Monthly Archives: May 2012
In Mali, an ECOWAS Mediated Agreement that Brings People to Streets in Protest
A new ECOWAS-mediated agreement allows the interim president, Dioncounda Traoré, to remain in office for the next 12 months, until a presidential election can be organized next year. Not everyone in Mali is pleased with this decision.
Little Comfort for Mali’s Refugees in Bleak Burkina Faso
The UN Refugee Agency estimates that there are about 60,000 Malian refugees spread out across multiple sites – formal and informal – in northern Burkina Faso. A special guest post from Refugees International.
Expanding NATO
One thing that will not be decided on in Chicago today is expanding NATO membership. Four countries have been on the short-list since 2008: Macedonia, Georgia, Montenegro and Bosnia and the Chicago Summit’s outcome document is full of supportive words for their membership, but no action.
Iran; Syria; Internet Governance; Libya; and more
UN atomic watchdog chief Yukiya Amano and top aides will travelto Tehran on Sunday for talks with Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, a few days before Iran and world powers meet in Baghdad to discuss the broader nuclear dispute. News of the rare visit came as Western diplomats said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran were making headway towards a framework deal on how to tackle concerns about Iran’s atomic activity.
When the Geo-Politics of Syria or Iran Intervention Get Real
Medvedev’s words ought to be read as a warning to people here in the USA or its allies causually toss around the idea of invading Syria or bombing Iran. Such actions do not happen in a vacuum, and could have far reaching geopolitical consequences.
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The SC; HRC; DPRK; South Sudan
The SC: The Security Council today held its last consultations under the Council Presidency of ROK. Tomorrow, Russia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for March under Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
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The SG; Mali; Middle East; Palestine
The SG: At the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Vienna, Austria today, the SG emphasized the role of youth in ensuring a “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future.”
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The SG; DRC; HRC; Palestinian Prisoner
The SG: In Ethiopia over the weekend, the SG is now in the United Arab Emirates. Today he met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, where the two discussed developments in the region, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and in the Middle East Peace Process.
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