Nepal and the Media
As in any conflict, the media continue to play a significant role in Nepal’s struggle with the Maoist insurgents. Nepali Kamala Sarup provides perspective on the role of the media in the conflict, as well as background on the dangers journalists face in covering the story.
The Creation of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala: Miscalculation by a ‘Corporate Mafia State’?
This paper traces the development of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). A UN affiliated hybrid International-National quasi-judicial entity, CICIG was mandated to help investigate and prosecute organized crime groups in Guatemala and was heralded as an important step forward in the fight against impunity. This paper explores the often heard narrative that human rights groups successfully convinced first the Portillo administration and then the Berger government to agree to support CICIG, and analyzes alternative rationales. The paper suggests that the Portillo government sought to derive short term benefits from supporting the agreement but may have miscalculated in its assessment of long term risks. The Berger administration clearly derived benefits from the agreement, including the reinstatement of certain US military aid, as did the Colom administration. The paper also suggests that despite its mandate to strengthen national investigations and the judiciary system, some of CICIG’s greatest successes were achieved through public actions and the eventual resignation of the founding Commissioner Castresana. The paper concludes that even though CICIG’s institutional reform efforts have been piecemeal, they are significant nonetheless.
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.
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.
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 […]
‘We Screwed Up’ – Clashes in Budapest
Demonstrations began on September 17 in Hungary after a speech by the Prime Minister had been leaked, in which he said that the government lied to the people to stay in power. The protests turned violent: a group of extreme rightists and football fans besieged the public service television, burned cars and fought with the police on the streets for three nights.
Unheard Voices from Syria and the Middle East
University for Peace PhD Candidate Harout Akdedian presents grassroots perspectives on the Syrian crisis and an analysis of today’s socio-political reality in the Middle East.
US influence in El Salvador’s civil war
US influence in El Salvador’s civil war Author: Oscar Alvarado Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on 03/06/2009 In El Salvador the rich and powerful have systematically defrauded the poor and denied eighty percent of the people any voice in the affairs of their country. A revolution is now underway and we are one […]
Uzbek Bloody Friday
When Uzbek soldiers fired on protestors this past May, it drew international attention from media groups, NGOs and governments around the globe. The incident, however, was only the latest of what has been a pattern of violence and oppression by Islam Karimov’s totalitarian regime. Meanwhile, as the incident has cooled relations with the US and Europe, China and Russia are approving of Karimov’s use of violence.
Vanunu is free: The campaign against Israeli nukes continues
As 50 years old Mordechai Vanunu was released last month after 18 years in prison, Aki Orr reminds us that the campaign to make the Middle East a zone free of all weapons of mass-destruction under international control continues.