Reflections from the investigation of the AMIA bombing

Alberto Nisman explains how since the international warrant for the arrest of several ex- officials of the Iranian government for their connection in the 1994 terrorist bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Argentina, two realizations can help in the fight against terrorism. The first is the fact that, despite the difficulties of condemning a complex crime that took place years ago, the main objective, to be pursued ceaselessly, is the fight against impunity. And the second is the recognition that in order to fight terrorism, an efficient strategy must be created to facilitate the prevention and punishment of terrorism without encroaching on the rights and liberties of citizens around the world.

What the death of the dictator means for Chile

Ricardo Israel Z. explains the significance of the death of Augusto Pinochet for Chile, and its division of Chilean society into two camps: those who saw Pinochet as an obstacle to the creation of a new Cuba; and those that remember his human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. In Israel Z.‘ opinion, Pinochet‘s death will have no significant economic consequences, nor will it greatly impact the fight of the victims of Pinochet‘s crimes to seek justice in the courts. And Chilean law will continue to link itself to Pinochet‘s legacy. Yet, the death of the dictator will play a role in the intensification of internal conflicts in Chile‘s coalition government, now that the enemy, and uniting element of Chilean democracy is gone.

Jordan and the reconfiguration of the Middle East

Ricardo Angoso and Miguel Angel Benedicto explain how Jordan could play an essential role in the reordering of the Middle East. Jordan‘s good relations with its neighbors (Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the monarchies of the Gulf) are key to resolving the conflicts of the region, including the confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians. Angoso and Benedicto believe that Jordan‘s moderate regime continues to be stable, and one of Washington‘s most faithful allies in the region, despite its poor economic situation, and the threats of Islamism and international terrorism. Read on to see why King Abdullah II could have a tremendous influence in pacifying the Middle East.

New membership and Afghanistan have taken over the agenda

Alberto Priego sums up the significance of the recent Summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Latvia, in one phrase: NATO‘s door remains open. Priego explains that the issue of new members into the organization –such as Georgia, Ukraine, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, and Croatia— played an important role at the meeting in Riga, on an equal plain with discussion of the ongoing turmoil in Afghanistan. Also discussed were the possibility of Global Partnership with countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan, as well as the War in Iraq, international terrorism, and relations between NATO and the EU.

Behind an indisputable victory in Venezuela

Ricardo Angoso explains how, before Chavez came to power, Venezuela suffered decades of a corrupt and immoral political class, responsible for various coups d’etat, social instability, and severe periods of economic crisis provoked by the poor management of wealth and the irresponsible investment of oil earnings. In Angoso‘s opinion, when Chavez came to power, Venezuelan politics took a turn for the better: focusing not on corruption, but on fighting poverty, reforming the state, and dealing with society’s ills. By searching for modernization and social and economic prosperity, Hugo Chavez Frias has made himself the indisputable leader of Venezuela, and a far worthier choice than the untrustworthy and corrupt opposition.

Recommendations for a responsible government in the dark

Ricardo Israel Z. writes a series of recommendations, for the Rosales-led Venezuelan opposition, to avoid marginalization and win the elections of 2013. In Israel Z.‘ opinion, the opposition must create a unified platform that would be attractive to the less fortunate in Venezuela, must expose the problems of Chavez‘ administration to the population, organize itself nationally and internationally behind a united movement or party, and promote the integration of Venezuela into Latin America without interfering in the internal politics of other countries.

The changing dynamics of Palestinian politics

Walid Salem writes on the three different strategies that can be taken in order to deal with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict: negotiating with Abu-Mazen, negotiating with Hamas, or opening dialogue with both. Due to recent success in convincing the Arab and Muslim world to lift their sanctions, the Hamas-led Palestinian government has become emboldened, and begun to circumvent Abu-Mazen‘s authority. Hamas‘ new policy positions also include the opening of direct dialogue with the Israeli government, negotiations with the governments of Jordan and Egypt, and the organization’s slow transformation from a fundamentalist group into a legitimate political force. In Salem‘s opinion, neither Abu-Mazen nor Hamas can be ignored in handling the conflict, and the best solution would be to choose the third strategy.

The process to end terrorism in Basque Country