champion and Russian dissident Garry Kasparov to win another four-year term. The election turned bitter as the two men sparred over their political ties.

A poster of chess player Garry Kasparov in Tromso, Norway, where the former world champion lost his bid to become the president of the World Chess Federation, or FIDE.

A chess legend fails in his bid to become the sport’s official king

Culture
The World

US nervous as Maliki reaches out to pro-Iranian groups

Global Politics

Putin writes to American people in New York Times op-ed

United States plans’ for leaving Iraq include large military presence in Kuwait

Obama Administration “Ensnared” in China Scandal by Wang Lijun

Steven Lee Myers, diplomatic correspondent in Washington for our partner The New York Times, gives us a  new look at the U.S.’ role in the scandal surrounding Chinese Communist Party chief Bo Xilai and his role in the death of British businessman Neil Heywood.

Secretary of State Clinton Visits Myanmar

Global Politics

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in Burma on the first visit by such a senior American diplomat in 50 years.

After Iraq Withdrawal, US Plans Troop Increase in Persian Gulf

The White House is planning to boost its military presence in the Middle East when the final troops leave Iraq at December’s end. The new plan comes in light of the Iraqi government’s refusal to allow American forces to remain in the country after the previously agreed-upon deadline, which goes into effect at year’s end. […]

The World

Series of suicide bombings rock Iraq killing at least 60

In the third attack in two days in Iraq, simultaneous attacks by suicide bombers targeted the most important Shiite shrine in Baghdad. Is this a sign of widespread civil unrest? Or a temporary but dramatic upsurge in violence?

The World

Series of car bombs strike Baghdad

A series of six car bombs exploded in or near Baghdad on Monday, killing more than 30 people and wounding scores more. For the latest, The Takeaway is joined by the New York Times’ Baghdad correspondent Steven Lee Myers.