Saturday, October 28 06

This story gives a picture of the security situation inside the failed state of Iraq. Should the coalition give up attempts to re-build a unified state? The E.U. remains active as Justice Commissioner Frattini looks into police actions during Hungary's recent street battles. Uncertainty captures Bangladesh as health concerns prevent former Supreme Court Justice Hasan from assuming expected 'caretaker' role in advance of January's elections. In Saturday's Globe and Mail, Doug Saunders suggests that Afghanistan failures stem from the military's overarching commitment to traditional aims of war and it's failure to appreciate the complexities of nation-building. A 21st-century principle of just war: the good guys are the ones who recognize that civilian lives are not expendable.

Friday, October 27 06 (2)

Georgian Prime Minister Noghaideli criticized Russia's clampdown today at the OSCE. Major autonomy deal between Pakistani Government and tribal leaders of Waziristan is more significant than Washington realizes. With no established pattern of powersharing, U.S.-imposed Iraqi federalism can't survive. After decades teetering on collapse, D.R. Congo's Presidential campaign is reinforcing the boundaries of major ethnic groups. The international community needs to balance peace and justice before the window of opportunity closes for a long-term peace deal in Uganda. Unsuccessful peace operations teach valuable lessons.

Friday, October 27 06 (1)

In Somalia, political legitimacy has shifted and foreign intervention could spark expanded regional war. Sudanese government now gives a rationale for Pronk expulsion: the U.N. envoy took sides last week when he stated that rebels were gaining control of the south. The E.U. loosens post-Andijon sanctions in order to maintain 'lines of communication' with Uzbekistan. A committee of the U.N. General Assembly began work today on a new voluntary global treaty to regulate the arms trade, geared especially towards limiting proliferation of military hardware in failed or unstable states (1,2). In countries emerging from military conflict, women and children are disproportionately exposed to violence: Assistant Secretary-General Carolyn McAskie is tasked to represent their interests through new U.N. Peacebuilding Commission.

Thursday, October 26 06

Thai coup leader General Sondhi fails to produce evidence of corruption in ousted Tahksin government. South Korea voices concerns about the unanticipated casualties of major economic sanctions against the north. Two members of Burma's parliament lay out some of their 'overwhelming evidence' that the Burmese people want to end their dictatorship. Influx of recruits will boost Canadian military's troops ready for action, but recent patchwork policies will dilute the forces' pool of talented personnel (1,2). In Afghanistan, NATO finds battlefield success against insurgents, but fails to protect innocent noncombatants. Timothy Garton Ash comments on the costs of the Iraq invasion in terms of soldiers' lives.

Wednesday, October 25 06

In Nigeria, federalism is a license for refusing to share resource wealth. Ethiopia is 'technically at war', but not a 'shooting war'. Kyrgyz President Bakiev stands by his government against protests from legislature. Violence continues to thwart peacebuilding efforts in East Timor. Putin plans for retirement and confirms that Russia's ambition was never to annex Georgia. Talks have stalled, putting Nepal again on the edge of widespread violence.

Tuesday, October 24 06

The tide is about to turn in Iraq, with overwhelming U.S. public condemnation of the invasion, retreat-like deal-making, and louder pleas from Iraqi government not to panic, run. The Canadian contingent continues to face difficult new challenges in Afghanistan operation. Hungarian government and anti-government protestors commemorate 1956 revolt with violent response to violent uprising in Budapest. The international spotlight is focused on Eritrea after serious U.N. response to recent illegal Eritrean troop deployment in U.N. Temporary Security Zone (TSZ). Factional fighting precedes Presidential elections in D.R. Congo. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Guehenno calls for a new debate on the U.N. approach to peace operations.

Monday, October 23 06

Open warfare is the likely consequence of militarism in Darfur. Next door the failed state of Somalia is a battleground for pro-Islamist militias and Ethiopia's armed forces. The U.K. has officially lost its nerve for Iraq operations. Uzbek President Karimov softens his account, but doesn't yield to foreign investigation of events in 2005 at Andijon. Restricted political autonomy for Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along Afghan border is an idea receiving powerful support in Pakistan.