Ecuador: the National Assembly and the diplomatic conflict

Ecuador is currently facing transitions because of its National Assembly. Nevertheless, there is a threat that the country can follow a political authoritarian process similar to the one of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. On the other hand, after the diplomatic conflict with Colombia, the Ecuadorian government has been accused of collaborating with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Even though, president Rafael Correa has denied these affirmations, recent reports of The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) would have confirm a connection. In this context, Ecuador, potentially, still emerges as one of the most unstable countries in Latin America. Continue...

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Carlos Eduardo Pérez Crespo

(03 June 2008)

Sudan: The Darfur “Bottleneck”

A solution cannot be assumed – at least in the near future – which can put an end to the bloody conflict in Darfur, the Sudanese region where out-and-out genocide has been in existence since 2003. The Janjaweed, an Islam inspiration group composed of members of the Baggara Arabic Nomad Tribe, oppose violently against the rest of the civilian population, made up of different ethnics. The Khartoum government unofficially claims that the Janjaweed fight is supplying their weapons and military assistance. This element contributes to removing every possible wish for peace. It is impossible that a pacification can be reached in one of the poorest areas in Africa without the will of the Sudanese government. In reality, there are many interests, of both an economic and geopolitical nature, between the different powers on an international level, predominantly China and Russia, which limit the opportunities of cessation of the war hostility. Continue...

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Sergio Porcu

(12 May 2008)

United States: The NATO Summit in Bucharest and the Decline of American Soft Power

The concluded NATO summit in Bucharest provided important indications regarding the difficulties experienced by the Bush administration in bringing together European allies in a coalition favouring the extension of the Atlantic Alliance toward Eastern Europe. Germany's refusal of the inclusion of Georgia and the Ukraine and skepticism towards the project for the construction of the European missile defence shield, seem to indicate a decline in America's persuasive power over European Union countries and a definitive statement regarding the Kremlin's ability to exercise pressure on the European Community. Continue...

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Simone Comi

(22 April 2008)

Turkey: The Defence Industry

The Turkish defence industry is strongly developing, due to Turkish companies collaboration with the international giants in the sector. In 2006 a value of 350 million dollars was exported. Currently the production satisfies 37.5% of the demands within the armaments, and the complex reached a value of 1.7 million dollars. The goal is to produce helicopters and submarines within 10 years. Continue...

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Domenico Guglielmi

(17 April 2008)

France: Sarkozy's European Defence Strategy

Ten years following the summit in Saint Malo between Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac, the subject of the European Defence Policy has again become of significant relevance as France prepares to undertakes the Presidency of the EU on July 1, 2008. In view of such a deadline, French president, Sarkozy, has clearly defined the guidelines which France will follow to reinvigorate political cooperation in Europe. Continue...

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Nicolò Sartori

(09 April 2008)

Algeria: Between Terrorism and Political Instability

Instability remains one of the leitmotifs of Algerian politics. In addition to frequent terrorist attacks, other internal agents contribute to destabilisation of an already precarious situation. The latest planned strikes of union organisations and the social turmoil for constitutional reform represent the hotspots of the recent political agenda in Algeria. Continue...

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Daniela Chibbaro

(09 April 2008)

Russia: The Situation in Northern Caucasus

The bloody attacks in the past weeks in the North Caucasus have caused the deaths of numerous fighters among both rebels and government forces, placing the pacification of the region at the top of Kremlin priorities. In this present state it is difficult to know for certain which measures will be adopted by the new president, Medvedev. The noticeable influence of his mentor, Putin, who continues to exercise substantial influence over the internal and foreign affairs of the Federation, however, renders it plausible that, even in the future, the resort to an approach which combines co-option and repression will constitute Moscow’s principal strategy for containment of separatist surges. Continue...

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Giovanni Daniele Valvo

(08 April 2008)