Still, the corps' surrender would remove a significant obstacle to coalition control of the city.

CNN: Coalition makes key advances in northern Iraq

That would remove a big obstacle to the adoption of electric vehicles in general that it takes so long to refuel them.

ECONOMIST: Electricity storage

Japan's new prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, has indicated that he will make a new attempt to remove the biggest obstacle in Japan's military relations with America, a stalled agreement over relocating American marines in Okinawa.

ECONOMIST: The curious durability of America��s Asian alliances

In the short term, the deal appears to remove the biggest remaining obstacle to admitting the new members.

ECONOMIST: Sowing trouble | The