Recently, I was shocked to hear an American friend name one of the virtues of her new house: “there are many police in the neighbourhood”. You would never hear such a thing come from the mouth of a Russian person, and for good reason. Calling the cops in Russia risks inviting the sort of treatment […]
The Palestinians are supposed to embark on an exercise of democratic reform today. But, it’s not going to happen. Last year, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced his intention of holding legislative and presidential elections today. However, Hamas (which one the 2006 elections and seized control of the Gaza Strip following obstruction by the PA) […]
This blog previously commented on rising opposition to and grumbling over the China – ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Southeast Asia, which went into effect on 90 percent of products, on January 1, 2010 Times Magazine Online has an article concerning more of the downsides of the FTA. For example, Indonesian Trade Minister, Mari […]
They are down to the quarterfinals in the Africa Cup of Nations. Tomorrow the hosts, Angola, will face off against World Cup-bound Ghana and Ivory Coast and Algeria, both also South Africa bound, will play. On Monday Egypt and Cameroon will meet in a contest between a team bound for this year’s world championship (Cameroon) […]
From The Economist via Andrew Sullivan: The obvious global narrative here is that we have actually seen a rollback of freedom in the last decade or so. But there are two notable exceptions: South America and, to a lesser extent, Africa. For example, the map shows the Democratic Republic of the Congo as having backslid […]
Can Brazil find its proper role in the long term efforts to rebuild Haiti and send it along a path to peace and prosperity
Israel has agreed to compensate the UN for the damage caused to its schools and humanitarian centers by the Israeli military (IDF) during its operation in Gaza a year ago. The agreement when finalized will require Israel to make a payment of $ 10.5 Million to the United Nations.
The meeting between the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India left one issue dangling on the ropes between disputed territory and no-mans’ land. The two governments agreed to post-pone till later any discussion of water sharing of the Teesta River. Today, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Tari Ahmed Karim, said those talks on the […]
India launches anti-Maoist operation: India has launched a large offensive against the rebel Maoist groups in five states – West Bengal, Jharakhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The new operation, according to Home Minister P Chidambaram, is aimed at reasserting “the authority of the civil administration” in the affected areas, and arresting top leaders. The Indian […]
During his Pakistan visit, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote an article for an English daily in which he basically stressed the need to work together. On the other hand, while in India, Mr. Gates implied that had India not acted sensibly (I am paraphrasing) after the Mumbai attacked, there was a real chance of war breaking out […]
Zainab Jeewanjee discusses Secretary Gates’ and Secretary Clinton’s respective plans for Afghanistan and Pakistan this week. While Secretary Gates suggested shared use of drone technology with Islamabad, he also called for a consolidated military approach to extremist groups. Secretary Clinton on the other hand, unveiled a civilian rooted plan aimed at reintegrating extremists back into the fold of society. Jeewanjee sides with Secretary Clinton on this issue and explains why Gates might have been hawkish in his stance.
During his Inauguration, President Barack Obama made his intentions well known to the outside world “To the Poor people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean water flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.” And to the adversaries in foreign audience he said […]
In what would be a boon to the Russian economy, BP Chief Executive Tony Hayway announced that his company is interested in drilling for oil and gas in the Russian Arctic. BP is already one of the largest foreign investors in Russia, while operations there account for 20% of BP’s worldwide oil and gas production. […]
The Awami League led government is responding to the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami’s ringing claims that the joint agreements recent signed by Bangladeshi and Indian leaders are detrimental to Bangladesh’s national interests. The Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni declared that the joint communiqué signed by the leaders of Bangladesh and India “would be a public document […]
It read’s like a spy novel and plays out like an episode of 24. A new article from DEBKAfile outlines the fate of a secret stash of gossip compiled by former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Realizing the impact that closeted skeletons can play in international affairs, Arafat ordered aides to uncover secrets on international officials […]