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

 

July 14, 2010 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Iranian Nuclear Scientist Returns Home - Israel Resumes Demolitions in Jerusalem - U.S. May Label Pakistan Militants Terrorists - Somalia Bombings Augur Spreading War Top of the Agenda: Iranian Nuclear Scientist to Return Home Shahram Amiri, the Iranian nuclear scientist (WSJ) who Iran said was kidnapped last year by the United States, left Washington to return to Iran. The reappearance of Amiri, who disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2009, raised questions about his contact with the U.S. government and why he would return to Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Amiri had been in the United States "of his own free will," traveled to the embassy on his own, and was free to leave the country. Iranian authorities may have threatened Amiri's family if he didn't return home. Clinton contrasted Amiri's situation with that of three American hikers held in Iran for the past year and said they should also "be allowed to act on their own free will and be released immediately." The case is embarrassing for both governments. The Obama administration considered Amiri's defection an intelligence coup (WashPost). Iran described Amiri's desire to the leave the United States as a setback for U.S. efforts, though Amiri may have revealed secrets about Iran's nuclear program. Analysis: The Economist blog says Obama administration sources have told reporters that information from Amiri was crucial to passing recent sanctions at the UN Security Council. On the WashingtonPost.com, David Ignatius says Amiri's return to Tehran will be a propaganda coup for the Iranian regime, deterring other Iranian scientists "who might have considered jumping ship." Background: Watch the series of videos of Amiri. This Backgrounder examines Iran's nuclear program. MIDDLE EAST: Israel Resumes Demolitions in E. Jerusalem Israel resumed the demolition of Palestinian property (AP) in East Jerusalem after a halt aimed at encouraging peace talks. PACIFIC RIM: China Faces Difficulties in Stoking Spending China is facing difficulties increasing its citizens' domestic spending enough to radically shift from an export-dependent economy (VOA) to a consumption-led one. This Backgrounder examines the China-U.S. economic imbalance. Japan: Opinion polls show that most Japanese voters want Prime Minister Naoto Kan to stay in power (AFP), despite plummeting approval ratings after his party's electoral defeat over the weekend. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: U.S. May Label Pakistan Militants Terrorists David Petraeus, the new U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, is pushing to have top leaders of the Haqqani insurgent group designated as terrorists (NYT), which could complicate an eventual Afghan political settlement with the Taliban and heighten regional political tensions. Afghanistan: Three American soldiers and five Afghan civilians died in a Taliban suicide attack in Kandahar (BBC), as a manhunt continues for the Afghan soldier who killed three British troops. AFRICA: Somalia Bombings Augur Spreading War The twin bombings in Uganda by Somalia's al-Shabaab militants are evidence of a widening regional conflict (LAT) aimed at Uganda, Ethiopia, and perceived "ungodly Western influences such as soccer." This Backgrounder examines Somalia as a terrorism haven. Africa: EU and Brazilian leaders are planning a new "triangular cooperation" initiative (EUObserver) to work together on renewable energy sources in Africa, but NGOs say the scheme is self-centered and will displace people from their land and exacerbate food shortages. AMERICAS: China and Argentina Strengthen Economic Ties China and Argentina signed eighteen agreements (MercoPress) covering infrastructure, energy, and railway projects during Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's official visit to China for meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Vice Premier Hui Liangyu. Venezuela: Venezuela extradited alleged Colombian drug baron Carlos Alberto Renteria (BBC) to the United States after his arrest in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, last week. EUROPE: French Parliament Approves Veil Ban France's lower house of parliament has approved a ban (DeutscheWelle) on the full-face Islamic veil in public places. It is the second European country, after Belgium, to approve such a ban. Turkey: Turkey welcomed the finding of an Israeli report that the country's military made errors when boarding a Turkish-owned aid ship bound for Gaza, but wants an apology from Israel (WSJ) to restore relations. Turkey's rise as a regional and economic power with its own set of interests, along with anger toward Israel about the Gaza flotilla incident, explains much of the chilling in Turkey's relationships with Israel and the U.S., says CFR's Steven Cook.

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