Wednesday, May 12, 2010

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, May 12, 2010

 

From the Council on Foreign Relations

May 12, 2010

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

- UK's Cameron Forms Coalition Govt
- N. Korean Arms Meant for Hamas, Hezbollah
- China Attacks Against Children Continue
- Karzai Receives Warm U.S. Welcome

Top of the Agenda: Britain's Cameron Forms Coalition Govt

The new British Prime Minister David Cameron formed the first power-sharing coalition (BBC) between his Conservative party and the country's Liberal Democrats, lead by Nick Clegg. Clegg will be the new deputy prime minister, with four of his colleagues assuming cabinet positions. George Osborne is chancellor, William Hague is foreign secretary, and Theresa May is home secretary. The coalition government is the first in Britain since World War II, following thirteen years of Labour party rule. The government's agenda will include an emergency budget, compromises on taxes, a referendum on any further transfers of power to the EU, a commitment to delay adopting the euro, a cap on non-EU migration, and a referendum on electoral reform.

Cameron will have to contend (NYT) with politicians unaccustomed to a coalition government and an electorate that may bristle at painful budget cuts needed to fix Britain's deficit.

Clegg's new role comes without formal powers under the British constitution, so his authority will depend (Guardian) largely on how much the prime minister needs his support.

Analysis:

An Independent editorial says the Lib Dems and the Tories make awkward bench mates that will not serve the cause of progressive politics.

A Times of London editorial says Cameron achieved the creation of a strong, stable government that will encourage compromise and cooperation.

British Conservatives' skepticism toward European integration could weaken the bloc and its potential as a U.S. partner, writes CFR's Charles Kupchan.

In an interview, Robin Niblett of Chatham House says a troubled economy and competing interests mean Britain's election results could be a "hinge moment" in the U.S.-UK relationship.

Background:

Read David Cameron's speech outside 10 Downing Street.

MIDDLE EAST: Israel Says N. Korean Arms Meant for Hamas, Hezbollah

Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman said North Korean weapons seized in Thailand last year were headed (Reuters) for Islamist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iraq: Following this week's militant attacks on Baghdad checkpoints, federal police and Iraqi soldiers described a lack of basic support (CSMonitor) they say is causing weakened security.

PACIFIC RIM: Attacks Against Children Continue in China

The surge of attacks against children in China continues--with seven children and two adults killed and at least twenty more injured in Shaanxi province Wednesday--despite official pledges of stepped up security. The violence has prompted questions (TIME) about mental health in China.

Thailand: The Thai military said it would cut off (FT) water and power supplies to anti-government demonstrators and force them to move from Bangkok's commercial district unless they leave by midnight on May 12.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Karzai Receives Warm U.S. Welcome

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's visit to Washington kicked off (NYT) with warm exchanges between him and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, following tensions between the two countries over Afghanistan's presidential elections.

Pakistan: American drone aircraft fired eighteen missiles (NYT) at militants in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region Tuesday. The controversial U.S. air campaign in Pakistan's tribal areas has continued unabated this year and is set to exceed (LongWarJournal) the number of strikes carried out in 2009.

In the event of a successful terrorist attack by Pakistan-based militants, U.S. actions toward Pakistan are limited, but the United States can help Pakistan intensify its fight against extremism, says South Asia security expert Bruce Riedel.

General David H. Petraeus tells CFR.org that militants in Pakistan's tribal region are becoming increasingly linked in ambition and transnational objectives.

AFRICA: Libya Plane Crash Kills 103 People

Up to 103 people have been killed (al-Jazeera) in an Afriqiyah Airways plane crash arriving from South Africa at the airport in Libya's capital, Tripoli.

Egypt: Egypt's government extended (AP) the country's emergency law for another two years--in place since the 1981 assassination of then-president Anwar Sadat by Islamic militants--which gives police broad powers of arrest and allows indefinite detention without charge.

AMERICAS: Blame Dominates Senate Oil Spill Hearing

A Senate hearing on the failsafe systems that failed--leading to the Gulf oil spill--consisted of more blame-shifting (CSMonitor) between the companies involved than answers.

In this podcast, CFR's Michael Levi says the oil spill is not just a problem to clean up, but has serious commercial implications for oil firms and has dimmed the prospects of U.S. climate legislation.

Mexico: Internal documents from one of Mexico's largest and most profitable drug trafficking cartels help explain the failure to capture (NYT) the group's leader, Joaquín Guzmán, who has bought off top police officers and soldiers with drug profits.

EUROPE: Spain Announces New Budget Measures

Spain announced a 5 percent cut (FT) in civil service pay as part of an accelerated plan to cut the country's budget deficit. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF managing director, urged eurozone nations to adopt (FT) a new system of cross-border budgetary coordination to avoid another crisis.

Debt restructuring and longer-term eurozone reforms will be needed to contain Europe's sovereign debt problems and restore European stability and prosperity, says CFR's Marc Levinson.
 

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