If you’ll pardon the self indulgence, we all probably could use a bit of a respite from the constant focus on Zimbabwe, important as events there are. The Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) has published my review of Robert O’ Collins’ and James N. Burns’ new book, A History […]
Tea leaves are everywhere to be read in Zimbabwe. It appears that Robert Mugabe has lost the House of Assembly, the one area of the vote over which he had the least control. So what does this defeat mean for Mugabe? Will it provide more impetus for him to continue to find a way out while […]
In an earlier post, I discussed a burgeoning Russia/NATO partnership concerning Afghanistan. This agreement, which is being negotiated as we speak at the Bucharest NATO Summit, however, may not come to fruition. Only a day or so ago, Konstantin Kosachev, head of Russia's State Duma Committee for Foreign Affairs, stated that the agreement was "premature' […]
Few things in life- first dates, certain church services- have of much ritualized pointlessness as the annual Arab Summit. It is a parade of forced smiles, empty promises, grand, boring speeches, and zero progress on any issues. The summit, controversialy held in Damascus, failed to make any headway on the most pressing issue in the […]
Is it possible that endgame is approaching in Zimbabwe, and that as a result Robert Mugabe will try to find a face-saving measure to allow him to step down and Morgan Tsvangirai to take his place as Zimbabwe's president? This is a story that will continue to develop and I plan to follow it over the […]
Should a government have any role whatsoever in regulating journalism? That is the central question in the emerging debate about the African National Congress’ prospective establishment of a “Media Appeals Tribunal.” My initial reaction is that government is best removed from the business of regulating or challenging or facilitating its critics. This is especially the case when the […]
Not many people thought it would come to this. I did not. Most of us who assumed that Robert Mugabe would steal the election simply assumed that he would do so early enough to make the theft seem obvious if a bit more difficult to prove. I still expect Mugabe to keep his grip on power, but […]
Iran's Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki officially requested entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization this March 27. The move was sponsored by Tajikistan's President, Emomali Rahmon. Iran's request and possible ascension into the SCO needs greater analysis: What are their chances for becoming an official member? How does it benefit Iran? How would it benefit/hurt China, […]
[kml_flashembed movie=”http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-296515809464153035″ width=”400″ height=”326″ wmode=”transparent” /] The video I’m posting is of the Iraq Town Hall that was put on by the Foreign Policy Association, last week in New York City. The panelists are Dr. Fred Kagan, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute specializing in defense issues and the US military. He is […]
On May 2-4, Moscow will host a major International AIDS conference that will focus on the virus's growth in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In an interview, Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, stated that "HIV is increasing more rapidly in Central Asia than in any other part of the world.' Piot blames widespread injecting-drug […]
The Foreign Policy Association and the European Courier spoke with the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United Nations, Ambassador Fernando Valenzuela of Spain, about issues impacting the EU at the UN. Watch the video below or read the transcript here. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=20973086853862567″ width=”400″ height=”326″ wmode=”transparent” /]
In connection to Monday's discussion of the power dynamics between Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and newly-elected President, Dmitry Medvedev, I want to now examine Medvedev's liberal credentials. This of course will be discussed in the context that as President, Medvedev will most likely be playing a deferential role to Putin's Prime Minister Office, but […]
According to several media reports, the battle of Basra is NOT going well. Just a few hours ago, militants blew up a crude oil pipeline. An act of retaliation, this is part of a tenacious fight that the Sadrists are putting up in the south of the country. The Iraqi and US forces have a […]
I am leaving the country for a few days and almost surely will not have a chance to write here. I will return Tuesday (or possibly Monday night). In the meantime, you can ponder the following: is South Africa looking at imminent and enduring inflation?
I am leaving the country for a few days and almost surely will not have a chance to write here. I will return Tuesday (or possibly Monday night) when the fodder for conversation will be the aftermath of the Zimbabwe election. Until then you should check out the following: Mary Ndlovu and Pambazua News is […]