 | | February 17, 2011 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website.  | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Bahrain Cracks Down on Protests
- Yemen Clerics Call for Coalition Government
- U.S. Pushes Web Freedom in China
- Pakistan Delays Case of U.S. Suspect | |  | | Top of the Agenda: Bahrain Cracks Down on Protests Three people were killed and hundreds more were injured by Bahraini security forces (BBC) in an overnight crackdown on anti-regime activists in the capital of Manama. Inspired by the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, thousands of overwhelmingly Shiite protesters took to Bahrain's streets demanding more say in the Sunni-ruled Arab kingdom (Haaretz). The government banned protests and instructed the army to "take every measure necessary to preserve security." The violence followed three days of pro-democracy demonstrations calling for widespread reform within the country's ruling minority. According to the Guardian, riot police raided the central point of protests, known as the Pearl Roundabout, at around 3 a.m., firing teargas and birdshot, and cutting through the tents of demonstrators. Armed vehicles scattered through the city in an effort to seize critical access points and institute a lockdown. Bahrain is a significant ally of the United States and is home to the Fifth Fleet of the U.S. Navy (al-Jazeera). Analysis: The ouster of autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt has awakened a hunger for change in the Arab world, says CFR's Thomas W. Lippmann, but it's unlikely to result in a widespread fall of regimes. In this article for Time, Fareed Zakaria discusses "why there's no turning back in the Middle East" and the region's youth bulge as a central factor in the uprisings. Background: In "Promoting Democracy: The Whys and Hows for the United States and the International Community," Mark Lagon examines the uneven history of promoting democracy in U.S. foreign policy and offers lessons for how the United States can best advance democracy today. | | | | MIDDLE EAST: Yemen Clerics Call for Coalition Government Amid a fresh round of anti-government protests, an influential group of Yemeni clerics (al-Jazeera) have called for the formation of a national unity government. In prior statements, long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh stated he will not participate in the next presidential elections. Large numbers of unemployed youth have been behind the protests in the Middle East. Demographics expert Ragui Assaad says the region must move toward democracy and open economic systems to turn the youth bulge into an opportunity. | | | | PACIFIC RIM: U.S. Pushes Web Freedom in China In her second major speech on Internet freedom, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for the international community to adopt common standards for Internet use (BBC). Meanwhile, China cautioned the United States not to intrude in other countries' affairs. Japan: Due to engine concerns, Honda Motors (Bloomberg) announced it will recall nearly seven hundred thousand cars worldwide. | | | | SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Pakistan Delays Case of U.S. Suspect The Lahore High Court adjourned without ruling whether Raymond Davis, a U.S. official accused of a double homicide (AP), qualifies for diplomatic immunity. The hearings are set to resume March 14. Pakistan's stability is of great consequence to regional and international security. Examine the roots of its challenges, what it means for the region and the world, and explore some plausible futures for the country in CFR's Crisis Guide: Pakistan. India: Food inflation in India slumped to a two-month low in early February, providing relief to consumers. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has warned that high inflation--particularly in food prices--threatens India's economic growth (AFP). | | | | AFRICA: Deadly Blasts Rock Tanzania Multiple blasts at an army base rocked the capital of Dar es Salaam, killing at least thirty-two people. A spokesman for the military told reporters the explosions were accidental (BBC). Libya: Libyan protestors are prepared to take to the streets in a so-called "day of rage" (al-Jazeera). Activists blame the government of long-time ruler Muammar al-Qaddafi for unemployment, inequality, and limits on political freedoms. | | | | AMERICAS: Colombian Rebels Release Two More Hostages In what spokesmen describe as a gesture of peace, Colombia's FARC rebel group (Guardian) released two additional hostages to the Red Cross. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos stated the guerrillas must release all hostages and end hostilities before negotiations can be held. United States: In a push to reduce federal deficits, a bipartisan group of senators is considering legislation that would activate new taxes and budget cuts if Congress fails to meet a set of binding spending targets. Analysts say the plan builds on the work of the president's deficit commission (WSJ). The White House's proposed budget for FY2012 tries to balance spending cuts with investment to boost competitiveness. CFR experts examine how well it handles deficit reduction, defense, foreign aid, and spurring innovation. | | | | EUROPE: Police Storm Offices of Former Moscow Mayor's Wife Moscow police raided the offices of Inteko (FT), a large construction company run by Yelena Baturina, the wife of the Moscow mayor who was fired by the Kremlin last year. Government officials said the search was part of a criminal investigation into the alleged embezzlement of hundreds of millions of dollars from the Bank of Moscow. Belgium: In its 249th day of political stalemate, Belgium tied Iraq for the longest time a country has gone without a government (DeutscheWelle). Due to regional and linguistic differences, Brussels hasn't had a government since its ruling alliance collapsed in April 2010. | | | | EXPLORE CFR's WEBSITE: Regions Issues Experts Publications About CFR Find CFR on Twitter and Facebook. Privacy Policy
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