 | | March 18, 2011 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website.  | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UN Authorizes Military Action Against Libya
- Saudi King to Announce Reforms
- Crisis Continues at Fukushima Plant
- Lawmakers Pass Sixth Budget Stopgap | |  | | Top of the Agenda: UN Authorizes Military Action Against Libya The UN Security Council voted its approval of military action (NYT) against the regime of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi, including airstrikes against tanks and heavy artillery and the imposition of a no-flight zone. French authorities claimed an offensive could begin "within hours," and analysts expect British and French aircraft to lead the attack. However, U.S. and British officials (al-Jazeera) suggested military action would not begin until Sunday or Monday. With ten votes in favor and five abstentions, including China and Russia, the resolution supports "all necessary measures," short of ground invasion, to defend Libyan civilians under chapter VII of the UN charter. The decision comes as Qaddafi's emboldened forces advance toward the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. Observers say it is unclear what role the United States will play in an assault, although it is unlikely to be involved in the initial strikes (BBC). NATO is also set to discuss its role in the attack. Arab states including Qatar and UAE have vowed to support the effort. Defense analysts wonder if the decision to intervene has come too late. The Libyan army said it will surround but not invade Benghazi (FT), only sending in troops to disarm rebels. Regime spokesmen claimed the intention of Qaddafi forces is to protect Libyan citizens and food supplies. Analysis: In this CFR online debate, Micah Zenko and Elliott Abrams discuss the question of whether or not the United States should intervene militarily in Libya. In this article for ForeignPolicy.com, Josh Rogin discusses classified briefings surrounding the Obama administration's "war plan for Libya." In the Wall Street Journal, CFR's Max Boot urges U.S. military intervention in Libya. In the Guardian, Simon Tisdall writes that k Obama has "gone for broke" in Libya, and discusses the potential for political disaster and progress. Background: This CFR Report says the United States must improve its responsiveness to mass atrocities and, absent action by the UN, make clear its willingness to act unilaterally. Multimedia: This interactive map from the New York Times details the day-by-day violence in Libya, and examines how the rebellion is unfolding across the country. | | | | MIDDLE EAST: Saudi King to Announce Reforms In an address to the nation, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is expected to announce a government reshuffle, anti-corruption measures, and increased food subsidies. Though there have been pockets of protests in the country in recent weeks, King Abdullah (al-Jazeera) remains widely popular at home. Bahrain: According to reports, the streets of Manama (CNN) are calm following a government crackdown, which left eight people dead. Uncertainty remains as to whether activists will rally again following Friday prayers. | | | | PACIFIC RIM: Crisis Continues at Fukushima Plant Japanese engineers continued frantic efforts to cool spent fuel rods and restore electric power to pumps at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant (NYT). Japanese officials raised the severity assessment of the crisis from four to five on a seven-level international scale. On her CFR blog Asia Unbound, Sheila A. Smith discusses Japan's nuclear disaster and the emerging role of the military as the nation's most relied-upon "first responder." Japan: For the first time in a decade, G7 industrialized nations agreed to a coordinated effort to weaken the yen and help encourage the recovery of the Japanese economy (FT). The move immediately pushed the yen down from seventy-nine to eighty-one against the dollar. Despite turbulence in financial markets, Japan's multiple disasters will likely not have a major global economic impact, and reconstruction will provide a boost to the Japanese economy in the long term, says CFR's Sebastian Mallaby. | | | | SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Indian PM Denies Vote-Buying Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh denied allegations uncovered by WikiLeaks that his party bribed opposition MPs (BBC) to survive a crucial vote of confidence in 2008. The revelation is another political blow to Singh's corruption-ridden administration. Pakistan: Dawn reports that the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's northwestern tribal areas, stating the attacks are a violation of national sovereignty. The measure also demanded the government adopt a clear policy on drone strikes. In this op-ed for New York Daily News, CFR's Micah Zenko says that only by complementing drone strikes with nonmilitary programs can the United States counter the threat of extremism. | | | | AFRICA: Violence Flares in Abidjan Forces loyal to Ivory Coast's disputed president Laurent Gbagbo launched projectiles into the commercial center of Abidjan (BusinessWeek), killing twenty-five to thirty people. At least 435 people have died in the political violence since mid- December. | | | | AMERICAS: Lawmakers Pass Sixth Budget Stopgap The U.S. Congress passed a stopgap measure to fund the government until April 8, its sixth such resolution. The two political parties now have an additional three weeks to reconcile a $50 billion gap between their rival spending plans (Reuters). Brazil: President Obama is set to depart for Latin America (UPI) on Friday, with stops in Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador. In an op-ed for USA Today prefacing his trip, the president said his focus is on creating U.S. jobs that will support the continent's economic boom. In this Media Conference Call, CFR's Julia E. Sweig and Shannon K. O'Neil discuss President Obama's trip to South America and the opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-South America relationship. | | | | EUROPE: Italy Celebrates 150 Years of Unity Italians commemorated a hundred and fifty years of unified government (DeutscheWelle), but skeptics say the country still remains divided in many ways. Amid the celebrations, several factions protested, including the right-wing Northern League party and officials from the German-speaking Alpine region. France: A French magistrate is investigating aviation giant Airbus (CNN) for involuntary manslaughter related to the mysterious 2009 crash of Air France Flight 447 in the southern Atlantic. The cause of the crash, which killed 228 people, has yet to be determined. | | | | EXPLORE CFR's WEBSITE: Regions Issues Experts Publications About CFR Find CFR on Twitter and Facebook. Privacy Policy
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