Posted by hardyberlin on 9th October 2007
Joerg Wolf of the Atlantic initiative interviewed fourteen policy analysts from reputated think tanks across Europe what they are thinking about the US planes in Iraq:
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1. European Analysts Want America to Stay in Iraq
While the American public and policy debate revolves largely around exit strategies and "redeployment," European policy analysts believe that American troops should remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future. A sudden withdrawal or public announce-ment of a timetable was considered dangerous by a majority of those questioned.
This means European expert opinions are very different from popular sentiment in Europe. Besides, I find it newsworthy, because it indicates that Europeans still believe that the US is able to stabilize Iraq, while more and more Americans doubt whether the US can end the civil war and the insurgency.
http://www.atlantic-community.org/index.php/articles/view/Europeans_Want_America_to_Stay_in_Iraq
2. Europe Should Help, But Not Follow US Lead
While the European public does not support a greater involvement in Iraq, the European analysts interviewed by the Atlantic Community see the need to help Iraq. They suggest either pursuing policies in Iraq independent of prevailing US wisdom, or hinging the level of involvement on America’s willingness to cede control; in such a case some are even in favor of sending troops.
Several respondents recommend that France mediate discussions among internal factions in Iraq. Efforts could focus on dialogue with powerful stakeholders to reinvigorate Iraqi nationalism and reduce sectarian violence.
European diplomatic offensive involving Iran and Syria is seen as essential, but experts are also focused on Turkey. Maintaining peace in Kurdistan could be encouraged through EU membership negotiations.
http://www.atlantic-community.org/index.php/articles/view/Europe_Should_Help_Iraq%2C_But_Not_Follow_US_Lead
3. Premature US Withdrawal Would Threaten Europe
European analysts believe that American withdrawal from Iraq would spell disaster. Increased refugee flows, regional instability, cross-border violence, higher oil prices, terrorism within Europe, and increased American isolationism were the main predictions noted by our respondents. "With a weakened United States, geopolitical vacations for Europe should be over."
What I found very interesting was that one analyst from IFRI in Paris suggested that the regional conflagration could benefit the West: "low-level protracted warfare between the Saudis (also Al Qaida) and the Iranians through local proxies would tie them and wear them down, perhaps to the point where most of their respective energies would be focused on Iraq."
http://www.atlantic-community.org/index.php/articles/view/Premature_US_Withdrawal_Could_Threaten_Europe
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Other news from the Atlantic Initiative you can get at the link in my sidebar.
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Posted by hardyberlin on 9th October 2007
Are there good news about Burma? It might seem so, because of this article from Nay Htoo, DVB: The Burmese government has appointed a liaison officer to facilitate relations with detained National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
A foreign correspondent based in Rangoon believes signs are hopeful for dialogue between the two sides. “It seems like the dialogue is really going to happen,” he said.
We all can only hope so, but when I read this article, also from Nay Htoo , then I’m not so sure: Government officials have categorized detainees into four groups based on their level of involvement in recent anti-government demonstrations in Burma. The categories range from A, which includes protest leaders or organizers and politicians, to D, people who were bystanders at the protests or clapped their hands in support. Category B denotes those who held flags or marched in the first row of protesters. There is no further information on those in category C or what will happen to them.
But it might be, that the threatening of the People’s Movement Leader Committee to call for a boycott of the 2008 Olympics if China uses its veto in the United Nations Security Council again to block action on Burma has helped.
Their statement said, that if China continues acting in this way, they will start a campaign to get all six billion people of the world to boycott the upcoming Beijing Olympics…and also all Chinese products. Well, I would add Russian products too. Some bloggers have already made a nice sticker for the products a while ago.
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