La rassegna di geopolitica di Radio Radicale
- Rassegna di geopolitica: lo status di Gerusalemme 6 August 2010
- Rassegna di Geopolitica: scontri a fuoco tra Israele e Libano 4 August 2010
- Rassegna di Geopolitica. La Birmania tra India e Cina 30 July 2010
- Rassegna di geopolitica. Tensioni tra Usa e Cina nel Pacifico 28 July 2010
- Rassegna di geopolitica: Le ambizioni nucleari dell'Arabia Saudita 22 July 2010
- Rassegna di geopolitica: le nuove prospettive della Cina 9 July 2010
- Rassegna di geopolitica - L'agricoltura globale 7 July 2010
- Rassegna di geopolitica: la politica Usa dello Spazio 2010 emanata da Barack Obama 1 July 2010
- Rassegna di geopolitica: per i Paesi Arabi il rischio di gravi crisi alimentari 9 June 2010
- Rassegna di geopolitica: le nuove Università in Asia 4 June 2010
L’ora di Cindia di Claudio Landi
- L'ora di Cindia 28 August 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 22 August 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 7 August 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 31 July 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 25 July 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 18 July 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 10 July 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 4 July 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 26 June 2010
- L'ora di Cindia 20 June 2010
Droga
Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress – CRS
(PDF) – In recent years, U.S.-Mexican relations have grown stronger as the two countries have worked together to combat drug trafficking and secure their shared border. The 111th Congress has maintained an active interest in Mexico with counternarcotics, border, and trade issues dominating the agenda. To date, Congress has appropriated some $1.3 billion in assistance… »
International Statistics on Crime and Justice – HEUNI/UNODC
HEUNI Report series contains a number of studies, seminar reports, and other material on developments in crime and criminal justice in Europe and North… »
Cocaine and Instability in Africa: Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean – Africa Center for Strategic Studies
(PDF) – The dollar value of cocaine trafficked through West Africa has risen rapidly and surpassed all other illicit commodities smuggled in the subregion. Experience from Latin America and the Caribbean demonstrates that cocaine traffic contributes to dramatically higher levels of violence and instability. Co-opting key government officials is the preferred modus operandi of Latin… »
Afghanistan’s Other War: Army vs. Police – Mother Jones
Reading through the trove of documents released by WikiLeaks Sunday, one could come away with the impression that members of Afghanistan’s discipline-challenged security forces spend more time fighting each other than they do the Taliban. Among the 92,000 documents released by the group are dozens of reports detailing so-called “green-on-green” incidents, the military’s term for… »
Kabul War Diary – Wikileaks
WikiLeaks today released over 75,000 secret US military reports covering the war in Afghanistan.
The Afghan War Diary an extraordinary secret compendium of over 91,000 reports covering the war in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2010. The reports describe the majority of lethal military actions involving the United States military. They include the number of persons… »
Burma’s Than Shwe welcomed in Delhi – Bbc
Reclusive Burmese junta leader General Than Shwe has received a red carpet welcome in the Indian capital on a state visit condemned by rights groups. He met Indian PM Manmohan Singh in Delhi on a rare five-day trip that aims to deepen the economic and strategic ties between the two nations. Officials from the two… »
Mexico’s Military Malpractice – COHA
President Felipe Calderón’s aggressive counter-narcotics campaign in Mexico has begun to sprout a disturbing trend of abuse emanating from the Mexican armed forces. The human rights violations allegedly authored by the military rest on the underbelly of a drug conflict that has created frenzy throughout much of the country. As the country has seen an… »
Australia’s maritime surveillance capability – ASPI
The ability to know what is going on out in the open ocean is important for a number of reasons. As well as traditional military threats, activities such as people smuggling, drug running and illegal fishing are contrary to the national interest. The problem is that the sheer expanse of the ocean provides natural cover… »
US to send National Guard to Mexican border in August – Bbc
US National Guard troops will begin deploying along the US-Mexico border from 1 August, officials say. The 1,200 troops, ordered to the border by President Barack Obama, form part of efforts to tackle illegal immigration and drug-trafficking. They will be in the four border states, with Arizona getting the largest… »
The History of BUNCIN: The US Bureau of Narcotics Covert Intelligence Network – Open Democracy
In the Watergate summer of 1972, President Richard Nixon’s adviser for law enforcement, Egil Krogh, and his band of Merry Pranksters, commonly known as the Plumbers, were dreaming up new ways to merge the war on drugs with the political war against “campus bums” and Democrats. One of their more bizarre plots wed the Bureau… »
One-third of Yemenis going hungry – IRIN
Water scarcity, rapid population growth and internal conflicts are some of the main factors causing an “alarming state of food insecurity” at national and local levels, a new report has warned. Rural areas are particularly affected with five times as many food-insecure people as in urban areas, it said. “If no action is taken, food… »
The Political Economy of Piracy in the South China Sea – Naval War College Review
(PDF) – This article attempts to analyze piracy through the perspective of political economy, with an emphasis on state and market stakeholders and on the economic, technological, and institutional factors affecting ocean governance of piracy. The major area of concern here is the South China Sea, where approximately half of the world’s reported incidents of… »
Improving Security Policy in Colombia – ICG
President Álvaro Uribe’s eight-year military campaign against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has taken a heavy toll on Colombia’s largest insurgent organisation. The government is now working to consolidate security gains by expanding state presence in several of the formerly most conflict-ridden regions. This strategy faces numerous challenges, not least because FARC’s command… »
Banks Financing Mexico Gangs Admitted in Wells Fargo Deal – Bloomberg
Since 2006, more than 22,000 people have been killed in drug-related battles that have raged mostly along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) border that Mexico shares with the U.S. In the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, just across the border from El Paso, Texas, 700 people had been murdered this year as of mid- June. Behind the… »
Guatemala: Squeezed between Crime and Impunity – ICG
The 1996 peace accords formally ended Guatemala’s civil war but failure to address the conflict’s root causes and dismantle clandestine security apparatuses has weakened its institutions and opened the door to skyrocketing violent crime. Guatemala is one of the world’s most dangerous countries, with some 6,500 murders in 2009, more than the average yearly killings… »
Kyrgyzstan: Anatomy Of A Conflict – RFE
Longstanding tensions between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks had been simmering for months in southern Kyrgyzstan before violence broke out. But interviews with scores of witnesses in Osh and officials in Bishkek suggest that it was more than ethnic resentment that triggered the fighting. Various factions in the ongoing struggle that has roiled Kyrgyzstan since President Kurmanbek… »
US to cut $4bn in Afghan aid over corruption fears – Bbc
US lawmakers have voted to cut almost $4bn in aid to the government of Afghanistan, after allegations of corruption. It comes after the Wall Street Journal reported that huge sums of cash had allegedly been flown out of Kabul international airport in recent… »
‘The Sun in the Sky: the relationship between Pakistan’s ISI and Afghan insurgents’ – LSE
(PDF) – Many accounts of the Afghan conflict misapprehend the nature of the relationship between
Pakistan’s security services and the insurgency. The relationship, in fact, goes far beyond contact and coexistence, with some assistance provided by elements within, or linked to, Pakistan’s Intelligence service (ISI) or military. Although the Taliban has a strong endogenous impetus, according… »
The Globalization of Crime: A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment – UNODC
A report released today by UNODC shows how organized crime has globalized and turned into one of the world’s foremost economic and armed powers. The Report looks at major trafficking flows of drugs (cocaine and heroin), firearms, counterfeit products, stolen natural resources and people (for sex and forced labour), as well as smuggled migrants…. »
Brazil and China Commercial Ties Blossom – COHA
Trade between Brazil and China has been booming as Brazil’s diplomatic and commercial relations improve due to the country’s increasing role on the world stage. For example, China recently expanded its embassy personnel in Brasilia. China has become the largest market for Brazilian exports, and Chinese exports to Latin America have risen twenty-six percent since… »
U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan – the New York Times
The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself, according to senior American government officials. The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical… »
Vers un nouveau régime politique en Afrique subsaharienne – IFRI
En français et English.
L’Afrique subsaharienne est revenue sur les espoirs de démocratisation qu’avait suscités la fin de la guerre froide et des régimes de parti unique. L’heure est à la désillusion. Même les pôles de stabilité qu’étaient le Sénégal (depuis l’indépendance en 1960) et l’Afrique du Sud (depuis 1994) sont aujourd’hui menacés d’une dérive autoritaire…. »
Afghanistan: A View from Moscow – CEIP
(PDF) – Russia remains cautious about becoming too involved in the conflict, but Moscow fears the prospect of instability in Central Asia and drug trafficking from Afghanistan. Russia wants to prevent an outright Taliban victory fearing that if the Taliban regain control they could export radicalism and support rebel activity in Russia’s near abroad. Stem… »
The War on Piracy Must Start on Land – IHT
The current anti-piracy strategy has worked well, but it is facing diminishing returns. Naval patrols off the Horn of Africa have reduced the success rate of attacks: 1 in 10 attempts succeed now, compared to 1 in 3 before. Yet the number of (reported) attacks doubled between 2007 and 2008 from 51 to 111, and… »
Morphine Remains Scarce for Pain Sufferers Worldwide – Time
Whether you will have access to pain treatment depends largely upon where you live. Africa, which has most of the world’s AIDS victims, is a painkiller wasteland. In India, more than a million cancer and AIDS sufferers die each year in extreme pain as cumbersome regulations and paperwork make it nearly impossible to get prescription… »
Third OIC Observatory Report on Islamophobia
(PDF) – The third Annual Report covers the period from May 2009 to April 2010. It was a most turbulent period during which steady rise of Islamophobia, threatening global as well as regional peace and security, continued to be a source of concern particularly in the Western Europe and North America. Fundamental rights of Muslims… »
Hillary Clinton Visits Latin America – COHA
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Lima on Sunday, June 6th for a four day Latin America and Caribbean tour, with further scheduled stops in Ecuador, Colombia, and Barbados. Clinton plans to attend the Organization of American States (OAS) 40th General Assembly in Peru, a meeting with members of CARICOM, the regional Caribbean… »
Cartels smuggle U.S. drug money back to Mexico in cash – LA Times
A new U.S.-Mexico government study estimates that $19 billion to $29 billion is shipped south, then laundered through cash purchases of land, luxury hotels, cars and other high-end… »
Measuring Success in the Drug War – Brookings Institution
Since the beginning of the Calderon administration in December 2006, we have witnessed increased intentional homicides, kidnapping, car-napping, property theft and extortion. For Mexican citizens, the cost of the “drug war” has become intolerably high. Homicides may occur principally between cartels and against public officials with allegiances to opposing cartels. However, property crimes that support… »
Asian Development Outlook 2010 – ADB
Developing Asia can look ahead to a robust recovery in the next 2 years. Growth is forecast to rise to 7.5% in 2010 and moderate to 7.3% in 2011, marking a healthy rebound from the 2009 slowdown. Shifting the drivers of growth from the support of monetary and fiscal expansion to robust private sources is… »
2010 National Drug Control Strategy – ONDC
President Obama released the Administration’s inaugural National Drug Control Strategy, which establishes five-year goals for reducing drug use and its consequences through a balanced policy of prevention, treatment, enforcement, and international cooperation. The Strategy was developed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) with input from a variety of Federal, State,… »
Obama Sends Guard To The Border – LA Times
Seeking political cover in his pursuit of immigration reform, President Obama will send up to 1,200 additional National Guard troops—and request $500 million in additional funds– to support law enforcement efforts along the Southwest border, the White House said Tuesday. The troops won’t make arrests or otherwise intervene directly, but will help with support and… »
CrisisWatch N°82, 01 Jun 2010 – ICG
Four actual or potential conflict situations around the world deteriorated and none improved in May 2010, according to the new issue of the International Crisis Group’s monthly bulletin CrisisWatch. Israeli commandos killed at least nine people when they raided a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza on 31 May. May also saw renewed… »
Ensuring Peace and Security in Africa: Implementing the New Africa-EU Partnership – IAI
The Joint Africa-European Union (EU) Strategy and its Action Plan, adopted in December 2007 in Lisbon, included the establishment of a Partnership on Peace and Security. The priorities of the new Partnership have been identified as an increased dialogue on common challenges, the
full operationalisation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and predictable funding… »
Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa – CRS
(PDF) – In recent years, analysts and U.S. policymakers have noted Africa’s growing strategic importance to U.S. interests. Among those interests are the increasing importance of Africa’s natural
resources, particularly energy resources, and mounting concern over violent extremist activities
and other potential threats posed by uncontrolled spaces, such as piracy and illicit trafficking. In
addition, there is ongoing… »
Colombia: Moving Beyond ‘Narco-Democracy’ – CFR
Colombia’s vote for the successor to two-term President Alvaro Uribe on May 30 pits a former top Uribe aide against a populist former mayor of Bogotá who has drawn strong support from young Colombians. Despite dramatic security gains achieved under Uribe, a strong U.S. ally, the strength of support for Antanas Mockus of the Green… »
Jamaican leader under fire over violent siege – Miami Herald
With the Jamaican police under attack, Golding launched an offensive to find suspected drug trafficker Christopher “Dudus” Coke, Jamaica Labor Party loyalist, neighborhood capo, and now fugitive who the prime minister had protected for nearly a year. The bloodshed that erupted this week after Golding’s approval of an extradition order threatens the prime minister’s… »
National Security Strategy 2010 – The White House
(PDF) – At the dawn of the 21st century, the United States of America faces a broad and complex array of challenges to our national security. Just as America helped to determine the course of the 20th century, we must now build the sources of American strength and influence, and shape an international order capable… »
NATO 2020: Assured security; Dynamic engagement
(PDF) – Analysis and recommendations of the group of experts on a new strategic concept for NATO chaired by Madeleine K. Albright. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) enters the second decade of the twenty-first century as an essential source of stability in an uncertain and unpredictable world. NATO needs a new Strategic Concept because… »
Colombian president’s brother said to have lead death squads – Washington Post
Colombian President Álvaro Uribe will leave office in August having largely succeeded in winning control of once-lawless swaths of countryside from Marxist rebels, an accomplishment partly made possible by more than $6 billion in U.S. aid. But Uribe’s government has also been tarnished by scandals, including accusations in congressional hearings that death squads hatched plots… »
Thorny issues punctuate EU-Latin America summit – EU Obsever
The validity of European farm subsidies and rights over the Falkland Islands were among the thorny issues to resurface at a summit meeting between European Union and Latin American leaders in Madrid. Trade in a globalised world was the dominant theme of Tuesday’s meeting, with leaders committing to “avoid protectionism in all its forms” in… »
Is the Flow of U.S. Weapons to Mexican Drug Cartels Increasing Under Obama? – Newsweek
The Mexican military has discovered a major training camp run by the notorious Zetas drug cartel and stocked with an arsenal of military weapons, including 140 semi automatic assault rifles and 10,000 rounds of ammunition—all of them believed to be purchased in the United States, U.S. law enforcement officials tell Declassified. The discovery last week… »
Argentina and Mexico clash with the INCB, Italy with Europe – TNI
At the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna this year, Mexico and Argentina object to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)’s criticisms as an incursion on national sovereignty, while Italy blocks the EU’s planned “harm reduction” legislation – by Tom… »
More High-Tech Setbacks for Border Security – Politics Daily
The Obama administration’s recent surprise decision to suspend new work on a multibillion-dollar high-tech border control system — the third attempted since 1997 — raises further questions about the government’s use of computer networks and sensors in an effort to seal the border with Mexico – by G. W…. »
Convoy security deal to benefit Karzai’s brother? – CS Monitor
An Afghan private contractor in Kandahar, with close ties to Karzai’s brother, is up for a contract to protect supply convoys for US troops in the Afghanistan… »
United States-Mexico Security Partnership – US Department of State
The Mérida Initiative is an unprecedented partnership between the United States and Mexico to fight organized crime and associated violence while furthering respect for human rights and the rule of law. Based on principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, and respect for sovereign independence, our efforts have built confidence that is transforming our bilateral relationship…. »
The Rule of Law in Independent Kosovo – ICG
More than two years after declaring independence, Kosovo struggles with uneven rule of law and a weak justice system that is failing its citizens. The police, public prosecutors and courts are erratic performers, prone to political interference and abuse of office. Organised crime and corruption are widespread and growing. Realising that prosperity, relations with the… »
Obama and Calderón Decry Ariz. Immigration Law – the New York Times
At the White House on Wednesday, President Obama and the visiting Mexican president, Felipe Calderón, discussed the finer points of border policy. Mr. Obama joined Mr. Calderón in denouncing the new Arizona law on illegal immigration while defending his own record on border security. He used the occasion to press Congress to pass legislation to… »
Mexico’s Failed Drug War – CATO
We are in this mess today, as opposed to over the last 40 or 50 years, because when the current president, Felipe Calderón, took office over three years ago, he felt that he had no choice but to declare a full-fledged, no-holds-barred war on drugs. He declared this war after a three-month transition period, which… »
Are Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales Enemies of the United States? – COHA
Adversaries, yes. Enemies, no (at least not yet). However, they are enemies of global capitalism which, in the eyes of some Americans, makes Chávez and Morales enemies of the American people. But this is one of many misleading impressions which inadequate Latin America coverage by U.S. media helps to perpetuate – by Francis… »