Politics
Politics
Fair Observer's analysis of political issues, events and trends and their national, regional and international consequences.
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Fair Observer's five best Africa articles of 2012. 1: The Changing Face of Africa — Tony O.Elumelu Africa has grown by leaps and bounds over the last two decades, and will continue to do so. 2: From Here to Timbuktu — Whitney Grespin Recent events in Mali illustrate how ideological radicals attempt to disassemble a cultural identity step by step, first through objects and then beliefs. 3: Judd Gregg’s War Against Liberia’s Charles Taylor — Chris Mahoney How a New Hampshire Senator, encouraged by the British government, changed US policy and brought Charles Taylor to justice. 4: Kenya Strikes Oil! What Next? — Roselyne MerikoKiragu & Macharia...
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360° Analysis / Bedouin / Israel / Negev / Palestinian / Politics / Middle EastThe two-state solution discourse leads the international community to place an overwhelmingly emphasis on Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, but Israel’s policy towards the Negev Bedouin suggests a grim future for its own Arab citizens. On November 12, Israeli police raided the Bedouin village of Bar Hadaj in southern Israel’s Negev region. Clashes between the police and villagers and students quickly broke out, and dozens were injured. Twenty-one Bedouin citizens were arrested and detained after being shot repeatedly with rubber bullets, shocked by tasers, dragged, and handcuffed. Seven were minors. Although Bir Hadaj is recognized by the Israeli government,...
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By Avi AstorWhile both Greece and Spain experience similar social and fiscal strains, the far right in Spain is failing to gain the momentum currently enjoyed by Greek extremist parties. Over the past two decades, Southern European societies have undergone profound social and cultural transformations due to a deepening of European integration, large-scale immigration, and other processes associated with globalization. While welcomed by some, the new forms of ethnic and religious diversity, and the challenges to traditional institutions and values generated by these developments have elicited unease among others. Yet only in certain contexts have extreme-right parties managed to capitalize on this...
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Fair Observer's five best Latin America articles of 2012. 1: The Fallacy of Female-Friendly Urban Spaces in Latin America — Alex McAnarney The outlook on sexual violence in Latin America stays grim, despite great efforts in urban planning and law. 2: An Era of Chavez — Trevor Cohen Chavez: love him for his benevolence, hate him for his megalomania, but heed the dangers of his era. 3: Brazil’s New Economy — Jeremy Wellington Brazil has captured a decade of steady export growth within an emergent middle class, strengthening the domestic economy and protecting its people from stagnation in Europe and the US, as well as from the slowdown in China and India. 4: Tango...
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Againg Population / Economic decline / Election / Fiscal debt / Japan / Politics / Shinzo Abe / 360° Context / AsiaJapan is at a crossroads. The next Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, must consider serious reforms in order to tackle Japan’s enormous challenges. By Felix Steinle and Kira O'Sullivan Background With an overwhelming majority of 325 out of 480 seats, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) - New Komeito Party alliance returns to power after three years in opposition. It is now up to the LDP leader Shinzo Abe to determine the country’s political future. As the most senior member of the LDP party, in vowing to continue visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shinto Shrine, Abe has portrayed himself as dedicated to the interests of a conservative, nationalistic Japan....
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Egypt / Morsi / Politics / 360° Context / Middle East / AfricaEgyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s decree in late November gave himself judicial immunity. The ensuing announcement of a constitutional referendum has divided the country and sent protestors into the streets once again. Background Since Mohammed Morsi became Egypt’s first democratically elected president in June 2012, he has aggressively reclaimed power from the military council, which ruled Egypt during the interim between Hosni Mubarak’s fall and Morsi’s election. A relatively unknown member of the Muslim Brotherhood prior to the election, Morsi has surprised critics and supporters alike with his bold political maneuvers, the most recent of which has caused a...
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360° Analysis / Lebanon / Politics / Syria / Tripoli / Middle EastSunni fighters in Lebanon’s Tripoli are becoming increasingly inspired by the organization of Syrian armed groups, and are seeking to build their own incipient combative organizations to defeat their Alawite “near enemies” in the city. Tripoli’s street battles are once again the center of international attention. In the last two weeks, sectarian-inspired fighting between the Alawite community of Jebel Mohsen and the Sunni neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh, Ibbe, Abi Samra, al-Mankoubin, and Beddawi, has led to the deaths of 17 people and wounded almost a hundred. These battles, another in a series of street wars between Tripoli’s heavily impoverished northern...
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By Tamás BereczWhile governments spend more time and funding on countering Islamic extremism, Europe faces an increasing threat from domestic extremist groups – both right- and left-wing – that are active in every country examined by the Athena Institute. After the 9/11 attacks, international terrorism became the bogeyman of the West, something that lurks in the dark and waits for the right time to strike. This fear was not unfounded. The first decade of the 21st century was dominated by Jihadi terrorism: Kuta, New York, Madrid, London. Islamist terror groups became the first priority to secret services and other authorities. The aforementioned attacks shocked the West and started an...
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360° Analysis / candidates / Elections / Moon / Park / Politics / President / South Korea / AsiaBy Caroline NamPolitical turmoil escalates as South Korea's third and independent runner announced resignation in the midst of discussing unifying with the runner from opposing party. "I'm giving up my presidential candidacy…From now on, Moon Jae-in is the single liberal candidate." Ahn Cheol-Soo, independent runner for South Korea's presidential election scheduled on mid-December, made a surprise announcement on 23 November. Ahn's hurriedly-scheduled press conference right before the candidate registration, which lasted for less than five minutes, drove his supporters and camp officials (frequently dubbed "fans") into utter shock -- some crying, some in...