The Center for Security Policy believes that it is incumbent on the Bush Administration to "stand-down" on further weakening of the U.S. and multilateral export control regime pending a complete reassessment of the present policy approach and rampant mismanagement of licensing decisions.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | Could The US Really Be Agreeing In Paris To Weaker Export Controls After Iraqi Fiascoes?

The greenback got a bit of a boost early in the session after Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda gave some clues on how the approach to monetary policy at the central bank might change under his control.

WSJ: Europe Concerns Weigh on Asian Shares