Thursday, January 7, 2010

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, January 7, 2010

 

From the Council on Foreign Relations

January 7, 2009

View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

- U.S. Terrorism Policies Face Questions
- Iran and Iraq Meet Amid Bombings
- Japan's Kan Calls for Weaker Yen
- Pentagon Report on Guantanamo

Top of the Agenda: Terrorism Indictment Sparks Questions

The indictment of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man accused of the Christmas Day airline plot, is raising questions (WashPost) on how terrorism suspects should be treated and the effectiveness of past intelligence reforms. Although U.S. President Barack Obama has not blamed any officials or departments for the averted attack, many analysts are pointing to flaws in the 2004 intelligence reorganization. The National Counterterrorism Center was created to force the sharing of information between the sixteen U.S. intelligence agencies following the September 11, 2001, attacks, but failure to connect the dots in the Christmas Day bombing leaves some officials skeptical of the agency's effectiveness. Later today, the White House will release a report on these failings; National Security Adviser James Jones says (USAToday) Americans will be "shocked" at the information that was "available [but] not acted on."

Abdulmutallab's six-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Michigan has also raised questions (NYT) about whether suspected terrorists should be tried in federal courts or treated as enemy combatants. The ranking Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Christopher Bond, said following the indictment, "We have learned the hard way that trying terrorists in federal court comes at a high price, from losing out on potentially lifesaving intelligence to compromising our sources and methods ... We must treat these terrorists as what they are--not common criminals, but enemy combatants in a war."

Analysis:

In the Hindu, M.K. Bhadrakumar says Muslim opinion on Barack Obama is wavering and depends on how he approaches issues such as heightened security measures, Yemen, CIA involvement in the Middle East, and Iran.

In a CFR interview, Steven Simon says "systemic failures" contributed to the Christmas Day airliner plot, but given the huge volume of intelligence analyzed daily, reforms won't come easily.

In a CFR interview, Carnegie Endowment's Christopher Boucek says that if left unchecked, the rise of Yemen's al-Qaeda affiliates could lead to al-Qaeda's further entrenchment in Yemen.

Background:

A New York Times Magazine article looks at the Obama administration's war on terrorism.

In this media conference call, CFR fellows Edward Alden and Steven Simon discuss the Christmas day airline plot and the U.S. government's response to terror threats.

This CFR Backgrounder explains al-Qaeda's origins and reach.

MIDDLE EAST: Iran and Iraq Talks

Foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq met in Baghdad (al-Jazeera) to resolve border disputes.

Egypt: Violence erupted (AFP) in southern Egypt between more than two thousand Christian Copts and police following the killing of six Copts on Coptic Christmas Eve in a drive-by shooting.

PACIFIC RIM: North Korean Currency Reform

Severe currency reform in North Korea has deprived (WashPost) small businesses of savings, forbidden the use of foreign money, and is causing runaway inflation and food shortages.

Japan: Newly appointed Japanese Finance Minister Naoto Kan called (WSJ) for a weaker Japanese yen in his first news conference. His predecessor, Hirohisa Fujii, said a strong yen was in Japan's interests.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Kashmir Violence

Clashes between militants and security forces in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir ended (al-Jazeera) after security forces killed two attackers.

AFRICA: UK Aid to Sudan

The British government will give (Reuters) Sudan $86 million in foreign aid ahead of the country's first multi-party elections in more than two decades.

Guinea: The resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in West African countries, especially Guinea, is threatening (UNNews) regional peace and stability, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in his latest report on the United Nations in West Africa.

AMERICAS: Guantanamo Bay Closure

A classified Pentagon report says (NYT) that of the roughly 560 detainees transferred abroad from Guantanamo Bay prison, one in five has engaged in or is suspected of terrorism or militant activity.

EUROPE: Threat to British PM's Power

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown faced (Guardian) a surprise challenge to his leadership when two ex-cabinet ministers sent a letter to fellow Labor Party lawmakers calling for a secret ballot to force him out of power.

Iceland: The Icelandic government proposed (FT) holding a referendum next month on the plan, blocked by President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, to repay Britain and the Netherlands $5.5 billion lost during its financial crisis, amid warnings that the president's decision could mean international isolation.

TRANSNATIONAL: Twitter as Statecraft

On Foreign Policy, U.S. Senator Richard Lugar examines how modern communications and social networking technologies such as Twitter can be used to promote global freedom.

Editor's Note: Please note the relaunch of CFR.org's home page offering improved site navigation, expanded content, and new multimedia options.

 

EXPLORE CFR'S WEBSITE
Regions  Issues  Experts Publications About CFR

Privacy Policy
The Council on Foreign Relations does not share email addresses with third parties.

Council on Foreign Relations
58 East 68th Street
New York, NY 10065
Tel. +1 212.434.9400
Fax: +1 212.434.9800

Learn about this and other newsletters offered by the Council on Foreign Relations.

To pause your subscription, to switch between HTML and text-only versions of the newsletter, to change your email address, or to unsubscribe, click here.
Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com

__._,_.___
Red Democratica 10 years "On line" (1998-2008)!
Http://reddemocratica.blogspot.com
Boletin Diario :
Http://reddemocratica01.blogspot.com
Foro Debate :
Http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eleccion

Ahora en FACEBOOK : Red Democratica

Http://www.caretas.com.pe/2000/1631/articulos/protesta.phtml
Http://www.caretas.com.pe/2000/1612/articulos/debate.phtml

Celebrando 10 anos "On Line"..2009

Keep the candle burning

I have a dream
http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/about_king/interactiveFrame.htm

FORUM TPSIPOL: RED DEMOCRATICA (1998-1999).
Informacion : Http://tpsipol.home-page.org

Para enviar un message , enviar a: eleccion@yahoogroups.com
Para suscribirse al Forum , enviar un mensaje a : eleccion-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Para salir del Forum, enviar un mensaje en blanco : eleccion-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
.

__,_._,___
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)