| The East Asia Summit |
On 14 December, heads of government of the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations met in Kuala Lumpur with counterparts from Northeast Asia (China, Japan and South Korea) as well as Australia, India and New Zealand, in a much-trumpeted inaugural ‘East Asia Summit’. It proved anti-climactic and lacking in substance. It has, moreover, highlighted important divergences of opinion within the region about the proper composition and role of an East Asian community, even though establishing such a community is widely seen as desirable. |
| Israel and Palestine |
The last quarter of 2005 proved to be a watershed in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and in the politics of the two conflicting societies. In September, Israel withdrew its last army battalions from the Gaza strip. Elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council, in which Hamas is set to take part, were rescheduled to January 2006 in the tense uncertainty surrounding the pullout. In Israel, the left-leaning Labor alignment held a leadership election that toppled Shimon Peres and elevated Amir Peretz. On 21 November, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dissolved parliament, set an early date of 28 March, 2006, for fresh elections and left the Likud party he founded to establish a new one. |
| Merkel’s foreign policy |
Germany’s likely foreign policy posture under Chancellor Angela Merkel might be summarised thus: more European integration (with a Constitution, if possible, but without the Gaullist overtones); an improved, more pragmatic transatlantic relationship, without the emotional and paternalistic underpinnings of the post-war German-American relationship or guarantees of loyalty, but also without sniping at US leaders in public; greater respect for the interests of smaller European neighbours; a far less cosy relationship with Russian leaders, but close cooperation on energy policy; and a cooler, more strategic pursuit of national interests, but preferably within multilateral frameworks, and on the basis of a strong regard for international law and human rights. |
US-India nuclear energy cooperation |
The proposal for civil nuclear energy cooperation between the United States and India that President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced on 18 July 2005 portends profound changes to the nuclear non-proliferation regime and a significant shift in strategic relations. But before the deal can be consummated, it must win approval from the US Congress and the members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Although the Bush administration hopes to secure both by May 2006, this will require Washington to lobby very hard and New Delhi to accept compromises. |
| Private security companies |
The use of private security companies to assist states in the prosecution of wars, and in other associated tasks, has increased dramatically over the past 15 years. States now contract out a host of military support services that used to be performed by militaries themselves. These stop short of combat, but include translation, close protection, interrogation, logistics and training. The expanding presence of NGOs, other private corporations and the media in international trouble-spots has only added to the demand for private security services. Yet the growth of the industry has not been matched by an increase in regulation of its activities. |
