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Week of September 10 - 14, 2007 What's New
Week of September 17 - 21, 2007
What Was New
Iraq Security Council Empire? Social and Economic Policy
Globalization NGOs Nations and States UN Reform International Justice
Iraq
Week of September 17 - 21, 2007
The Battle for Iraq Is About Oil and Democracy, Not Religion! (September 10, 2007)
The Bush administration defines the conflict in Iraq as a 'religious civil war,' with 'sectarian conflict' between 'militants' being the root cause of violence. In this significant Alternet article, Joshua Holland and Raed Jarrar argue that the struggle is due to political questions about Iraq's future, namely, whether Iraq will have a central government or partitioned regional governments, who will control Iraq's oil industry and the extent of foreign influence in the country. The authors indicate "the religious civil war narrative obscures the fact that the US is not working towards political reconciliation in Iraq."
In this Truthdig article, Scott Ritter considers US media compliant with President George Bush's policy in Iraq. The author asks why there is insufficient public debate on the occupation. The US media fail to ask why Americans keep dying, who is killing them and why. Ritter considers that the media cover the war from "the perspective of an American political dynamic, not Iraqi reality."
In this New York Times column, Bob Herbert addresses the largely untold story of the humanitarian crisis in Iraq. Herbert cites GPF's report "War and Occupation in Iraq" on the plight of the two million displaced Iraqis and he mentions the equally large exodus of refugees, including nearly half the nation's doctors. Iraq has experienced a "rain of death" under the occupation and many of its children are "orphaned, homeless, malnourished and worse." President George Bush has warned that a US withdrawal will cause a "humanitarian nightmare," Herbert notes, but "this nightmare arrived a good while ago."Greenspan, Kissinger: Oil Drives US in Iraq, Iran (September 17, 2007)
In this Huffington Post article, Robert Weissman analyzes statements by Alan Greenspan and Henry Kissinger that the Iraq war is about oil. Greenspan says that it is "politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows," the the war was largely about oil. Further, Henry Kissinger argues that oil control will be the determining factor in the US decision to undertake military action against Iran. These comments are in stark contrast to the justifications given by the US and UK governments, which have strenuously denied the oil motivation.Greenspan: Ouster of Hussein Crucial for Oil Security (September 17, 2007)
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan argues that the removal of Saddam Hussein from Iraq was essential to secure world oil supplies. In this Washington Post article, Greenspan confirms that he supported the ouster of Saddam Hussein and did not foresee a "Plan B - an alternative to war." He suggests that without the oil reserves, the US response to Saddam Hussein would not have been as strong as it was in both the first and now the second gulf war.US Rushes to Smooth Iraq's Anger Over Blackwater (September 18, 2007)
Iraq's Interior Ministry has cancelled the license of the controversial US private security firm Blackwater after eight Iraqis were killed by employees of the firm. According to one US diplomat, the incident calls to attention the lack of control over security forces in Iraq who are operating unsupervised with "diplomatic immunity." The unprecedented ban caused concern in Washington as the US relies heavily on Blackwater, and other private firms, to provide security for diplomats and convoys. While no US security contractor has been prosecuted in US or Iraqi courts for any crime, legal commentators believe this ban may signal an opportunity for the Iraqi government to review Paul Bremers 2003 laws granting immunity to US contractors. (Los Angeles Times)What Iraqis Think, Again (September 12, 2007)
In this Abu Aardvark blog, Marc Lynch summarizes a BBC, ABC and NHK survey which asks Iraqis whether the US military 'surge' has improved security in their country. The poll finds that 56 percent of Iraqis describe the security situation in their neighborhood as bad. The findings conflict with General David Petraeus' report to US Congress that the conditions in Iraq have improved since the surge strategy began in April 2007.Is the US Responsible for a Million Iraqi Deaths? (September 11, 2007)
According to Just Foreign Policy, over a million Iraqis have died as a result of the US occupation. The estimate accounts for mortality since an October 2006 Lancet Study, which estimates the death of 650,000 Iraqis since the US invasion. The authors suggest the withdrawal debate is uninformed, with a poll revealing the US public believe only 10,000 Iraqis have been killed. The lack of knowledge is due in part to the underreporting of civilian deaths by US intelligence, an Iraqi government ban on journalists at the scene of bombings and Iraqi hospitals, and politically biased estimates released by the Iraqi government.Report Will Not Save US From "Iraq's Swamp" - Iran (September 12, 2007)
A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry says the progress report by General David Petraeus does not reflect the reality that the US is failing in Iraq. While Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki welcomes Petraeus' recommendation to cut US troops to pre-surge levels, the Iranian government calls for a complete US withdrawal. After three decades of non-communication between the two countries, Tehran and Washington held talks in May 2007 to discuss the security situation in Iraq. However, the US continues to accuse Iran of creating violence in Iraq by arming and training militias. Iran argues the presence of 160,000 US troops is causing the violence in Iraq. (Reuters)Security Council
The General Assembly will hold elections for the Security Council on October 16, 2007 for five of the ten non-permanent rotating memberships. This paper by Security Council Report includes useful information on the candidates and the election process.Iran Seeks Seat on UN Security Council (September 10, 2007)
The Security Council will hold an election for five of its ten rotating seats in 2009. The Asian region has one seat open with Iran and Japan as aspiring candidates. However, the US and other western countries will most likely block Iran's candidacy because of its nuclear energy enrichment plan. (Haaretz)"A Time for Cautious Optimism" (September 13, 2007)
After a decade of civil war, Sierra Leone held its first round of presidential elections in August 2007. Seen earlier as a failed state, "credible and transparent" elections demonstrate the country's progress. Observers fear a violent response to the election results from the losing party. However the biggest challenge will come after the elections, when the wining party will have to live up to the expectations of the people and the international community. (International Herald Tribune)What I Saw in Darfur (September 14, 2007)
After visiting Sudan, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon declares that Darfur suffers from a humanitarian, political and environmental crisis, and the international community should address the root causes of the conflict. The Secretary General also remarked that to deal with Darfur efficiently, the UN must not neglect South Sudan and the peace agreement signed two years ago. He does not see a possibility for peace without the fulfillment of all the country's basic needs. Although the UN Security Council approved 26,000 peacekeepers in the region, "no peacekeeping mission can succeed without a peace to keep." (Washington Post)IAEA Chief Warns Against Striking Iran (September 17, 2007)
The hasty 'war' reference by France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has created great concern at the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the IAEA, prefers a diplomatic approach in getting Iran to agree to a more transparent nuclear program. ElBaradei wants to avoid a rushed attack, like the one against Iraq. The IAEA has no reason to believe that Iran represents nuclear danger and therefore the chief argues that another war should not be an option. (Associated Press)UN Peacekeepers Cracking Down on Violence in Haiti (September 17, 2007)
UN forces crackdown on armed groups loyal to former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide as violence rates fall in Haiti. But many Haitians denounce the heavy-handed approach and want the UN to create jobs and development in the country. Support for the UN peacekeeping force diminishes as residents claim they suffer, but Haitian President Rene Preval relies on international support. (Voice of America)Angola: UN Adopts Resolution on South Atlantic Peace, Co-Operation Zone (September 16, 2007)
The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution on the South Atlantic Peace and Co-operation Zone. The resolution aims to strengthen the relationship among South Atlantic countries, helping them establish partnerships for sustainable development. The resolution also asks for financial support from UN programs and specialized organizations to achieve the Zone goals. The decision also affirms that peace and security should be connected with the development cooperation goals. (Angola Agency Pess)"Liberia's Small Steps on Reform" (September 13, 2007)
Elected President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made impressive progress running Liberia's government since 2005. Improvements prompted discussions on reducing the UN budget and peacekeepers in the region. The US wants to reduce funding while other countries fear that a UN withdrawal would open a window for disorder. The author believes that the international community should only leave the country after more years of assured stability. (Boston Globe)Empire?
AFRICOM: Round One in a New Cold War? (September 19, 2007)
US President George Bush announced the AFRICOM initiative just a week after the Chinese president started his African tour to discuss trade and development. The US interest in Africa departs from previous policy. In 1995, the Department of Defense said it had "very little traditional strategic interest in Africa." But with Africa now exceeding the Middle East as the largest supplier of crude oil to China and the heavy Chinese focus on the African continent, the US administration seeks to make its presence felt. (In The Times)The American Conundrum (September 17, 2007)
This essay poses some essential questions about the US "empire" and its self-image as the protector of the world with a right and a duty to impose democracy in the world. Arguing that this self-image is dangerous, the author presents a contrasting view, in which US leaders and powerful business constantly seek to expand markets for US products and increase control over natural resources. The author calls on US civil society needs to step forward to be the "impetus for positive change." (Share the Worlds Resources)Red October: Russia, Iran and Iraq (September 17, 2007)
This article argues that Russia may exploit the fact that the US is bogged down in war and occupation in Iraq to increase its own influence in the Middle East and in the former Soviet republics. The conservative Stratfor founder says that Russia has signaled that it would provide arms to Iran in case of a US attack on the country. The US might still "win" a war on Iran, but at "a high price" and without achieving "a regime change," the article says. To keep the Middle East region to itself, the US could make a deal with Russia to allow Moscow free hands in the former Soviet republics.Perseverance of Iranian Nation - A Speech by Ayatollah Khamenei (September 14, 2007)
This is the text of Ayatollah Khamenei's speech to the fasting public in Tehran. The spiritual leader of Iran talks about how the US and its allies blame Iran for everything that goes wrong in Iraq. He says that the US uses this to build a case against Iran in the eyes of the UN and the Western world, by demonizing the Iranian people and leaders. Khamenei says that if Iran is attacked it will strike back. (The Office of the Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Khamenei)War Against Iran and the Logic of Dominance (September 13, 2007)
Neoconservative Tom Donelly has launched a book stating that the Bush administration has 'undisclosed plans for bringing democracy' to nations in the Middle East. Donelly believes that the US labels Iran as a "menace" in order to justify a possible attack the country. A strong "nuclear Iran" competes with the US for supremacy in the region. (Huffington Post)China: Is High Growth - High Risk Liberalization the Only Alternative? (September 11, 2007)
As China's economy accelerates, with double-digit growth rates, the US administration and Wall Street are anxious to profit from the economic boom. But while US politicians and trade union leaders complain about the low Chinese wages as 'unfair trade' advantages, the US is simultaneously pushing for a more unregulated Chinese economy. This article discusses how the US attempts to block "China's emergence as a world economic power." (James Petras Webpage)Social and Economic Policy
Fears of Dollar Collapse as Saudis Take Fright (September 19, 2007)
Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East together hold US$3,500billion. As a close ally of the US, Saudi Arabia has kept its currency pegged to the dollar. However, with Saudi Arabia facing inflation while the US is possibly entering a period of recession, the Saudis refuse to conform to US monetary policy. When the US recently cut interest rates, Saudi Arabia stayed put and analysts worry that this could have serious consequences in the form of a "stampede out of the dollar." (Telegraph)GE's Environment Push Hits Business Realities (September 14, 2007)
In 2005, Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of General Electric, announced he would make his company more environmentally friendly and launched the "ecomagination" campaign. The campaign involves investing in "innovative solutions to environmental challenges" and in selling a range of self-proclaimed environmentally friendly products. As part of the new business strategy, Immelt also campaigned for the US government to limit carbon dioxide emissions. However, customers, employees and shareholders have opposed this shift to an environmentally friendly profile, and General Electric is still mainly dependent on the sale of oil and gas products and the coal powered steam turbines. (Wall Street Journal)A Sustainable Energy Future Is Possible Now (May 2006)
This report from Abolition 2000 presents renewable energy and energy efficiency as the only way to reach full energy security. It shows how all of the world's energy demand can be met through clean and inexhaustible sustainable energy and that the technology to do this is available and ready to be put into use. In response to claims from skeptics, the report argues that sustainable energy need not be more expensive than non-renewable energy sources as long as governments stop providing producers of non-renewable energy with direct and indirect subsidies. The report argues that bio-fuels and nuclear energy have no part to play in the sustainable energy and energy security solution - rather the people of the world should rely on solar, wind and hydropower for their energy needs.New Multilateral Push Aims to Cut African Poverty (September 15, 2007)
In spite of their promises at the G8 summit in Gleneagles in 2005, rich countries have failed to double development aid and relieve poor countries of their debt. Africa, in particular, has suffered from the lack of resource inflow. In September 2007, the world's major development banks gathered to mobilize resources for the continent. The African countries severely lag behind the Millennium Development Goals set in 2000, but World Bank chief Robert Zoellick still sees great opportunity for Africa. Economic growth rates are increasing in many countries and poverty is falling among African farmers. However, further improvements are dependent on the rich countries keeping their promises and raising the funds needed for development. (Reuters)"Fed, We Have a Problem" (September 12, 2007)
The author of this YaleGlobal article presents a fictional dialogue between the US treasury secretary and a Chinese official on the effects of lowering US interest rates. The author warns against a growing US trade deficit and fall in the value of the dollar, which would harm global trade and the Chinese economy in particular. On the other hand, China, the major creditor to the US, may act as a potential stabilizer should the US economy go into recession. The author therefore warns the US against taking the trade with China for granted. He urges the US to keep Chinese interests in mind when developing financial policy, be it interest rate changes or decisions on who gets to invest in the US economy.Dollar's Retreat Raises Fear of Collapse (September 13, 2007)
The world has been willing to finance the US' trade deficit for longer than most economists had predicted. With the 2007 turmoil in the US financial markets, this trend might change. Economist Kenneth Rogoff suggests that the deficit will see a sudden reduction and that the US will experience a major fall in the value of the dollar. Growth in the US economy is slowing down and employment rates are falling. Major US retailers report a decline in consumer spending, leading to a decline in imports. This reduces the need for capital to flow into the US economy. Capital inflows will also be decreased by a loss of confidence in the US currency, all contributing to a further deterioration in the value of the dollar. (International Herald Tribune)One Answer to Global Warming: A New Tax (September 16, 2007)
This New York Times article argues that both US Democrats and Republicans could support global taxes on carbon emissions. Opponents of carbon taxes have argued that such a tax would cause excess harm to private consumers, and disproportionately impact the poor. The author suggests, however, that the tax revenues can be used to reverse the effects on the poor. Proponent suggest a carbon tax allows the world's governments to take a long-term perspective on climate change and the future needs of poor economies in a way that the competing cap-and-trade system does not allow.Cut Fuel Use and the Trade Deficit (September 14, 2007)
To lower its trade deficit, the US should cut the consumption and import of fossil fuels, argues the author of this National Journal article. Methods to cut fuel consumption in the US are readily available and by using them, the US could lower its energy demand by 0.3 percent every year. The author argues that the US must focus on lowering the demand for energy rather than simply switching to cleaner energy technology. The US could achieve this by raising energy prices (taxes) to European levels.As We Stand on the Brink of Catastrophe, Bio-Fuels Are No Magic Bullet (September 12, 2007)
The authors of this AlterNet article warn against depicting the switch from non-renewable energy sources to bio-fuels as a magic bullet in decreasing climate change. A solution must not only include better energy technologies, but reduce consumption and energy use. The most popular bio-fuel, ethanol, actually costs more energy to produce than it provides, resulting in a large net increase in emissions of greenhouse gasses. The production of bio-fuels also affects fragile ecosystems and lowers biodiversity.New Warnings on FTAs (September 10, 2007)
Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz warns that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) do not benefit poor countries. By regulating intellectual property, the FTAs restrict countries' access to generic medicine, leading to the death of thousands of poor people from curable diseases. Stiglitz argues further that the FTAs threaten the sovereignty of poor countries whose governments may lose the ability to promote local businesses and to raise funds for development through taxes and tariffs. Countries such as the US are concerned not only with trade, but with promoting "a particular agenda." (Star Online)Democracy as Economic Strategy (September 7, 2007)
Although India and China are experiencing unprecedented economic growth, both countries face high underemployment and unemployment, as well as problems of inequality. In China, this has resulted in the migration of the rural poor to the urban centers in the hope of finding better opportunities. The author argues that India is able to mitigate this trend because of its well-developed democracy. The voices of the poor are heard and thus the middle classes cannot reject redistribution of resources to the poor, in China this does not happen. The author concludes that this democracy is an important prerequisite for sustainable economic development. (Policy Innovations)Globalization
The Post-Washington Dissensus (September 17, 2007)
This article from the Inquirer gives a detailed analysis of the trends in international economic policy following the neo-liberal Washington Consensus. The discussion covers the World Bank's Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, neo-liberalism and neo-structuralism. The article also looks at "global social democracy" as represented by economists Jeffrey Sachs and Joseph Stiglitz, a take on global economics that values equity before growth. Although this view is a radical departure from the original Washington Consensus, Sachs and Stiglitz still argue that economic globalization can bring benefits. The author argues that globalization as the most recent stage of capitalism is merely an attempt by capitalists to overcome their "crisis of overaccumulation, overproduction and stagnation," that does not benefit the poor countries.NGOs
Global Poll: Majority Wants Troops Out of Iraq Within a Year (September 6, 2007)
According to a BBC World Service poll, the majority of US and international public opinion indicates US forces should leave Iraq within a year. Of the 22 countries surveyed in the poll, a majority of respondents in 19 of those countries want the US out of Iraq, but few think this will happen. The survey also finds 49 percent believe the US plans to keep permanent military bases in Iraq. Doug Miller, the director of GlobeScan who coordinated the poll, says the majority of global public opinion "is opposed to the Bush administration's current policy of letting security conditions in Iraq dictate the timing of US troop withdrawal." (World Public Opinion)Nations and States
Over 100,000 'Stateless' People Offered Citizenship (September 14, 2007)
The Bangladesh government has granted citizenship to a large part of the Bihari population. The Urdu-speaking Muslim group was once part of India but Bangladeshi law stripped the people of any political rights and isolated the group for siding with Pakistan during the struggle for independence. While the UNHCR put pressure on the Bangladeshi government to treat the Biharis according to refugee conventions, the influential NGO Refugees International campaigned actively for the implementation of a full citizenship. (OneWorld US)International Justice
Pol Pot's Deputy Held on Genocide Charge (September 19, 2007)
Cambodian police arrested one of the last remaining Khmer Rouge generals and Pol Pot's "Brother Number 2," Nuon Chea, who faces charges in the Special Tribunal for Cambodia for crimes against humanity. After tense negotiations with the UN, the tribunal was established in 2006 under both Cambodian and foreign judges. Despite the historic moment for the tribunal, some might question why this indictment took so long. (Guardian)UN Reform
UN Rights Chief Urges Council to Begin Country Scrutiny (September 13, 2007)
Since the UN Human Rights Council took over from its predecessor in 2006, little has happened. Many human rights groups complain that the Council is wasting time debating procedural issues, rather than uncovering cases of human rights abuse. An Amnesty International spokesperson suspects some members of the council of obstructing the work because their home countries would be charged with human rights violations. (Associated Press)
What Was New What's New
Week of September 10 - 14, 2007
Iraq Security Council Empire? Social and Economic Policy International Justice
Iraq
According to this poll commissioned by the BBC, ABC and NHK to assess the effects of the US military's surge strategy, 70 percent of Iraqis believe the strategy has made Iraq's security situation worse. The poll finds 47 percent of Iraqis want US-led forces to leave Iraq immediately and 34 percent want the troops to leave when the security situation improves. The results of the survey indicate the surge has hampered conditions for political dialogue, reconstruction and economic development and has not improved security. The findings come as US Commander General David Petraeus prepares to deliver his own assessment of the surge strategy to Congress.Commerce Seeks Adviser for Iraq Oil Interests (September 10, 2007)
The US Commerce Department has announced it will appoint an international legal adviser to assist in the drafting of laws and regulations governing Iraq's oil and gas fields. The Department says the adviser will provide technical assistance to Iraq and US government agencies to allow for "domestic and foreign investment in Iraq's key economic sectors, starting with the mineral resources sector." According to Walter Pincus from the Washington Post, the appointment comes as the US intensifies its pressure on the Iraq government to pass the oil and revenue sharing laws. The announcement signals US intentions to have a long term say in Iraq's oil industry.UN Waits To Issue Its Report On Iraq (September 9, 2007)
A United Nations quarterly report on human rights in Iraq which was due out in July will not be released until October 2007. The report describes violence committed by Iraqi militia and insurgents and documents human rights abuses by US and Iraqi forces. According to UN officials, Ambassador Ryan Crocker requested the delay to allow the Iraqi government to "study" the report. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will meet in New York on September 22, 2007 for high level discussions on Iraq. UN officials suggest the delay "is in part to avoid embarrassing Maliki on the eve of the New York meeting." (Independent)The Fakery of General Petraeus: What Iraqis Think About the Surge (September 11, 2007)
In this Counterpunch article, Patrick Cockburn argues that General Petraeus' report to Congress "manipulates figures and facts to produce a picture of Iraq that is not merely distorted but substantively false." Commentators question the methodology used by the US military to measure the situation in Iraq. Cockburn suggests the true indicator of violence in Iraq is the number of Iraqis fleeing their homes which has risen from 50,000 to 60,000 per month. Iraqis do not have access to medical treatment; the food rationing system is breaking down and unemployment is at 68 percent.Petraeus Backs Initial Pullout (September 11, 2007)
According to political commentators, the testimony given by General David Petraeus to US Congress is "an anticlimactic outcome of what had been building as a potential turning point in the debate over the war." In this Washington Post article, the authors note comments from Democrat representative Robert Wexler who compared General Petraeus' testimony to General William Westmoreland's speech during the Vietnam War. The Democrat asks General Petraeus "how many more names will be added to the wall before we admit it is time to leave?" Meanwhile, neither the General nor Ambassador Ryan Crocker spoke of Iraqi's performance on the 18 benchmarks outlined by Congress. This is despite a September 15, 2007 deadline for President George Bush to report to Congress on the success of these benchmarks.Report to Congress on the Situation in Iraq (September 10 - 11, 2007)
Testifying before US Congress, General David Petraeus recommends that based on "substantial progress" in the security situation in Iraq, troop numbers can be reduced to pre-surge levels by summer 2008. The General says the decline in 'security incidents' in Iraq is attributable to Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. The General refuses to set a timeline for further troop reductions past 2008, as "projecting too far in the future . can be misleading and even hazardous." He warns of the implications of rapid withdrawal of US forces and says a solution to Iraq's problems requires a long-term effort.Bush Running Out of Friends Over Iraq (September 6, 2007)
Australian Prime Minister John Howard pledges to US President George Bush to keep Australian troops in and around Iraq for as long as "conditions on the ground" warrant it. Meeting in Australia for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit both leaders discuss the possibility of a drawdown of troops from Iraq. According to political commentators, Howard may be one of President George Bush's last remaining allies in the war in Iraq as Australian opposition leader, Kevin Rudd, plans to withdraw troops if he is elected Prime Minister in late 2007. (Independent)Missteps and Mistrust Mark the Push for Legislation (September 5, 2007)
In this Washington Post article, the author tracks the development of Iraq's oil law as a "political achievement" capable of uniting Iraqis. Responding to US pressure, the Iraqi oil ministry drafted a national oil law in 2006. Since then, disputes between the Baghdad government and the Kurdistan regional government over the terms of the draft have led to a breakdown in negotiations. However, a US Embassy official suggests that oil revenue is already being distributed throughout Iraq without a legislative framework. This indicates there is time for an oil law to be drafted that benefits the Iraqi people and promotes rather than hinders reconciliation between the central and regional powers.Panel Sees More Than a Year Before Iraq Can Handle Security (September 6, 2007)
An independent commission created by US Congress advises that the Iraqi police and military cannot take a leading role in securing Iraq in the foreseeable future. The commission recommends disbanding the Shiite-dominated Iraqi national police citing the 26,000 member force as "incapable" of protecting Iraqi neighborhoods. The report says that while the Iraqi forces improved slightly, they still suffered from "limited operational effectiveness." Political commentators predict that US President George Bush will use the report to argue that US forces need to stay in Iraq. On the other hand, commentators believe the Democrats will use the findings to argue for resources to be shifted to train Iraqi police and army units so that US troops can withdraw. (New York Times)Security Council
UN Security Council Gives Green Light to New Deployment in Chad and Central African Republic (August 27, 2007)
The UN Security Council, backed by Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, approved a joint EU-UN force to operate in Chad and the Central African Republic. The Security Council believes the international community should take action in these two devastated countries. A possible 3,000-strong peacekeeping mission will offer support and security to displaced people and refugees. France's deputy UN ambassador Jean-Pierre Lacroix thinks that this Council initiative should be considered as a "political signal" of support by the EU for deployment in these regions. (International Herald Tribune)Chad's Tragedy (September 7, 2007)
Chad's situation is similar to Darfur. These oil-rich countries both suffer from corrupt politics, rebel insurgencies and intense international interest. Oil production in Chad started in 2003 under a consortium of transnational companies including Exxon, Shell and Chevron, with the support of the World Bank. This partnership was supposed to construct a pipeline to the Atlantic Ocean and invest part of the income in a fund for social and educational purposes. Instead, corruption and external interventions have caused a humanitarian crisis in Chad. (openDemocracy)Divided and Embattled East Timor to Elect a President (April 9, 2007)
Independent East Timor still suffers from malnutrition and food shortage. Meanwhile, the government keeps US$1.2 billion from oil revenues in a US fund for "future use". The unused money became a priority issue in the elections. President Jose Ramos-Horta stated "Democracy will not work if the people are hungry." (New York Times)New Somali Alliance Threatens War (September 12, 2007)
The created Alliance for the Liberation of Somalia, organized a meeting in Eritrea to discuss Somali liberation and the removal of Ethiopian troops. Its aim is "to remove the Ethiopian-backed government by negotiation - or war." One of the 300 delegates present, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, offered his support for the ALS and a free Somalia. Ethiopia promises to withdraw when African Union peacekeepers arrive in Mogadishu. (BBC)Iranian Raises Possibility of an Intrusion into Iraq (September 10, 2007)
Cross-border attacks from the militant Kurdish group, Pejak, have sharpened tensions at the Iraqi-Iranian border. Iran wants the Iraqi government to prevent these attacks, threatening that will respond with military action. Iran's deputy foreign minister, Mohammad Baquiri, declared the US supports Pejak, and therefore that Washington condones the attacks. Meanwhile, Kurdish victims of bombings protest in front of the Kurdish Parliament asking for UN intervention to stop the attacks. (New York Times)Somalia: Africa Insight - Why Talk in Hotels Won't Yield Long Term Peace (September 7, 2007)
This article pleads for better understanding of the crisis in Somalia before further intervention takes place. The author writes that a new Somalia with a united government is possible, but success must emerge from internal processes and not external pressure. It's likely, though, that outsiders will continue to be aggressively involved. The United States has had special forces operating in the country and considers it a major site for the "war on terror." Somalia's neighbor, Ethiopia has a large military presence in Somalia that has given rise to more violence. The UN Security Council, under pressure from the US and the UK, authorized a peacekeeping mission that has not yet been implemented. (Nation-Nairobi)Ariel Sharon and the Geometry of Occupation: Temporary Permanence. (September 5, 2007)
Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon originally insisted that the Israeli barrier served merely as a "temporary border," for "safety" purposes. In reality, the wall seems to be a long-term "frontier border" plan with grave results. This separation confines the Palestinian majority to designated areas and inhibits a possible Palestinian political order. A democratic outcome will be even harder to achieve. (openDemocracy)Blue-Hatting Darfur (September 5, 2007)
Mahmood Mamdani argues in Pambazuka that a UN mission without a political agreement between the warring parties will not promote peace in Darfur. On the contrary, he fears that without a cease-fire the peacekeeping mission will appear as a "military intervention." The failure of the May 2006 Darfur peace agreement led to increasing enthusiasm for a military solution by some international NGOs, who doubted the effectiveness of the African Union Mission. Western countries cut their funding and support for the AU mission, insuring it would not succeed. Those who favored a military solution then pushed for the establishment of a UN force to "salvage" the situation. The current "hybrid" operation will have many more military assets, but a political agreement remains the key.Empire?
New Russia, New Threat (September 2, 2007)
While "the US is bogged down in unwinnable wars in Afghanistan and Iraq," Russia is posing an increasing challenge to Washington's status as the "world's undisputed superpower." In the first period of his presidency, Vladimir Putin continued the pro-Western approach of his predecessors, pursuing multilateral institutions and good relations with the US and Europe. But, in the last couple of years the Kremlin has changed course, argues this article. The Russian leader approved of a $200-billion rearmament plan, threatened US-ally Georgia and interrupted the flow of gas to Ukraine. (Los Angeles Times)Six Years of 9/11 as a License to Kill (September 10, 2007)
This article considers how the Bush administration has used a national tragedy for political purposes, especially by making a connection between 9/11 and Iraq. As families grieve for the victims, Washington carefully stages hearings and reports on Iraq. By including Iraq and the "war on terror" in the 9/11 discourse, the Bush administration has succeeded in making these events seem closely connected. (AlterNet)Why We're Losing the War on Terror (September 2007)
In 2001, US President Bush declared War on Terror supposedly to make the world a "safer place." Armed with moral imperatives, the US administration waged war on Afghanistan and Iraq and also restricted civil liberties and international law with the Patriot Act and the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. Is the world a safer place today as a result of all this? No, says The Nation; the war on terrorism "has compromised our spirit, strengthened our enemies and left us less free and less safe."Russia vs Europe: the Sovereignty Wars (September 5, 2007)
In this article the author elaborates on the "re-emergence of Russia as a great power" and its evolving relationship with the EU. The European Union depends on the former USSR's oil and energy reserves - a situation that European leaders find unsettling. According to the article, Russian leaders still view foreign policy as a balance-of-power game, which the European leaders interpret as a "manifestation of traditional Russian imperialism." The author argues that this problematic relationship could prove more dangerous than in the Cold War days. (openDemocracy)Social and Economic Policy
Climate Change Refugees
Billions of people across the world might become refugees as a result of climate change. Inhabitants of Pacific islands such as Tuvalu are already preparing to move to New Zealand, while millions of people in Bangladesh are fleeing from either flooding or drought. The author argues that the world's governments and international institutions such as the UN are doing little to mitigate the climate change risks and to accommodate potential refugee populations. He also suggests that treaties protecting political refugees should include those who flee from a "deadly climate." (In These Times)The Millennium Development Goals Report (2007)
This report marks the halfway point between the introduction of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their 2015 target date. The United Nations report shows that a few countries have made significant progress in some key areas. However, the world's governments have a long way to go. The UN urges governments to exercise strong leadership and to scale up public investment to reach the goals. The UN also emphasizes that rich countries must make resources available to poor countries in a predictable way, allowing them to plan ahead to make the MDGs achievable.The IMF Wants to Change. Honest. Just Not Yet. (September 11, 2007)
The author of this Globe and Mail article sees the process of electing a new IMF managing director as an example of all that is wrong with the Fund. The IMF has become infamous for it shady, behind-closed-doors decision making processes. The most likely candidate for the job, French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn, claims to be the "candidate of reform," who will bring more power to the developing world and create a more transparent Fund. Powerful European governments, however, do not share these views and would not hire the Frenchman if they believed he would act against their wishes. Strauss-Kahn thus stands as a symbol of the continuing undemocratic nature of the institution.Budgeting with Women in Mind (June 2007)
In this article from Finance and Development, Janet G. Stotsky of the IMF makes a strong case for "gender budgeting." Experience in developing countries show that increased opportunities for women has contributed to countries' economic growth. Women spend more money on necessities and thus improve the opportunities for their children, they save more of their income and female leaders often focus more on redistributing income and social security schemes than male counterparts. The author argues that governments must consider these facts in their budgets and in financial planning.Aid and the Cycle of Debt (September 7, 2007)
In this interview with the Politic, Sameer Dossani, director of 50 Years Is Enough, makes the case for debt relief for poor countries. Dossani discusses the complexities of debt relief and vulture funds and explains how the poor countries debt accumulated over the 1970s. In the 1980s, the World Bank and the IMF made the debt crisis worse by imposing conditionalities on the aid to poor countries. According to Dossani, aid cannot solve the world's poverty problem. Instead, major debt relief would provide the flexibility that poor countries need to tackle real development problems and escape the debt-impoverishment cycle.IMF Candidate Strauss-Kahn Urges Swift IMF Reform (September 6, 2007)
The French candidate for IMF chief, Dominique Strauss-Khan, calls for a reform of the IMF to enhance the bargaining power of all developing countries. Strauss-Khan says that in order for the IMF to maintain its legitimacy, it must seriously revise its decision making process and make the voices of the developing world heard. This reform process must go beyond existing suggestions to expand decision making quotas for the new great economies - India, China and Brazil - and instead increase the participation of all developing countries. The main priority of the IMF is to support developing countries' integration with the world economy, says the candidate. (Reuters)Trade Talk (September 4, 2007)
In 2004, a group of poor countries met in Sao Paulo and initiated the Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP), to better promote their interests in the WTO's Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations. After six years of negotiations, participants in the Doha Round have still not succeeded in steering the world trading system in a direction favorable to developing countries. The author argues that so far the GSTP has done little to enhance South-South trade. Now, however, the member countries are responsible for at least a third of world trade and the GSTP finally carries enough weight to change global trade balances in favor of developing countries. (Business Day)Nations and States
World Bank to Study Offshore (September 12, 2007)
Responding to pressure from the Norwegian government, the World Bank has agreed to publish a report on offshore financial centers as part of the Bank's anti-corruption work. Preceding the World Bank decision, the TaxJusticeNetwork and other NGOs had actively urged Norway and other members of the "Leading Group on Solidarity Levies to Fund Development" to address the problem of tax evasion and offshore centers. The NGOs pointed out that every year, countries loose "hundreds of billions of dollars" through tax evasion and rich countries bear "at least as much (of) the responsibility" as poor countries do.
The Excluded: The Strange Hidden World of the Stateless (September 2007)
Small island states could disappear in the near future due to climate change, leaving thousands of islanders stateless. As states have never before simply vanished, who should bear the responsibility for the suddenly stateless people? This UNHCR publication reports that 5.8 million people in the world are officially recognized as stateless but that the number is probably closer to 15 million. Some end up stateless because their country has changed in a particular way; decolonized, dissolved etc. Others are victims of ethnic, political or religious discrimination. Though politicians in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Nepal have implemented rights for some former stateless people, much still needs to be done.International Justice
Darfur War Crimes Suspect Leads Sudan Rights Probe (September 5, 2007)
The government of Sudan appointed former State Minister of Interior, and suspected war criminal, Ahmed Haroun as co-chair of the committee that monitors human rights violations in Darfur. This decision sparks outrage as political opponents of the Sudanese government believe this not only disregards human rights, but also the ICC's authority over Mr. Haroun, whom it indicted back in April 2007. A spokesman for the SPLM said: "this is a mockery of justice. It would have been better not to form this commission." (Reuters)ICTY Legacy (September 4, 2007)
Criticism is emerging as the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia is moving towards a completion date in 2010 after 14 years of work. While most human rights and international justice NGOs, such as the Coalition for the ICC, commend the Tribunal on its contribution to international criminal law and praise it for laying the groundwork for other international courts, skeptics still question its validity. Criticisms focus on the lack of enforcement mechanism to arrest the suspects, the impracticable number of charges that hinder the courts' productivity, and the fact that the ICTY will not be able to complete the large number of cases it took on. (Institute for War and Peace Reporting)
