Tuesday, March 16, 2010

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily News Brief, March 16, 2010

 

From the Council on Foreign Relations

March 16, 2010

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

- Obama Makes Strong Demands on Israel
- Al-Sadr Gains Ground in Iraq Election
- Afghanistan's U.S. Special Forces Reined In
- U.S. Agencies Investigate Mexico Killings

Top of the Agenda: Obama Makes Strong Demands on Israel

The Obama administration is pressing Israel to reverse (WashPost) its controversial decision to build housing units in East Jerusalem and to commit to substantive negotiations with the Palestinians to repair the damaged peace process. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton laid out U.S. demands in a phone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A formal response is expected from Israel Tuesday.

Netanyahu is struggling to balance (NYT) an increasingly unhappy U.S. ally with the restive right wing of his coalition government. In remarks to parliament Monday, Netanyahu said construction of housing settlements in Jerusalem were not negotiable. The Obama administration's criticism of Israel has angered pro-Israeli groups in Washington and prominent lawmakers.

U.S. envoy George Mitchell postponed his Mideast trip (WSJ) Tuesday, to be rescheduled at an undetermined time. The feud is heightening tensions between Palestinians and Jews in East Jerusalem, where three thousand Israeli police officers were deployed Tuesday.

Analysis:

In Der Spiegel, Gregor Peter Schmitz, Christoph Schult, and Bernhard Zand say Israelis and Arabs are losing faith in Obama's leadership in the Middle East.

On the American Interest, CFR's Walter Russell Mead says the Obama administration had no choice but to respond strongly to Israel's announcement; otherwise it would have looked weak and irresolute.

Background:

Read U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden's March 2010 statement on Israel's housing announcement.

MIDDLE EAST: Al-Sadr Gains Ground in Iraq Election

Within the Shiite alliance in Iraq's parliamentary election, anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's party won stronger than expected support (WSJ).

PACIFIC RIM: China Changes Accounting to Lower Deficit

China's finance ministry changed the accounting for some government spending (WSJ) this year, allowing it to report a planned budget deficit below 3 percent of GDP.

Thailand: Hundreds of Thai protesters, known as the Red Shirts for the color they wear, lined up to donate blood to be spilled (TIME) in front of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's house one day after demanding new elections.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Afghanistan's U.S. Special Forces Reined In

U.S. General Stanley McChrystal is bringing most American Special Operations forces in Afghanistan under his direct control (NYT) for the first time, due to concern over civilian casualties and disorganization.

In the International Herald Tribune, CFR's Stephen Biddle recounts two differing experiences with U.S. military convoys in Afghanistan.

Pakistan: A U.S. drone attack, targeting a militant compound in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, killed ten militants (Dawn), officials say.

AFRICA: Sufi Muslim Group Joins Somalia Against al-Shabaab

The powerful Sufi Muslim group Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa, which controls several areas in central Somalia, joined Somalia's government (BBC) to help tackle hardliners from.

In this Council Special Report, expert Bronwyn Bruton proposes a strategy to combat terrorism and promote development and stability in Somalia.

Nigeria: Nigeria's presidential vote (Reuters) will be held on January 22, 2011, or April 23, 2011, depending on the outcome of electoral reforms in parliament.

On the Huffington Post, CFR's John Campbell says, ". . . paralyzed and divided government is the order of the day in one of Africa's most important countries."

AMERICAS: U.S. Agencies to Investigate Mexico Killings

The FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and other U.S. agencies will investigate the killings of three people (WashPost) tied to the U.S. Consulate in Juarez, Mexico, attempting to determine whether the slayings are drug-related or cases of mistaken identity.

Brazil: Brazil expects a new free trade agreement with Israel (MercoPress), effective in April, to triple bilateral trade to more than $3 billion within five years.

EUROPE: Eurozone Agrees to Direct Loans for Greece

Eurozone finance ministers announced they are ready to assist Greece with direct loans from individual member-states (FT) but left details unclear.

Britain: The European Commission criticized the British government (Telegraph) for its debt reduction plan and demanded Britain submit more ambitious measures.

TRANSNATIONAL: Rating Agencies Frown at Triple-A Countries

In a new report on sovereign debt, U.S. credit rating agency Moody's warns that the world's five biggest AAA-rated states--the United States, Britain, Germany, France, and Spain--are all at risk of soaring debt costs (Telegraph) and will have to implement austerity plans that may provoke social unrest.
 

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