Wednesday, March 10, 2010

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, March 10, 2010

 

From the Council on Foreign Relations

March 10, 2010

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

- Biden Criticizes Israeli Construction Plans
- High Iraq Voter Turnout by Sunnis and Kurds
- Chinese Exports Soar in February
- Ahmadinejad Arrives in Afghanistan

Top of the Agenda: Biden Criticizes Israeli Construction Plans

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden condemned (WashPost) Israel's plans to build sixteen hundred new housing units in East Jerusalem, a move that could upset the Obama administration's push for Mideast peace. Upon learning of the housing announcement, Biden said in a statement: "I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem." The word "condemn" is rarely used when criticizing close allies. The Israeli announcement came before a dinner meeting between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and after Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed to hold indirect talks. Israel's Interior Ministry said the decision on new construction "was determined in advance and there is no connection to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Israel."

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said the Israeli announcement was "damaging" and posed a "great challenge" (AP) to restarting peace talks.

Analysis:

On Foreign Policy, Bernard Avishai says despite Netanyahu's boasts about Palestinian economic growth, little has been done to boost the private sector, a key aspect of the peace process.

The Economist writes that the Israeli government had been using the peace talk hiatus to intensify its refashioning of East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as their future capital.

In Foreign Affairs, Ehud Yaari says rather than pursuing a final-status deal now, Israel and the Palestinian Authority should agree to establish a Palestinian state within temporary armistice boundaries.

MIDDLE EAST: High Voter Turnout by Iraqi Sunnis and Kurds

Poll results for Iraq's parliamentary elections are expected (CSMonitor) Wednesday. Initial indicators suggest Sunni and Kurd turnout was higher than expected.

Iraq's security forces performed especially well during parliamentary elections, but a big test looms in the months ahead as votes are counted and Iraqi factions try to form a government, says CFR's Brett McGurk.

PACIFIC RIM: Chinese Exports Soar in February

China's exports grew (FT) 45.7 percent in February compared to a year earlier, beating analyst expectations.

Myanmar: Myanmar's new election law will prevent (NYT) famed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running in upcoming parliamentary elections.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Ahmadinejad Arrives in Afghanistan

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Afghanistan days after U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Iran was undermining (Reuters) the U.S.-led military effort there (Reuters). At a press conference in Kabul, Ahmadinejad criticized (ILNA) the United States for fighting terrorists it once supported.

Pakistan: Gunmen attacked (BBC) the office of Western aid agency World Vision in northwest Pakistan, killing six people.

AFRICA: Nigerians March to Demand Yar'Adua's Appearance

Hundreds of Nigerians marched (Reuters) in Abuja, the country's capital, to demand the appearance of ailing leader Umaru Yar'Adua two weeks after his return from a Saudi hospital.

Libya: The United States is sending a top envoy to Libya and has apologized for U.S. comments that offended (AFP) Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and strained ties with the oil-rich country.

AMERICAS: U.S. and Brazil Meet on Trade

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke says Washington wants talks with Brazil before the country imposes (MercoPress) retaliatory trade tariffs on U.S. cotton subsidies.

United States: U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Gary Gensler harshly criticized (WSJ) the use of credit default swaps and offered recommendations, short of a ban, to limit their use.

EUROPE: Russia's Missile Defense Link in START

A Russia-U.S. treaty to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will link (RiaNovosti) offensive and defensive armaments, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

EU: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy are considering (DerSpiegel) measures to limit the financial speculation that has destabilized the euro, with or without EU involvement.

TRANSNATIONAL: Confidence in Global Economy Sinks

According to a Bloomberg survey on six continents, confidence in the world economy dropped for a second month in March amid concerns that Greece's budget woes would undermine the global recovery.
 

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