Skirmishes erupted on Monday between the Congolese army and rebel fighters loyal to warlord Laurent Nkunda, shattering a three-week ceasefire in the region. The fighting, which has been ongoing for the past year, has resulted in the forced displacement of more than 300,000 people, according to the United Nations High …
Imagine New York City full of Gridlock, endless horns blaring, countless road blockades, the constant sounds of police sirens…no the chaos is not the beginning of Armageddon, but the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders.
Mo Ibrahim, who boldly and controversially is offering a prize to reward good governance in Africa, has released his Ibrahim Index, with the help of Africa specialist Robert Rotberg, ranking African nations based on a host of criteria, including safety and security; rule of …
There were about 1,300 articles listed by Google on the UN climate talks in New York. (See previous post under "UN Climate Summit.") Here's the take from the "FT" today – UN chief upbeat after climate forum. Ban Ki-moon said: "Action is possible now and it makes …
The UN recently called for a rare summit on Africa and predictably, promises were made, agendas were set, ideas proposed. While it is good to see Africa on the global agenda in such a visible way, many Africans are rightly skeptical:
“Africa's agenda will increasingly be defined by …
A U.S. military appeals court reinstated terrorism charges against Omar Khadr for murder, conspiracy, spying and supporting terrorism. Khadr, 21, has been held at the U.S. detention facility at a naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for the past five years. He was detained in Afghanistan for allegedly killing Sgt. …
Appologies for the lack of post over the last couple of days, as I have been in New York attending the Foreign Policy Associations New York Democracy Forum and the 2007 World Leadership Forum.
I had hoped to ask the H.E. Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, a …
This month, several former leaders of states that support Central Asia's economic and political liberalization have weighed in on issues of globalization and economic integration. In particular, former President of Turkey Mr. Demirel discussed the historic and continuing participation of Turkey in Central Asia's economic development, noting that …
Witnesses in the trial of Saddam Hussein's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, testified that he had ordered the execution of 200 people during a Shi’ite uprising in southern Iraq in 1991. One unnamed Shia witness testified from behind a curtain that al-Majid, also known as “Chemical Ali”, personally …
Famed Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas has been commissioned by Mexico City officials to design what would be Latin America's tallest skyscraper at 984 feet. As the New York Times noted recently, however, the proposed ”Bicentennial Tower” is causing controversy among its future neighbors and city activists who are taking legal action. If …
Gordon Brown remains steadfast in his refusal to attend any Europe-Africa summit in which Robert Mugabe is allowed to participate. At least a few African leaders are rallying around Mugabe, who is on his way to New York where he will
Yesterday was the first day of fall. It's been gorgeous weather where we live, in NYC. I haven't been out as much as I'd like because I've been hugely busy with a new teaching gig. This is hard work it turns out. For all you teachers out there: Salute! So, …
A recent book by Florence Hartmann, a former spokeswoman for the U.N. war crimes division, alleged that the United States and Russia intervened in Serbian affairs regarding the fugitive Radovan Karadzic. Hartmann claims that the two countries made a secret deal with Karadzic to not detain him …
It looks as if COSATU has begun to forge its independent path in what is certain to be a rollicking succession battle within the ANC. I have long argued that the ANC will eventually find its greatest challenges from within, and that a viable opposition is most …
The following email is circulating in Zimbabwe and throughout the region. I cannot vouch for its origins, but I received it froma friend who, for reasons that ought to be clear, would prefer to remain anonymous. Even if it ends up being dubious or overwrought, the very fact that …
