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Malaysia's new politics
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The results of March elections delivered a blow to the Barisan Nasional coalition. Although it retained control of the federal government, opposition parties took an unprecedentedly large number of parliamentary seats and won five state governments. Though differences between opposition parties remained significant, it seemed possible that they might forge an alliance capable of ousting the Barisan Nasional from power for the first time since independence in 1957.
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Kosovo's independence
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On 17 February 2008 Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, becoming the seventh state to emerge from the wreckage of former Yugoslavia. In consequence, Serbia’s government collapsed on 8 March and elections were called for 11 May. In what will in effect be a referendum on their country’s future, Serbs will indicate whether their priority is to continue on the path of European integration, or to persist in the struggle to regain Kosovo.
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Taiwan's elections |
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Elections for the presidency and Legislative Yuan resulted in victory for the pan-Blue coalition led by the Kuomintang Party. The previously ruling pan-Green coalition, led by the Democratic Progressive Party, which advocates independence from China, suffered a serious defeat. The outcome appeared to reflect a desire to move away from a confrontational policy on China and towards a focus on reviving the economy.
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Space security |
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The world is becoming increasingly dependent on satellites for its daily life, as well as for military operations. Communications, the financial markets and commercial logistics are among the civil areas in which satellites play a vital role. This reliance creates vulnerabilities that will need to be addressed in government policies and international agreements.
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Sri Lanka's civil war
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In January 2008, the Sri Lankan government officially withdrew from the six-year-old Ceasefire Agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. This followed a period of escalating conflict over the previous two years, during which it had become clear that the peace process was in serious trouble. As the fighting continues, neither side seems likely to be able to achieve its objectives by military means alone.
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