World Affairs: A Week in Review

As a close observer of world affairs, I find that the events transpiring in the Middle East and other hot spots around the world troubling and should cause the American public to take pause. I outline the following as a brief recap of what’s happening around the world.

Iraq

Recent election results are believed to have increased the already fragile sectarian divisions in the country. The ratification of the new constitution hinges on the Shias and Kurds and their ability to give the Sunni minority sufficient authority in the new Iraqi government. If the US coalition fails in its attempt to encourage compromise among these groups in the constitutional process, then the possibility of a civil war increases.

Israel & Palestine

Due to Prime Minister Sharon’s debilitating stroke that has left him seriously incapacitated, acting Premier Ehud Olmert has the overwhelming responsibility of carrying out the talks with the Palestinians, which has led to positive outcomes in the peace process. However, without Sharon’s charismatic presence and direction, the continuance of the negotiations looms in doubt. Meanwhile, President Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah, due to the lack of internal discipline within the group, is losing ground to Hamas who views Israel as a threat. Should Hamas win enough support during the Palestinian elections scheduled for January 25, the result may jeopardize the peace process.

Iran

The EU recently ended talks with Iran in regards to its alleged nuclear weapons program and is in the process of reporting it to the UN Security Council. The implications of sanctions against Iran are great for a region that has already suffered much turmoil. Sanctions would increase anti-US and anti-Israel sentiments in the region making it difficult for our troops to secure an already fragile Iraq.

North Korea

Multilateral talks have not resumed since November of last year. The US maintains its allegations that North Korea is pursuing illegal activities in counterfeit and money laundering in order to finance its nuclear weapons programs. Talks are at a standstill.

What these problems share is the possibility that the issues will be brought before the UN Security Council. Unfortunately, the UN, as an institution, has its own problems and may not offer the best of solutions. I will elaborate on this matter more in my next post.

In the meantime, it is imperative that the American public does not turn a blind eye to these matters. I invite the reader to further consider the importance of these events, the repercussions of which can make for a more destabilized world.