Colombia-Venezuela: A powder keg?

Hugo Chávez and Álvaro Uribe, prisoners of their own domestic policy

By Raúl Benítez Manaut, 14th February 2008

uribechavezfarc2.jpgRegarding the release of FARC’s hostages, the presidents of Colombia and Venezuela are prisoners of domestic policy, the author says. Chávez needs outside success to assimilate the referendum’s political debate, and Uribe needs to demonstrate that Chávez is not the only one capable of leading negotiations to free hostages. The author points out that the international community is hoping that these events will reduce the current tension between Colombia and Venezuela, and not the other way around.

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Kibaki shoots to kill in Kenya

Crisis and violence in the democratic alternation in Nairobi

By Abuy Nfubea, 7th February 2008

kibaki.jpgEver since the last elections in Kenya, the world has seen the country sink into violence, due to the accusations of fraud in the elections controlled by president Mwai Kibaki. The author says that the most serious European press has analyzed the conflict as a typical expression of the savage tribal confrontation characteristic of Blacks. However, other sources assert that the majority of assassinations have occurred at the hands of the State, and not at those of any Kikuyu tribe or ethnic group. Why the African Union must shake off its indifference and avoid another Darfur.

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An End to “Home-Grown” Jihadist Terrorism?

In a movement rife with contradictions, the lines between collective and individual action are blurred

By Robert Wesley, 30th January 2008

europe_9112.jpgOne of the quandaries facing terrorism analysts today: the jihadist’s dilemma of whether to promote collective or individual action among potential adherents. Although this may appear to be an obscure issue, so specific as to interest only counterterrorism analysts, it is actually a widely applicable and underappreciated topic that could directly impact the type of terrorism Europe may face in the future. As such, it is a concern for all.

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The intimate relationship between narcotrafficking and the State

The return of ethics as a response to the everlasting dispute over interests

By Fabián Bosoer, 24th January 2008

american_gangster_1.jpgHugo Chávez needs the FARC for his carom shot on the great Bolivarian homeland table, which includes Colombian territory. Álvaro Uribe has reasons to confront Chávez and to line up behind him the national unit of Colombians that are being held in check and offended from both the inside and the outside. Washington backs Uribe, its main ally in South America, but it is in need of a Chávez that will guarantee that, at the end of the day, Venezuelan oil finds its way to the American gas pumps and tanks.

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Why Pakistan is a “desirable” state for radical Jihadism

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto: a well-calculated blow to democracy

By Alberto Priego, 17th January 2008

bhutto2.jpgAl Qaeda wants to take control of a country and Pakistan presents some ideal conditions: as neighbors it has Iran, Afghanistan and India; it has a conflict (Cachemir) that is considered universal by the Muslims, and, above all, it has an exit to the Arabian Sea which would close the oil traffic of the Golf monarchies, who are considered by Al Qaeda to be the principal source of corruption. Besides, it has nuclear missiles (Ghauri). Benazir Bhutto represented the only democratic option opposing Pervez Musharraf and the Islamist radicals.

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The futility of sanctioning Tehran

“Isolated Iran”, myth or reality?

By Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, 15th January 2008

ahmadinejad.jpgThe author argues that far from being isolated, Iran is embedded in myriad political and economic relations with global outreach. Sanctioning Iran is thus a futile strategy and needs to be substituted with a systematic effort to establish diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran, once the belligerent Bush and Ahmadinejad administrations leave office.

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Negotiation in Afghanistan as the only way to overcome the conflict

Four reasons that explain why Karzai is engaging in dialog with the Taliban insurgence

By Nuria del Viso, 15th January 2008

karzainegocia.jpgThis is not the first time that the Afghan president Hamid Karzai has offered to engage in dialogue with the Taliban, even if it is the first time that support has been shown from the United States and the rest of the international coalition, as well as the Taliban response. In other words: this is the first negotiation, but with conditions (control of the southern provinces, a timetable for the exit of international troops and the liberation of all prisoners). Why is Karzai’s offer being put forth now when the violence is growing and the Taliban control nearly half of Afghanistan?

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Antarctica, a source of new conflicts?

The global dispute for control of the white continent begins

By Ricardo Israel Zipper, 15th January 2008

antartida1.jpgIt is easy to understand why there is interest in Antarctica; not only is it very probable that it has oil, gas and mineral riches, but it also has something that could be of even greater importance in the future, and which is neither possible nor probable, but unmistakably there: fresh water, of which Antarctica must be the largest known reserve.

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The aftermath of the Benazir assassination in Pakistan’s politics

Nuclear arsenal controlled by radical Islamist, Is it a real possibility?

By Sohail Mahmood, 10th January 2008

benazir.jpgAmidst all of the current mayhem in Pakistan today, there is much finger pointing as to who was responsible for the assassination of leading opposition candidate Benazir Bhutto, with both Musharraf’s government and Islamist radicals bearing the brunt of the blame. In the meantime, elections have been postponed and Musharraf is trying to remain in power despite widespread domestic opposition, especially from the PPP and the poorer sectors of society. The author argues that fair and free elections are the only way out of this political crisis, and calls upon the West to intervene and ensure that they are carried out.

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