Wednesday, May 26, 2010

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily News Brief, May 26, 2010

 

From the Council on Foreign Relations

May 26, 2010

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

- Clinton Urges Response on N. Korea
- Iran Pressures U.S., Russia on Fuel Swap
- China Offers Little in Talks With U.S.
- EU to Announce Bank Levy Proposal

Top of the Agenda: Clinton Urges Response on N. Korea

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged an international response (AP) to the sinking of a South Korean ship in March that has been blamed on North Korea. Clinton arrived in Seoul on Wednesday after extensive discussions about the situation with Chinese officials in Beijing. Although Clinton said the United States expects to work with China "in fashioning a response," it's still unclear whether China or Russia would move to block punitive action by the UN Security Council. Clinton said the United States and South Korea had offered China additional evidence regarding the investigation into the sinking.

China did not respond to Clinton's comments, but earlier in the day, its foreign ministry repeated its request for restraint (FT) from both sides on the Korean Peninsula. It also said China had no firsthand information on the ship's sinking.

Analysis:

In the London Times, Rosemary Righter says South Korea's two-decade-long hope that it could tame North Korea through a "sunshine policy" of aid and economic cooperation has ended.

A Guardian editorial says while Hillary Clinton has not gotten any public commitment from China, it seems likely the Chinese will apply some pressure. But China-U.S. cooperation won't go very deep, since the two countries differ greatly on the Korean Peninsula's future.

The United States, South Korea, and Japan have displayed solidarity in response to ramped-up tensions with North Korea, but China needs to be more active in crisis diplomacy, says CFR's Sheila Smith.

Background

Check out CFR's interactive, multimedia guide to the dispute between North and South Korea.

MIDDLE EAST: Iran Pressures U.S., Russia on Fuel Swap

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged U.S. President Barack Obama to accept a nuclear fuel-swap deal and issued a stern warning to Russia (AP) on supporting the U.S.-led push for a new round of UN sanctions.

Iran's elite displayed more unity in supporting the nuclear fuel-swap deal backed by Brazil and Turkey than it did with a similar deal last year, says analyst Farideh Farhi.

Iraq: A large group of gunmen--armed with rifles, grenades, and bombs--killed at least fourteen people (al-Jazeera) in a midday robbery of Baghdad's gold market.

PACIFIC RIM: China Offers Little in Talks with U.S.

The two-day Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the United States and China ended Tuesday with some agreement on currency and trade issues, though China offered few major concessions (WSJ).

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Pakistani Taliban Attack E. Afghan Province

Hundreds of Pakistani Taliban--led by Pakistani Taliban commander Maulana Fazlullah-- attacked a district (BBC) in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan. Taliban insurgents fighting U.S. and British forces have been given first-aid training and medical kits by the Red Cross, the Daily Telegraph reports.

India: India's aviation minister condemned Air India staff (AFP) for striking, which led to cancellation of seventy-six flights on Wednesday.

AFRICA: Ethiopia Opposition Calls for Election Redo

Two of Ethiopia's main opposition leaders--Merera Gudina and Hailu Shawel--called for a rerun (BBC) of Sunday's elections that gave Prime Minister Meles Zenawi a landslide victory, saying they were not free and fair.

Chad: The UN Security Council voted to end (UNNews) the UN's peacekeeping mission in Chad and the Central African Republic by the end of the year, with a military withdrawal starting this week, after the government requested the move.

AMERICAS: Obama Dispatches Troops to Mexico Border

President Obama will send up to 1,200 additional National Guard troops (LAT)--and request an additional $500 million--to bolster security along the Mexican border.

Jamaica: Fighting continued between Jamaican security forces and gunmen trying to protect a Jamaican gang leader, leading to the deaths of twenty-six gang members (NYT) and other civilians.

EUROPE: EU to Announce Bank Levy Proposal

The EU plans to recommend a tax on banks (DeutscheWelle) Wednesday for its twenty-seven member countries--most of which would go toward loans to financial firms--in an effort to prevent future financial crises.

In this roundup, six experts discuss the potential impact of the eurozone crisis on the United States.

Italy: The government of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi approved budget cuts (WSJ) of up to $29.7 billion over the next two years to fix its fiscal woes.
 

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