Egypt & New Media

While much can be said about the recent events in Egypt, one pivotal aspect has been the role of technology and new media. One of the defining moments of these protests (though that hardly seems like a descriptive enough word for what has been occurring) is when Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak cut off his country's Internet and wireless services. This early move by President Mubarak shows just how much of a threat social networking poses to leaders trying to suppress their people. As was shown in the recent events in Tunisia and the events in Iran of over a year ago, social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have become the great mobilizer of the people, especially the youth. While activists in Egypt are eager to use tools like Facebook to advance their message and action, their is also a sense of caution that should be exercised. As easy as these tools can be used to mobilize people, they can just as easily be used by governments to gain information about their citizens.

Mary Naset

Egypt Slows Protests, Potentially Dangerous for US

Egypt's protests against Hosni Mubarak's thirty year regime have major implications for the Middle East and the United States. Today the Egyptian military stepped in to restore order to the streets, with warm greetings from the people protesting. Egypt has played a major bulwark against Arab aggression against Israel because of Egypt's treaty with Israel in 1979. A major recipient of U.S. aid, the $1.5 billion Egypt receives yearly has helped prop up the Mubarak regime, and Egypt protects a major pipeline that funnels oil to the West. The Egyptian protests have been fueled by the population's displeasure over poverty, joblessness, repression, and lack of democracy. Protesters have included militant groups that the government would prefer not to have influence on Egypt, including a group with ties to Osama bin Laden and Hamas. Mubarak has responded to the protests by shuffling his cabinet, though it hasn't improved his appearance to the population. The military has become the police force in Egypt and appears to be the deciding factor as to how the conflict will play out, because it has yet to decide if it is with the regime or the people. This crucial decision may decide the future of Egypt.

by Margaret Nunne

Equatorial Guinea new AU chair, rights group slams move

The Equatorian dictator, Teodoro Obiang will be the new leader of the African Union, an elite club of African dictators known more for lavish meetings than tangible action. Obiang takes over amid protests from human rights groups.

Reedy Brody of Human Rights Watch said, ""President Obiang's record is anti-ethical to the African Union's mission and values,". Further adding that,"Equatorial Guinea's vast oil revenues fund lavish lifestyles for the small elite surrounding President Obiang, while the majority of the population lives in dire poverty,"

Equatorial Guinea is a key U.S. ally mainly due to its lucrative oil reserves.

Etienne

Egypt:The Tunisian domino effect?

Thousands of protesters paralyzed the streets of Cairo demanding the immediate resignation of Egypt's President, Hosni Mubarak. The protesters armed with stones are said to have clashed with anti-riot police who in turn used water canons and tear gas to repress them.

Meanwhile, Egypt officials have reacted by temporarily shutting down twitter, a social network popular among young activists. The Egyptian dictator, has been in power for nearly 30 years. He is said to enjoy close "strategic" ties with Washington.

Etienne

Moscow's Terrorist Attack

While much information regarding todays suicide bombings in Moscow's busiest airport, Domeodovo, BBC News initial reports state that this is in fact, a terrorist attack. President Medvedev cancelled his trip to Switzerland's economic forum and has called for an increase in domestic security, specifically in subway systems, and other airports which have been targets for terrorist attacks in the past. This attack left dozens dead and over 160 injured.

Little is known about the bomber itself but a Russian news network states that his head has been found (weird?). There have been witness reports stating that the bomber walked up to the international arrival gates with a suitcase bomb.

The "Russian way" of dealing with the terrorist attacks was to resume business as usually as possible. According to this article, only one of the airport entrances was closed and most domestic flights were still taking place as scheduled. Domeodovo Airport is one of Russia's most up to date airports, but its security has been lax even in recent years. In 2004, two suicide bombers were able to purchase airplane tickets illegally through airport personnel, and boarded the plane successfully. There were two different flights that day which were bombed resulting in 90 deaths.

Brianna Howell

Outspoken journalist murdered.

An influential journalist, Gerardo Ortega, is the latest victim in murders directed towards journalists in the Philippines. As reported by AFP, although the suspect has been caught by police, his motives are yet to be established. In the past, journalists have been murdered by powerful individuals who want to silence them. 146 of them have have been killed since 1986.

Etienne

Zimbabwe Art Exhibit Banned

An art exhibit displayed at the National Gallery in Zimbabwe has been banned, and the artist charged with a crime, because it has insulted President Robert Mugabe. The art display revealed graphic depictions of the atrocities committed by Mr. Mugabe's presidency in its early days. The government's efforts to lay the past to rest has only provoked memories of the Gukurahundi, the name for the slaughter of civilians twenty five years ago. With another election season coming upon Zimbabwe, a poll shows seventy percent of individuals are terrified of political violence against them. A large number, however, are also willing to take the risk of voting against Mr. Mugabe because of a deep desire for democracy. The government has rubbed old sentiments raw, by proposing to base the North Korean soccer team there before the World Cup in South Africa in June. It was the North Koreans that equipped and trained the Fifth Brigade that killed an estimated 10,000 civilians in four years. The art exhibit was meant to explore the old wounds that have since healed over, but the artist has been detained, arrested and held in leg irons before being released on bail, and is awaiting his trial for insulting the president, and communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the government. Found guilty and he is liable for up to 20 years in prison.

by Margaret Nunne

Somalia Hesitant on Mercenary Group

A representative of the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia stated that the country may be cutting ties with a mercenary group. The group, Saracen International, is a private security company said to be composed of South African mercenaries and the Blackwater Worldwide founder. The group first tried to sell their services to the TFG by offerring to train Somali troops to defend themselves from pirates and Islamic insurgents. While this agreement seemed to be working for the parties, a recently-released African Union report exposed Erik Prince, Blackwater's founder, as a financial and managerial backer in Saracen International. This revelation has caused many of the TFG's foreign supporters, such as the United States, to develop anxiety over the relationship. In response to this, the Somali Minister of Information has said, "At this point, our collective thinking is that this is not a good thing. We don't want to have anything to do with Blackwater. We need help, but we don't want mercenaries."

Mary Naset

TV station shut down causes protests in Tunisia

Tunisia's interim government shut down the broadcast of Hannibal TV, a private television company that has been running for five years. The reason they gave was that the television company had committed "grand treason" trying to "destabilize the country." Many Tunisians do not agree with their interim government, however, and took to the streets to protest for hours on Sunday. They say the shut down of a private television company is a direct threat to freedom of the press. It is also believed that the issues the government had with the company could have been worked out without shutting down the station so abruptly.

-Abbey Smith

Hu's Successor

In light of Hu Jintao's recent visit to the United States, the New York Times published an article on Xi Linping, China's current Vice President, who is apparently being groomed to take President Hu's position. According to this article, Li has gained popularity throughout China mainly for his success in breeding economic growth within the country. In addition to this, he is also well-connected amongst big businesses and comes from a politically active family. Li currently holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission within the country which essentially proves that he will become the party leader in 2012, and become President in 2013. It will be interesting to see how Li pursues policies with the west due to the fact that Li is popular with a greater segment of the Chinese population. It seems he is able to cross the ideological divide more frequently than his predecessor. The Times speculates that this will give him the ability to experiment with more economic policies than Hu Jintao, which is interesting considering the current economic tensions between China and the West. The article also mentions how compared to Hu, Li is somewhat of a loose cannon and has told critics of Chinese policy to "stop pointing fingers at us" and has frequently made jabs at the West. It'll be interesting to gain more insight into China's future leader, and see how relationships between China and the US change within the years leading up to the succession.

Brianna Howell

US State Senator Visits Malabo

Yesterday, Rodney Ellis, a Texas state Senator, paid his first official visit to Equatorial Guinea. According to the government owned Equatorial Press, the purpose of the visit is to improve relations between Equatorial Guinea and Texas. In particular, the senator is concerned about the oil exploration that links the two states.

Etienne

Private Military Contractors

With the recent discussion of private companies that make money on war, here is a company that supplies our Pentagon, Navy and commanders on the ground with equipment. Their most recent project, a super drone: which can track 64 combantants at once on a battlefield at one time.

With the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq dying down, private military contractors must finds new fields to invest their military projects in so they do not lose business. The recent propossed 100 billion dollars in cut backs in military spending, affects companies such as BAE sytems, which is a defense giant supplying trucks, artillery to top secret surveillance technology to our military, has to make cut backs, thus causing signifigant job loss. Similair to what we learned in last years class in regards to Dick Clarks warnings about cyber security, this company has focused its projects on such areas, due to fears about China and Russia.

Politics plays a strong role in defense spending as well, for Obama will more likely begin cuting defense projects on weapons systems much easier that he can cut health care progrms for employees.

Greg Voegtle

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0117/features-bae-systems-linda-hudson-pentagon-under-gun.html

Ghana's oil discovery: blessing or curse?

(This article is from December 15, 2010)

As Ghana joins the Oil rich club in Africa, Ghana also realizes that it cannot rely on this resource. Ghanaians are aware that oil will not magically create more jobs or make the ordinary people richer and they are prepared to quickly implement legislation that governs the administration and this new industry. Lucky for Ghana, they also have gold and cocoa to rely on unlike most other African countries, such as Angola where oil represents 92% of its GDP. Ghanains are still figuring out if this discovery is a blessing or a curse but they are attemping to avoid the mistakes of some otehr African countries that have fallen into the oil revenue curse where only the elites benefit while the ordinary citizens suffer.

By: Ivana Miljic

Africa's economic growth picking up, says expert

The head, Razia Khan, of African research for Standard Chartered Bank is very optimistic about 2011 and Africa's growth. She predicts that Africa's growrth will continue to recover and grow to the level that it was at before the economic crisis took its toll on the continent. She says that a large part of Africa's success in its recovery has to do with China's effect on commodity prices and the strenght of China and its support. Although she did not mention which commodities specifically are supported by China, it could be safely assumed that some are most likely in the oil industry.

By: Ivana Miljic

Israel Sells Equatorial Guinea Navy Equipment

Israel’s defense is about to deliver two offshore patrol vessels (OPV) to Equatorial Guinea's navy. The two boats are reportedly said to have cost US $10 million. This is a small amount for the small oil rich but dictatorial regime.

Etienne

Tunisia's Parliamentary Speaker Becomes President

Tunisia's Parliamentary Speaker, Fouad Mebazzaa, was sworn in as Tunisia's interim president yesterday. Mebazza will become president Following President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's flight from the country after increasingly violent protests left at least 13 dead. The protests, exceedingly rare under Tunisia's authoritarian government, began last month after a shopkeeper committed suicide in protest against being prevented from selling fruit and vegetables by the police. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi previously announced that he would take the position after Ali signed a decree providing him with presidential powers, but was rebuked by Tunisia's Constitutional Council and prevented from doing so. Although there is generally widespread celebration in Tunisia after 23 years of Ali's corrupt rule, looting and sporadic gunfire have occurred overnight as Mebazza takes power, leading to a strict curfew and military patrols in the streets to maintain order. The international community has overwhelmingly reacted positively, with both the U.S. and EU praising the development and calling for democratic elections in the near future.

Chris Bilbro

A successful vote cannot eliminate history

The vote for South Sudan's independence went smoothly and successfully. Now finished, the results are to be tallied in 2 weeks' time. However, despite the orderly process of peaceful voting that has occurred, the country is still contentious.

Much of the tension between the two sections of the country can be seen in Abyei, an area in the middle of the north and south, where Christianity meets Islam and cattle herders meet nomads. Like much of the strife in the area, battles are fought daily over land and water rights, but added to the mix is the presence of oil, which can make any sticky situation that much stickier. This area is so contested that they were to be given their own vote on whether they would join the South or stay with the North. However, it has been postponed indefinitely because neither side can determine who can vote there.

If the vote goes for independence, South Sudan will be named the newest country of the world in July. However, independence is never as simple as that. For South Sudan, borders will need to be drawn, and Abyei is in that mix. Both sides know this and seem to be vying for position now.

-Abbey Smith

Officials Held in Tunisia

The military, acting under orders from the interim government, has held two officials that are connected with the former dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. The relationship between the former and interim government has been called into question because of these recent arrests, as the country walks a shaky line between peace and justice. One official, formerly in charge of Mr. Ben Ali's security, in attempting to flee across the border, was arrested by citizens. That official was then turned over to the state and then to the military as he was charged with conspiracy against the government. The other official, formerly the interior minister, was arrested without any charges announced. Both were accused of insighting violence in the country after Mr. Ben Ali left the country. The arrests point to an increased position of the military in suppressing counter speech against the government, a possible start for simply another dictatorship, this one by the military. However, Mr. Ben Ali was forced out by a popular uprising last week, but looting has been rampant in the country. Fouad Mebazza, the interim president, has pledged to form a unity government to return the country to stability.

by Margaret Nunne

Corruption In Africa :(

The corruption in Africa may affect us in the States more than one would expcect. What was the cause for oils to reach $140 a barrel in the summer of 2008? Unemployed youth in Nigeria kidnapping oil workers and demanding a ransom, in response to years of not receiving a percentage the benefits of the money that rolls in from oils production. 44% of Nigerians 20-24 are unemployed, and life expectancy and education in the basket of oil production, the Delta, are lower than the national average.

This article also discussed some stats regarding money inflow to Africa and how much has been lost:
From 1970 and 2008- $854 billion dollars has been lost due to illicit financial outflows. This number will only increase because on average now, $148 billion are stolen every year. In addition Forbes most corrupt countries list, 9 of the first 16 are from Africa.
This article will be important to consider for E.Q. as well, as it shows what likely patterns for our country with Obiang as a leader as well.



http://www.modernghana.com/news/311705/1/corruption-in-africa-where-does-the-buck-stop.html

Is George Clooney helping Sudan

The journal Foreign Policy examines whether the active and determined efforts of actor George Clooney to bring attention to events in in Sudan are helping the cause. One perspective is that without the celebrity clout of Clooney few Americans would know or care about Sudan. Yet as the author points out, sometimes international attention only complicates the process.

Article

William Muck

Mass Rapes Continue in the DRC

Doctors Without Borders has reported that up to 33 women were raped on New Years Day in one region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The coordinated attacks took place in Fizi, South Kivu in the easter section of the country. According to an official with Doctors Without Borders, Annemarie Loof, "Women had been restrained with ropes or beaten unconscious with the butt of a gun before being attacked, some in front of their children. Up to four armed men were involved at a time and homes and shops were looted." Mass rapes are not a new tragedy in the DRC. A UN report concluded that at least 240 people were raped between July 30th and August 4th in the Walikale region of the DRC's North Kivu in 2010. Survivors of these attacks have accused the Congolese Mai-Mai militia and the FDLR of carrying out these horrific attacks. After a condemnation by the UN of DRC security forces last summer, it is obvious that not enough is being done to improve this tragic situation.

Mary Naset

South Sudan begins to vote

Today started the week-long process of voting for South Sudanese on whether or not to secede from the country. Many have already voted, lining up long before the polls opened and because of the long lines, the polls even extended their hours so that they could finish for the day. For now, it looks like the newest country to the international stage will soon emerge. However, the Omar al-Bashir, president of Sudan, has warned that if the South secedes, there will be great instability. Many of the voters interviewed are voting for a new South Sudan, one they hope will be free of the war that has hounded their country for decades. Because of illiteracy, the ballot contains 2 symbols: a single hand for independence and two clasped hands to stay united. So far the voting process has been peaceful and organized. Hopefully this is a picture of what's to come.

-Abbey Smith

Human Rights Disaster (in Equatorial Guinea!)

According to recent reports, Equatorial Guinea is still lacking in the human rights department despite recent "efforts" towards improvements helped along by Lanny Davis, a former official under the Clinton Administration.

Davis, a democratic lobbyist, was hired mid-last year by President Obiang as part of a 1-year $1 million contract to bring about widespread reforms and a "new respect for human rights." So far, it seems as if there has been zero progress towards a reform, instead Davis has been engaged in cleaning up Obiang's international reputation. It is also interesting to note that Davis had entered into a similar contract with the Ivory Coast but recently detached himself after widespread media scrutiny of his ineffectiveness.

In March 2010, the State Department released an extensive list of human rights abuses Equatorial Guinea was guilty of committing (the usual--limited rights, no due process, unsubstantiated killings, political prisoners, trafficking, corruption, etc.), however Davis has not helped Equatorial Guinea address any of these issues. Last June, Obiang gave a public conference outlining his reforms, but critics say that this too was simply an attempt to gain more international support.

It is interesting to see a former US official being contracted to help Obiang reform his country and/or his image. My impression is that this is just as this report accuses, an attempt at international support for Obiang-- especially considering the increasing oil-based relationships that we have developed with the region. It's probably in the interest of both the US and Equatorial Guinea to improve public image; the US would prefer to not be making deal with human rights neglecting regimes, and Equatorial Guinea would receive more international interest for their oil investments. I wonder (hope) there is a human rights/democratic peace aspect to Davis's efforts, but I've learned enough about African politics to never be overly optimistic.

By Brianna Howell

Is Kim Jong-un the Next Successor in North Korea?

Experts in Seoul are questioning the veracity of the claims that Kim Jong-un will be next successor to the family dynasty in North Korea, because of the lack of movement on the part of the North Korean government towards making the announcement official. While Kim Jong-un was presented a high military title and two top positions within the Communist People's Party in the country in September, signs that he was going to be named the successor, but given his father's failing health, concern among experts in that nothing new has happened highlighting Kim Jong-un. Kim Jong-un resembles his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, but that is all we know for sure about the heir to the throne. Reports remain unconfirmed as to whether he's 28 or 29, studied in Switzerland or not, is married or not, and loves his elder brother or conspired with the Chinese to have him killed. A Chinese delegation met Kim Jong-un in October at a dinner meeting, however Robert Carlin a former State Department Intelligence Analyst who focused primarily on North Korea did not meet Kim Jong-un nor was Kim Jong-un even a topic of conversation in November upon seeing a uranium enrichment facility outside Pyongyang. In the media, Kim Jong-un has not been reverently hailed as leader of the party, and he hasn't even been acknowledged as Kim Jong-il's son. This in addition to other details such as a lack of bold type of Kim Jong-un's name in newspapers (showing important stature), lack of campaign slogans and media, and a lack of red type for his name on state printed calendars may be in deference to Kim Jong-il's recent recovery from his stroke in 2008 and unwillingness to step aside.

Margaret Nunne