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

 

April 30, 2010 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Oil Spill Threatens Mexico Gulf Wildlife - Myanmar Demilitarization Poses Threat - Da Silva TIME's Most Influential Leader - Britain's Cameron Leads Polls Post-Debate Top of the Agenda: Oil Spill Threatens Mexico Gulf Wildlife The April 20 oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico is threatening wildlife and fisheries (WashPost) in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and could become one of the worst U.S. ecological disasters in history. U.S. President Barack Obama pledged to augment efforts to contain the oil slick as related U.S. military operations intensified. The leak from the ruptured oil rig is pouring up to five thousand barrels of oil a day into the ocean, five times more than previously thought. The Gulf Coast is home to manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises, whales, and pelicans and is one of the world's richest seafood sources. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency and requested up to six thousand National Guard troops to help. Obama said British oil giant BP, which majority-owned the oil rig, was ultimately responsible for clean-up costs. The accident could impact Obama's proposals to issue new offshore drilling permits. Massachusetts Congressman Edward Markey is summoning chief executives from five companies (Bloomberg) to appear before his committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Obama's energy and climate change advisor Carol Browner said the matter "will be taken into consideration" in advancing the administration's drilling plans. Analysis: In this New York Times roundup, six experts assess how the benefits of offshore drilling should be balanced against the possible environmental damage. MIDDLE EAST: U.S. Warns Iran, Syria on Israel The Obama administration warned Iran and Syria (AP) of the United States' unshakeable commitment to Israel's security and said transfers of sophisticated weapons to anti-Israeli groups in Lebanon and Gaza could reignite Middle East conflict. While the time isn't ripe for an Obama administration peace plan, the White House should try to reignite proximity talks and possibly work to develop a structure for future final status talks, says CFR President Richard Haass. Iraq: Iraqi officials announced that an Iraq election recount demanded by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki would take up to two weeks. Meanwhile, Maliki faces fresh torture allegations (CSMonitor) that threaten his authority. Iraq's political standoff may be resolved with a compromise candidate, says CFR's Rachel Schneller. But it won't happen according to a U.S. timetable, and it shouldn't affect U.S. plans to withdraw combat troops this summer. PACIFIC RIM: Japan PM Re-Pledges U.S. Base Solution Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama vowed again to resolve a dispute (Reuters) over moving the United States' Futenma Marine base, a month before his self-imposed deadline. Thailand: Thai anti-government protesters stormed a major Thai hospital (AP) to root out security forces they suspected were positioned there. CFR's Sheila Smith examines local sentiment in Okinawa in a recent Asia Unbound blog post. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Myanmar Demilitarization Poses Threat Top Myanmar officials resigned from their military positions this week (WSJ) and created their own political party ahead of upcoming elections later this year, raising fears that demilitarization of Myanmar's leadership will lead to "a more sophisticated form of oppression." India-Pakistan: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met in Bhutan at a South Asia summit, but residual tensions over the Mumbai attack could continue to impede improved relations (Reuters). AFRICA: Uganda Oil Deal Threatens National Park British oil company Tullow struck a deal (WSJ) with Uganda's government to explore and drill in one of the country's biggest game parks, sparking concern among environmentalists and the tourism industry. Kenya: Kenya deployed security agents (Reuters) to its border with Somalia after Islamic clerics announced they had clamped down on public broadcasts of soccer and films, a security official said. AMERICAS: Da Silva TIME's Most Influential Leader Brazilian President Lula da Silva was named the most influential leader in the world (MercoPress) by TIME Magazine, ahead of President Obama, who ranked fourth. EUROPE: Britain's Cameron Leads Polls Post-Debate British Conservative Party leader David Cameron appeared to win (Guardian) the last and most crucial of the TV debates defining the country's election. He accused the ruling Labour party of failing to improve the country's economy, education, and immigration systems. Greece: Greece accepted additional austerity measures (WSJ) proposed by the IMF and EU as a precondition for financial assistance, igniting more public protests.

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