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Archives for December 2015

WHY ISRAEL WAITS

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Anti-Solutionism as a Strategy Natan Sachs, November/December 2015 Issue, Foreign Affairs Israeli national security strategy can seem baffling. Many observers in the United States and Europe, for example, wonder how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have warned for years that Iran’s nuclear program posed an existential threat to Israel yet has balked … [Read more...] about WHY ISRAEL WAITS

China-Africa summit: what to look for beyond the hype and hypocrisy

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Joe J. Stremlau, 30 Nov 2015, Mail & Guardian The Africa-China summit will provide an opportunity to get a feel for how the Chinese President is responding to democratic developments in Africa. Beijing’s selection of South Africa to host the China-Africa heads of state summit may indicate Chinese President Xi Jinping’s personal commitment to the continent. This is the … [Read more...] about China-Africa summit: what to look for beyond the hype and hypocrisy

The U.S. Navy’s $500 million ship that’s ready for disaster in a warmer world

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David Axe. 9 December 2015, Reuters Culturally, the U.S. military is a fairly conservative organization. But unlike many other conservative American institutions, the armed services harbor no doubt about arguably the most important issue in the world today — one that has drawn experts, advocates and leaders from all over the world to Paris for an historic … [Read more...] about The U.S. Navy’s $500 million ship that’s ready for disaster in a warmer world

Congo loses up to $15 billion per year to fraud: official

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KINSHASA, Wed 9 Dec 2015, Reuters Democratic Republic of Congo loses up to $15 billion a year due to fraud, the president's anti-corruption adviser said on Wednesday, an amount close to twice the central African country's budget. Luzolo Bambi, a counselor to President Joseph Kabila on graft and money laundering, did not give any specifics during an interview … [Read more...] about Congo loses up to $15 billion per year to fraud: official

Once Militant, Now Millionaire. Next Up: South Africa President?

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Michael Cohen and Amogelang Mbatha, 8 December 2015, Bloomberg Business Cyril Ramaphosa is the only serving politician in South Africa who’s led both a labor union and a business empire. Now chances are rising that he’ll lead the country. The country’s biggest labor group last month cautiously backed Ramaphosa to head the ruling African National Congress in two years … [Read more...] about Once Militant, Now Millionaire. Next Up: South Africa President?

Understanding ISIS: Leaked document reveals nation-building plans

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Molly Jackson, 7 December 2015, Christian Science Monitor A state-building manual for Islamic State administrators confirms the complexity and breadth of the group's efforts to create a functioning state, albeit one ruled by terror. In life under Islamic State, however, many civilian services seem to be suffering. Politicians, media, and readers from New York to … [Read more...] about Understanding ISIS: Leaked document reveals nation-building plans

South Sudan’s elite make their money and run

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Katrina Manson, 07 December 2015, Business Day THE most conspicuous feature of South Sudan’s elite is its absence. The newest country in the world is in dire need of committed, educated nation builders. But many of its most wealthy citizens park everything, from their assets, families and even themselves — outside the country. The people of South Sudan spent decades … [Read more...] about South Sudan’s elite make their money and run

Can old faces bring true change to Burkina Faso?

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 08 Dec 2015, Business Day OUAGADOUGOU — A year after an uprising toppled Blaise Compaore after he led Burkina Faso for 27 years, the people of the west African country have elected a new leader whose deep ties to the old regime make many doubt the prospects for real change. President-elect Roch Marc Christian Kabore had a succession of strategic jobs under Mr Compaore … [Read more...] about Can old faces bring true change to Burkina Faso?

Rwanda sets date for referendum to extend presidential term limit

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KIGALI, Tue 8 Dec 2015, Reuters Rwandans will vote in a referendum on December 18 on whether to amend the constitution and allow President Paul Kagame to remain in office until as late as 2034, officials said on Tuesday, a plan that mirrors moves in several other African countries. Under the proposed amendment, Kagame, in power since 2000, would be able to run for … [Read more...] about Rwanda sets date for referendum to extend presidential term limit

Rwandan president to decide on third term after referendum

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Agency Staff, December 07 2015, Business Daily KIGALI — Rwanda’s president has said he will decide whether to seek a third term in office after a referendum, possibly this month, on a constitutional change that would a allow him to run again. The US, a major donor that has long praised President Paul Kagame for rebuilding the nation after the 1994 genocide, has said … [Read more...] about Rwandan president to decide on third term after referendum