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)

Lebanon: The Causes of the New Internal Violence and Hezbollah's Position of Strength

Throughout the course of the weekend in Beirut, the prospect of a new civil war returned. The Hezbollah armed militia occupied the whole of the West of the capital and seiged the symbols of the pro-western government. The violence exploded suddenly after Siniora's decision to cut the telecommunication lines installed by the Party of God and to remove the organiser of Beirut's airport security. The Army remained neutral and has not taken part in the fights, resuming control of West Beirut after three days of strikes. Siniora withdrew the measures and Hezbollah was therefore the winner on all fronts. Continue...

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Stefano Torelli

(15 May 2008)

Egypt: The Prospective Politics After the Increase in Food Prices

The increase in the price of bread, a number of repurcussuions of the larger inflation of food prices on a global scale in recent years, has brought about manifestations, arrests and fatalities. Egypt questions its future, in the light of a probable withdrawal of Mubarak to the candidacy for the next presidential elections in 2011. They urge reforms to speed up the growth of the country. The American influence and the presence of groups organised by the Islamist matrix, inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood, represents the dilemma of the society and the Egyptian political class. On the horizon there is a new executive class which must live alongside these two opposite forces. Continue...

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Stefano Torelli

(13 May 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)

Palestine: Minority Resistance Movements

The Palestinian political scene is composed of numerous and very different realities and is not broken down into the one clash between Fatah and Hamas. Other important movements whose purely political actions correspond to a tough armed fight are also present. Despite the evident organisational and military inferiority compared to the organization of the two principal factions, these smaller groups hold a weight that must not in any way be underestimated. The Nahel Oz attack was only one initial demonstration of this.. Continue...

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Marco Di Donato

(07 May 2008)

The United States: the environmental crisis and the political debate

“Going green” has become popular in the U.S., resulting in an increased awareness of the complexity of environmental issues as well as personal responsibility and activism. The frontrunners in the presidential elections have had to respond to these issues with tangible plans. 2008 may be the first time in the history of the United States that the environment will play a substantial role in the presidential campaign and, probably, will have an important impact on the final choice. Continue...

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Robin J. Merritt

(28 April 2008)

Paraguay: Fernando Lugo's Challenges

The victor of the presidential elections for the Patriotic Alliance for Change's (PAC) marks an end to the half century ruled by the Colorado Party. Who is this 56 year old charismatic ex-bishop claiming to represent a new political period in the country, and what challenges does his government face? Continue...

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Mariano Roca

(24 April 2008)