Analyses
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Argentina / Iran / Jewish-Argentina Mutual Association / Politics / President Kirchner / Focus Article / Middle East / AmericasArgentina and Iran agreed to establish a “truth commission” aimed at analyzing responsibility for the 1994 attacks on a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. The rapprochement, however, follows a larger rationale, argue Shawn VL and Giorgio Cafiero. Iran’s alleged role in the 1994 attack on the Jewish-Argentina Mutual Association (AMIA) community center in Buenos Aires was followed by eighteen years of tense relations between Argentina and Iran. Earlier this year, however, Argentine and Iranian officials agreed to establish a “truth commission” pertaining to the terrorist attack that killed 85 people, which indicates that Argentine-Iranian relations have...
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Farming / Food Production / Green Revolution / Health / Nutrition / Focus Article / Asia / Environment & SustainabilityThe analysis done in the previous issue points at the opportunity cost of practicing Industrial farming which is equal to the cost of increased amount of nutrition produced through ecologically intensive organic farming. Although stock markets were flooded with excess of a few food commodities, the nutrition produced across the entire nation to feed our population declined drastically leading food inflation; the prices of pulses and oil seeds shot up as India which was once oilseed and pulses independent now has to import the same. As a result of hiked up food prices, food became unaffordable and inaccessible to the poor in India who were forced to harbor the burden of green revolution in...
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Politics / United States / Europe / Focus Article / BRIC / Middle East / Americas / Africa / Asia / OceaniaFair Observer's five best articles of March. In the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological beginning of spring occurs on the first day of March. Perhaps that is why China is moderating its approach to the disputed Diaoyu or Senkaku Islands. Pakistan has just seen an elected government complete its first full term, marking a victory for democracy. Now it will have to confront the more intractable issue of poor governance that its democratic neighbor India is still struggling with. Another woman was tragically gang raped in India; this time a married Swiss tourist who was on a camping trip with her husband. President Obama visited Israel, the West Bank and Jordan. He gave a great speech...
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Farming / Food Production / Green Revolution / Health / Nutrition / Focus Article / Asia / Environment & SustainabilityThe introduction of chemicals and, thereby, progression to chemical intensive conventional farming led to simultaneous development of two types of trends in Indian agriculture- that of investing huge sums of money in seeds, fertilizers to nourish these seeds, and pesticides to protect them, and that of growing one type of crop in a huge area leading to production of relatively fewer crops in the whole state or region. The new development, initially projected, advertised, and promoted keeping a scientific whip in hand seemed the only solution towards an imaginary hunger free prosperous society. The notions that technology is the only answer to develop better ways of doing things leading to...
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City University London / Israel / Palestine / Politics / Rosemary Hollis / The Olive Tree Programme / Europe / Focus Article / Middle EastSix Olive Tree alumni in leadership positions in Israel and Palestine return to City University London to share their experiences and prospects of making a change in the region. Chair: Lyse Doucet, BBC Presenter and Chief International Correspondent Rosemary Hollis, Director of the Olive Tree Programme and Professor of Middle East Policy Studies Join us and our alumni — 3 from Israel and 3 from Palestine — to hear first-hand about their experiences back home, after graduation, working in public and third sector organisations to alter the reality that frames their lives. After graduating from City University London many of the Olive Tree Programme's alumni go to work in...
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By Fact BlinkFact Blink present an infographic exploring the years of sexually-related Papal scandals, and the percentage of sexually scandalous popes. On February 11, Pope Benedict XVI surprised the world by announcing his intention to abdicate – the first Papal resignation since 1415. Since then, rumours have swirled about what may have prompted the decision. Recently, La Repubblica stirred the pot by reporting salacious stories of a papal faction ‘united by sexual orientation’ who maintain a ‘series of meeting places in and around Rome’, including ‘a villa outside the Italian capital, a sauna in a Rome suburb, a beauty parlour in the centre, and a...
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Peru / Peruvian / Politics / Focus Article / AmericasAmidst a booming extractive sector and increasing awareness of indigenous peoples’ rights at multilateral levels, Peru has finally adopted respective legislation. However, the recent implementation of the law reveals significant gaps. With increasing foreign investment and a booming extractive sector, Peru is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies but faces major challenges in distributing its fortune. Inequality and skewed participation rates in national decisions related to large-scale development or investment projects, have intensified social conflicts. Passing of the Law Massive protests, road blocks, and violent conflicts reveal that those most affected by the...
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Arab Spring / Arab Uprisings / MENA / Unemployment / Youth / Finance & Economics / Focus Article / Global Change / Middle East / AfricaJobs and meaningful employment are demands highlighted by the Arab Uprisings that will not go away. Governments are struggling to recast technical and vocational training programs into effective vehicles for preparing market-ready youth. It is no coincidence that when the World Economic Forum was focusing on youth under-employment/unemployment at its annual conference in Davos, the Audit Court (Cours des Comptes) in Morocco was issuing a report criticizing the quality of the country’s vocational training system. There is a great deal of concern globally with devising effective mechanisms for meeting youth employment needs, and Jamie McAuliffe, president of Education for Employment...
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Democracy / economy / finance / Intelligence / Politics / security / United States / Washington D.C / Focus Article / Global SecurityBy Mike RettigDespite the controversies over the past decade, the US has a good track record of maintaining its democratic traditions while still using secret intelligence services to preserve national security. In 1777, George Washington wrote that the “necessity of procuring good intelligence is apparent.” Indeed, as America fought ardently for its ideals during the Revolutionary War, Washington was said to be an “avid user of intelligence as well as a consummate practitioner.” Washington’s words and actions demonstrate well the contradiction surrounding a democracy’s intelligence service. While the secrecy inherent in a well-functioning intelligence service can...