What if there was no UN?
Varghese Theckanath traces the history of the United Nations and briefly reviews its successes. Theckanath argues that these successes outweigh the failures and, ultimately, that the great potential of the UN to promote human development and international understanding makes it an invaluable tool in the effort to build a more peaceful and secure world for everyone.
Deflation and War
The 1930s throw a long shadow. Does deflation and war go together?
Georgia: “Rose revolutions”
Amid rising tension with the leadership of the autonomous region of Ajaria, which did not fully recognize the authority of Mr. Saakashvili, Georgia’s elected president, on March 2004 Tbilisi briefly imposes sanctions on Ajaria and closed the border. On May, Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze, claiming that Georgian forces were about to invade, blows up bridges connecting the region with the rest of Georgia. President Saakashvili ordered Mr. Abashidze to comply with Georgian constitution and disarm his forces or face removal. After thousands took to the streets of Ajaria’s capital, demanding Aslan Abashidze to resign, Mr. Abashidze resigned and left Georgia. Elections to a new administration are expected in June.
Hamas Victory in the World Media
On 27 January 2006 the Middle East woke up to a new reality. The Palestinian Elections Committee announced official results of parliamentary elections, declaring Hamas the clear winner with 76 seats in the 132-seat-strong legislative body. The victory of Hamas, which is labeled as a terrorist group by Europe and the US, caused mixed reactions in the World media.
Iran and the EU3: Stick it Out
Iran’s suspicions that the EU3 were trying to transform this temporary suspension into a de facto permanent suspension by dragging out the talks, led them to repeatedly threaten resuming nuclear activities unless new proposals were tabled. The EU3 thus submitted new proposals in August 2005 which, however, were rejected by Iran.
Islamic Courts Union was Better Placed to Pacify Somalia
Islamic Courts Union was Better Placed to Pacify Somalia Author: Dominic Pkalya Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 04/17/2007 When the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) was driven out of Mogadishu in December 2006 by a combination of Ethiopian and the Transitional Federal Government forces, many pundits were quick to note that Somalia has […]
March for Women’s Lives
George W. Bush didn’t seek office hoping to launch a new wave of the women’s movement. But the president of the United States has angered so many girls and women that he has helped mobilize a national march in the United States to protect women’s rights, the most large and diverse call for protecting women’s rights the US has probably ever seen.
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.
Peace in the 21st Century: Prospects and Prescriptions
It is increasingly recognized that if civilized society is to contain and defeat international terrorism, we must confront the threat in two related and mutually reinforcing ways. We must maintain adequate levels of military security and take strong, direct action, including military action where necessary, to confront and eradicate terrorism. This is the principal focus of international deliberation and action at the present time. But this is not enough. We must also, through international and national action, and through the efforts of civil society, work together to address the underlying injustices, frustrations and failures that give rise to the hatred and intolerance which drive violence, terrorism and conflict and provide the environment in which they can fester.
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.