[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily News Brief, March 24, 2010

 

March 24, 2010 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Netanyahu, Obama Meet in Washington - Iraqi Kurds Losing Influence - Private Contractor Kills Somali Pirate - U.S., Mexico Revise Joint Drug Strategy Top of the Agenda: Netanyahu and Obama Meet in Washington Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House failed to resolve (NYT) the impasse over a comprehensive Middle East peace agreement. Israel also faced chilliness from ally Britain, which expelled an Israeli diplomat over the use of fake British passports by suspected Israeli agents to assassinate a Hamas official. Netanyahu's cooling relationship with the United States stems partly from a difficult domestic political environment in Israel that some analysts say is forcing him further right. In the meeting, Netanyahu did not compromise on the American demand to reverse a housing plan in East Jerusalem. He was also unclear about U.S. demand for negotiations with the Palestinians on issues like borders and security. He did agree to more rigid controls over announcements of construction in East Jerusalem. The U.S. dispute with Israel has exposed the limits (Washpost) of American power to pressure Israeli leaders. A recent poll finds that support for the two-state solution among Palestinians dropped from 64 percent (CSMonitor) in December to 57 percent in early March. Analysis: On Politico.com, CFR's Walter Russell Mead says by responding sharply to Israel's plans for increased settlements, President Obama strengthened his hand abroad and at home. Obama's meeting with Netanyahu needed to stress that continued rejection of a peace settlement would erode the U.S.-Israel relationship, says Middle East diplomatic historian William Quandt. In Der Spiegel, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman explains why Israel is not ready to negotiate over Jerusalem. MIDDLE EAST: Iraqi Kurds Losing Influence to Moqtada al-Sadr Iraqi Kurds, the strongest U.S. ally in Iraq and with heavy influence over the Iraqi election results, appear likely to lose some of their influence (WashPost) to Moqtada al-Sadr's stridently anti-American movement, which performed surprisingly well in elections. PACIFIC RIM: China's Google Stance Harmful to Economy China's rigid stance on controlling information flows could harm its links to the global economy and damage its image long term, the New York Times reports. Google's decision to end censorship of its search content in China, and Beijing's response, appear to strike a balance between holding to principles and doing business, but U.S.-China clouds continue to gather, writes CFR's Adam Segal. Malaysia: A new Amnesty International report finds migrant workers in Malaysia face exploitation and widespread abuse (AP) and that the government is not doing enough to protect them. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Pakistan Presents Wish List for U.S. Talks Pakistan presented a wish list to the United States (al-Jazeera), including requests for military equipment and nuclear cooperation, ahead of talks between Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, army chief Ashfaq Kayani, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. India: India will allow companies, non-state banks, and financial institutions to raise money (EconomicTimes) by selling tax-free infrastructure bonds in a government effort to broaden its avenues to raise funds for roads, ports, and power plants. AFRICA: Private Contractor Kills Somali Pirate Private security guards shot and killed a Somali pirate (AP) during an attack on a merchant ship off the coast of East Africa, apparently the first such killing by armed contractors. Nigeria: Nigeria's acting president Goodluck Jonathan named his cabinet nominees (Reuters) for Senate approval, including the country's former junior oil minister and a Goldman Sachs banker. AMERICAS: U.S. and Mexico Revise Joint Drug Strategy The United States and Mexico revised their joint anti-drug strategy (NYT), moving away from military assistance in favor of civilian law enforcement and rebuilding communities. Listen to CFR's Shannon O'Neil discuss the challenges of ongoing drug violence in Mexico as part of CFR's State and Local Officials Conference Call series. Venezuela: The arrest of an outspoken Venezuelan government opponent for his critical remarks on television has raised concerns (AP) about the country's erosion of free speech. EUROPE: Germany Nears Compromise on Greece Germany may be closer to a compromise (DeutscheWelle) that would give Greece access to IMF and EU aid without getting the bailout that Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to avoid. France: French President Nicolas Sarkozy is dropping his plans for a carbon tax (France24) as part of his reform agenda in light of a crippling electoral defeat and civil unrest.

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