Regions

Rwanda has joined much of the international community in a call for the end of the death penalty. It's a pretty compelling argument, all in all: If the Rwandan government can end capital punishment with countless perpetrators of genocide still to be punished, there are not a lot of countries in the world with a […]

There is a new story about political intrigue, firings, scandal, corruption, and crime reverberating through South Africa with the issue of an arrest warrant and suspension of National Police Commissioner (and head of Interpol) Jackie Selebi. This might represent Thabo Mbeki's stiffest political challenge yet, which is in itself saying something.  The Mail & Guardian editorializes hopefully on the […]

Mexican writer Fernando del Paso has been awarded the Juan Rulfo literary prize, a major honor in Spanish literature.  Born in Mexico City in 1935, Del Paso is the author of Palinuro of Mexico and Noticias del Imperio, among other works.  Though best known for his four novels, he has also had success as a poet, […]

Well, earlier in the week I predicted it, not because I am especially perspicacious, but because it was so predictable: “Prepare for rhetorical brickbats to come from Zim's wily tyrant.” And brickbats we have gotten. In his Wednesday address before the United Nations, Mugabe had a field day. His material tends not to vary all […]

The UN recently called for a rare summit on Africa and predictably, promises were made, agendas were set, ideas proposed. While it is good to see Africa on the global agenda in such a visible way, many Africans are rightly skeptical: “Africa's agenda will increasingly be defined by the African Union,” said AU chairman Alpha […]

This month, several former leaders of states that support Central Asia's economic and political liberalization have weighed in on issues of globalization and economic integration.  In particular, former President of Turkey Mr. Demirel discussed the historic and continuing participation of Turkey in Central Asia's economic development, noting that Turkey continues to build economic ties: Turkish […]

Famed Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas has been commissioned by Mexico City officials to design what would be Latin America's tallest skyscraper at 984 feet.  As the New York Times noted recently, however, the proposed “Bicentennial  Tower” is causing controversy among its future neighbors and city activists who are taking legal action.  If built, the 70-story tower overlooking the city's Chapultepec […]

Gordon Brown remains steadfast in his refusal to attend any Europe-Africa summit in which Robert Mugabe is allowed to participate. At least a few African leaders are rallying around Mugabe, who is on his way to New York where he will attend the meeting of the General Assembly. Prepare for rhetorical brickbats to come from […]

The following email is circulating in Zimbabwe and throughout the region. I cannot vouch for its origins, but I received it froma friend who, for reasons that ought to be clear, would prefer to remain anonymous. Even if it ends up being dubious or overwrought, the very fact that it seems viable speaks volumes: PLEASE […]

President Calderon's bill to reform Mexico's tax system has been approved by the national Congress. According to the Economist, the new tax laws will increase the government's non-oil tax revenue from 10% of GDP to 12% by 2012, resulting in an extra $10.3 billion in federal funds next year.  In order to gain support for his […]

Yesterday I asserted the following: As long as there is progress, however tentative and cosmetic, an outside world that has been loath even to think about intervening in Zimbabwe is going to continue to stand pat. This is Thabo Mbeki's roll of the dice. If these reforms prove effective, he will deserve a large proportion […]

The proposed Constitutional changes to streamline (or consolidate ZANU-PF power, depending on your perspective) the political process in Zimbabwe have come to pass. Under the provisions of the legislation Zimbabwe will change its electoral boundaries, increase the number of MPs and accelerate by two years parliamentary elections. In a gesture that makes a virtue out […]