[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily News Brief, March 8, 2010

 

March 8, 2010 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - U.S. Hails Iraqi Elections Amid Violence - Chinese Central Bank Signals Yuan Rise - Hundreds Killed in Nigerian Ethnic Clash - U.S. Fed Fights to Maintain Powers Top of the Agenda: U.S. Hails Iraqi Elections Amid Violence Despite the day's violence, U.S. officials hailed Sunday's elections (WashPost) in Iraq as an important step on the way to withdrawing U.S. troops this summer. Many voters were deterred by fear of violence and doubts about democracy. U.S. President Barack Obama voiced his support for the millions of Iraqis who did vote and reiterated his commitment to withdraw U.S. combat troops by August. He also warned that violence in Iraq would likely continue for weeks or months. Dozens of explosions rocked the Iraqi capital and other cities Sunday morning, killing at least thirty-eight people and wounding eighty-nine. The deadliest attack occurred in the eastern Baghdad district of Ur, where building explosions killed at least twenty-five people. Election workers at the nearly ten thousand polling centers started individual vote tallies (WSJ) late Sunday and early Monday, though an official count is not expected for several days. Fierce competition will likely mean that no single political bloc will win an outright majority of the vote. Analysis: On the Daily Beast, Peter Beinart says Iraq may be virtually government-less when U.S. troops exit this summer. A Times of London editorial says the bravery of voters suggests hope and progress in securing democracy in Iraq. In the Washington Post, CFR's Meghan O'Sullivan says although many argue the United States has no influence in Iraq anymore, the hardest work there is yet to come. Background: Foreign Policy.com's Iraqi election guide examines the country's diverse parties, coalitions, and sects. MIDDLE EAST: Iran Announces New Line of Cruise Missiles Iran's defense minister Ahmad Vahidi announced a new production line (TehranTimes) of short-range cruise missiles. PACIFIC RIM: Chinese Central Bank Signals Yuan Rise Chinese central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan said exiting the stimulus would at some point spell the end of the "special yuan policy," (Reuters) or its de-facto peg to the U.S. dollar. CFR's Steven Dunaway, in a recent Expert Brief, urged continuing international pressure on China to allow its currency to appreciate and correct financial imbalances. Myanmar: Myanmar's military rulers passed five key election laws (BBC) in preparation for expected elections later this year. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Pakistani Taliban Claims Responsibility for Attack The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility (Dawn) for a car bombing in Lahore that killed twelve people and injured at least eighty-one others. Separately, A U.S. man with suspected ties to al-Qaeda was arrested in Pakistan (AFP). Afghanistan: Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged to rebuild (al-Jazeera) the southern Afghan town of Marja during his first visit following the NATO-led offensive there. Separately, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the new Afghan war strategy was having some success (WSJ) during a visit to the Afghan capital. AFRICA: Hundreds Killed in Ethnic Violence in Nigeria At least two hundred people were killed (ThisDay) in a weekend religious clash near the Nigerian city Jos. CFR's John Campbell warns of increasing instability in Nigeria due to a presidential succession crisis. Somalia: The French navy captured thirty-five piracy suspects (BBC) off Somalia's coast, hailing it as the European Union's most successful mission thus far. AMERICAS: U.S. Fed Fights to Maintain Powers The U.S. Federal Reserve is fighting Congress (WSJ) to maintain its role in regulating U.S. banks amid rising internal tensions over the central bank's reorganizing. Argentina: Argentine government officials say despite strong political opposition, the government will service public debt (MercoPress) with the Argentine Central Bank's foreign reserves. EUROPE: Germany and France Plan European Monetary Fund Germany and France plan to launch a new initiative (FT) to reinforce economic cooperation and surveillance within the monetary union, including establishing a European Monetary Fund. Iceland: Icelandic voters overwhelmingly rejected (NYT) a plan to pay $5.3 billion to Britain and the Netherlands to reimburse customers of a failed Icelandic bank. TRANSNATIONAL: Global Gender Ratios The Economist examines skewed gender ratios in China, India, and globally, which can lead to increased violence, costly dowries, and increased female suicides.

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

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

• New Members 2

Visit Your Group

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

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

.

__,_._,___