Happy Thanksgiving to all. On this day, I hope that most of my readers are fortunate enough that should they suffer at all, it is because they are the victim of their qualities. Most people in much of the world cannot stake claim to such fortune. The Asia Foundation has a wonderful donation program called […]
In Canada, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, an independent policy advisory organization consisting of representatives from the environmental, business, and government sectors has found that the country’s northern infrastructure is not ready for the consequences of global warming in the Arctic. Infrastructure refers to everything from ice roads to dikes to […]
On the eve of the Mumbai atrocities, writer Zainab Jeewanjee discusses the detrimental effects of the massacre. Specifically, how terrorism is causing a rapidly deteriorating state of affairs in Pakistan. But the United States has a chance to get things right in South Asia by engaging both India and Pakistan economically. With economic interests in India and security/geopolitical interests in Pakistan, policy-makers should focus beyond immediate security and further extend cooperation to economic development in Pakistan to ensure they remain a long standing ally in the War on terror and in the face of an ascending China.
Last year this time I was busy planning my first Thanksgiving when terror struck Mumbai once again. Earlier that year there was a chain of explosions across various cities, and I thought this was a continuation of the same. But it was much more than crude bombs planted in rickshaws and cycles. So instead of […]
Mexico seemed to be on a progressive track this year: the centrist PRI wrestled legislative power from the center-right PAN in mid-term elections; personal drug use of everything from pot to heroine was decriminalized; and major investments in wind farms were made in Baja. Such overtures stop short of abortion rights, however. Last week the […]
On December 4 the run-up to the 2010 World Cup will begin in earnest as FIFA will conduct the draw for the tournament. South Africa is thus preparing for its long run in the public eye. Danny Jordaan, the CEO of South Africa’s World Cup hosting duties and thus the country’s uber-booster, insists that the […]
The Israeli government approved a 10-month settlement freeze tonight, with U.S. officials relatively tepid on the proposal that also drew criticism from Palestinians for failing to end settlement construction outside Jerusalem. U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell echoed concerns of the effort for neglecting to freeze Israeli expansion around Jerusalem. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement saying: “Today’s announcement […]
Bangladesh is becoming enmeshed in the broader regional strategy by which political Islamists in Bangladesh and Pakistan might bring down secular governments and establish a wider Islamic emirate. I want to propose that Bangladesh has been chosen as the alternative ground from which Pakistani militants will launch attacks into India. Before I get to […]
Since election violence in the Philippines began, approximately 57 people have been killed. At least 22 of these dead were kidnapped lawyers, journalists, and relatives of local politicians. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in the two Southern provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. Both are located on the […]
In an interview with Middle East Progress, Quartet Envoy Tony Blair provides his input on the “institution building” debate currently undergoing in the Palestinian Authority and the peace process with Israel, urging for political -and not just economic- reconciliation first. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called on Palestinians to begin developing the economic, security, and state building […]
Even as President Obama hosts the Indian Prime Minister at the State Dinner tonight, the joint press meet during the day sent conflicting signals about the future of Indo-US relations. In spite of being asked directly if the US would put pressure on Pakistan to act against terrorist operating from its territory, President Obama talked […]
Sudan is delaying the country’s long awaited elections yet again. But this time the reasons seem legitimate: The National Elections Commission (NEC) announced a six day delay to the elections in order to allow more time for voters to register at least in part at the behest of opposition parties. Sudan state media issued an […]
So, it appears that China’s policies toward Africa might disproportionately benefit the powerful and the privileged? I, for one, stand flabbergasted.
The South African government has announced the formation of a new anti-corruption team. A cabinet statement announced, “The South African government takes strong exception to corrupt practices and regards the matter very seriously because of the potential damage that this could cause to the country’s reputation globally.” South Africa ranked a middling (which is to […]
Zimbabwe has started withdrawing troops from the country’s diamond fields at the behest of the countries behind the Kimberley Process. Now, to be fair, this is one Zim-related narrative that is not simply part of a larger “Mugabe = Bad” narrative. The troops were posted at the diamond fields in Marange in the eastern part […]