The Kosovo Question
Elsa Cubero presents a synthesis of National perspectives on Kosovo’s recent declaration of independence through an analysis of major news sources from around the world.
The Tajik Energy Crisis
Muhiba Rabejanova reports on the energy crisis now facing Tajikistan, and the humanitarian disaster which will only be exacerbated by the continued apathy of the international community.
Three Years After Independence, Kosovo Still Struggles For Recognition
A series of internal struggles, general economic and political turbulence, and a lack of widespread international recognition have ensured that Kosovo’s first three years as an independent country have been fraught with difficulty. Martin Waehlisch and Behar Xharra comment on these challenges, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy in bringing peace and stability to the country and the region.
“Perfect Storm” or Manufactured Hunger? Understanding the Global Food Crisis
Marco Rossi discusses the economic and political policies behind the global food crises including the impact of energy markets on food prices, the consequences of food aid on developing economies, global climate change, and the overarching economic philosophy which tolerates poverty and inequality for the sake of profit.
To Panic or not to Panic: The Skinny on Avian Flu
To Panic or not to Panic: The Skinny on Avian Flu Author: Benjamin Hess Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on 11/03/2005 By now, we’ve all heard about the avian flu. The media carries almost non-stop coverage of every new possible case, every statement by a public official or doctor, and every step […]
The Blair Bridge Project
The Blair Bridge Project Author: Simon Stander Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on 05/12/2003 Tony Blair, whatever you may think of him or his policies, is in a unique position as a leading world politician. Among the glitter waiting for him before his career is over is a Nobel Peace Prize. What? A […]
A Gender Critique of the National Adaptation Programme of Action toward Climate Change in Post-conflict Liberia: Emphasis on the Agricultural Sector
Following fourteen years of devastation, the Liberian nation faces global climate change variability, which poses a major threat to its economic sectors, especially the agricultural sector, which is noted for its cardinal contribution towards the embellishment of the national economy (in terms of employment and the GDP). Notably, most of the workers within this sector are women, especially the rural dwellers, who are = the most vulnerable. In an effort to remedy the situation, a National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) was crafted by the Liberian government, following a global climate change summit held in Bali, 2007. This plan seeks to adequately address the situation, alleviate poverty and foster the process of national recovery and development. Generally, the NAPA attempts to develop the capacity of institution and individual in an effort to address the mainstreaming of the method of adaptation into the national development planning process. However, the NAPA has failed to acknowledge the efforts and ideologies of women, especially the rural women, who are currently and greatly involved in the agricultural sector of the country. Therefore, it is important to involve the women, who are already involved, if the NAPA is to be a success in terms of its goals and objectives.
Addressing Past Violence: The New Brazilian Truth Commission
Leonard Ghione argues that the Brazilian truth commission has a strong legal mandate to achieve the goal of creating an authoritative historic account of the country’s violent past. Its main challenge will be coping with the limited number of staff and the long period of time it must cover. The goal of national reconciliation in Brazil will require not only the unearthing of the truth but also the unearthing of a conflict that has been systematically negated until now and is part of Brazil’s culture of violence. If the commission succeeds in unearthing this underlying negated conflict, it will increase public pressure against the amnesty law, which may eventually lead to its revocation in the long term, contributing to a less violent society.
Democracy in the Arab World
Majid Ahmed Salih discusses the major obstacles to democracy in the Arab world and why they should be overcome.
Darfur Humanitarian Crisis: The Need for an Integrative Approach
Despite of the involvement of the international community in the Darfur conflict a decade ago, there has been no indicator of a workable agreement despite the diversity and multiplicity of interventions undertaken both at the political and non-governmental levels. And as the attention shifted to a different region, there is an urgency to revisit the approach to its resolution in order to reach a viable accord between the conflicting parties for the purpose of preventing further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the province, at a time where oblivion seems to prevail. In this essay I contend that an integrated strategy is needed to permanently resolve the conflict and put an end to the long lasting human tragedy. In order to, I will reexamine the main causes which lead to the worsening of the humanitarian condition while providing the necessary adjustments required for sustainable peace.