Friday, May 14, 2010

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, May 14, 2010

 

From the Council on Foreign Relations

May 14, 2010

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

-Thai "Red Shirt" Clashes Intensify
-U.S. Iraq Drawdown Plan On Track
-Afghans Protest NATO-Led Raid
-Three Arrested in Times Square Probe

Top of the Agenda: Thai "Red Shirt" Clashes Intensify

Thai troops and anti-government protesters clashed (NYT) in central Bangkok as the military moved to seal off the area where the so-called "red shirts" have been stationed for weeks. Embassies, schools, and businesses near the protest area closed after the military announced the blockade and cut off electricity and water to the area. Violence erupted near the spot where anti-government major general Khattiya Sawatdiphol was shot by a sniper Thursday. Protesters seized and vandalized military vehicles, set at least one truck on fire, and brandished homemade weapons. Protest leaders addressed the thousands camped in the area, demanding the government resign and hold new elections. The military had been holding back, fearing the kind of casualties that occurred in an earlier clash, but began to crack down after negotiations deteriorated.

The apparent assassination attempt on Khattiya failed to dissuade (WSJ) more militant demonstrators, though the army denies it shot him.

Analysis:

In the Japan Times, Christopher Johnson says the rise of Thailand's "red shirts" signals a new type of conflict in the region, involving entrenched elites and millions of workers who have migrated from farms to cities across Asia.

In the Daily Star, Ian Buruma says the Thai protests are an example of the growing number of people in democratic countries who feel unrepresented, anxious, and angry, and who blame elites.

On CFR's Asia Unbound blog, Joshua Kurlantzick says major unresolved issues in Thailand like royal succession, schisms in the army, and fundamental changes in Thai politics will continue to fuel the country's political crisis.

MIDDLE EAST: U.S. to Drawdown in Iraq Amid Uncertainty

The U.S. military is on track to draw down (WashPost) to fifty thousand troops in Iraq by the end of summer, but the withdrawal comes during a troubling period of political standoff in the wake of the March 7 parliamentary elections.

Israel: Russia rebuffed (al-Jazeera) Israel's criticism of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's meeting with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal during a visit to Syria. Israel's foreign ministry said it was "deeply disappointed" they had met.

PACIFIC RIM: Indonesia Uncovers Plot to Kill President

Indonesian security forces say they uncovered a militant plot to assassinate (JakartaPost) the president and kill foreigners.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Afghans Protest NATO-led Raid

Hundreds of protesters rallied in the streets (al-Jazeera) of Nangahar province in eastern Afghanistan, accusing NATO-led forces of killing civilians during an overnight raid near Jalalabad.

Kyrgyzstan: Hundreds of interim government backers fought supporters of deposed Kyrgyz president (AP) Kurmanbek Bakiyev for control over regional government buildings in the country's south, killing at least one person and injuring more than thirty.

AFRICA: Libya Elected to Human Rights Council

Seven countries accused of human rights violations--including Libya, Angola, and Malaysia--won seats (AP) on the UN Human Rights Council, despite campaigns by human rights groups to deny countries with poor records entrance.

Nigeria: Nigeria and China signed a $23 billion deal to build (AFP) three oil refineries and a petrochemical complex in Nigeria.

AMERICAS: Three Arrested in Times Square Probe

Two Pakistani men suspected of providing money (AP) to Times Square car bomb suspect Faisal Shahzad were arrested by the FBI for immigration violations, as was one person in Maine with suspected ties to the case.

The arrest of Faisal Shahzad has triggered new questions about civil liberties and terror suspects, says Matthew Waxman in this CFR interview.

United States: The U.S. federal agency in charge of regulating offshore drilling gave permission to dozens of oil companies to drill in the Gulf of Mexico without getting required permits from another agency beforehand, the New York Times reports.

EUROPE: European Belt-Tightening Begins

New austerity measures in Europe threaten to ignite (FT) public unrest in countries outside Greece, including Spain, Ireland, and Germany.

Saving the EU requires a plan to allow fiscally weak member countries to fail, as well as painful lifestyle changes and some loss of national sovereignty, says the Centre for European Policy Studies' Daniel Gros.

Turkey-Greece: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is visiting rival Greece to discuss (DeutscheWelle) strengthening ties. Analysts predict Turkey's EU ambitions and Greece's economic problems could lead to improved relations.

TRANSNATIONAL: Election Confidence and Government Corruption

In most regions of the world, more citizens believe that government is corrupt than believe in the honesty of elections, according to analysis from the Legatum Institute.

 

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