American Footprints - del.icio.us clips

ICG | Failed Responsibility: Iraqi Refugees in Syria, Jordan & Lebanon

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:31:19 +0000

Our commentariat has been clammoring for more info on the Iraqi refugee problems, and their wish is our command.

It's hard to scope out the extent of the problems -- the data on external refugee flows is notoriously uncertain -- but the International Crisis Group, in their new report, gives it a try. Together with their patented recommendations for everyone and his uncle, including the UN and US.

Executive Summary | Full Report (pdf)

Among the issues discussed -- as the Iraqi government enjoys more and more oil revenue, getting funds to Iraqi citizens living abroad should become a high priority -- e.g. paying pensions. And accurate methods for tallying refugees in near-by countries will be one of many logistical challenges in preparing for the upcoming elections Eric has been discussing. --n

Russia Blog | Russian Companies Now Own 10% of U.S Steel Industry

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:26:49 +0000

Recycling petrodollars, 2008 edition --n

Whereas many American analysts describe U.S. steelmaking as a sunset industry that cannot compete with cheap steel imports from China, Russian tycoons, who have experience modernizing outdated Soviet mills in Russia, perceive value. The weak dollar has made many U.S. companies cheap in comparison to their counterparts in the Euro zone.

In addition to the dollar devaluation making American exports cheaper, in the past year skyrocketing world oil prices have tripled the cost of sending a standard shipping container from China to the U.S., reducing China's market share for steel in North America. Chinese manufacturers increasingly find themselves not only paying more to ship their low-margin goods abroad, but paying more for oil, iron ore, and other raw materials needed to produce these products, all while having their low-wage advantage undercut by competitors in Vietnam, India and other Asian countries.

War at the ministry | EconIntelUnit

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:59:00 +0000

The ruthless former head of Russia's Federal Tax Service is making waves as Minister of Defense. --n

After years without meaningful military reform, Russia’s civilian defence minister is wresting control of the armed forces from the General Staff. This is one of the first signs of change since Vladimir Putin handed the presidency to Dmitry Medvedev. In the first instance, the aim is to reduce waste and corruption, and to improve financial management.

[snip]

What is needed is a fundamental reappraisal of both the likely threats facing Russia and its long-term priorities. Until now, such doctrinal debates have been dominated by the generals and their conservative interests. Mr Serdyukov has wrested doctrine from the generals’ hands but does not yet seem to know what to do with it. Nor, despite his more emollient style, has Mr Medvedev yet shown himself willing to reassess Mr Putin’s security and foreign policy. That said, with the rise of more practical technocratic generals such as General Makarov who favour smaller, better-trained and more professional forces and a decisive shift in power between the ministry and the General Staff, there is at last the opportunity to introduce meaningful reform—once the political leadership finally decides what kind.

Succession at House of Saud | The Independent

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:12:53 +0000

The men who would be king. King Abdullah created a council to choose his successor and avoid a bloody feud. But will the Saudi princes allow it to? -- BU

LA Times | US shifts Sunni strategy in Iraq

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:07:48 +0000

By becoming guards in previously unpatrolled areas in northern and central Iraq, the citizens groups have become a key stopgap, filling in security holes where U.S. forces have lacked the numbers to impose stability -- MChef

Online Africa Policy Forum | Breaking the Stalement in Kenya

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:59:06 +0000

The historical origins of the violence that has engulfed Kenya since the discredited election of December 27 run deep, and it will take more than a recount of the vote and/or the formation of a government of national unity to resolve the crisis. -- MChef

US Ponders Freezing Kosovo's Status Until 2020

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:47:48 +0000

This is a problem which it probably is best to leave for the future. -- BU

Gulfnews: Residents in favour of single Gulf currency

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:39:27 +0000

The falling dollar is propelling Gulf states further down the road to a monetary union. -- BU

Counter-Narcotics in Afghanistan IV: Beyond Interdiction

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:54:40 +0000

As part of a series of posts on Afghanistan, Barnett Rubin (Informed Comment: Global Affairs) suggests ways of fighting the drug trade in Afghanistan that don't involve poppy eradication. --BU

Seafaring | TAPPED

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:53:08 +0000

Kate Sheppard says the US should sign on to the Law of the Sea, and that liberals have an interest in making it happen. -- BU

Informed Comment: Who Lost Turkey?

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:42:22 +0000

Juan Cole argues that the Bush administration has botched relations with Turkey. -- BU

RFE/RL - Turkmen Government Website Allows Readers To Post Comments

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:38:42 +0000

If anyone has anything to say. -- BU

Yishai: Shas will quit government if Temple Mount is relinquished

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:34:12 +0000

Via Haaretz, Olmert gets a real peace agreement only with the aid of Meretz and at least one Arab party. -- BU

B Rubin: Theses on Policy toward Iran

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:45:53 +0000

At Informed Comment Global Affairs, Barnett Rubin has a crucial post on the perceived Iran war roll-out and its likely consequences. -- BU

The war on poppies - LA Times

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:43:42 +0000

Peter Bergen and Sameer Lalwani point out that the ineffective American war on drugs in Afghanistan is an important reason for the Taliban resurgence. -- BU