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May 11, 2009
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Pope arrives in Israel; Holocaust row could overshadow peace push.
- Japanese opposition leader to quit amid corruption charges.
- Zuma creates powerful new development body in S. Africa.
- Hundreds of thousands pour out of Pakistan war zones.
Top of the Agenda: Pope Israel Trip
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Israel today on what is likely to be the most sensitive stop on his tour of the Middle East. In his initial speech upon landing, the Pope "pleaded" with regional leaders to find a "just" two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Ynet). http://m1e.net/
The Pope's talks could be overshadowed, however, by tensions between the Vatican and Israel. The BBC notes that the pontiff has angered some in Israel by readmitting to the Church a bishop who denied the extent of the Holocaust, and by pushing to beatify Pope Pius XII, who led the Roman Catholic Church during World War II and whom many Jews believe did not do enough to prevent the persecution of Jews. http://m1e.net/
Whatever happens on the Pope's trip, it will set the stage for critical meetings next week between Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama--meetings which many observers say could set the tone of diplomacy in the region during Obama's tenure.
Background:
- This Backgrounder surveys relations between the Vatican and Israel. http://m1e.net/
Analysis:
- An analysis in Haaretz says the Pope faces an "impossible balancing act" given the scrutiny he will face on his tour of the Holy Land. http://m1e.net/
- Looking forward to next week's meetings between Obama and Netanyahu, Jordanian President King Abdullah tells the Times of London that Obama must make a firm push for peace now--or the region will likely face another war in the next year or two. http://m1e.net/
- CFR's Elliott Abrams, writing in the Wall Street Journal, says the Obama administration'
MIDDLE EAST: U.S. Journalist in Iran
The BBC reports an Iranian appeals court has cut the sentence of a U.S. journalist working in Iran from eight years to two years, and that the court will allow her to leave the country--essentiall
SAUDI-FRANCE: The Arab News reports Saudi Arabia and France are in the process of finalizing a civilian nuclear cooperation pact that could lead to the sale of French nuclear technology to Riyadh. http://m1e.net/
SYRIA-IRAQ: The Washington Post reports Syria is reemerging as a focal point of the Iraq conflict as an increasing number of foreign fighters flow into Iraq across the Syria border. http://m1e.net/
PACIFIC RIM: Japan Opposition Leader to Quit
Ichiro Ozawa, the leader of Japan's opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, announced today that he will resign over a scandal involving allegedly illegal political donations (Asahi). http://m1e.net/
CHINA: China confirmed its first case of swine flu after an intense effort to keep the virus out of the country (Xinhua). http://m1e.net/
N.KOREA: Officials from Seoul and the UN's nuclear watchdog group are meeting today to discuss how to move forward with respect to North Korea's nuclear program (Yonhap). http://m1e.net/
SOUTH & CENTRAL ASIA: Fleeing Swat
Dawn reports some 360,000 persons have fled heavy fighting in Pakistan's Swat Valley, and from parts of Buner and Lower Dir, since early May. The UN's refugee agency says more than 80 percent of these refugees are not staying in UN refugee camps. http://m1e.net/
Meanwhile, the Daily Times reports 200 Taliban were killed in twenty-four hours in the Pakistani government's latest military operations in Swat. http://m1e.net/
The New York Times reports foreign fighters sponsored by al-Qaeda are moving to stir further unrest in the region. http://m1e.net/
AFGHANISTAN: Kabul formed a new anti-corruption department within the Afghan Ministry of Finance in an effort to clamp down on government corruption (Quqnoos). http://m1e.net/
AFRICA: Zuma's Team
Business Day reports South Africa's new President Jacob Zuma has surprised analysts by establishing a new Department of Economic Development, the head of which, a trade unionist named Ebrahim Patel, could broaden authorities traditionally held by the country's finance and treasury ministers. http://m1e.net/
PIRACY: A Somali government minister blamed the ransoms paid by the international community to pirates in the Gulf of Aden for exacerbating Somalia's problems with piracy (BBC). http://m1e.net/
This Backgrounder looks at international efforts to confront maritime piracy. http://m1e.net/
AMERICAS: Peru's Revitalized Rebels
The Associated Press reports a resurgent cocaine trade in Peru has reignited Peru's Shining Path guerilla movement. http://m1e.net/
This Backgrounder profiles the Shining Path group. http://m1e.net/
U.S.-CANADA: The Los Angeles Times reports the United States plans to clamp down on security on its border with Canada. http://m1e.net/
EUROPE: Iceland to Push EU Membership
The AFP reports Iceland's new government will push for a rapid vote on joining the European Union. http://m1e.net/
SPAIN: NPR reports both unemployment and disparities in payouts and benefits to laid-off workers are on the rise in Spain. http://m1e.net/
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