Corruption and the Afghanistan election
A successful election is sure to be perceived as a victory for the NATO campaign in Afghanistan. However, August elections obscure what is really going on in Afghan politics - a rise in state-sanctioned corruption.
U.S. & the Afghan vote
Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) has cancelled the nation’s presidential elections, ostensibly to allow U.S. President Barack Obama’s troop surge to take full effect and improve Afghan security. However, the delay will enable U.S. troops to manipulate the election and oust President Hamid Karzai from power in order to stem the Taliban insurgency.
Taliban declares ceasefire
Pakistani Taliban declared a 10-day ceasefire with the Pakistani government in response to the Pakistani government's agreeing to impose Sharia Law in the Swat District. However, the imposition of Sharia Law will enable the Taliban and allied anti-American militant groups to consolidate local control, a necessary precursor to furthering their anti-American operations.
Russian Financial System Falling Behind
Bank and financial systems have yet to reach their potential in Russia.
Timoshenko’s Arrest Threatens EU Partnership
August 5th marked former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko’s third arrest since June. Mrs. Timoshenko has been charged for allegedly signing an illegal gas deal with Russia in 2009 when she was in office. Allegations that the arrests are politically motivated could threaten the country's status with the EU.
Cheap Oil and Political Risk: Islamic State and Iraq
In this series, Geopoliticalmonitor.com analyzes political fallout from the global plunge in oil prices. Part four focuses on Islamic State and Iraq.
A US-Canada compromise on the Arctic?
While the usual international posturing on the Arctic continues unabated, signs are beginning to emerge that Canada and the United States might be able to put their differences behind them.
Afghanistan election
NATO’s campaign to pacify the restive south ahead of this week’s elections is making it so that a win for President Karzai is all but official.
Covert Ops in Iran
Contrary to claims of taking a more diplomatic approach with Iran, the Bush administration has significantly expanded US covert operations against the Islamic republic courtesy of a $400 million budget approved by Congress last year, thus foreshadowing preparations for war.
Iraq-Syria rift
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s declaration that ninety percent of Iraq’s terrorists enter the country by way of the Syrian border epitomizes his presumed re-election strategy for January polls: blame foreigners.