RSS

A careful selection and summary of editorials, commentaries, and analyses from the world’s leading newspapers and magazines to help you stay on top of the latest debates and developments in the transatlantic agenda. See list of monitoring sources.
Readers can also see how the perspectives and priorities diverge in different regions.

Taliban to Be Part of the Post-war Government

The international coalition involved in Afghanistan is seriously considering negotiating a peace process with the Taliban in the next international conference in London. ++ The deal is the following one: “renounce violence in order to be part of the democratic process.” ++ This option comes shortly after the recent increase in foreign troops meant to put pressure on Taliban leaders and force them into accepting a truce. ++ Karzai had already reviewed that strategy but had not been backed up by his international allies.

Southern and Northern Sudan Likely to Divorce in 2011

Southern Sudan is projected to vote for secession from the North in 2011 elections to be held under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). ++ This “failed marriage” of the North and South is unlikely to have an amicable divorce. ++ The US and the UK need to “stop pretending that the marriage can be saved, accept the reality, and help broker an agreement that prepares for the breakup by insuring that both parties' needs are met.” ++ Advocacy groups are urging the Obama Administration to monitor the upcoming election more closely.

Tobin-Tax Revival

Haiti reminds us of our common responsibility to help poor countries in both short and long terms. ++ The climate crisis and the Millennium Development Goals push us to fulfill our duties. ++ The UK will do more by giving out 0.7% of its GDP in aid. Still new ways to finance the fight against poverty have to be found, such as taxing financial transactions. ++ The IMF and the G20 are efficient platforms to get poor countries to recover on a sustainable basis. ++ The upcoming UN conference on poverty will determine the next ten years' poverty policy.

The EU Playing Russian Roulette

At wintertime, the relentless Russian blackmail over energy, especially gas, starts all over again. ++ The European Union should ensure warmer relations with Russia in more fields other than gas to ease up tension. ++ European efforts are being made on diversification both in gas routes with the Nabucco pipeline and in renewable resources such as solar energy. ++ But they will not hide the main remaining problem of the European energy policy: a strong and coherent European voice is yet nowhere to be heard.

China's Economy Grows at the Expense of the World

China’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $2.4 trillion in 2009, two-thirds of which are held in US dollars. ++ The dollar will likely not be dumped by China due to the probability of another economic collapse, which would then decrease Chinese exports. ++ The superpower is using its surplus to further its local and global political agenda by investing in raw materials and imported technologies, and spending on foreign aid and international loans. ++ China’s reserves highlight the dangers of uneven economic growth, undermining open trade policies.

Afghan Elections Postponed: Great News

Afghanistan’s electoral commission has postponed elections. ++ If “regrettable,” it is yet a positive sign that realism has finally won over idealism. ++ Afghan leaders acknowledge security issues and shortage of money hindering proper elections, thus proving their ability to endorse political responsibility. ++ Trust and strength are precisely what the Western backers were hoping for the Karzai government. ++ This is good news for the soon to come London conference in order to convince remaining sceptics that the Afghan involvement is worthwhile.

World Hunger on the Rise, Says the UN

World hunger and poverty have risen over the past decade as the wealth gap has widened due largely to the World Food Crisis of 2008 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2009. ++ Developing countries have tried to liberalize and globalize their markets, which have worsened the situation by giving rich nations the upper hand and has left developing markets vulnerable to volatile financial systems. ++ “Governments need to play a developmental role, with implementation of integrated policies designed to support inclusive output and employment growth.”

Ecological Freakonomics

More and more countries in the world push towards the rationalization of environmentally friendly policies by putting a price on Mother Nature. ++ “Misallocation of resources” is central to preserving biodiversity and ecosystems in order to capture the true value of what we cannot afford to lose. ++ An economic approach favors the least harmful long term policies. ++ Ecologists should quit useless esthetic and emotional discourse on nature and rather listen more carefully to economists’ expertise.

Al Qaeda Finds a New Home in Yemen

Al Qaeda is gaining momentum in the Arabian Peninsula since launching an offshoot in Saudi Arabia and Yemen in early 2009. ++ The group has claimed responsibility for the September 2008 bombing of a US Embassy and the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight. ++ AQAP is not affiliated with groups attempting to topple the Yemeni central government. ++ “Recent counter-terrorism in Saudi Arabia has forced extremists to seek refuge elsewhere, and analysts have observed a steady flow to Yemen.”

Recasting the Bundeswehr

General Stanley McChrystal is set to announce a new strategy for Afghanistan at the Munich Security Conference in February; and in the process, he will shake up the Bundeswehr’s operations within ISAF. ++ The Commander of all international troops is asking for a fundamental change in German engagement. ++ Their overly cautious approach has created a situation in which troops are too distant from Afghans. ++ “The desire to protect the civilian population cannot function from the safety of a fortress-like military base.”