With lots of international players concerned with the U.S. presidential campaigns, other important international elections may be overlooked. Here are a couple you may wish to follow:

• In Cyprus, the outcome of the up-coming presidential election could have a major influence on Turkey's future with the EU as well as with EU-NATO relations. Definitely one to watch.
• In Pakistan's up coming general election, rigging will probably occur. Already, fearing "allegations of vote rigging" could provoke violence has resulted int he mobilization of military troops in anticipation of civil unrest during next week's polling. Recent polling shows Musharraf's favor among the people at an all-time low (sound familiar?), though he has warned the opposition not to protest if they lose the election (sound like rigging?)
• In Russia, choosing Putin's successor has already caused a bit of controversy with the EU's main election watchdog refusing to oversee the election. Putin's preferred successor is ahead according to recent opinion polling — probably a result of receiving the state-controlled media's backing.
• And in Kenya, where violence errupted after election results were too close to call, following over a month of violence that resulted in an estimated 1,000 deaths, an power-sharing agreement brokered by the U.N. was signed earlier today, hopefully setting the nation on a path toward reconciliation and progress.

In U.S. Election News:

• Campaigning in Wisconsin, Obama spoke about his plans for the economy while addresseing workers at a General Motors plant.
• Obama has made multiple appearances in Wisconsin in anticipation of its primary next week; Clinton sent her daughter and her husband while focusing on states like Ohion and Texas with later primaries. Of course, her focus on those states hasn't prevented her campaign staff from sending me unsolicited email using email lists essentially stolen (i.e., bought or taken without consent) from University databases. An automatic black mark in my book.
• Confident in his ability to clinch the Republican nomination, Senator McCain is already gearing up for the general election.

In other (i.e., non-election news):

• There may be several reasons to worry about the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, but pointing fingers at the heavy-drinking history of U.S. military personnel (including the Commander in Chief), Pakistani officials are questioning the safety of America's nuclear weapons. Though these questions are meant to devalue U.S. concerns, they do raise an interesting point…
• The WTO ruled against China (for the first time?).
• U.S. economic policy advisors are contemplating future rate cuts.

Happy Valentine's Day, Seminal Readers! May your day be filled with election coverage and happy, fuzzy, kitty love.
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