[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, June 01, 2010

 

June 1, 2010 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: - Israel Holds Activists in Gaza Crisis - Japanese PM Pressured to Resign - Qaeda Commander Believed Dead - France to Boost UN Role for Africa Top of Agenda: Israel Holds Activists in Gaza Crisis Israel held hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla that Israeli commandos raided (NYT) Monday after the ship sought to breach Israel's blockade of the Gaza strip. Israeli troops also killed two militants who infiltrated from Gaza. These developments came hours after the UN Security Council condemned Israel for killing nine of the activists aboard the Turkish ship. The UN Security Council, Russia, and the EU all separately called for an impartial inquiry into the matter. Turkey, one of Israel's closest Muslim allies, recalled its ambassador to Israel and cancelled planned military exercises with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew home after canceling a Tuesday meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama. Netanyahu said the Israeli military was enforcing a legal blockade and defending itself from passengers on the ship. A video released by the military of the raid supports that claim. Organizers of the flotilla released their own videos to support their claim that Israeli forces opened fire as soon as they landed on deck. The diplomatic crisis could obstruct U.S.-backed peace talks (WSJ) in the region and negotiations on sanctions against Iran. Analysis: A Washington Post editorial says Israel's response to the pro-Palestinian flotilla was "misguided and badly executed." Israel's response marked another setback for U.S.-Turkish relations and possible complications for the latest U.S.-brokered Mideast peace talks, says CFR's Steven Cook. MIDDLE EAST: Iraq Court Approves Election Result Iraq's supreme court approved the final results (al-Jazeera) of the country's March 7 parliamentary elections, as the country continues its struggle to form a new government. PACIFIC RIM: Japanese PM Pressured to Resign Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is facing pressure to resign (BBC) amid plunging popularity and a broken election pledge to move the controversial U.S. base from Okinawa. South Korea: In the wake of North Korea's alleged sinking of a South Korean ship, President Lee Myung-bak's government is reviewing its long-term defense policy (WSJ), which could impact the U.S.-South Korean military alliance. The ship's sinking could have been part of a legitimization process to prepare for a new leader to succeed the ailing Kim Jong-Il, says North Korea expert Victor Cha. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Qaeda Commander Believed Dead Al-Qaeda's third in command, Egyptian-born Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, was killed in a drone strike (Telegraph) on the Pakistan border, according to al-Qaeda. India: India and the United States begin high-level talks (Reuters) this week, with India focusing on growing U.S.-Pakistani ties and the United States concerned with opening the Indian market to U.S. business. AMERICAS: Oil Spill Costs Nearly $1 Billion The financial cost of tackling (Reuters) the Gulf of Mexico oil spill now stands at $990 million, says BP, which is preparing a new attempt to control the flow of oil. This CFR Backgrounder examines the growth of deepwater drilling and the challenges of balancing environmental regulation with efforts to expand U.S. domestic oil production. Mexico: The bodies of twenty to twenty-five people, apparently victims of drug gang violence, were recovered (AP) Sunday from an abandoned silver mine in an area of southern Mexico popular with tourists. AFRICA: France to Boost UN Role for Africa French President Nicholas Sarkozy called for Africa to be given a bigger say (BBC) in global affairs and better representation on the UN Security Council. Sudan: Three top officers who quit south Sudan's army over alleged fraud in national elections are coordinating attacks (Reuters) in the region, according to an army general. EUROPE: Eurozone Joblessness at Twelve-Year High Eurozone unemployment rose to its highest level (Reuters) in almost twelve years in April, but a drop in Germany's unemployment level in May could signal that the labor market is stabilizing. Germany: German president Horst Köhler resigned (FT) over his remarks that the country's military effort in Afghanistan protected German commercial interests, adding to the pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel. TRANSNATIONAL: Reviewing the International Criminal Court A May 31 conference to discuss the role of the International Criminal Court comes amid criticism (Economist) of the court's slowness and the reticence of countries to adopt ICC rules. A new Council Special Report examines the U.S. relationship with the ICC. Though not a signatory to the Rome Statute, the report says the United States can still shape the ICC's work.

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