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could validate Obama's long-held belief that the U.S. should be willing to talk to adversaries without preconditions.
• Obama and his advisers reject the notion that they are naive about Iran's intentions. And they insist the world must test whether new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is serious about his announced desire for improved relations with the West.
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Often criticized, safety-net health program for low-income people leads in signups
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- The underdog of government health care programs is emerging as the rare early success story of President Barack Obama's technologically challenged health overhaul.
• Often dismissed, Medicaid has signed up 444,000 people in 10 states in the six weeks since open enrollment began, according to Avalere Health, a market analysis firm that compiled data from those states. Twenty-five states are expanding their Medicaid programs, but data for all of them was not available.
• Meanwhile, private plans offered through troublesome online markets are expected to have enrolled a much smaller number of people.
• The Obama administration plans to release October enrollment statistics this week, but publicly available figures already provide a contrast between a robust start for Medicaid expansion and lukewarm early signups for new, government-subsidized private plans offered separately under the law.
• "Medicaid is exceeding expectations in most places," said Dan Mendelson, Avalere's president. "It is definitely a bright picture in states that have chosen to expand."
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Morocco-Algeria in bitter dispute that threatens US hopes for regional anti-terror cooperation
• RABAT, Morocco (AP) -- A Saharan stand-off may become a U.S. problem.
• A nasty spat between Algeria and Morocco over the disputed region of Western Sahara has boiled over anew, as Morocco recalled its ambassador, angry protesters tore down an Algerian flag, and a Moroccan magazine called for land grabs.
• When Morocco's King Mohammed VI meets with President Barack Obama during his visit to the U.S. next week, the monarch will be looking for greater U.S. support as Morocco feuds with regional rival Algeria. The neighbors are jockeying for (Continued on page 54)
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