Foreign Policy Blogs

Tag Archives: politics

Election in Norway: Implications for the Lofoten Islands

Election in Norway: Implications for the Lofoten Islands

In my previous post, I noted how there isn’t likely to be a dramatic shift in Norway’s Arctic policy even though the Conservatives will now be at the helm of government. Regardless of whether Labour or the Conservatives dominate, oil will still be one of Norway’s top priorities in the Arctic. But questions remain as […]

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Robert Mugabe: Sore Winner

Robert Mugabe: Sore Winner

[Robert Mugabe in his Default Setting. ©The Guardian] And in the least surprising news ever, Robert Mugabe proves not to be gracious in victory. He has announced his new government, and the opposition MDC, which has been part of an uncomfortable coalition for the last five years, finds itself on the outside looking in. Mugabe completely […]

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The Unwanted Federally Administered Tribal Areas

The Unwanted Federally Administered Tribal Areas

There are few places in the world that do not afford its citizens basic human rights, or at least a garb of human rights. The Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan (or better known as “FATA”) are one of those areas. FATA are the semi-autonomous areas in the northwest frontier of Pakistan, bordering both the […]

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Obama’s Decision to Arm Syria’s Rebels

Obama’s Decision to Arm Syria’s Rebels

More than two years after the beginning of the Syrian rebellion, the Obama administration reported on Thursday, June 13, that it would begin supplying small arms and ammunition to rebels fighting the Syrian government. Proposals for more direct intervention, such as the establishment of a no-fly zone, were rejected, at least for the time being. […]

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The ATT, the NRA, and the Politics of Treaty Ratification

The ATT, the NRA, and the Politics of Treaty Ratification

Regular readers of Foreign Policy Blogs may be familiar with the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Trevor Keck and Joe Gurowsky, for instance, have touched on the topic in earlier posts. Having been approved by the General Assembly after two decades of advocacy, the treaty will open for signature on June 3. It will go into […]

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The Mangaung Aftermath

The Mangaung Aftermath

[Image From: African Executive] It seems as if everyone and their mother has an opinion on the state of South African politics after Mangaung. For better or for worse, the African National Congress has reaffirmed Jacob Zuma’s status as the leader of party and country. It has brought Cyril Ramaphosa back into the political loop […]

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What Do You Do About a Problem Like Malema?

What Do You Do About a Problem Like Malema?

  In the latest twist of the saga in current South African politics former ANC Youth League President Julius Malema has been charged with money laundering. Malema, once an ally of President Jacob Zuma now counts himself as Zuma’s chief foe. “We must make sure Jacob Zuma does not become president of the ANC…. Remove […]

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Uptown Charlotte Dresses up for Democratic National Convention

Uptown Charlotte Dresses up for Democratic National Convention

Pockets of people roaming the decorated streets of Uptown Charlotte, snapping random pictures, numerous small gangs of police officers patrolling the city: on foot, bicycles, motorcycles or cruisers, Iconic TV personalities and political figures casing the place, soaking the sunshine through the gentle breeze, yet, it is only the calm before the storm. A few […]

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Misc. Commentary (Self-Indulgence Alert)

Misc. Commentary (Self-Indulgence Alert)

It’s been a busy few days since my return from South Africa, and I still have much about which I want to write. At the risk of self indulgence, I’ve made a couple of media appearances in recent days. The Colombian news magazine Semana wrote a story on the state of contemporary Africa in which […]

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Let the Games Continue!

Let the Games Continue!

And so the African National Congress (ANC) survived its National Policy Conference in Midrand. They may have spent upwards of 40 million rands, and toward the end a few punches were thrown by angry delegates. But what are a few fisticuffs among friends? But this is the thing to remember, always: Talk of a one-party […]

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The Road That Starts in Midrand Ends in Mangaung: The 2012 ANC Policy Conference

The Road That Starts in Midrand Ends in Mangaung: The 2012 ANC Policy Conference

The power brokers of the African National Congress are holding their 2012 National Policy Conference in Midrand this week. This could prove to be a vital few days in the life of the Zuma administration as this week’s gathering is fraught with text and subtexts and sub-subtexts. Putatively the goal of the week is simply […]

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The Quiet Election

The Quiet Election

After some spectacular financial fireworks and a volcano that caused havoc throughout western Europe, Iceland is back to its usual position in the international system: mostly overlooked.

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Voices on the Future of Mexico: Enter the Debate!

Voices on the Future of Mexico: Enter the Debate!

This week The Economist has created a very interesting and innovative forum to discuss the pros and cons of the PRI party regaining power in Mexico after losing the presidency to the PAN in 2000. This forum takes two campaign leaders from both parties and places them in an open debate over the next week […]

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Young African Leaders Making a Difference

Young African Leaders Making a Difference

The news coming out of Africa is almost always negative. Moreover, it almost never touches on the African youth. So for a change of tune, I want to let you know about some phenomenal young people from the continent who are doing extraordinary things. In January 2012, Young People in International Affairs or YPIA, an NGO […]

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Haiti: Con­gress­woman Waters Urges State Depart­ment to Use U.S. Influ­ence to Avoid Chaos in Haiti

Haiti: Con­gress­woman Waters Urges State Depart­ment to Use U.S. Influ­ence to Avoid Chaos in Haiti

April 26, 2012                                                                                                           Con­tact: Mikael Moore For Imme­di­ate Release                                                                      […]

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