[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, August 9, 2010

 

August 9, 2010 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Pakistan Flood Disaster Continues - Netanyahu Testifies on Aid Flotilla Raid - Indonesian Cleric in Terror Arrest - Hamburg Shuts Down 9/11 Plot Mosque Top of the Agenda: Pakistan Flooding Disaster Continues Flooding in Pakistan, which began almost two weeks ago amid heavy monsoon rains, has now affected more than six million people, the UN said Sunday. The government estimate is higher, at over thirteen million (Dawn). At least 1,600 people have been killed and huge swaths of crops destroyed in the worst deluge in Pakistan's sixty-three-year history. The floods have moved to the southern province of Sindh and threaten an important food barrier (BBC). More rains are forecasted, while the worst-affected districts are already seeing outbreaks of malaria and diarrhea (Bloomberg). The government faces criticism for its poor response to the floods and public anger over President Asif Ali Zardari's ill-timed visit to Europe. Some analysts say the government's actions could damage the country's fragile democracy (McClatchy), as the powerful military establishment gains stature with its emergency relief work. The Washington Post reports Pakistani officials are concerned that the devastation caused by the floods could lead to a Taliban resurgence in the northwest, one of the worst-hit regions. Islamic charities, including ones that are known fronts for banned militant groups, have already begun distributing assistance in some areas. Analysis In this Foreign Policy blog, Pakistan analyst Amil Khan says challenges in reforming governance are compounded by international interventions that seek to "further cement the power of Pakistan's incumbent, mostly military elites." The Economist looks at how recent events have intensified pressure on the country's unpopular president. Background This CFR Analysis Brief looks at the Pakistani government's capacity to deal with the floods and says international support for Pakistan is critical. MIDDLE EAST: Netanyahu Testifies on Flotilla Raid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a state-appointed inquiry panel that Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May was in compliance with international law (al-Jazeera). The five-man panel was appointed by Netanyahu in June and is tasked with examining the legality of the raid, in which Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish pro-Palestinian activists. Saudi Arabia: Saudi authorities and makers of BlackBerry smartphones have reportedly struck a deal (WSJ) to avert a ban on the phone's messaging service, which can't be monitored. The new agreement involves placing a BlackBerry server inside Saudi Arabia to allow the government to monitor messages. The deal could have wide-ranging implications (AP) for countries like India and the United Arab Emirates, which have expressed similar concerns. SOUTH ASIA: Aid Group Identifies Workers Killed in Afghanistan International Assistance Mission, whose team of ten medical workers was killed by the Taliban on Friday, released the names (NYT) of all the victims. The Christian organization, which has been operating in the country for forty-four years, said it had no plans to leave (CSMonitor) and repeated its denials that any of the victims had been involved in missionary work. India: The Indian Coast Guard has been trying to contain an oil spill off the coast of Mumbai after a collision Saturday between two cargo ships. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has ordered an investigation (PressTrustofIndia) into the spill. PACIFIC RIM: Indonesia Arrests Cleric on Terror Charges Radical Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir has been detained (BBC) for links to terrorist group Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT). Officials say he helped set up and fund an Islamic militant training camp in Aceh, uncovered by police in February. Bashir has been arrested twice before for involvement with militant group Jemaah Islamiyah--blamed for at least three deadly attacks, including 2002 Bali bombings--and spent two-and-a-half years in prison. This report from the International Crisis Group says JAT, founded by Bashir in 2008, is an ostensibly above-ground organization which has "embraced individuals with known ties to fugitive extremists." North Korea: North Korea seized a South Korean fishing boat (ChosunIlbo) and its seven-member crew. South Korea's coast guard said the boat was detained in the Sea of Japan after entering the North's exclusive economic zone, where foreign fishing boats are banned. Tensions have been high on the Korean peninsula since the North sank South Korean naval ship Cheonan in March. A new CFR Task Force Report warns that North Korea's continued provocations pose a serious threat to its neighbors and that its nuclear weapons program must be stopped. AFRICA: Rwanda Votes for President Rwandan President Paul Kagame is expected to win another seven-year term (Guardian) in today's election. Kagame has ruled since 1994, and his supporters credit the government for spurring economic growth and bringing stability to the country. But the election is bringing to light a different Rwanda, in which people speak of widespread repression and unease with Kagame's leadership, says the New York Times. A new report by Amnesty International condemned attacks on politicians and journalists in the run-up to the polls. Somalia: The United Nations plans to return its foreign missions (Reuters) and organizations to Somalia after an absence of seventeen years. The UN left in 1993 due to security concerns and near-daily gun battles and mortar attacks in capital Mogadishu. AMERICAS: Venezuela-Colombia Talks Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will meet Tuesday and attempt to end a diplomatic dispute (CNN). Last month, Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with Colombia, after former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe formally complained to the Organization of American States about the alleged presence of Colombian rebels on Venezuelan territory, which Venezuela denies. This CFR Backgrounder profiles Colombia's left-wing guerilla groups that Bogota claims receives support from Venezuela. United States: President Barack Obama is pushing an education plan aimed at resuming America's spot as a world leader in college graduation rates (WSJ). The measures he hopes to implement would help an additional eight million young adults earn college degrees in the next decade. EUROPE: Germany Shuts Down 9/11 Plot Mosque German police shut down a Hamburg mosque (SpiegelOnline) where several of the hijackers involved in the 9/11 suicide attacks had met. Authorities say the Taiba mosque was again being used as a meeting point for extremists. Central Europe: Fifteen people died over the weekend after flash floods (BBC) inundated several towns in Poland, the Czech Republic, and eastern Germany.

EXPLORE CFR'S WEBSITE

Regions

Issues

Experts

Publications

About CFR

Find CFR on Twitter and Facebook.

		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:

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

MARKETPLACE

Hobbies & Activities Zone: Find others who share your passions! Explore new interests.

---

Get great advice about dogs and cats. Visit the Dog & Cat Answers Center.

---

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

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

.

__,_._,___