{{Iranian Student#31965}} Security forces quelled student protests in Iran. Young people in 18 cities had staged protests, thrown stones, and set police vehicles on fire. Pro-government conservatives rallied right back. "{{International Papers#31989}}" compares the uprising to civil war and the fall of the Iron Curtain, but the Iranian newspaper Neshat argues that revolution is "neither possible nor desirable."

Peace talks broke down in Northern Ireland. Protestant unionists rejected a plan to implement last year's peace accord on the grounds that the plan requires sharing power with the political wing of the still-armed Irish Republican Army. {{International Papers#32152}} describes the clamor for negotiators to return the Nobel Peace Prize they won last year. The BBC reports that the post-breakdown {{finger-pointing#2:http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_395000/395903.stm}} is drowning out both sides' {{weary vows#2:http://news2.thls.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_396000/396201.stm}} to continue the process.

{{Arafat Barak#31910}} Ehud Barak pledged to renew the peace process. President Clinton said he looked forward to Barak's first U.S. visit like "a kid with a new toy," but CNN predicted that Clinton would {{refrain from pressuring#2:http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/meast/9907/15/barak.us.01/}} Barak into immediate action. At his first official meeting with Yasser Arafat, Barak promised to implement former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's still-unrealized diplomatic agreements, while Arafat repeated calls to curb West Bank settlements. Both meetings were deemed key steps toward rebuilding relationships Netanyahu had soured. Click {{here#32060}} to read Slate's David Plotz puncture the Barak euphoria.

Taiwan asserted its autonomy from China. The island abandoned its "one China" policy, which implied China's sovereignty over and eventual reunification with Taiwan. "Don't underestimate the Chinese government's firm determination to uphold national sovereignty, dignity, and territorial integrity," warned the Chinese Foreign Ministry in response. The Wall Street Journal says the move "alarmed even Taiwan's friends," including the United States, which quickly affirmed the one China policy. But Hong Kong's South China Morning Post{{reports#2:http://www.scmp.com/news/China/Article/FullText_asp_ArticleID-19990713024720260.asp}} that the Taiwanese are ready to call what they think is China's bluff.

Pakistan and India will end their standoff in Kashmir. Pakistani-backed Islamic militants withdrew from their Himalayan stronghold after weekend talks between Indian and Pakistani officials. One Islamic military group still refuses to budge. The Pakistanis spun their pullback as a mutual cease-fire, but as "{{International Papers#31860}}" notes, India bragged of "a total military rout." The rest of the world sighed with relief at what the New York Times{{called#2:http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/asia/071299india-pakistan.html}} "an end to the latest confrontation between the world's newest nuclear powers." A Washington Post editorial credits President Clinton with {{quietly brokering#2:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-07/15/057r-071599-idx.html}} the deal but warns that America may now be drawn into the conflict.

Serbian opposition leader Vuk Draskovic will try to oust Slobodan Milosevic. The hitherto-silent Draskovic called for "massive rallies" to topple the regime. The Washington Post{{cautions#2:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-07/14/160l-071499-idx.html}} that the effort may be sabotaged by a crackdown from Milosevic or by internecine quarrelling among opposition leaders.

Rafael Resendez-Ramirez surrendered. The Mexican national who topped the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list and is suspected of killings in three states turned himself in under a plan brokered by his sister. He had been apprehended in June by INS agents for trying to enter the U.S. illegally, but had then been released, allegedly because the agents had no information on his record or his warrants.

The Senate passed compromise patients' rights legislation. Republicans defeated a plan to let patients sue their HMOs but approved more access to emergency care and specialists. Democrats protested that the reforms would apply to fewer than one-third of the 161 million Americans with private insurance. The Washington Post awards the GOP "{{a clean win#2:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/healthcare/stories/senate071699.htm}} on an issue of prime importance to the American public" but foresees an election-time brawl. "Today we saw what 'compassionate conservativism' pretends to be," harrumphed Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md. New York Times columnist Bob Herbert asserts that managed care has {{bought Republican votes#2:http://www.nytimes.com/library/opinion/herbert/071599herb.html}} and that patients will die as a result.

George W. Bush will forgo federal matching campaign funds. He explained that being unconstrained by spending limits will give him "strategic flexibility." "There's a chance I'll be running against somebody who will be able to jump in a government airplane and travel the country making promises," he said.

Rep. John Kasich dropped his presidential bid. He endorsed George W. Bush. USA Today's Walter Shapiro {{eulogized#2:http://www.usatoday.com/elect/ew/ew338.htm}} Kasich as "one of the most refreshingly outspoken figures in his party" and concluded that "another voice in the struggle to define the party's agenda is stilled." Other analyses agreed that Kasich was intimidated by Bush's haul of money and endorsements, and wondered who might drop out next.