Thursday, January 28, 2010

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, January 28, 2010

 

From the Council on Foreign Relations

January 28, 2010

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

- State of the Union Highlights Economy
- Clinton Calls for Yemen Reforms
- New Honduran President Inaugurated
- At Davos, Economists Predict More Gloom

Top of the Agenda: State of the Union Highlights Economy

U.S. President Barack Obama spent little time (WashPost) on foreign policy during his first State of the Union address, focusing instead on the country's economic recovery. Rather than outlining far-reaching new policies, Obama called on Congress to complete existing initiatives on healthcare, education, financial regulations, and clean energy. He reemphasized his proposals for a three-year freeze on discretionary government spending and steps to help the middle class.

Obama asked (NYT) Democrats to continue supporting their party's policy agenda despite the recent Senate defeat in Massachusetts and for Republicans to help Democrats govern rather than "just saying no to everything." He also said he will issue an executive order to create a deficit commission to address Medicare and Social Security costs. He called for new rules to curb lobbyists' influence and set a goal of doubling exports over the next five years, which he said would support two million jobs.

Background:

Read President Obama's State of the Union speech.

Analysis:

A Wall Street Journal editorial says Obama's address mostly repackaged his existing first-year agenda "in more modest political wrapping" and that his main problem is a belief that economic growth "springs mainly from the genius of government."

On Newsweek.com, Katie Connolly says Obama's address strove to create distance from an unpopular Congress that hampered his first year in office.

In the Christian Science Monitor, Mark Lange says despite Obama's rhetoric, there is little government can do, other than reduce credit cost, to create sustainable employment.

In this Expert Roundup, five CFR experts note different aspects of the challenges facing Obama following his State of the Union address.

In this interview, CFR's Richard Haass says the State of the Union's economic focus indicates "the world of foreign policy and national security is relatively calm" compared to the economy.

MIDDLE EAST: Clinton Calls for Yemen Reforms

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on (RFERL) Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh to enact swift reforms to tackle domestic problems that breed terrorism, including poverty, food, water shortages, and mass illiteracy.

Iran: Two people were executed (LAT) for the bombing a mosque in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz last April, which killed thirteen people. The government sentenced nine others to death for their role in ongoing anti-government protests. Separately, the Obama administration is preparing (AP) to present the United Nations with new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

PACIFIC RIM: North Korea Tensions

North Korea says (Yonhap) it is holding an American man for illegally crossing its border with China, the second such incident in a month. The country also resumed (Yonhap) shooting near its disputed maritime border with South Korea.

China: Chinese authorities warned banks (WSJ) to constrain lending amid growing concerns about a possible surge in the country's nonperforming loans.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: London Conference on Afghanistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai may win (Quqnoos) international support for his Taliban reintegration initiative at an ongoing international conference in London. Attempts to get lasting Afghan commitments on issues like corruption and women's rights may be hurt by the country's incomplete government, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka's presidential opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka rejected (al-Jazeera) the re-election of incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa, vowing to challenge the election results in court.

AFRICA: Nigerian President's Health

Nigeria's Senate says hospitalized President Umaru Yar'Adua should cede power (BBC) to his deputy, while Nigeria's cabinet says he is still fit to govern.

Guinea: The African Union said Guinea's military junta must hold elections (Reuters) within six months, after Jean-Marie Dore was sworn in as prime minister of a transitional government.

AMERICAS: New Honduran President

Honduras inaugurated (LAHT) new President Porfirio Lobo, as deposed President Manuel Zelaya left the country in exile.

EUROPE: Greek Debt Woes

Investors worried (FT) about Greece's ability to refinance its debt drove premiums for Greek government bonds to their highest levels in recent history Wednesday, after the government denied rumors of plans to sell its debt to China.

EU: A new Open Society Institute survey of eleven European cities found (DeutscheWelle) the majority of EU Muslim immigrants feel well-integrated but still not accepted.

This CFR Backgrounder examines Western Europe's burgeoning Islamic population, which has sparked concerns about Muslim assimilation and a cultural divide.

TRANSNATIONAL: World Economic Forum Outlook

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, economists said (WSJ) the global economic recovery could lose pace later this year and that global growth still depends on emerging economies such as India and China
 

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