G20 makes its mark
One clear long-term effect of the financial crisis has been the rise of the G20 as the world’s leading forum for economic cooperation. Widening the old G7/G8 groups to welcome emerging giants like Brazil, China and India, it has already agreed significant reforms, despite its unwieldy size. After quick-fire summits in Washington, London and Pittsburgh, it is now set to become an annual meeting.
Full text HTML & PDF (free to all users) >>>
Breakthrough in the South Caucasus
What started as an invitation to a football match has now become a landmark agreement between unfriendly neighbours, as Armenia and Turkey inked a pact in October to resume diplomatic relations and open their joint border after 16 years. But can Armenians be convinced that their government has not compromised on vital issues to get the deal?
Full text HTML & PDF (free to all users) >>>
Gulf states step up defences
Arabian Gulf countries have long been among the world’s biggest buyers of high-tech weapons, but their purchases were often as much about prestige as about strengthening their national security. Now as neighbouring Iran pursues a nuclear programme, the Gulf states are starting to fear its hegemony. They are branching out into missile-defence systems and welcoming a new French military base onto their territory.
Full text HTML & PDF (free to all users) >>>
No solutions in sight to Somalia’s insecurity
Piracy off its Indian Ocean coastline has thrown the spotlight back on Somalia, and Western governments are increasingly concerned about its role as a breeding ground for Islamic militancy. But as al-Shabaab rebels threaten the Transitional Federal Government in Mogadishu, it seems things won’t be getting better any time soon in this archetypal failed state.
Full text HTML & PDF (free to all users) >>>
South Sudan’s quest for independence
Parliamentary and presidential elections in Sudan in April 2010 will be a dress rehearsal for a 2011 referendum on independence for the south of the country. No-one doubts that Southerners want their own state. But can Khartoum really let go of a region whose oil riches bring in 98% of its revenue?
Full text HTML & PDF (free to all users) >>>
