Afghanistan: Who Will Head the U.N. Mission?
December 22nd, 2009 by Jason
Laura Rozen explores who will replace Kai Eide as the head of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan. She reports rumors that Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura is the “top contender” for the position and is an American favorite. At the same time, there are reports that French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner has expressed interest in the job, but other sources explain Kouchner is looking to serve as an E.U. envoy equivalent to Richard Holbrooke. In a follow up post, Rozen discusses the idea to have a “dual-hatted U.N./NATO chief in Afghanistan.”
Ann Friedman observes the difference in opinion between Afghan and U.S.-based women’s rights groups. While Afghan-based groups tend to call for an American withdrawal, U.S.-based groups believe that military intervention can be used to promote women’s rights. But for Friedman, “it doesn’t matter whether U.S. military intervention can be a force for humanitarianism because, in Afghanistan, it never has been and won’t become one.”
Max Boot responds to a video from Guardian films that “presents a dire picture of the Afghan National Army.” According to Boot, the video has been overblown because “we can’t expect many Third World militaries to meet the standards of the 21st century US. armed forces.” In short, “the Guardian clip presents a slice of reality, not all of reality. It should not be dismissed, nor should it be given the last word.”
M.J. Rosenberg of TPMCafe points to an Al Jazeera English video about the difficult choices U.S. soldiers face in delivering medical care to Afghan nationals. Finally, Doctors Without Borders lists Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen among its annual list of the year’s worst humanitarian crises.
Posted in Afghanistan, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Military, Taliban, US foreign policy, United Nations, Women | Comment »
Iran: Ayatollah Montazeri Funeral Today
December 21st, 2009 by Jason
Over the weekend, one of Iran’s most respected religious scholars and outspoken critics of the regime, Grand Ayatollah Hosein-Ali Montazeri, died in his sleep. As Time Magazine reports, Montazeri “was known as Iran’s defiant cleric, first in challenging the autocratic rule of the Shah, and then later in confronting the very revolution he had helped foment.” In Montazeri’s own words, “The goal (of the revolution) was not simply to change the names and slogans but keep the same oppression and abuses practiced by the previous regime.”
The Guardian offers an obituary, praising Montazeri for expanding “the boundaries of Shia jurisprudence into the realm of human rights.” Muhammad Sahimi at Tehran Bureau profiles the life of Montazeri, who taught “that one can be a Muslim, but also a progressive and a democrat and to be proud of it.” Juan Cole explains how Montazeri “became an Islamist democrat, putting more emphasis on popular sovereignty, without denying a role for learned clerics in guiding society.” Thus Cole contends “Montazeri aspired to be the Gorbachev of the Khomeinist regime, but although he died in his own bed, he was more analogous to its Trotsky, a road not taken.”
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Posted in Elections, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Israel, Judiciary, Political Islam, Protests, US foreign policy, United Nations, sanctions | 1 Comment »
Iraq: Iranian Troops Enter Contested Oil Field
December 18th, 2009 by Jason
Iraq officials have confirmed that Iranian soldiers have entered Iraqi territory and claimed an oilfield whose ownership is disputed by Iran. A U.S. military spokesman stated “there has been no violence related to this incident and we trust this will be resolved through peaceful diplomacy between the governments of Iraq and Iran.”
During a trip to Iraq, Admiral Mullen affirmed that the Iraq drawdown will proceed as scheduled, despite delayed elections and a recent spike in bombings. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces are on alert after threats of violence during the coming Christmas holiday.
IraqPundit relays a conversation he had with laborers from Sadr City who expressed their discontent with Moktada al-Sadr as well as the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council. Instead, they plan to vote for Nouri al-Maliki “because he is not an extremist.” At the same time, IraqPundit reveals that many “Iraqis are disappointed in al-Maliki because he has presided over an extremely corrupt government, and he has failed to prevent terror attacks.”
The New York Times editorial staff warns that “the bitter discord between Iraq’s Kurdish regional government and the Shiite-Arab dominated central government - over land, oil and the power of the central government - is the most dangerous fault line in Iraq today.” Therefore, the situation calls for “deft and sustained American involvement.”
Finally, Peter Galbraith has written a statement clarifying his activities in Kurdistan concerning his role in advising the formation of the constitution and the negotiation of oil deals.
Posted in Afghanistan, Diplomacy, Elections, Iraq, Kurds, Legislation, Military, Oil, Political Parties, Public Opinion, Sectarianism, Secularism, Terrorism, US foreign policy, United Nations | Comment »
AfPak: Corruption and Graft
December 18th, 2009 by Jason
Simon Tisdall argues corruption is a larger and more difficult problem than most people realize. He cites Lorenzo Delesgues of Integrity Watch who observes that some USAID programs lose up to 90 cents on the dollar to corruption and fraud.
Juan Cole relays several articles from Afghanistan translated by the USG Open source Center on economic development. Among many other topics, there are articles concerning a fatwa against poppies, the growing role of China, and obstacles to trade with Pakistan.
In addition, Cole discusses a recent travel ban on Pakistan’s interior minister due to charges of graft. While some analysts have fed into the “hysteria” of a coup, Cole interprets the development instead as “an outbreak of the civil rule of law.” He argues “the rule of law is more important for the structural integrity of Pakistani society and politics than the back door deals of the Musharrafs, Bushes, Rices, and Cheneys.”
However, Omar Waraich in Time calls the renewal of the corruption case against President Zardari “bad news” for the U.S.
Posted in Afghanistan, Foreign Aid, Judiciary, Military, Pakistan, Taliban, US foreign policy, United Nations | Comment »
State Dept: New Website for Human Rights Review
December 18th, 2009 by Jason
The State Department has launched a new website for the Universal Period Review (UPR) conducted by the U.N. Human Rights Council. The UPR, established in 2006, reviews the human rights records of all U.N. member states every four years. It seeks to “prompt, support, and expand the promotion and protection of human rights […] addressing human rights violations wherever they occur.”
According to a press release, the State Department will use the website to invite civil society to participate in the process by submitting their “ideas, comments and analysis.” In addition, an inter-agency U.S. government team will travel throughout the U.S. to “engage directly with civil society including grassroots organizations, not-for-profits, and citizens groups.”
Posted in Human Rights, NGOs, US politics, United Nations | Comment »
AfPak: Galbraith-Eide Feud
December 17th, 2009 by Jason
Laura Rozen relays the latest “feud fall-out” between Ambassador Galbraith and his former boss Kai Eide, reported by the New York Times. According to a letter from Eide, Galbraith’s dismissal from his U.N. post in Afghanistan came shortly after he proposed a secret mission to depose Hamid Karzai and replace him with an interim government led by someone more favorable to the U.S. But Galbraith denies discussing any “extra-constitutional solution to the Afghan elections crisis,” according to the NY Times. According to a commenter on Rozen’s post, Eide himself also proposed removing Karzai from power.
Kelley Vlahos argues COIN in Afghanistan relies on a legitimate central government, effective local security forces, and Afghan trust in the U.S. military - all of which “bear serious problematic signs of failure today.”
Max Boot cites two Washington Post articles that report how President Zardari no longer enjoys immunity from corruption charges and Zardari has resisted President Obama’s request for expanded military operations against the Taliban. According to Boot, both developments “are evidence of Zardari’s weakness” that will prohibit the cooperation America needs.
Meanwhile, David Ignatius argues why Pakistan should partner with the U.S. to gain sovereignty over all the tribal territories, to the benefit of both countries. The Christian Science Monitor explores the debate within the Pakistani military over whether to go after the Taliban in North Waziristan. Michael Cohen questions Pakistan’s resolve and intentions given the latest reports of government officials harassing and denying visas to U.S. officials.
Posted in Afghanistan, Diplomacy, Elections, Military, Pakistan, Public Opinion, Taliban, US foreign policy, United Nations | Comment »
Lebanon: Sleiman Returns from U.S. Trip
December 17th, 2009 by Jason
President Michel Sleiman has returned to Beirut after a week of meetings with U.S. officials in Washington. Among other topics, Sleiman urged the U.S. to help Lebanon enhance its ability to defend itself with advanced weaponry and emphasized the Palestinian refugees’ right of return. While President Obama promised to help empower the Lebanese Army, he also urged Sleiman to take a stronger role in stemming weapons smuggling and enforcing U.N. Security Resolution 1701.
According to Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman, Hezbollah is “a strong institution, but at the same time a militia that is violating international resolutions and subjecting the Lebanese people to dangers.” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has also accused Hezbollah’s arsenal of undermining Lebanese sovereignty.
AFP reports that a Lebanese woman has for the first time opened a bank account in the name of her underage children after the country’s bank association changed its discriminatory regulations.
Posted in Diplomacy, Freedom, Hezbollah, Human Rights, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Military, Reform, Saudi Arabia, US foreign policy, United Nations, Women | Comment »
Palestine: PLO to Extend Abbas’ Term
December 15th, 2009 by Jason
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced he will seek a U.N. resolution defining the Palestinian territories based on the 1967 borders. Rejecting a return to violence, Abbas also said he would resume peace talks if Israel institutes a settlement freeze “for a specific period” and recognizes the 1967 borders as the outline for a Palestinian state. His speech came at the launch of a two-day meeting of the PLO, which will likely result in the extension of Abbas’ presidential term in lieu of cancelled elections.
Hamas has declared any extension illegitimate. In fact, yesterday Hamas celebrated the 22-year anniversary of its founding. During the festivities, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya declared “We will never give up on Palestine from the river to the sea.”
Posted in Diplomacy, Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Political Parties, United Nations | Comment »
Lebanon: Sleiman Meets with Obama
December 15th, 2009 by Jason
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman met with President Obama yesterday. Obama affirmed “we want to do everything we can to encourage a strong, independent and democratic Lebanon” while also expressing concerns over weapon smuggling. In addition, the two presidents discussed U.N. Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Both Israel and Lebanon blame the other side for failing to implement the resolution’s measures. Sleiman also met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Biden.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hariri visited Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, discussing the need for enhanced bilateral ties. At the same time, The Daily Star reports that Lebanese politicians “flocked” to Syria to offer their condolences following the death of President Assad’s brother, Majd.
Finally, The Daily Star also summarizes the findings on Lebanon by a recent report by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies report’s (see our post here). The report focuses on this year’s political stalemate, Lebanon’s freedom of assembly, and Lebanon’s ratification of the Optional Protocol of the U.N. Convention Against Torture.
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Hezbollah, Human Rights, Israel, Lebanon, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Saudi Arabia, Syria, US foreign policy, United Nations | 1 Comment »
Secretary Clinton: Major Human Rights Speech at Georgetown
December 14th, 2009 by Jason
Secretary Clinton delivered an important address (PDF transcript) on the Obama administration’s approach to human rights today at Georgetown University.
Reinforcing the message of President Obama’s Nobel speech, Clinton affirmed “the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not only the source of our strength and endurance, they are the birthright of every woman, man, and child on earth.” As such, Clinton defined America’s mission as “expanding the circle of rights and opportunities to all people - advancing their freedoms and possibilities.”
Furthermore, a just society must not only respect civil and political freedoms, but also protect its citizens from the “oppression of want - want of food, want of health, want of education, and want of equality in law and fact.” In fact, “democracies that deliver on rights, opportunities, and development for their people are stable, strong, and most likely to enable people to live up to their potential.” As such, Clinton asserted “supporting democracy and fostering development are cornerstones of our 21st century human rights agenda.”
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Posted in Afghanistan, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, EU, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Human Rights, Iran, Iraq, Journalism, Judiciary, Multilateralism, NGOs, Technology, US foreign policy, Uncategorized, United Nations, Women | 3 Comments »
Report: Human Rights on the Decline Part II
December 12th, 2009 by Jason
As we reported earlier, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) has released a comprehensive and thorough report, called “Bastion of Impunity, Mirage of Reform,” on the state of human rights throughout the Arab world. The full report in Arabic spans 254 pages and chronicles in detail the backsliding on human rights in the region while also identifying a few points of optimism. In addition to the full report, CIHRS has released a translation of the report’s introduction written by their general director, Bahey eldin Hassan, as well as a 21-page summary of the report in English.
According to Hassan’s introduction, while there have been important strides to “ease repressive measures” in the Middle East under the Forum of the Future regional initiative, in no country were there “real constitutional, legislative, or institutional gains that could upset the balance of power between authoritarian regimes and the forces of reform.” Hassan blames this failure on the narrow focus on electoral reform at the expense of human rights, the contradictory actions of the G-8 countries, attempts by the Arab League to co-opt reform with their own homegrown initiatives, and the European and American fear of Islamist electoral victories. Finally, Hassan contends “the last spark in the initiatives was quashed once and for all with the arrival of a new US administration” apparently unwilling to support democracy rhetorically.
Now, Hassan warns that the minor gains made over the past five years are under a “counterattack by Arab governments. Among other examples of backtracking, the Arab league disabled the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which only had 10 of 22 signatory countries to begin with. As with the CIHRS report last year, Hassan concludes that “lack of political will on the part of most regimes in the Arab region was the key to understanding and explaining chronic human rights problems in the region.”
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Posted in Algeria, Arab League, Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, EU, Egypt, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Gulf, Hamas, Hezbollah, Human Rights, Iraq, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Israel, Jordan, Journalism, Judiciary, Kurds, Lebanon, Legislation, Military, Morocco, Multilateralism, Muslim Brotherhood, NGOs, Palestine, Political Islam, Political Parties, Protests, Public Opinion, Publications, Reform, Saudi Arabia, Sectarianism, Syria, Tunisia, US foreign policy, United Nations, Western Sahara, Women, Yemen | 1 Comment »
Iran: Regime at a Tipping Point?
December 10th, 2009 by Jason
Tehran Bureau reports that some pro-opposition students staged protests for a third day in a row, despite government warnings. Meanwhile, President Ahmadinejad has begun to receive some flack for his accusation that the America is preventing the return of the Hidden Imam, as religious scholars questioned Ahmadinejad’s authority to make such religious proclamations. Tehran Bureau also points to an interview with Shirin Ebadi by ABC, in which she promises “this regime will not last.”
The regime-affiliated Fars News Agency has published photos of leading student activist Majid Tavakoli disguised as a woman. Opposition members and human rights activists have responded harshly, claiming that Tavakoli was “severely beat[en]” during his arrest and forced to wear women’s clothing after being taken into custody. Such treatment has led to a new Amnesty International report that concludes respect for human rights in Iran has fallen to a 20-year low. The report urges Ayatollah Khamenei to allow U.N. human rights experts to conduct an investigation on human rights abuses in the country.
The Daily Star editorial staff observe “repression seems to be the government’s only response to opposition […] the regime has betrayed the Islamic Republic’s most sacred founding principles and sought to impose a SAVAK-style police state.” The real danger for the regime, they argue, is how such repression will “compound the pre-existing strains on the government, particularly unemployment, inflation, and other economic woes” that could result in a “highly combustible mix of public discontent.” Meanwhile, per Geneive Abdo in Foreign Policy, ”the circle around Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is hardening and shrinking - and more and more, his former allies are turning against him.”
Such public discontent has led to a rhetorical shift amongst the opposition from rejecting the June elections to opposing the Islamic regime itself, according to Amir Taheri in The Wall Street Journal. As such, Taheri contends the Iran has now reached a historical tipping point. In agreement, Andy McCarthy at NRO argues that ”The regime in Tehran, our enemy, is teetering on the brink of collapse.” As such, he calls for a “little push” through American rhetorical support and refined gasoline sanctions.
In fact, Laura Rozen reports that there has been a push in Congress, initiated by Sen. Jon Kyle (R-Ariz.), to pass the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act by unanimous consent. The effort, for now, seems to have been halted with pressure from State Department and possibly a former or informal objection from at least one Senate office. Meanwhile, Robert Dreyfuss argues not only against imposing gasoline sanctions on Iran, but also against actively supporting the green movement. Such well-intentioned but misplaced support would allow Tehran “to refocus on the Great Satan’s interference in Iranian affairs” and make nuclear negotiations impossible.
Babak Siavoshy identifies one way the U.S. can help the Iranian opposition. According to Siavoshy, the U.S. should help Iranians gain “unfiltered Internet access, and take measures to curb censorship by the Iranian government.” Towards this end, the U.S. should invest in anti-filtering technologies, restrict sale of censorship technology to the Iranian government, make news more accessible, and protect the rights of bloggers.
Laura Rozen also reports that Iranian authorities have presented a list of Iranians they believe to be held by the U.S., asking for their release in exchange for the release of the three American hikers. The Iranian list is composed largely of Iranians who have been detained for illegal activities, such as purchasing military equipment for Iran, as well as purported nuclear defectors. According to one U.S. official, “we cannot afford to accept the Iranian frame that there is an equivalence between indicted arms dealers and innocent hikers who happen to wander across a hostile border.”
Finally, Sanaz Meshkinpour interviews Iranian director Mehran Tamadon, who has just completed a documentary about the Basij militia.
Posted in Congress, Diplomacy, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Journalism, Oil, Protests, Publications, US foreign policy, US politics, United Nations, sanctions | Comment »
Palestine: Committed to Two States
December 3rd, 2009 by Zack
In a letter for International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon writes that the U.N. is committed to working towards a two-state solution. Ban voiced his concern over the stalled negotiations, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the importance of resolving the Jerusalem issue through negotiations. He called for a Palestinian unification and pledged U.N. pressure for previous Security Council resolutions.
The NY Times reports that Israeli has made its first arrests against settlers as part of a settlement freeze issued by PM Benjamin Netanyahu, the freeze is designed to prohibit new housing construction for 10 months in an attempt to resume peace negotiations. Lastly, President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to visit top Lebanese officials on Monday to discuss the right of return, rejection of naturalization and the civil and social rights of Palestinian refugees.
Posted in Diplomacy, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, United Nations | Comment »
Iran: Internal IRGC Coup?
November 30th, 2009 by Jason
In response to an IAEA resolution criticizing Iran’s failure to cooperate with its nuclear program (see here for full text), Iran has declared it will no longer voluntarily cooperate with the IAEA and announced its intention to build 10 new nuclear enrichment sites. In addition, one conservative legislator threatened that Iran will pull out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty altogether, a threat that most analysts consider empty. In related news, Yukiya Amano of Japan has now replaced Mohamed ElBaradei as IAEA chief.
Gary Sick provides some skepticism of the plan to build so many nuclear sites, calling it a “classic Ahmadinejad bluster response to the recent IAEA resolution.” Specifically, he cites the immense practical difficulties the plan would present as well as the oddity that the decision came from the presidential cabinet and not the Supreme National Security Council as would be typical. Sick’s skepticism was also echoed by U.S. officials, according to Laura Rozen.
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Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Elections, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Israel, Judiciary, Legislation, Military, Oil, Reform, US foreign policy, United Nations, sanctions | Comment »
Lebanon: Withdrawal from Ghajar?
November 24th, 2009 by Jason
UNIFIL admitted that it has yet to be officially notified by Israel about any plan to withdraw from the northern half of the contested village of Ghajar. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will hold a cabinet vote tomorrow to decide the matter.
Writing on the MESH blog, David Schenker explores the implications of Lebanon’s new position on the U.N. Security Council. Schenker explains that Washington is rightly worried that Hezbollah, along with its allies Syria and Iran, could use the seat to their advantage and strain the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Lebanon. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch and the Lebanese Center for Human Rights urged an investigation into the detention and disappearance of Syrian opposition figure Nawar Abboud. Last December, plainclothes members of the Lebanese Military Intelligence took Abboud into custody from his office in Tripoli. He has not been seen since.
Finally, The Daily Star reports that the fifth Beirut Media Forum convened on Friday “to discuss the interaction between media, web use and social, political and religious mobilization in the Middle East.” According to political scientist Donatella Della Ratta, “the social Arab web is empowering citizen journalism and civic participation by giving voice to ‘ordinary people.’”
Posted in Hezbollah, Human Rights, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, NGOs, Political Parties, Syria, Technology, US foreign policy, United Nations | Comment »
Afghanistan: U.S. Softer on Karzai
November 23rd, 2009 by Jason
According to The Washington Post, U.S. officials are ”abandoning for now their get-tough tactics with [President Hamid] Karzai and attempting to forge a far warmer relationship. They recognize that their initial strategy may have done more harm than good, fueling stress and anger in a beleaguered, conspiracy-minded leader whom the U.S. government needs as a partner.” Now, the U.S. is trying to balance pushing Karzai to undertake necessary reforms while not cornering him into forging alliances with warlords and drug kingpins.
In response, Rich Lowry at National Review Online argues that the administration “went way too far in pressuring, haranguing, and basically alienating” Karzai. He asserts there must be a balance between “holding his hand and pushing him.” Jennifer Rubin at Commentary agrees, contending “we actually need to bolster the native government if we hope to defeat our mutual enemy.” As does Michael Crowley, who postulates that that Ambassador Holbrooke’s ”hard-driving style simply wasn’t suited for our Karzai problem.”
For this reason and others, William Kristol and Frederick Kagan argue that the political team in Afghanistan has been “weak […] ineffective and even counterproductive.” At the same time, Maureen Callahan at The New York Post profiles one former member of that political team, Matthew Hoh, who resigned two months ago because he believes the mission, not American civilians, is counterproductive.
Andrew Sullivan suggests this shift in tone with Karzai ”sets up the U.S. as not just a counter-terrorism, counterinsurgency force, but a long-term partner in building Afghan government and civil society. It suggests out [sic] mission in Afghanistan will be as much or more focued on Afghan governance and political stability as on finding and killing the Taliban.” But Stephen Kinzer in The Guardian warns against imposing Western values upon Afghanistan. He contends, “blinded to cultural differences and wedded to the one-size-fits-all, ‘world is flat’ concept, the West has pushed competitive elections onto Afghanistan […] Elections, however, have helped rob Afghans of democracy.” In agreement with Kinzer, George Gavrilis in Foreign Affairs cites the example of Tajikistan to argue that “rather than forcing free and fair elections, throwing out warlords, and flooding the country with foreign peacekeepers, the intervening parties [should opt] for a more limited and realistic set of goals.” Both Kinzer and Gavrilis prescribe a return to Afghanistan’s traditional decentralization of government.
Meanwhile, both The New York Times and The Guardian report that Afghan militias under the Community Defense Initiative have begun battling the Taliban across Afghanistan. This development coincides with the observation by David Ignatius that “the U.S. approach in Afghanistan now is a mix of national and local, government and tribe, top-down and bottom-up.” He argues this mixed approach requires a commitment by the White House that “the fight in Afghanistan is worth the human, economic and political price.” Abe Greenwald at Commentary concurs, arguing the prospects of an “Afghan Awakening” is stymied by the uncertainty over whether the U.S. intends to stay the course.
However, others are not only against a troop increase, but for a troop withdrawal all together. The Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Afghanistan Taskforce has sent a letter to President Obama urging a new course that would: institute a timeline for troop withdrawal, prohibit funding for more troop surges, demand 80% of all U.S. resources be devoted to economic and political development, and more generally prioritize diplomacy and development over the use of force. William Polk goes even further at Informed Comment, arguing for a complete troop withdrawal and the necessity of a loya jirga, or grand assembly of tribes, that will help the Afghans “find their way back to their traditional way of governing themselves.”
Juan Cole asks “where is NATO going to get 400,000 well trained police and troops in a country with a 28% literacy rate? At the moment, 10% of the Afghan National Army is said to be literate.” Furthermore, Cole cites a USA Today article that reports the majority of Bagram’s detainees are mercenaries and not ideologically-driven, putting into question the notion that the Taliban and Al Qaeda are inexorably aligned. Finally, Sam Zarifi of Amnesty International contends ”when the Kabul government seeks accommodations with the very same human rights abusers - the warlords, the drug dealers, the corrupt local officials, and now, increasingly, even the Taliban - who’ve preyed on entire provinces for years, ordinary Afghans are entitled to feel betrayed and view both their government and international forces with a sceptical eye.”
Posted in Afghanistan, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Human Rights, Iraq, Military, Multilateralism, NGOs, Reform, Taliban, Terrorism, US foreign policy, United Nations, al-Qaeda | 1 Comment »
Senate and U.N. Condemn Iran
November 23rd, 2009 by Jason
Iran launched a series of war games this weekend as the international community expressed their frustration over troubled nuclear negotiations.
The Senate passed a resolution (S.R. 355) by unanimous consent condemning Iran for its multiple human rights violations. The bill was cosponsored by Carl Levin, John McCain, Bob Casey, Lindsey Graham, Bill Nelson, Bob Corker and Joe Lieberman. In response, the head of the National Iranian American Council, Trita Parsi, welcomed the resolution, explaining that “a U.S. approach to Iran that is singularly focused on the nuclear issue and neglects the human rights abuses in Iran will have limited success.” The United Nations also passed a resolution condemning Iran for its human rights abuses. While similar resolutions have passed for 15 consecutive years, this resolution focused the crackdown since the election this summer.
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Posted in Democracy Promotion, Elections, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Journalism, Judiciary, Kurds, Legislation, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Multilateralism, NGOs, Oil, Terrorism, US foreign policy, US politics, United Nations, sanctions | Comment »
Last Supreme Leader?
November 19th, 2009 by Jason
President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. and its partners have begun to discuss ”consequences” after Iran apparently rejected a nuclear deal. Nonetheless, U.S. officials insist that negotiations have not run their course yet. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office has released a cost estimate (PDF) on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (H.R. 2194), estimating $2 million in implementation costs.
Geneive Abdo contends that while the events of this summer have strengthened hardliners in the short-term, the opposition has succeeded in ensuring Ayatollah Khamenei will “be the last all-powerful Supreme Leader of the Islamic republic, even if the theocratic system manages to survive this tumult.” According to Abdo, clerics in Qum, led by Ayatollah Montazeri, are currently debating how to remove Khamenei’s post of velayat-e faqih which sits uneasily within the traditional Shi’ite ambivalence to political power.
Meanwhile, Tehran Bureau relays a report from an “informed source” that Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani is purportedly seeking to replace President Ahmadinejad. The Bureau also cites an Afghan newspaper article that accuses Ahmadinejad of acting like “one of the world’s many Sultans who empty the treasury, not to render the frontier region habitable, but to bring it under his own control.”
Mark Bowden reminds us that the 1970 Iranian revolution was originally nationalist and set up a secular provisional government, but the hostage crisis provided an opportunity for Ayatollah Khomeini to Islamicize the revolution and the government. Now, Bowden argues the mullahs are placed in a difficult position: the methods they must use to maintain their power are the very methods of the Shah that compelled the people to march in the streets and propel the mullahs into power.
Such methods have led judicial authorities to investigate the “suspicious” death of Ramin Pourandarjani, a doctor who voiced his concern over allegations of prisoner abuse. Nonetheless, Europe and the U.S. have remained largely silent over human rights abuses in Iran, as explored by Edith Novy.
Finally, Babylon and Beyond has also picked up on the story of Iranian opposition activists lobbying Time Magazine to name Neda Agha-Soltan as Person of the Year.
Posted in EU, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, US foreign policy, United Nations, sanctions | 1 Comment »
Unilateral State Declaration DOA
November 17th, 2009 by Jason
Haaretz reports that the E.U. has rejected the Palestinian plan for a unilateral declaration of statehood. The U.S. has also expressed reticence, as the State Department released a statement affirming that “the best means to achieve the common goal of a contiguous and viable Palestine is through negotiations.” During a visit to Israel with Senator Lieberman (I-Conn.), Senator Kaufman (D-Del.) called the plan “dead on arrival.”
Also writing in Haaretz, Shaul Arieli argues that if Abbas does decide to not seek reelection, then the “breakup of the [Palestinian Authority] is not an unreasonable scenario.” It would end the Dayton plan to build an independent Palestinian military as well as stymie the Fayyad plan of building the institutions of a de facto state. But most importantly, it would be “tantamount to a public admission by the Palestinian Liberation Organization of the failure of the diplomatic route,” and therefore would represent a victory for Hamas.
Tim McGirk in Time also contends that such a decision could have “dire consequences for the security situation in the West Bank.” According to McGirk, “absent the prospect of imminent statehood, the men trained by Dayton may lack an incentive to police the West Bank.” However, the article also cites a senior Israeli military official who said Israel is ready to fill the vacuum in the event of a collapse of the Palestinian security forces.
Posted in Elections, Hamas, Israel, Military, Palestine, Political Parties, US foreign policy, United Nations | Comment »
Egyptian Blogger Beaten
November 16th, 2009 by Jason
During the mayhem of a major soccer match, Egyptian blogger Kareem el-Shae’r was kidnapped and beaten. El-Shae’r moderates the Free Egypt blog and is a member of Ayman Nour’s el-Ghad party and the April 6 Youth movement. For his activism, el-Shae’r has been arrested several times and beaten before. The Egyptian interior ministry refused to comment on the incident.
Meanwhile, at the Internet Governance Forum in Sharm el Sheikh, the Egyptian government announced the world’s first Arabic web domain that will facilitate Internet access for the world’s Arabic speakers. While speaking at the conference, U.N. undersecretary general for economic and social affairs, Sha Zukang, contended “good and democratic Internet governance is a means of achieving development for all.” According to Yahoo’s Jerry Lang, only 1 percent of online content is in Arabic despite having over 300 million Arabic speakers in the world. However, some groups are concerned about Egypt’s poor track record in upholding freedom of expression, both on and off the Internet.
Posted in Egypt, Freedom, Human Rights, Political Parties, Technology, United Nations | 1 Comment »
