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The future of Montenegro |
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If Milo Djukanovic, the president of Montenegro, has his way there will be soon be two new states in Europe: Montenegro and Serbia. Both European Union countries and the United States have told the Montenegrins that they oppose its move to independence, but this alone is unlikely to stop it happening.
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Asia's struggling economies |
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However deep or long it proves to be, the US economic downturn faces Asian economies with new challenges, but also with opportunities. Those countries likely to feel the effects most are also those in the strongest position to avoid a repetition of the kind of precipitous decline that many suffered during the Asian financial crisis of 1997-8. Although the region's export growth will decline, this may be offset to a considerable extent by a recovery in domestic demand.
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China's battle with Falun Gong |
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Since the self-immolation on Tiananmen Square in January by five people said to belong to the Falun Gong movement, the Chinese authorities have intensified their struggle to eradicate the quasi Buddhist sect. With the approach of the Communist Party 80th anniversary celebrations in July and a crucial party congress next year, the leadership is especially anxious to put an end to what has become one of its biggest social order problems in the last decade.
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Vietnam's Ninth Party Congress |
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Vietnam is entering a critical period with the approach of a five-yearly congress of its ruling Communist Party, due to take place in early April. Continued inter-party factionalism could undermine the country's political stability and set back the course of reform. Alternatively, delegates to the Ninth National Party Congress could decide to jettison the ideological baggage of the past and adopt a renewed programme of reforms.
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Prospects for peace in DR Congo |
The 21 February agreement between the UN Security Council and the main warring parties in DR Congo on the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country has reinforced the more upbeat mood surrounding peace efforts in the region. Hopes for peace now rest on Joseph Kabila, son of the assassinated late president Laurent Kabila. But little has fundamentally changed in DR Congo and the fighting is likely to continue.
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