Week of March 2 - 6, 2009
What Was New
GPF PublicationsA New Era of World Hunger? – The Global Food Crisis Analyzed (July 2008)
This paper discusses the main causes of the steep run-up in global food prices and the resulting spread of hunger to nearly a billion people worldwide. Authors James A. Paul and Katarina Wahlberg conclude that biofuels and the agro-industrial approach to food production are the main culprits of the food crisis.
The paper looks at a wide range of factors endangering nutrition for all, including population growth, unsustainable consumption, international trade policy and climate change. The authors argue for effective and generous short-term aid as well as longer-term transformation of the agricultural system to make it more justly distributive, resilient, and sustainable for the future. (Global Policy Forum/Friedrich Ebert Foundation) The MDG Project in Crisis "Midpoint Review and Prospects for the Future" (September 2008)
Jens Martens and Tobias Debiel point out that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are much less ambitious than previous international development goals.
Even so, the UN, World Bank and NGOs agree that most countries will not achieve most of the MDGs on time. The authors further argue that the MDGs fail to deal with the structural root causes of poverty, such as unequal distribution of wealth, land and political power, as well as unfair global trade rules.(Institue for Developmet and Peace) Causes and Strategies on World Hunger: Green Revolution versus Sustainable Agriculture (May 2008)
Global Policy Forum's Katarina Wahlberg criticizes the World Bank's proposal to create a Green Revolution in Africa. By focusing on boosting agricultural production through scientific development of more productive crops, the Bank disregards the fact that the Earth's biological systems cannot be exploited forever.
The supporters of the new Green Revolution also fail to address the major causes of the global food crisis, including biofuel production and unsustainable global consumption of meat. The author calls for a shift from industrial agriculture of export crops to sustainable agriculture for local consumption. (World Economy & Development in Brief) The "Surge" of Iraqi Prisoners (May 7, 2008)
Amid all the talk about the US military "surge" in Iraq, little has been said about the accompanying "surge" of Iraqi prisoners, whose numbers rose to nearly 51,000 at the end of 2007. Global Policy Forum's Ciara Gilmartin states that "US forces hold nearly all detainees indefinitely without charge, an arrest warrant or the opportunity to defend themselves."
Human rights monitors, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), are denied access to detention centers in Iraq by US officials. This lack of oversight not only increases the likelihood of detainee abuse, but also violates international human rights law. (Foreign Policy in Focus) War and Occupation in Iraq (June 2007)
Since the March 2003 invasion, the US-UK occupation of Iraq has utterly failed to bring peace, prosperity and democracy, as originally advertised.
This major report assesses conditions in the country and especially the responsibility of the US-led Coalition for violations of international law. In twelve detailed chapters, brimming with information, the authors provide a unique and compelling analysis of the conflict, concluding with recommendations for action. Among the topics covered are: destruction of cultural heritage, killing of civilians, attacks on cities and long-term military bases. The report has been written and produced by Global Policy Forum and co-sponsored by thirty NGOs.
GPF Internships
GPF offers unpaid internships to students and young professionals from all over the world to work in our offices in New York and Bonn. We encourage qualified undergraduates to apply, as well as graduate students and those between degrees. We welcome students who have studied the United Nations and international organizations, but we consider specialized academic training less important than dedication to GPF's goals, intelligence and enthusiasm for learning. GPF is looking for applicants who are students of Political Science, International Relations, International Law, Political Economy or International Public Policy Studies. We especially encourage applications from those with broad international travel and work experience and those with a progressive, egalitarian and global outlook.
For more information about the internship, application procedures, deadlines and qualifications, please visit our internship page
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Iraq
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All Troops Out By 2011? Not So Fast; Why Obama's Iraq Speech Deserves a Second Look (February 28, 2009) US Security Firm Mired in Iraq Controversy Changes Its Name (February 13, 2009)
Due to opposing forces in the Pentagon, US President Obama's plan to withdraw troops from Iraq by 2011 appears unlikely. US military commanders are making plans to keep a significant number of troops in the country after the 2011 deadline. A senior military commander stated that the SOFA agreement could be extended indefinitely depending on undetermined "conditions on the ground." This idea is reconfirmed by the construction of the US embassy in Baghdad, which stands as the largest embassy in history.
(Alternet)
In an ongoing rebranding effort, Blackwater has decided to change its name to "XE." The company, whose reputation suffered after the 2007 shooting of civilians in Iraq, is trying to rebuild its reputation by changing its name. A Blackwater spokeswoman said "the company made the name change largely because of changes in its focus, but acknowledged the need for the company to shake its past in Iraq." Iraqi leaders refused to renew Blackwater's license to operate inside the country after the shooting in Baghdad's Nisoor Square. (Common Dreams)
Security Council
 United Nations Photo |
Zimbabwe, Diamonds and the Wrong Side of History (March 2009) Israel 'Plans Settlement Growth' (March 2, 2009)
This report shows that Zimbabwe's economy remains dependent on the state-controlled diamond industry. According to the authors, the Kimberly process (KP) is ineffective, and Zimbabwe continues to export blood diamonds for profit. The Kimberly process has a very narrow focus on the prevention of diamond smuggling and cannot deal with human right abuses committed during diamond production. This report recommends that sharing information about arrests, seizures and convictions in KP-related criminal cases would improve the struggle against blood diamond production. (Partnership Africa Canada)
The Israeli peace organization Peace Now says that Israel is planning to build at least 73,000 new homes in the occupied West bank. The Israeli government has approved the construction of 15,000 housing units and 58,000 units are pending, Israel has been actively expanding in the occupied territories since 1967. Although, these settlements in Palestinian territory are illegal under international law and disrupt the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, there are more than 400,000 settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (BBC)
Empire?
 Picture Credit: World Maps Online |
Fiscal Year 2010 Pentagon Defense Spending Request: February "Topline" (February 26, 2009) US Military Base in Vicenza Gets Final Approval (February 23, 2009) The World with Commanders' Areas of Responsibility (December 17, 2008) Map of Global US Military Bases (October 30, 2008)
The Obama administration released a preliminary outline of its spending priorities and agency budgets for 2010. In a detailed analysis of this blueprint, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation looks at the projections for the defense budget. Analyst Travis Sharp points out the increase in US military spending over the last decade, which reached a total of USD$664 billion in 2008. The total defense budgets, including the funding for Iraq and Afghanistan wars, have expanded from USD$387 billion in 2000 to USD$687 billion in 2009.
Italy has granted the US permission to build a new US military base in Vicenza, which will host 25 buildings and 1,200 soldiers. Construction will continue despite a three-year protest from the No Dal Molin, a grassroots movement that opposes the base and continues to raise concerns about its environmental impact. In October 2008, protesters organized a local referendum in which 95 percent of the 24,094 voters who participated voted against the new US base. While visiting the base in Aviano, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi acclaimed Prime Minister Berlusconi for his role in combating nuclear proliferation, unaware that the base houses 50 US nuclear warheads. (Countercurrents)
This map shows the world divided into military zones under US command. This map includes USAFRICOM, the new regional command responsible for US military operations in 53 African nations. (US Department of Defense)
This map shows the location of US military bases scattered around the world in 2007. The US has over 190,000 troops and 115,000 civilian employees dispatched in 909 military facilities in 46 countries. The military owns or rents 795,000 acres of land, and 26,000 buildings valued at USD$146 billion excluding Iraq and Afghanistan. (US Department of Defense)
Social and Economic Policy
 Government Technology |
Voices from Africa; African Farmers and Environmentalists Speak Out Against a New Green Revolution in Africa (March 2009) Preparation of the G20 Summit in London, April 2, 2009 (January 22, 2009) Commission of Experts of the President of the UN General Assembly on Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System (January 19, 2009)
African farmers, researchers and civil society speak out against Western-led campaigns which champion genetically engineered (GE) crops as a solution to world hunger. Compiling experiences and voices from African opposition, this report challenges the Gates Foundation's Alliance for a New Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The document complements a UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) report, which reveals the likelihood of biotech solutions deepening, rather than solving hunger problems. As the West exploits the food crisis to promote GM crops, "Voices from Africa" urges Africa to resist bullying tactics that force the continent to adopt biotechnology solutions. Instead, the report emphasizes investment in small-scale agriculture, which will enable farmers to take control over food production. (Oakland Institute)
At the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Washington in 2008, world leaders discussed how to strengthen financial markets and regulate regimes, to tackle the global financial crisis. This paper summarizes the final declaration from Washington and outlines the preparatory work for the next G20 summit in London in April 2009, identifying the key markers in the G20 calendar for 2009/2010. Major objectives of the 2009 summit include regaining confidence in the financial markets, building upon the benefits of open financial markets and reducing risk, to avoid future financial crises. (Global Policy Forum)
This Global Policy Forum briefing paper lists the members of the Commission of Experts and outlines the scope of their work. Tasked to assess reform of the international financial system, the Commission will tackle the need for deep changes to the governance of the international financial architecture and assess the collapse of the financial sector, within the context of the interrelated food, energy and climate crises. The report identifies useful reference documents for the Commission's work, proposes a time framework for their upcoming meetings and offers recommendations for immediate action.
Globalization
 International Council on Social Welfare |
Globalization in a Turnstile: The Debate Ahead (February 25, 2009)
The editor of Share the World's Resources outlines the academic debate on globalization and argues that over-simplistic framing of the theory has polarized globalization as "good" or "bad". He states that we cannot blame globalization for the economic crisis, but rather "bad economics" and a lack of understanding of international trade. The crisis presents a turning point for globalization. Re-designing institutional structures, founded upon bottom-up participation, could create fairer opportunities to re-distribute the benefits of globalization more equally. Skeptics must move beyond their opposition to free-market principles, and seek a new global trading system, one which balances protectionism and liberalization.
UN Reform
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Q and A: "Time Has Come for a New UN Women's Agency" (March 3, 2009) Global Compact 2.0: Multinationals to the Rescue! (February 5, 2009)
In this interview Stephen Lewis, the former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, predicts that the UN General Assembly (GA) will establish a single agency for women before 2010. The United Nations has not acted on the proposal to merge the UN bodies working on gender issues for some years, but Lewis thinks a proposal from the Secretariat could prompt a decision from the GA. UN member states would decide on the agency's budget, which will naturally determine how much and how well the agency will perform. (TerraViva)
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for the launch of a "Global Compact 2.0" as part of the solution to the crises discussed at the World Economic Forum of 2009. This article argues that the original UN Global Compact ignores the fundamental reasons why transnational corporations commit human rights violations, such as their search for deregulated labor markets to increase profit. The Global Compact increases and legitimizes the power of companies to determine the rules of their own conduct, instead of enforcing respect for freedom of association and empowering public authorities to uphold human rights. (Global Compact Critics)
UN Finance
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Research Note: Finance Data of Organizations of the UN System: Present and Future Problems of Accountability (January 2009)
In this research note, GPF's Senior Research Fellow Klaus Huefner exposes the shortcomings of the UN financial reporting system. Huefner depicts technical and methodological errors leading to compromises in the accuracy and correctness of UN data and he shows how the faulthy data undermine the organizations's financial reporting system. Technical "slip-overs" and methodologically flawed systems of calculation lead to a lack of transparency and accountability. Huefner concludes by saying that "the collected series of data qualify only as "proxies" for the description of reality and must be interpreted with the appropriate caution."(Global Policy Forum)
International Justice
 Justice 4 Consumers |
ICC Issues War Crimes Warrant for Sudan's Bashir (March 4, 2009) Prosecuting the Bush Team? (March 2, 2009) Kosovo's Independence Declaration and the International Court of Justice (March 2, 2009) Tribunal Opens in Killing of Former Lebanese Leader (March 1, 2009) 5 Top Serbs Found Guilty of War Crimes in Kosovo (February 26, 2009)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir. This is the first time a sitting head of state has been indicted. Bashir faces crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. Leaders from China, the Arab League and the African Union (AU) have opposed this indictment. China fears a leadership change would affect its natural resources deals with the Bashir government. The AU and the Arab League believe the arrest will destabilize the situation in Sudan even further. Bashir is the 11th African suspect indicted by the ICC. No non-African has ever been indicted by the ICC. (Common Dreams)
George W. Bush and his team of high-ranking officials, including former Defense Minister Rumsfeld, and Vice President Dick Cheney, facilitated war crimes in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Graib by condoning torture tactics. This article looks at ways that the International Criminal Court or the US federal court could prosecute the "Bush team." Prosecution of key people within the Bush administration could be feasible under international law and might also fall under universal jurisdiction. (Foreign Policy in Focus)
Kosovo declared its independence on February 17, 2008 however, Serbia and other states continue to questions this independence. The International Court of Justice has therefore started an investigation on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence under international law. This article discusses the tension between the right to self-determination and the respect for territorial integrity of states. (Balkan Insight)
The Security Council has ordered a special tribunal for Lebanon, to ensure an independent inquiry into the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others in a 2005 car bombing in Beirut. Many Lebanese people and officials believe Syria was involved in the assassination and therefore international involvement and oversight in the case is needed. Prosecutor of the UN court, Daniel Bellemare, will ask Lebanon to hand over four generals held in connection with the case. (International Herald Tribune)
The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has charged five Serbian generals with deportation, forcible transfer, murder and the expulsion of at least 700,000 ethnic Albanians across the border, a sentence carrying up to 15-22 years. These convictions are of special importance, given that the foremost person responsible for the war crimes in Kosovo, former president Slobodan Milosevic, died in his ICTY-cell in 2006. Milan Milutinovic, the wartime Serbian president remains uncharged, because the court ruled that Milutinovic was merely a "figurehead" and Slobodan Milosevic was the actual command authority. (New York Times)