 | | January 24, 2011 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website.  | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Talks Begin on New Lebanese Government
Palestinian Authority Rejects Leaked Docs
Karzai and Afghan Lawmakers Seek Deal
Tear Gas Used on Tunisia Protests | |  | | Top of the Agenda: Talks Begin on New Lebanese Government Lebanese President Michel Suleiman commenced two days of negotiations with parliamentary groups in order to appoint a new prime minister (al-Jazeera). In early discussions, Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group, nominated former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, a billionaire businessman, to head the next government. Hezbollah's leadership has vowed to respect Lebanese institutions and form a national unity government if their candidate wins the nomination (Bloomberg). Lebanon's acting Prime Minister Saad Hariri stated he will not join any new coalition led by a Hezbollah-backed candidate (VOA). In the political maneuvering that has followed the dissolution of Hariri's government, Hezbollah has won the support of Druze leader Walid Jumblatt- an influential figure analysts suggest could play a decisive role in a new coalition (CNN). The recent round of talks was necessitated after Hezbollah brought down the western-backed unity government earlier this month in protest to a UN tribunal investigating the murder of former PM Rafiq Hariri. Experts expect the special inquiry to charge several members of Hezbollah with Hariri's assassination (FT). The United States considers Hezbollah, which has close ties to Iran and Syria, to be a terrorist organization. Analysis: In this article for ForeignPolicy.com, Steven Heydemann discusses Hezbollah's withdrawal from the Lebanese coalition government and the prospects its political future. This editorial for The Daily Star suggests that if the consultations for a new Lebanese government go smoothly, few will be able to dispute the results, including foreign powers. In this op-ed for The National, CFR's Mohamad Bazzi says the people of Lebanon are once again staring into a political abyss. | | | | MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian Authority Rejects Leaked Docs Leaders of the Palestinian Authority dismissed a leaked report obtained by al-Jazeera that allegedly details major concessions to Israel in the division of holy sites and Jerusalem (al-Jazeera). In this op-ed for the Financial Times, CFR Senior Fellow Robert Danin says a "bottom up" effort by Palestinians reflects a thoroughly reconstructed Palestinian approach toward peace with Israel. | | | | PACIFIC RIM: Drought Brings Crop Warning in China An extended drought in parts of north, central, and eastern China is affecting half of the wheat-growing land, and almost a quarter of a million people will face drinking water shortages. Analysts say the drought is likely to put further pressure on already rising food prices (BBC). Indonesia: Indonesia will sign several deals with India this week, which are worth over $15 billion. The agreements are part of a push by Indonesia to attract $150 billion in infrastructure investment (FT) in order to meet a rising demand for goods and services at home and abroad. | | | | SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Karzai and Afghan Lawmakers Seek Deal Afghan President Hamid Karzai agreed to inaugurate the country's new parliament this week if his concerns about investigating fraud allegations during the September 2010 election are addressed. In return, lawmakers aborted plans to unilaterally inaugurate (WSJ) the government on Sunday. Pakistan: As many of his supporters demonstrated outside, Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer appeared in anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi. Qadri admitted to killing Taseer earlier this month in Islamabad after the governor supported reforms to the country's controversial blasphemy laws (UPI). The killing of Taseer was symptomatic of widespread religious intolerance and fanaticism in Pakistan, says CFR's Ed Husain. | | | | AFRICA: Tear Gas Used on Tunisia Protests In an effort to disperse crowds, Tunisian police fired tear gas on hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the offices of Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi in the capital Tunis (VOA). Protestors violated curfew in order to continue to demand the immediate resignation of all allies of former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. CFR experts Steven Cook and Jared Cohen discuss the recent events in Tunisia, the implications for the region, and the role of social media in the protests. Ivory Coast: The foreign affairs minister for the Ivory Coast, Odein Ajumogobia, recommended the UN Security Council sanction the use of force to remove embattled President Laurent Gbagbo. He argued that the present situation is a precursor to anarchy, or a "full-blown civil war (This Day)." | | | | AMERICAS: Clinton to Visit Mexico for Talks U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to meet with Mexico's foreign minister (CNN) on Monday to discuss a range of topics, including border issues, the fight against organized crime, economic competitiveness, and global climate change. Brazil: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said she will reevaluate a $6 billion plan to purchase eleven warships and thirty-six fighter jets in an effort to streamline government expenses (Reuters). | | | | EUROPE: Greens Quit Irish Government In a decision that will likely bring about earlier parliamentary elections, Ireland's junior coalition party, the Greens, announced they are joining the opposition (DeutscheWelle).
Belgium: Tens of thousands of protestors gathered in Brussels to promote national solidarity and press the country's two rival factions, representing Dutch speakers in the north and French speakers in the south, to form a government. The country has been unable to form a coalition since elections last June--a record period of deadlock (AP). | | | | EXPLORE CFR's WEBSITE: Regions Issues Experts Publications About CFR Find CFR on Twitter and Facebook. Privacy Policy
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