Prisoner swap negotiations continued today with Israeli ministers reportedly finalizing deliberations and additional details on Hamas’ demands emerging. Notably, some reports indicate that Hamas no longer seeks the release of former Fatah official and beloved Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti who is currently held in Israeli prisons. If true, this development has far-ranging impact. Most notably, Barghouti would […]
In 2009, did Russia celebrate or mourn 10 years of Putinism? RUSSIA REBORN? While experts can debate the extent, there is no doubt that the country has grown at least a little bit richer and stronger under Putin. However, as Daniil Kharms observed, the bigger the cucumbers in the shops, the better they can be […]
Overview: The predominant trend in Southeast Asia this year has been one of increasing regional integration, but this has been tempered by historic issues of nationalism, which continue to challenge the region and serve as the largest obstacle for a more united ASEAN. 2009, was an excellent year for various free trade initiatives, between ASEAN […]
Zainab Jeewanjee discusses the Boston Globe’s recommendation that America remain neutral as Pakistan gears itself for regime change. She lists the potential list of future leaders and offers reasons as to why it’s in our interest to remain neutral in each case.
A few weeks ago, advocates for a prisoner swap with Hamas seemed optimistic that abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit would be reunited with his family. As the weeks drag on and the media reports apparent Israeli government reluctance on the swap, the prospects of a prisoner exchange by the end of the year continues to […]
This week, one of the biggest stories in the international media about Brazil focused on the Goldman abduction case and the latest international repercussions of the case. Sean Goldman was abducted by his Brazilian mother, Bruna Bianchi, in June 2004 from New Jersey. She brought him to Rio de Janeiro under the pretext of a […]
December 18, 2009 Dear Chief Justice Ifitkhar Chaudhury It seems you are an activist chief justice, and are quite eager to take up Suo Motoactions supposedly to bring about justice and resolve outstanding issues that confront Pakistan. Here are some my suggestions to you; three issues that many Pakistanis feel deserve your immediate attention: 1. […]
Overview This past year was another interesting one for Venezuela, and it is a country where one never knows what will happen next. Overall, Chávez continued to advance his “Bolivarian revolution”. This effort included a number of laws passed by the National Assembly, a body that typically rubber stamps initiatives proposed by the Venezuelan president. […]
President Lula made his case for greenhouse gas emissions reductions at the UNFCCC fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) at Copenhagen. In an open letter published in the Christian Science Monitor, Lula admonished, “It is beyond doubt that both the benefits of economic development as well as the costs of environmental degradation over the past […]
Overview: Kyrgyzstan played the US and Russia for a whole lot of money (Suez Crisis all over again?). There were scuffles between border guards over the Ferghana Valley borders. Nabucco is still on paper while a pipeline between China and Kazakhstan opened. Kazakhstan heads the OSCE while Kyrgyzstan kills or harasses those it considers enemies […]
Zainab Jeewanjee reviews Pakistani politics for 2009. While terrorism dominates the landscape and bilateral relations with the United states, there is hope for a better 2010 in a free, fair media that is rapidly expanding. Jeewanjee discusses an overview of this year, the person who had the most impact and the most unexpected event of 2009 in Pakistan.
Overview Mexicans could be forgiven for thinking they were in hell on earth last year. The economy skidded into recession while drug violence ravaged Juárez and other major cities, leaving more than 5,000 dead. North of the border there was scuttlebutt of Mexico becoming a failed state. Turns out 2008 may have only been purgatory, […]
Overview: The most notable news this year in the conflicted politics of Bangladesh was the renaissance of the Awami League as a party ready to govern in a way that might give it another run at executive office in the next election cycle. After securing an overwhelmingly popular public mandate for governing Bangladesh in the […]
Overview: The year started with a bang, or many bangs to be precise. The events of late December- mid January one year ago set the stage for relations between Israel and the rest of the world. Israel launched Operation Cast Lead on the Gaza Strip to attempt to end the incessant rocket fire into southern […]
Overview The 2008 Mumbai attacks dominated the news and cast a long shadow that affected India’s actions in 2009. The investigations, compilation of dossiers detailing Pakistan’s involvement and prosecution of the perpetrators of the attack were the highlights of the past year. Evidence of the terrorists’ direct links with Pakistan increased tensions. The composite dialogue […]