January 11, 2011 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Clinton in Yemen for Surprise Visit - Historic Floods Threaten Queensland - U.S. Official Resigns in Afghanistan - Central Bank Intervenes in Portugal Top of the Agenda: Clinton in Yemen for Surprise Visit Secretary of State Hilary Clinton made an unannounced trip to Yemen (WSJ) in an effort to strengthen military relations and advance counterterrorism cooperation in the region. In particular, Washington is eager to ramp up the fight against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a terrorist offshoot group suspected of several anti-U.S. attacks, including the failed 2009 Christmas Day plot (BBC) over Detroit. Experts suggest the trip may also be useful in repairing bilateral relations that have been strained since WikiLeaks disclosed information about controversial U.S.-Yemen missile strikes (Reuters). In addition to military concerns, Clinton said the United States is "committed to a balanced approach toward Yemen, which includes social, economic, and political assistance." U.S. officials say that military aid to the country is expected to reach $250 million this year. In addition to terrorism, Yemen faces a variety of internal problems, including crippling poverty, a Shiite rebellion (AP) in the north, and a secessionist movement in the south. Analysis: The reemergence of Yemen as a terror risk to the United States underscores the difficulties in combating al-Qaeda in weak states, says CFR's Richard A. Falkenrath. In this piece for ForeignPolicy.com, Daniel Byman distinguishes between al-Qaeda's ability to recruit and its knack for absorbing other terrorist groups. Background: Yemen is under increased U.S. scrutiny amid concerns that it could become a hotbed for al-Qaeda-based international terrorism. But some experts say U.S. counterterrorism involvement in Yemen could provoke a negative backlash. MIDDLE EAST: Iran Claims Arrest of 'Mossad Spy' According to state television, Iran arrested the man responsible for the assassination of one of its nuclear scientists last year. The suspect claims to have been trained by Israeli Mossad (Haaretz). PACIFIC RIM: Historic Flood Waters Threaten Queensland Australian officials are encouraging residents of Brisbane (BBC) to evacuate ahead of floods expected to peak later this week. The disaster has affected some 200,000 people across the region and caused billions of dollars in damage. China: According to a Hong Kong-based expert, the Chinese military completed the maiden voyage of its first radar-evading stealth aircraft (NYT). The flight came just hours before U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with the Chinese president. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: U.S. Official Resigns in Afghanistan Arnold Fields, the official in charge of managing U.S. reconstruction efforts and combating corruption in Afghanistan (AP), resigned amid congressional accusations of his "incompetence and mismanagement." This Foreign Affairs article suggests there are no easy ways to escape the current quagmire in Afghanistan. Although it has problems, a de facto partition of Afghanistan may offer an acceptable fallback. Pakistan: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of President Asif Ali Zardari, publicly denounced those who are supporting the assassination of Salman Taseer, an outspoken critic of Pakistan's blasphemy law (BBC) whose death has revealed deep divisions within Pakistani society. The assassination of Taseer and news of the faltering government are symptomatic of wider and deeper problems in a country fundamentally falling apart, says expert Stephen P. Cohen. AFRICA: Calls for Restraint amid Tunisian Unrest UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for calm in the midst of extensive unemployment riots in Tunisia (DeutscheWelle) that have left at least fourteen civilians dead. The government deployed the military and closed universities indefinitely. Sudan: Militia violence left at least thirty dead in Sudan's disputed border areas (Monitor) including Abyei, Nuba Mountains, and Southern Blue Nile. Each region is expected to vote in its own separate independence referendum, but plans have been delayed indefinitely due to ongoing conflict. The Sudan referendum now underway will likely result in the south's independence, but unresolved disputes and population shifts require the Obama administration's continued intense diplomatic and humanitarian engagement, says CFR's John Campbell. AMERICAS: IMF Approves Line of Credit for Mexico In a move to help shield Mexico from the ripple effects of the global financial downturn (Reuters), the IMF increased the country's credit facility to $72 billion, although the country is not expected to draw on the credit in the near term. Haiti: A report to be released by the Organization of American States is expected to recommend Haiti's government-backed candidate be excluded from a presidential runoff due to persuasive evidence of fraud. Haitian electoral officials (AP) will make the final determination. EUROPE: Central Bank Intervenes in Portugal Amid fears of an impending Portugal bailout (WSJ), the European Central Bank stepped in to purchase the nation's debt in an effort to shore up the eurozone bond market. Despite the preventative measures, some experts suggest a financial rescue is inevitable. Spain: In statements on its website, the Basque separatist movement ETA (al-Jazeera) announced a permanent ceasefire after decades fighting for independence from Spain. The Spanish government dismissed the truce, suggesting it as a familiar political ploy.

EXPLORE CFR'S WEBSITE

Regions

Issues

Experts

Publications

About CFR

Find CFR on Twitter and Facebook.

		Privacy Policy The Council on Foreign Relations does not share email addresses with third parties. Council on Foreign Relations 58 East 68th Street New York, NY 10065 Tel. +1 212.434.9400 Fax: +1 212.434.9800 Learn about this and other newsletters offered by the Council on Foreign Relations. To pause your subscription, to switch between HTML and text-only versions of the newsletter, to change your email address, or to unsubscribe, click here.

---

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com