Democratic.net: [RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, August 10, 2009

Monday, August 10, 2009

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, August 10, 2009

August 10, 2009

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

-North American leaders meet in Guadalajara.
-Israel bombs Gaza tunnel.
-Honduras turns away OAS delegation.
-ETA sets three bombs in Mallorca.

Top of the Agenda: North American Summit

U.S. President Barack Obama is meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at a summit in Guadalajara, Mexico (CNN), to discuss Mexico's drug war, swine flu, shared economic interests, and clean energy policies.

Immigration has also emerged as a significant issue (National Post) with tensions brewing between the Canadian and Mexican governments. Canada recently began requiring that Mexicans secure visas before entering the country, claiming that too many people were seeking political asylum in Canada. In response, Mexico began requiring Canadian diplomats have visas as well. Harper downplayed blame for the immigration issue on Mexico, saying the problem is the fault of Canadian refugee law, "which encourages bogus claims."

After the first day of talks, Canada pledged $15 million (Dallas Morning News) to train Mexican federal law enforcement officials.

Background:
The New York Times looks at other potential points of disagreement in the summit, including U.S. aid in Mexico's drug war, which Mexico feels should not be tied to human rights standards.

A Reuters Factbox outlines the important issues being discussed at the summit, including the situation in Honduras, cross-border trucking, and concerns over a "Buy American" provision in the U.S. stimulus package.

This CFR Backgrounder looks at policy initiatives and security tactics in Mexico's drug war.

MIDEAST: Israeli Air Strikes

Israel's air force bombed a smuggling tunnel (YNet) along the Gaza-Egypt border. Israel said the bombings were in response to Palestinian mortar and rocket attacks from Gaza.

Iraq: At least fifty-one people were killed and more than a hundred were wounded in three separate attacks (WashPost) around Iraq, underscoring the continued strength of the insurgency after the U.S. withdrawal from major cities in June.

Green Zone Arrest: Iraqi officials arrested a British contractor (Guardian) on charges he murdered two other contractors in Baghdad's Green Zone. He also allegedly wounded an Iraqi translator. The suspect could be the first Westerner to stand trial by the Iraqi courts on murder charges since the new security agreement took effect in January.

Iraq-Iran: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Iraq had appealed to Iran (LAT) to release the three U.S. citizens being held on allegations that they entered the country illegally.

PACIFIC RIM: China Air Quality

Chinese officials say air quality in Beijing is the best it has been in a decade (Xinhua) because of clean-up programs implemented in preparation for last year's Olympic games. Experts say the measures were expensive and cannot be easily replicated (BBC) in other polluted cities.

Maldives: GlobalPost looks at concerns on the Pacific island of Tuvalu, which is often named as the likely first community to be swallowed by rising sea levels.

A CFR interactive Crisis Guide looks at the policy options for coping with climate change.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Taliban Leader's Death Disputed

Aides to Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud denied claims that Mehsud was killed (Dawn) in a U.S. drone attack last week, but said he is ill. However, U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones said the United States is "90 percent" certain Mehsud is dead.

Afghanistan: A new UN report warns that pre-electoral violence could intimidate a large number of voters (Reuters) from going to the polls. Taliban militants have said they plan to disrupt the presidential election, to be held on August 20.

AFRICA: Clinton in Angola

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the Angolan government to conduct fair elections (WSJ) and improve its poor human rights record during a visit to Luanda. Angola provides seven7 percent of the U.S. oil supply. Clinton met today with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos before traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Liberia: Der Spiegel looks at Liberia's post-conflict justice efforts.

AMERICAS: Honduras Rejects OAS Delegation

The interim Honduran government said it would not allow a delegation from the Organization of American States (OAS) to visit for talks (Reuters). The OAS hoped to convince the government to accept a plan to allow the return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Climate: The New York Times looks at the threat climate change poses to U.S. security.

EUROPE: Bomb Blasts in Majorca

Three bombs exploded (Barcelona Reporter) on the Spanish island of Majorca shortly after someone claiming to represent Basque separatist group ETA issued warning by telephone. ETA earlier admitted responsibility for an attack in Majorca last month that killed two security officers.

The Economist says the bombings only illustrate ETA's weakness.

CFR profiles ETA in this Backgrounder.

TRANSNATIONAL: Environmental Concern in the Caribbean

NPR looks at the invasion of venomous lionfish in the Caribbean, which scientists say could be devastating to local industry and the native fish population.

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