Global Policy Forum

The articles on this page deal with substantive issues taken on by the Security Council, but do not fit under other categories in the Security Council Issues section. For articles discussing Council dynamics and other structural dimensions of the Security Council as an Institution, see the General Analysis on the UN Security Council.

Articles

2012

West Africa: Defining Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea (December 10, 2012)

Following a decrease in piracy in the Indian Ocean, attacks are now emerging off the West African coast. In both regions, piracy appears to be a result of the structural problem of overfishing. However, the International Maritime Organization claims that the activities in West Africa cannot be defined as piracy, as most of these crimes occur within the 12-miles coastal range and are therefore just armed robbery against ships. This complicates a comprehensive international response to this security problem which was raised by the president of Benin to the UN Secretary General in July this year. Beside the issue of jurisdiction, another problem is that patrols in the Gulf of Guinea have so far not succeeded in clearly mapping criminal activity in the region. (All Africa)

The Long War Reaches Mali (December 5, 2012)

Western powers have recently switched the focus of their “war on terror” strategy from Yemen to Mali. They are increasingly funding “counter-terrorism” programs in the country and , bilateral economic aid and emergency humanitarian assistance. North Mali is now described as a safe haven for Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and a UN-backed military intervention seems more likely. In this article, Tom Hayden recalls that Western powers’ “main economic interest in Mali is in its gold mines,” and that several so-called humanitarian interventions of Western powers have resulted in pushing armed groups “into new territory with angry, restless and anti-Western Muslim populations.” (Huffington Post)

France Raises its UN Profile - For Now (December 3, 2012)

Observers are questioning the permanent representation of two European countries on the Security Council given Europe’s waning influence in the UN. In recent years, France and the UK have made special diplomatic efforts in an attempt to counter balance their relative decline in influence and economic power. France in particular spearheaded the UN’s tough intervention in Cote d’Ivoire, and led the diplomatic battle over UN involvement in Syria. It also used its Council position to orchestrate special attention for Mali. In November, France backed the Palestinian Authority, which allowed many other nations to legitimately follow suit. France’s strategic use of diplomacy both unilaterally and within the UN has given it the reputation of an “agenda-setter” of international affairs. (World Politics Review)

Training New Security Council Members (November 15, 2012)

Myanmar Can 'Taste Freedom', Says Obama (November 19, 2012)

Myanmar is attempting to transform from an isolated military dictatorship into a democracy. However, ethnic conflicts, including continued war in the northern Kachin state and an upsurge in communal violence against Muslim Rohingya in western Rakhine state, continue to afflict the nation. In November, Barack Obama was the first US president to visit Myanmar. Although he met with both president Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and used both Burma and Myanmar to refer to the country, human rights activists criticize the visit as premature, stressing that Myanmar’s leadership still needs to consolidate the proposed reforms. (Financial Times)

Rights Groups Call for Ban on Futuristic Killer Robots (November 19, 2012)

Human Rights Watch and Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic have published a report calling on governments to pre-emptively ban yet-to-be-deployed killer robots. Killer robots are fully autonomous weapons that will have the capability to select and fire on targets without the intervention of a human. Currently, drones, which are remotely controlled by humans, are heavily criticized for their inhumane nature in warfare, resulting in civilian collateral damage and problems related to accountability of such killings. Human Rights Watch is now aiming at educating governments on the status of development and production of these weapon systems and the organization in order to garner support for an international prohibition. (Inter Press Service)

The Never Ending War (November 15, 2012)

Following the Arab Spring and recent developments in Syria in particular, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has become marginalized. However, the recent increase in Israeli airstrikes, the killing of Hamas military chief Ahmed al-Jabari, and the upcoming election in Israel have put the conflict back into focus. Moreover, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is setting to bid for Palestine to obtain a nonmember observer status at the UN for the second time on November 29. According to this article, the main challenge for Palestine is whether or not the PA will be able to unify the interests of both Hamas and Fatah in Gaza and the West Bank. (Middle East Online)

Dronestagram - The Website Exposing the US's Secret Drone War (November 12, 2012)

Washington is very hesitant to discuss its drone warfare, apart from bragging about the drones’ alleged effectiveness. Dronestragram, a new website by James Bridle, couples Google images with data of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in order to map sites that have been hit by drones and reported deaths from the strikes. This effort is one step towards challenging the illegal and inhumane use of drones. (Guardian)

The Survivor (November 12, 2012)

What's Next for Obama and Syria? (November 8, 2012)

This Huffington Post article discusses regional power plays in relation to the Syrian conflict. Western capitals apparently believe that toppling Assad will weaken Iran’s influence in the region and will favor Israeli domination. This article, however, argues that ousting Assad will, on the contrary, create more political instability. Hatred of Israel remains a powerful political factor in the region. Ousting Assad could create a haven for the Islamists who have gathered in Syria with funding from the Gulf. (Huffington Post)

Sri Lanka, Many Shades of Accountability (October 29, 2012)

The conduct of the United Nations has been under scrutiny for failing to live up to its protection mandate and to ensure that humanitarian principles were upheld in the last stages of the war in Sri Lanka. No one has been held to account for tens of thousands of deaths during this period. The Sri Lankan government has appointed a “Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission” (LLRC) in order to review the issue of accountability. But this commission has been criticized for not being independent and impartial. Simultaneously, the amount of evidence implicating the UN compelled the Panel of Experts (PoE) to request the UN Secretary-General to conduct a review on this period in Sri Lanka. As the Security Council remains strongly divided over Sri Lanka, this article is very critical of the delay in the publication of the review and the hesitation of the UN to properly review the conduct of its own mandate. (Open Democracy)

Conflict in the Kivus: UN Report Leaves Peace Process in Uncertain Position (October 25, 2012)

A recent UN report has denounced Rwanda and Uganda of supporting the M23 opposition group in eastern DRC. Following these accusations, both countries are writing a protest note to the UN Security Council, to which Rwanda was recently been elected as a non-permanent member. Moreover, the UN report threatens Uganda’s credibility as a neutral mediator between the M23 and the Congolese government. A decrease in trust in the peace talk process could result in a reviving of the fighting in the Kivu provinces. (Think Africa Press)

Palestinian Push for U.N. Upgrade Likely to Succeed: Jeremic (October 19, 2012)

The current president of the UN General Assembly and potential Secretary-General, Vuk Jeremic, estimates it likely that Palestine will gain a majority vote for a status upgrade at the GA. Yet, the US and Israel are pressuring Palestine to refrain from seeking the status of a “non-member state”, arguing that it could strain the Middle East peace process. Furthermore, a status upgrade could lead to a reduction of US funding to the UN. With this status, Palestine could file complaints at the International Criminal Court against Israel. US law prohibits funding from Washington to UN agencies that grant full membership to any group that does not have “internationally recognized attributes” of statehood. For this reason, the US has already cut funding to UNESCO. (Reuters)

Cambodia's Brazen U.N. Bid (October 16, 2012)

Cambodia is running for a non-permanent seat representing the Asia-Pacific region in the UN Security Council. Glenys Kinnock argues in this op-ed that Cambodia is not fit to serve in the Council. The Cambodian elite is taking natural resources and land from local communities and the government has violently responded to civilian opposition. Kinnock criticizes that the government’s involvement in the Cambodia’s land-grabbing crisis. She does not reflect, however, on other candidates for the Council seats and their shortcomings, nor whether or not the UN should generally apply criteria of this kind. (New York Times)

Syria and the Battle for Regional Control (October 16, 2012)

This article discusses regional powers’ stake in the current conflict in Syria. Both the regional backers and opponents of the Bashar al-Assad are waging a proxy war for regional control and influence in a post-Assad government. For instance, Russia’s veto in the Council reflects its fears of a Sunni Islamic victory in Syria, which would radicalize Chechnya’s Muslim population. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is using Syria to wage a proxy war against Iran. Moreover, other regional players such as Turkey, Israel, Iraq and Iran all have their own interest in the Syrian conflict. (Guardian)

NYT Admits: We Have Not "Aggressively Challenged" Obama on Drones (October 15, 2012)

Media outlets are not informing US citizens well on the implications of Washington’s drone strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere. In these fragile states, drone strikes are deepening resentment towards the US and undermining politics. Margaret Sullivan, public editor of the New York Times, has acknowledged that the paper has not challenged the use of drones. The Columbia Human Rights Clinic released a report that questions the quality of available of information and the sloppy approach to the question of who are the casualties. (Common Dreams)

Security Council Gives Green Light to Send Foreign Military Trainers to Mali (October 12, 2012)

The option of a military intervention against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants groups in Mali’s northern territories seems more plausible. On Friday October 12, the UN Security Council agreed on a resolution that provides an open-ended invitation to outside powers to send military trainers to Mali. While Resolution 2071 does not explicitly call for immediate military action, it expresses the council's "readiness" to authorize a full-fledged intervention. Colum Lynch argues that it actually “contains a lot of elements that will immediately deepen the role of outside powers in Mali and pave the way for a future intervention.” The question remains whether an external military intervention can be conducted without the collaboration of a stable government in Bamako. Will this really stabilize the country or rather amplify the food crisis, increase the number of internally displaced persons and restrict access to genuine humanitarian relief? (Foreign Policy)

From Here to Timbuktu - The Story of Mali's Descent Into Disaster (October 9, 2012)

This Huffington Post article heatedly discusses the situation in Mali and the UN’s response to the crisis in the Sahel. According to the article, the situation in northern Mali is currently in the hands of “brutal and radical” Islamic groups, with ties to al Qaeda, who are destroying monuments and torturing civilians. ECOWAS is putting together a military force to help “liberate” the north of the country and has asked the UN Security Council for support. However, the crisis in Mali should not be seen as a product of Al Qaeda’s “atrocities” but as an outcome of the country’s rampant poverty and deeply rooted political and local inequalities, as well as the spillover from other conflicts in the region. (Huffington Post)

South Korea to Get Longer-Range Missiles under New Deal with US (October 7, 2012)

With the permission of the US, South Korea has extended the range of its ballistic missiles to reach all of North Korea. In response, North Korea has declared that its missiles can now strike mainland US. After missile tests in 2006 and 2009, North Korea’s already crippled economy has been sanctioned by the UN. With a recent power transition in the North and upcoming presidential elections in the South, tensions are again rising on the Korean Peninsula. (Guardian)

Anti-Drone Protesters Set Off on Historical March in Pakistan, Despite Threats (October 6, 2012)

Turkish MPs Back Military Action in Syria (October 4, 2012)

The situation in Syria has crossed borders when a mortar attack from Syria was launched on a Turkish town, killing five civilians. Turkey has retaliated with cross-border assaults, which have now been approved by the Turkish parliament. NATO condemned the Syrian strike and has convened to discuss the response of the alliance under Article IV, which allows for consultations on perceived threats, as opposed to Article V, which entails a declaration that an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all. Although the Syrian attacks constitute a threat to Turkey’s national security, an international intervention would only increase the level of violence and cause further escalation of this civil war. (New York Times)

Exploring the Hot Waters of East China Sea (October 3, 2012)

Tensions between China, Japan and Taiwan have been brewing for years over the ownership of the islands of Senkaku/Diaoyu in the East China Sea. Dispute over the territory, including valuable fishing waters, has ignited in August when the Japanese government purchased the island group from a private owner. In response, China sent military vessels to the area. The Chinese and Japanese governments are attempting to stop civilian protests in order to prevent violent escalation of these tensions. While all three countries are historically claiming ownership, China has already hinted that it would be prepared to go to war over this issue. (Al Jazeera)

Is Iran Trying to Tell Us Something We Won't Hear? (October 3, 2012)

Although Ahmadinejad’s address at the General Assembly was analytical rather than inflammatory, media outlets continue to anticipate rhetorical aggression from Iran. The media focuses on the country’s alleged nuclear weapons program, while they ignore Iran’s leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement, a nuclear compromise and its potential role in the Syrian crisis. If media continue to defy Iran, they might not be able to keep up with important policy shifts. (Al Jazeera)

Syria and the Dogs of War (September 28-30, 2012)

While Bashar al-Assad has responded brutally to the political protests in Syria, the situation has been worsened by incoming weapons and aid from foreign countries with their own national interests. The US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and to a minor extent Jordan and Libya, have all grasped the opportunity to remove a rival government in the region. Russia and China have both opposed the attempt at a forced regime change in Syria without negotiating a real settlement. The outcomes of the power interplays in Syria have been a flood of refugees, an opening for radical Islamists, and general instability in the whole region. (Counterpunch)

Staunching Syria's Wounds (September 24, 2012)

Since the start of the Syrian revolution 18 months ago, the “international community” has not been able to put forward a unified and lasting solution to the conflict. This Foreign Policy in Focus article discusses three sides of the crisis in Syria, each with its own special interests. First of all, there are countries, comprised of NATO allies and Sunni powers like Saudi Arabia, that want to see the Assad government fall and strike Iran. Secondly, there are those countries such as Russia, China and Iran who are supportive of Assad. The third group comprise of countries, such as India and Brazil, who are do not back Assad but are also critical of any military intervention. (Foreign Policy in Focus)

Top Myths about Iran’s Nuclear Enrichment Program (September 17, 2012)

The IAEA Report on Iran of November 2011 provided no evidence that Iran is actually developing nuclear weapons. Yet Israel and the United States are increasingly hostile in their rhetoric on Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program. Juan Cole’s list of nine myths provides a welcome antidote to the claims usually relayed by the media and questions how appropriate the aggressive diplomacy of Israel and the United States towards Iran really is. (Informed Comment)

Understanding Northern Mali: Local Context is Everything (August 28, 2012)

Since the Malian coup in April, the west has portrayed the situation in the country as “a threat to international peace and security”. While western governments are worried that the political vacuum in the north could become a jihadist haven, Mali has become a new front in the global war on terror. However, few western policies have taken into consideration the complex local structures that truly determine the political landscape in northern Mali. They have ignored key elements. (Think Africa Press)

The War in Mali (August 28, 2012)

Mali has been in crisis since its coup on March 22 this year. While mainstream media has framed the crisis as a result of radical Islam, it should also be seen a consequence of the West’s scramble for resources in Africa and the outcomes of the intervention in Libya. The crisis was set in motion when the Bush Administration declared the Sahara desert a breeding ground for “terrorism” and inaugurated the Trans-Sahal Counter Terrorism Initiative. The crisis in Mali, however, has its origins in the country’s deep poverty and the push by the Tuaregs for greater autonomy. What the US calls “terrorism” in Mali is encouraged by local inequalities, not by an international jihadist agenda. (Counterpunch)

Lakhdar Brahimi: A Man of Peace (August 22, 2012)

Newly appointed U.N peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is Syria’s new hope for peace. Brahimi is unlikely to succeed in immediately ending the violence that has plagued the country since March last year, but he can secure a political settlement and mediate a representative political body in case of the collapse of the Assad government. Key regional leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran are also showing increased willingness to compromise. However, meddling from the US and Israel has dominated the crisis in Syria and will complicate both Lakhdar Brahimi and the regional players’ mediation tasks. (Middle East Online)

Obama's Regime-Change Policy in Syria (August 13, 2012)

On August 11, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced during a visit to Turkey that US policy toward Syria is now in the “operational” phase: “The United States continues to provide the opposition with communications equipment and other forms of non-lethal assistance and direct financial assistance. We are coordinating our efforts with others who are also providing various forms of support.” The US is officially providing advanced spy gear to Syrian opposition groups while Saudi Arabia and Qatar are supplying sophisticated arms via Turkey. This Nation article argues that “this is regime change by force.” To rationalize its actions, the US is over amplifying Iran and Hezbollah’s support to the Assad government.(The Nation)

Guinea-Bissau: Back to Cabral? (August 13, 2012)

On March 12 2012, elements of the armed forces toppled the government of Guinea-Bissau in the lead-up to the presidential election. Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, the front-runner in the election, had allowed an Angolan military presence in Guinea-Bissau, which allegedly prompted the coup leaders. After the coup, the Economic Organisation of West African States (ECOWAS) mediated the establishment of an interim government. However, it is highly doutful whether ECOWAS, or the United Nations Integrated Peace-building Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS), will be able to bring solutions to Guinea-Bissau’s problems. (Think Africa Press)

Drug Trafficking and the Crisis in Mali (August 6, 2012)

Since the coup on 22 March, the situation in Mali has drastically deteriorated, in particular in the north of the country where numerous opposition forces have strengthened their positions. Moreover, the growing presence of drug traffickers who are taking advantage of the power vacuum in Mali have increasingly complicated the situation in the north. The country is becoming a transit center for the international trafficking of narcotics originating from Latin American drug cartels seeking to export their ‘goods’ to Europe. Moreover, opposition groups such as AQMI, Ansar Dine, MUJAO and Boko Haram are financing their weapon acquisition through the trafficking of drugs, which puts the country at an even greater risk. (ISS)

Mali: The Shape of the Transition (August 1, 2012)

Following the military coup in March this year, Mali's Interim President, Dioncounda Traore, has been in charge of the country’s political transition. The crisis in Mali that started with the toppling of Gaddafi in Lybia and the return of Tuareg groups who went on to take over the north of Mali.  On July 29, Traore proposed new political arrangements to end the crisis. The President has offered transitional organs, such as a Government of National Unity (GNU). But while the transition takes place, the situation in the north remains precarious. (Institute for Security Studies)

Why is Mali Spiraling out of Control? (July 30, 2012)

Mali has been torn by terrorism, ethnic cleansing and civil war since the coup on March 22 this year. The article links the precarious situation in Mali to the United States Africa Command (Africom). The US has been using the presence of the opposition group Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim) to justify the establishment of Africom in Mali. The security vacuum in the country could prove to be the perfect opportunity for the US to establish a long-term military presence in Africa. Despite extensive Western media coverage, Aqim is not the biggest threat in northern Mali. The real crisis is humanitarian and political. (Morning Star)

Boko Haram: Fighting Fire with Fire (July 27, 2012)

President Goodluck Jonathan’s counter-terrorism policies towards Boko Haram in Nigeria have been solely reliant on the use of force. The US-led War on Terror as well as US economic, political, and military backing of Nigeria has influenced the government’s choice for state violence to counter the Islamic opposition group. Despite the genuine economic, social, and political predicaments that have led to the radicalization of Boko Haram, the Nigerian government has given little consideration to negotiations. Until the government recognizes the underlying structural reasons for the opposition, its military strategies will only lead to more violence.(Think Africa Press)

Syria: When Destruction is a Foreign Policy Objective (July 26, 2012)

On July 22, Wall Street Journal has reported that “the behind-the-scenes efforts by the Central Intelligence Agency, the State and Treasury departments and the military point to a broader American role in the campaign against Mr. Assad than previously acknowledged.” This Middle East Online article discusses how Washington’s intervention in Syria has primarily been guided by its goal to increase Israel’s supremacy in the region. The US has also predominantly aimed at the destruction of Syria in an attempt to weaken Iran. (Middle East Online)

Syria: 'Descent Into All-Out Civil War' (July 21, 2012)

Crisis in the Sahel: After Mali What Next? (July 16, 2012)

Dangerous Contradictions in Syria (June 28, 2012)

Syria: Only Diplomacy Can Stop the War ( June 26, 2012)

C.I.A. Said to Aid in Steering Arms to Syrian Opposition (June 21, 2012)

According to this New York Times report, the CIA is directly involved in the arming of Syrian opposition forces. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are also involved. The weapons, which are crossing the Turkish border, include automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition and antitank weapons. There are now around 100 opposition group formations, comprising of up to two hundred combatants each. As new weapons and ammunition are arming both the Syrian government and the opposition groups, the Syrian conflict is likely to intensify considerably. (New York Times)

Syria, the proxy War (June 14, 2012)

Most media coverage on the Syrian conflict has focused on the increasing tensions between the United States and Russia while overlooking the deep regional antagonism between Saudi Arabia and Iran. While Iran supports its Syrian ally, Saudi seeks to replace Bashar al-Assad with a Sunni-dominated government by backing the Syrian opposition. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is deeply concerned about Iraq and fears a "Shi'a axis" spreading from Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Iran, extending to Saudi's own Shi'a minority. This violent proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran will increasingly determine the course of events in Syria. (OpenDemocracy)

Top UN Official Calls on Pakistan to Increase Efforts to Protect Human Rights (June 7, 2012)

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the Pakistani government to increase the protection of human rights of its citizens. However, this UN News article fails to mention the major role of the US in some of the worst violation of human rights in Pakistan. Since 2004, Washington has increased its use of drones in Pakistan under the banner of the “war on terror,” killing many innocent civilians. (UN News)

What To Do About Syria (June 4, 2012)

While critique of the Assad government is widespread in the mainstream media, this Middle East Online article gives a more balanced account of the Syrian conflict. The author discusses how the West, and the US in particular, condemned recent events in Houla, but downplayed the killings of the anti-Assad opposition in Damascus earlier in May. The US has been championing the cause of the opposition while demonizing Assad since last year. The US government, which seeks to overthrow the Assad government in order to strike indirectly at Iran, is pushing Syria towards a real civil war. (Middle East Online)

Syria: Horror of Houla (May 28, 2012)

On May 25, despite the arrival of UN envoy Kofi Annan, another government artillery attack took place in the city of Houla. Whereas the Syrian government continues to pin the violence on al-Qaida, Russia claims that the purpose of the assault was to sabotage Annan’s visit. Syria could lose the support of its two allies in the UN Security Council, Russia and China. Since Russia wants to maintain its foothold in the country, civil war is nearly as threatening to Russia’s geostrategic interests as a NATO-led intervention. In order to stop the violence, Russia could give its full backing to the Annan six-point plan. (Guardian)

Resolving the Political Stalemate in Mali (May 18, 2012)

Since the coup of the military junta in Mali on March 22, ECOWAS has been charged with negotiating the terms of the transition to an elected government. While the junta initially agreed to hand over power to civilians and ECOWAS consequently lifted its sanctions, the junta now wants its leader, Amadou Sanogo, to become the new interim president. Sanogo insists on remaining in control and refuses to honor the ECOWAS deal which excludes military rule. The UN is sending a special envoy to the upcoming meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security. This ISS Today article argues that ECOWAS was wrong in lifting its sanction without any serious guarantees from the junta. ECOWAS will have to take a strong stance if it wants to avoid further instability in the Sahel region.(ISS Today)

Don’t let Syria become Libya (May 1, 2012)

In spite of serious setbacks, UN Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s plan is the only credible alternative to end the bloodshed in Syria diplomatically. The Assad government is abusing the terms of the plan to violently crack down on the opposition, but Syria is not the only party attempting to exploit Annan’s plan. Both the US and the EU are waiting for Annan’s mission to fail. Such failure would ultimately serve as a pretext for a Libya-style US-NATO military intervention in Syria. This Al Jazeera article argues that Annan must be given a tangible opportunity to mediate a real peace in Syria without US and EU interference. (al Jazeera)

Confronting the Sources of West African Maritime Insecurity (April 5, 2012)

Concerns have been raised over maritime insecurity in West Africa escalating to a level similar to that around the Horn of Africa. But while media reports often focus on the threat of piracy, this ISS Today article identifies one of the major sources of maritime insecurity being Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. IUU fishing’s impact on food and human security could eventually bring about further political, economic and social instability in West Africa. In 2011, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2018 acknowledging the increasing importance of West African maritime security. However, the Resolution does not mention the problem of IUU fishing. (ISS Today)

Revealed: Climate Quirk that Doubles Risk of War (August 25, 2011)

Protests in Sub-Saharan Africa (August 12, 2011)

Gulf of Guinea Pirates Trigger Alarm (August 15, 2011)

Re-Examining the Arab Spring (August 15, 2011)

Climate Change: Threat to International Peace and Security (August 11, 2011)

U.N. Avoids Tough Stance on Egyptian Crisis (February 4, 2011)