Saturday, November 25 06 (1)

Lebanon inches from collapse if government talks go ahead over international tribunal for Hariri assassination (1,2). Riga summit considers NATO's two divergent future configurations. Kyrgyzstan's constitutional reforms will be put to the test by politicians. Repressive Mugabe regime cannot be sustained if local groups continue to align around Zimbabwe's mounting military opposition. Darfur conflict redefining 'regional destabilization': displaced refugees unwilling to return home, rebel military activities are threatening Chadian capital N'’djamena, and international peace operations remain deadlocked in diplomacy.

Friday, November 24 06

Two different revolutions in Georgia (2004) and Ukraine (2005). Nobody is qualified than the International Crisis Group's (ICG) President Evans to reflect on ethical commitments and implementation obstacles of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) framework ('From an Idea to an International Norm'). ICG's Nick Grono speaks on early warning and qualitative determinants predicting civil war. Assassination in the middle east is pathological, and Lebanon's popular 'Cedar Revolution' of 2005 now seems like ancient history. Iraq 'is broke beyond repair', calls for immediate troop withdrawals are unsuprising. U.S. military anticipates major troop withdrawals by accelerating Iraq's own security forces training. Somalia and Ethiopia are fully militarized. In Afghanistan, Taliban resurgence thrives on political incompetence everywhere in new regime. Long-time skeptic China increasingly a leader deploying U.N. peacekeeping troops.

Wednesday, November 22 06

Lebanon's pro-democracy, anti-Syria movement 'is in quite a bit of trouble', and Prime Minister Siniora's government is quickly approaching collapse (1,2). E.U. sharpens the edge of Belarus neighborhood policy: aid and trade for immediate human rights and democratic reforms. Nepal's Prime Minister Koirala and rebel leader Prachanda reinforce legitimacy of peace accord by issuing joint declaration of peace. Today Ukraine contemplates the past and future with 2004 Orange Revolution celebrations on national 'Freedom Day'. Russia adopts an increasingly aggressive posture, continues to ruthlessly occupy Chechnya and blatantly violates international human rights, but weaker rivals Georgia and Moldova often stand alone demanding reforms in WTO entry negotiations.

Tuesday, November 21 06

Today the Sri Lankan government began bombing of rebel strongholds. Afghanistan Defense Minister Wardak thinks domestic troops will be ready by 2008. U.N. peacekeepers in D.R. Congo disperse riot in Kinshasa at Supreme Court. Will the Nepalese punish their King for political repression? U.N. Security Council extends E.U. Stabilization Force (EUFOR) for one year in Bosnia-Herzegovina. E.U. decision-makers seek to expand E.U. Neighborhood Policy as far as Belarus. Iraq and Syria open channels of diplomacy. Is Canada in Afghanistan to export peace, order and good government? In the midst of a worsening situation in Darfur, the struggle for peace is being pushed forward by women. This Washington Post article asks why internationalists are selective calling for intervention in Darfur alone.

Monday, November 20 06

Washington is caught in a 'fake options debate': can't increase, can't stay, can't go home. The odds are not good for constitutional democracy in Iraq. 'Rumsfeld doctrine' of 20th century warfare taking shape on schedule. Nepal's constitution forbids prosecution of King Gyanendra for harsh repression during 15-month direct rule. Ambiguity embedded in last week's high-profile U.N.-Sudan agreement is spawning debates about complex peace operations and chains of command. Soon-to-be-replaced British Prime Minister Blair pledges his country's commitment to rebuilding Afghanistan however long that takes. U.N. High Commissioner for Human rights Arbour warns of 'massive' human rights abuse Arbour warns of 'massive human rights violations of Gaza noncombatants (1,2). New reports about Serbian President Milosovic's Kosovo activities illustrate how security services and paramilitaries can be centrally coordinated in breakaway regions. Tongo peacekeeping expedition a reminder that south pacific security is becoming expensive for New Zealand and Australia. China's Deputy Procurator General Wang speaks openly of systematic policy of torture. Unresolved factional conflict continues to re-surface in the Ukraine. Canadian Prime Minister Harper firm but mindful rejecting U.S. North Korea request.