[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily News Brief, March 30, 2010

 

March 30, 2010 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Bombings Challenge Putin's Terror Record - Iraq's Iraqiya Questioned on Ba'ath Ties - Afghanistan Surge Moves to Kandahar - Clinton Criticizes Canada on Arctic Talks Top of the Agenda: Moscow Bombings Challenge Putin Anti-Terror Record The attacks on Moscow subway cars that killed at least thirty-eight people challenged (WashPost) Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's anti-terrorism record and raised concerns about increased government controls. The attacks were the deadliest and most sophisticated in Moscow in six years and followed reports that Russian security forces had killed several top leaders of the Islamist rebel movement in the North Caucasus. The location of the first blast, near the headquarters of the FSB--the successor to the Soviet-era KGB--may have been intended for revenge, since the FSB led the Kremlin's efforts to fight the insurgency in Chechnya and elsewhere in the North Caucasus. The attacks threaten (NYT) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's agenda to liberalize the government, which Putin has so far allowed. Transit systems across Europe and the United States increased (CSMonitor) security following the bombing, but longer-term measures are needed. Analysis: The suicide bombers were likely avenging the death of their trainer and inspirational leader, a Muslim convert killed by the FSB earlier this month, reports the Moscow Times. On ForeignPolicy.com, Daniel Drezner says the attacks are not likely to cause Russian leaders to rethink their strategy on the North Caucasus. CFR Russia expert Jeffrey Mankoff says the suicide attacks in Moscow, whether or not the work of North Caucasus extremists, are a reminder that Russia must work to reform local administration, promote economic development, and end abuses by security forces in the region while cracking down on extremists. MIDDLE EAST: Iraq's Iraqiya Questioned on Ba'ath Ties Certain members of the Iraqiya bloc, which won the most seats in recent Iraqi elections, should have been barred (al-Jazeera) from running due to alleged ties to Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party, according to an Iraqi commission. The close vote count in Iraq's elections means that it will take months of coalition-building, and Sunni-Shiite political tensions, before it's clear who will head the new government, says CFR expert Meghan O'Sullivan. Iran: Group of Eight ministers called for "strong steps" to curb (Telegraph) Iran's nuclear activity. The G8 remained open to dialogue with Tehran, the group said after a two-day summit. PACIFIC RIM: New Questions on South Korea Sunken Ship South Korean Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said North Korea could have floated (FT) a mine deliberately into southbound currents to cause last week's sinking of a South Korean ship. Thailand: Thailand's anti-government "Red Shirts" rejected (AFP) the prime minister's offer of more talks and said negotiations had failed. On CFR's Asia Unbound blog, Joshua Kurlantzick says talks between Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and protesters should not be construed as progress, since not talking would have caused the military to throw its support behind another coalition of parties that are Abhisit's opponents. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Afghanistan Surge Moves to Kandahar The U.S.-led surge in Afghanistan will move (WSJ) from Marja to Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city, and will focus on governance. Pakistan: An Iranian diplomat seized by gunmen in 2008 in northwest Pakistan has been freed (NYT) by Iranian agents and returned to Iran, according to Iranian officials. AFRICA: Al-Bashir Threatens Former Southern Rebels Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir threatened to cancel (Reuters) a southern referendum on succession if former southern rebels refused to take part in April's elections. Somalia: India is investigating (AFP) the hijacking of several boats off the coast of Somalia amid news reports that eight vessels and 120 Indian sailors were seized. In this Council Special Report, Bronwyn Bruton proposes a strategy to combat terrorism and promote development and stability in Somalia. AMERICAS: Clinton Criticizes Canada on Arctic Talks Hillary Clinton criticized (BBC) Canada for failing to invite indigenous groups and Scandinavian countries to Ottawa talks on the future of the Arctic. Mexico: Ten young people and children were killed (NYT) in Mexico Monday after the drug-related killings of twenty-one people a day earlier. The shift in U.S.-Mexico security cooperation to focus on border surveillance and the underpinnings of drug violence is a good long-term approach, but will require patience on both sides, says CFR Latin America expert Shannon O'Neil. EUROPE: Berlusconi Strong in Regional Elections Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi made gains (Guardian) in regional elections, despite a year of scandal and low voter turnout.

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