Politics
Politics
Fair Observer's analysis of political issues, events and trends and their national, regional and international consequences.
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Politics / 360° Context / BRIC / Asiaby Preeti Lourdes John and Nishtha Chugh Background Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, a Pakistani national involved in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed over 160 lives and left more than 300 injured, was hanged to death on 21 November 2012 for his role in the attack. The lone terrorist to be captured alive from among a group of ten – all of whom were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, a staunchly anti-India militant organisation based in Pakistan, Kasab faced a two-year trial and was convicted by a lower court of a number of offences, including waging war against India, murder and the possession of explosives. On 26 November 2008, the ten gunmen docked at Mumbai’s...
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360° Analysis / En-Nahda / Islam / Politics / Tunisia / Middle East / AfricaBy Maya ManaaAfter nearly two years since Ben Ali's ouster, En-Nahda's commitment to democratic principles remains unclear. While the party appears to defend certain core democratic institutions, its stance towards Salafism and women’s rights appears to push in a new direction. As Tunisia drafts its new constitution, Tunisians and the international community are eager to see whether the country in the Maghreb will successfully establish the foundations of a democracy. Following the elections for a National Constituent Assembly (NCA) on October 23, 2011, En-Nahda – a once banned Islamist party repeatedly claiming to be moderate and committed to the promotion of democracy –...
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360° Analysis / Politics / Tunisia / Middle East / AfricaAs Tunisia attempts to make its way towards reform, the country struggles to define the role of Islam in the state and society. Background Tunisia gained independence in 1956 after 75 years as a French Protectorate. Demands for freedom date back to the beginning of the 20th century but the country had to wait until Habib Bourguiba, leader of the nationalist Neo-Destour Party, led Tunisia to independence. After years of imprisonment, Bourguiba became Tunisia’s first president after the monarchy was abolished in 1957. In his pursuit of transforming Tunisia into a modern and secular state, Bourguiba introduced the Personal Status Code, based on a 'modernist' interpretation of...
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360° Analysis / Egypt / Morsi / Muslim Brotherhood / Politics / Middle East / AfricaBy Iman BibarsAs political unrest increases in Egypt, Iman Bibars gives a personal account of recent events. Open any international newspaper of late and you will read a misleading, watered-down version of the truth. "Muslim Brotherhood supporters clash with protestors, Morsi’s backers and rivals battle in streets of Cairo, Egypt descends further into political turmoil – these are all spins on what is really happening here." The truth is uglier and more unsettling. This is not about two factions battling each other. This is about a well organized and devious militant militia, with members that carry pictures of al-Qaida and Bin Laden, who recently went to disrupt a peaceful protest...
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360° Analysis / Egypt / Israel / Morsi / Politics / Middle East / AfricaBy Mina MonirEl-Baradei’s recent interview with Der Spiegel has caused heated debates among Egyptians regarding the Holocaust. Mina Monir argues that the West and Israel should prepare themselves for a new political scenario in a nation that was once the largest Western ally in the Middle East. As Egypt sinks deeper into political instability, the question over the historicity of the Holocaust was recently brought to the fore in a strange yet unsurprising manner. In an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammed El-Baradei expressed his deep concerns. These were namely regarding the radical...
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360° Analysis / Egypt / Morsi / Muslim Brotherhood / Politics / Middle East / AfricaThe political unrest in Egypt over President Morsi's decree has significantly polarized the country even further. Egypt, as an abstract concept, is often associated with the ancient, and with riddles. So here is an ancient riddle to ask of Egypt: does objectivity exist? Perhaps we can make the following points without much controversy. Egypt had a revolution against a military dictatorship in January-February of 2011. This military dictatorship stacked Egypt’s judiciary, army, state security services, and professional associations with loyalists, making up what political scientists refer to as the “deep state.” The army, under the auspices of the Supreme Council of the...
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360° Analysis / Egypt / Morsi / Muslim Brotherhood / Politics / Middle East / AfricaBy Omar FarahatThe widespread protests triggered by Morsi's recent decisions are symptomatic of profound distrust that characterizes the relationship between different segments of Egyptian society. On November 22 2012, Mohammed Morsi issued a constitutional declaration that he described as “revolutionary”, granting the constitutional assembly additional time to complete the drafting job, prohibiting the dissolution of the one remaining branch of parliament, and granting his own immunity from judicial scrutiny. Minutes later, protesters stormed into Tahrir Square and other public places in Egypt, and several of the Muslim Brotherhood’s headquarters were attacked. Major courts...
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By Trevor CohenOn Latin America and the Middle Kingdom. Background China has come to Latin America seeking oil, minerals, metals, and food – the natural resources needed to sustain an emerging superpower. In 2011, China’s trade with Latin America reached $241.5bn. Over the next five years, Premier Wen Jiabao envisions expanding the current volume to $400bn. His dreams are not farfetched. Back in 2009, total trade with Latin America stood at just over $100bn. In 2000, it was a mere $10bn. From 2000 to 2011, China’s six-fold expansion in Purchasing Power fueled a 2400% increase in trade with Latin America. Over the same period, Latin America’s GDP...
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Due to differences in – inter alia – language, culture, and economic priorities, Belgium has been increasingly federalized through successive state reforms. What does it mean for the country as ‘the mother of all elections’, scheduled for 2014, draws closer? by Bruno Vandecasteele, Ferdi Deville & Hendrik Vos Federalism in Belgium The federalisation of Belgium formally started in 1970 and is still ongoing. In 1993, Belgium’s unique federal system, consisting of a central state, three economic Regions (Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels-Capital Region) and three cultural Communities (French-speaking, Dutch/Flemish-speaking and German-speaking), was enshrined in...