U.S. Politics
Introducing the Minerals Trade Act of 2009
Thanks to the work of activist groups like the Enough Project and the Genocide Intervention Network, the term “conflict minerals” has begun to seep into the vernacular of those of us who follow foreign affairs. Simply put, conflict minerals are the few minerals that are at the heart of the war in Eastern Congo. These minerals – which include Tin ore (cassiterite), tantalite (coltan), tungsten as well a
“Cash for Caulkers” and Beyond
Part of the reason that progress leading toward a binding international climate change agreement has been so halting is that President Obama has said that he will not commit the United States to emission reduction goals unless congress gives him a path by which those goals can be met.
Well, today, a new group launched that could be a big step toward helping the United States meet its international responsibilies on climate.
Reports: Rajiv Shah of USDA nominated for USAID, UPDATES
The AP is reporting that President Obama will nominate Rajiv Shah, a medical doctor and former official at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who currently serves as Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics at the US Department of Agriculture, to be USAID Administrator. The pick is somewhat of a surprise.
At Copenhagen hearing in Congress, Republicans come out guns-a-blazin’
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing this morning on international climate negotiations. Todd Stern, the administration’s top international climate change negotiator, briefed the committee and was followed in a seperate hearing by UN Foundation head Sen. Tim Wirth (who had Stern’s job during the Kyoto negotiations), Ellen Claussen of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and Steve Groves of the Heritage Foundation.
Obama at CGI
President Obama just wrapped up his remarks at the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative. It was not much of a newsy speech, but he did touch a theme that I think we can expect to see elaborated upon tomorrow during his General Assembly address. Obama spoke of the need for new global partnerships to tackle global problems. A critical element of these partnerships, he stressed, was building capacity in the developing world and empowering low income countries to confront global challenges head on. Stay tuned.
The Other Nuclear Option
My old boss Michael Tomasky wrote an interesting piece in The Guardian arguing that the contentious U.S. debate over health care reform augurs poorly for the prospects of a climate change deal making its way through congress anytime soon.
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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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