Mexico seemed to be on a progressive track this year: the centrist PRI wrestled legislative power from the center-right PAN in mid-term elections; personal drug use of everything from pot to heroine was decriminalized; and major investments in wind farms were made in Baja. Such overtures stop short of abortion rights, however. Last week the […]
The Israeli government approved a 10-month settlement freeze tonight, with U.S. officials relatively tepid on the proposal that also drew criticism from Palestinians for failing to end settlement construction outside Jerusalem. U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell echoed concerns of the effort for neglecting to freeze Israeli expansion around Jerusalem. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement saying: “Today’s announcement […]
Bangladesh is becoming enmeshed in the broader regional strategy by which political Islamists in Bangladesh and Pakistan might bring down secular governments and establish a wider Islamic emirate. I want to propose that Bangladesh has been chosen as the alternative ground from which Pakistani militants will launch attacks into India. Before I get to […]
Since election violence in the Philippines began, approximately 57 people have been killed. At least 22 of these dead were kidnapped lawyers, journalists, and relatives of local politicians. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in the two Southern provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. Both are located on the […]
In an interview with Middle East Progress, Quartet Envoy Tony Blair provides his input on the “institution building” debate currently undergoing in the Palestinian Authority and the peace process with Israel, urging for political -and not just economic- reconciliation first. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called on Palestinians to begin developing the economic, security, and state building […]
Even as President Obama hosts the Indian Prime Minister at the State Dinner tonight, the joint press meet during the day sent conflicting signals about the future of Indo-US relations. In spite of being asked directly if the US would put pressure on Pakistan to act against terrorist operating from its territory, President Obama talked […]
Sudan is delaying the country’s long awaited elections yet again. But this time the reasons seem legitimate: The National Elections Commission (NEC) announced a six day delay to the elections in order to allow more time for voters to register at least in part at the behest of opposition parties. Sudan state media issued an […]
So, it appears that China’s policies toward Africa might disproportionately benefit the powerful and the privileged? I, for one, stand flabbergasted.
The South African government has announced the formation of a new anti-corruption team. A cabinet statement announced, “The South African government takes strong exception to corrupt practices and regards the matter very seriously because of the potential damage that this could cause to the country’s reputation globally.” South Africa ranked a middling (which is to […]
Zimbabwe has started withdrawing troops from the country’s diamond fields at the behest of the countries behind the Kimberley Process. Now, to be fair, this is one Zim-related narrative that is not simply part of a larger “Mugabe = Bad” narrative. The troops were posted at the diamond fields in Marange in the eastern part […]
I am pleasantly shocked by the news that South Africa has already moved out of recession. According to Statistics SA, South Africa recorded modest positive growth in the third quarter.
Pursuant to the developing story on the 3 men arrested in Bangladesh for plotting to attack U.S and Indian political institutions, I’d like to point out an interesting piece of editorial analysis by the India based South Asia Analysis Group. The short paper examines the history of Lashkar e Taiba in a broader, electoral context […]
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