|
Basque separatist terrorism |
|
In recent weeks, Spain has suffered its bloodiest attacks by Basque terrorists in seven years. ETA, the radical Basque separatist group, has killed 13 people and wounded many more since it cancelled a 14-month truce in December 1999. The group’s supporters clash regularly with riot police in the Basque cities of northern Spain. A string of recent police successes has considerably diminished ETA’s power. Yet chances appear slim of reaching a negotiated political settlement that would end the activities of Europe´s most lethal terrorist group.
Full text & PDF (free to all users) >>>
|
|
Nepal's Maoist insurgency |
|
A spreading Maoist insurgency is posing a growing challenge to the authorities in Nepal. For the last four years, the Maoists have been spearheading a violent movement aimed at establishing a communist republic in place of the country’s constitutional monarchy. The campaign has left more than 1,500 people dead. As attacks escalate, there are growing demands for the Nepalese authorities to use the military. But such a move would strain relations between Nepal and foreign governments that provide the country with desperately needed economic aid.
Full text & PDF (subscribers only) >>>
Buy this article online >>>
|
|
Refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|
Growing numbers of Bosnian refugees are returning to their former homes at the scenes of wartime atrocities committed against their communities. The trend is changing the face of post-war Bosnia and slowly reversing the effects of ‘ethnic cleansing’. Property-law changes, the capture of war criminals and a more assertive approach on the part of the international community have all encouraged the returnees. But with considerable funding still required to build new houses in war-ravaged areas, donor fatigue could stall the process.
Full text & PDF (subscribers only) >>>
Buy this article online >>>
|
|
Elections in Côte d'Ivoire |
|
For 40 years a model of stability and economic success in West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire is descending into disarray. Nine months after the country’s first military coup, the head of Côte d’Ivoire’s ruling military junta now seeks to retain the presidency by manipulating the electoral transition he appointed himself to oversee. He is using the perilous tactic of exploiting nationality and immigration as issues most likely to ensure his hold on power. A split in the army has made the crisis more acute.
Full text & PDF (subscribers only) >>>
Buy this article online >>>
|
|
Japan's naval power |
|
In the last few months, there have been tentative changes in the Japanese navy’s role, component forces and area of operations. Japanese military planners have begun to reassess the navy’s needs in the light of changes in the post-Cold War security environment, such as China’s naval expansion, increasing threats from piracy and uncertainty over the long-term future of the US security umbrella in East Asia. Public and political backing is growing for greater changes to Japan’s defence role.
Full text & PDF (subscribers only) >>>
Buy this article online >>>
|
