Talian refuses to hold meetings with Afghan Government

As of recently the Taliban has held meetings and plans to hold meetings with the united states regarding peace efforts. Afghanistans president Karzai publicly announced that the Afghan government has also held talks with the Taliban and that the U.S. Afghanistan and Taliban have all been in on these talks. However, a Taliban spokesperson denounced this statement saying the Taliban has never and will never negotiate with Karzais government. The taliban also states that this was a propaganda move and to show who still holds power in Afghanistan which they say basically they have and that Karzai has little power. If Karzai believes these talks did in fact happen then there is a fake Taliban member and they are not willing to in fact work with him. This is important because the Taliban clearly thinks they have the power in Afghanistan but do the Afghani people think this? Do the Afghani people think Karzai has the power? It will be interesting to see if the Taliban will ever work with Afghanistan and if they will ever reach any agreements with the United States.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/16/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-us/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Katie Kruse

Mexico Presidential Candidate

Last week Mexicos National Action Party announced their presidential candidate, who happens to be a women, and the first woman at that, to run for the mexican presidency. She won 55% of the vote compared to her opponent who only received 38% of the vote. What is different about mexican presidencies is that only party members vote in the primaries. Vasquez is not the front runner but she is only 20 points behind in national polls. Her accomplishments and credentials fo the job include minister of education and social development and is the head of her party in the lower house. If elected it will be a huge turning point for the country, mainly because she would be the first woman to be president in Mexico. I think this is particularly interesting because woman leaders are said to be more nurturing and using less action and more cooperation as their leadership styles and it would be interesting to see how a woman deals with the dug cartels, etc.

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137086/shannon-k-oneil/vazquez-mota-and-the-2012-mexican-election

Katie Kruse

IAEA in Iran

The International atomic energy agency arrived in Iran on sunday and is said to stay through tuesday. The top officials are part of a team to inspect Irans Nuclear ambitions. Iran is suspected of attempting to develop nuclear powers, against international law. six member of the IAEA including chief inspector are in Iran trying to "clarify the issues with possible military dimensions." Iran denies any accusations of tyring to develop nuclear weapons. Iran also states its hope that this inspection will prove their transparency and clear up any ambiguity. As of recently the sanctions placed on Iran from the US and Australia and the announcment that the EU will no longer import Iranian oil are increased international efforts to halt any nuclear production from Iran. Iran comes back and states they will no longer export oil to "certain countries" so it will be interesting to see how this situation turns out.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/29/world/meast/iran-nuclear-iaea/index.html?hpt=wo_c1

Katie Kruse

Al Qaida in Iraq

A spokesperson from Al-Qaida in Iraq released a statement on WEdnesday saying that America has been defeated in Iraq. Al Qaida in Iraq is one of the United States main enemy. This is the first comment they have released since the U.S. pulled out their troops after a 9 year conflict. Al Qaida believes that the U.S. pulled out their troops from Iraq because our economy is declining and the loss of our troops was unbearable. The leader, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, also said in his statement to encourage all al-Qaida members and former al Qaida members to embrace jihad and to not forget it. This issue is particularly important because as Obama stated in this SOTU speech that we will make sure the middle east does not attack us again, meaning we will not leave the middle east with any infrastructure and no official government. Since the U.S. has left Iraq the Sunni Militants have stepped up their attacks on Shiites, which is leaving the world in fear that another civil war is brewing in Iraq.

http://news.yahoo.com/iraq-al-qaida-says-us-withdrew-save-funds-190431488.html

Katie Kruse

Aftermath Effects of Bin Laden's death

We all knew there was going to be some sort of aftermath terrorist attacks after the death of Bin laden. This particular event occurred in Pakistan's air naval base in Karachi. It is estimated that there were 12- 15 terrorist attackers. The article doesn't state a specific group but is said to be militants, or specific reasons why they targeted the naval base. They launched grenades and heavy artillery fire was exchanged between the group and Pakistani navy officers. During the attack there is a total of 10 dead, or injured. The naval base is also a large area which houses a museum, college, and air command center, which could be a reason why it was targeted just three weeks after Bin Ladens death. So far the Militant group that attcked the base is now trapped in one building on the base, and Pakistan officers confirmed 6 to already be dead, and state, "they are fighting a losing battle." This just shows some of the smaller terrorist attacks we face due to the elimination of a figure head.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/terrorists-attack-pakistani-military-base-10-killed/articleshow/8524052.cms

Katie Kruse

The Queen Visits Ireland

Why is the royal visit to Ireland such a big deal? Well, because it is the first time the monarchy has traveled to Ireland in 100 years despite their close geography. Everyone is aware of the longstanding rivalry between the Irish and the English, but what is the story behind it? The conflicts between the Irish and the British go way back to World War I, when Ireland was trying to gain its independence from Britain. When the war broke out Irish troops fought along side the British, but as the war progressed their patience wore thin. British troops killed unarmed irish civilians, and ever since their has been a hatred of the two cultures. (more reasons applicable) This year 2011 will be the first year since 1911 when King George V visited the island of Ireland. The Queen will go to various places throughout Ireland to recognize the Irish troops who fought and died along the British in WWI. Steps to amend the differences between the two cultures is in the very first stages as some Irish civilians are still uneasy about the Queen visiting, but it is a start.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13410979

Katie Kruse

Zakaria Offers Insight to Post Bin Laden

In an article posted on CNN Zakaria, the author of the The Post American World, was interviewed via twitter on what happens now that Osama Bin Laden is dead. The first piece of advice Zakaria offers is that the U.S. should definitely continue to hunt terrorists affiliations. He stresses how now is a critical time where terrorist groups like the taliban and al Qaeda are leaderless and vulnerable right now and pushing forward is the the U.S.'s best interest. However he does make it clear that while its important to still keep troops to hinder the formation of terrorists groups, that we do not need more than 30,000, and we should withdraw from Afghanistan and stop trying to make the third poorest country into a functioning democracy, he says, its not going to happen.

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/10/zakaria-draw-down-u-s-troops-in-afghanistan/?hpt=T1

Katie Kruse

Bombing in Morocco ends deadly

The last time there was a terrorist attack in Morocco was in 2003 and there were 45 people pronounced dead. Last week there was another bombing which has been confirmed the act of terrorist. It was located in Marrakesh in the popular tourist area in a cafe. At least 20 people were injured, most of them tourists from France. Tourism needless to say is going to suffer for this popular tourist area for most Europeans.

This is a little outdated but I thought I would post it because my best friend who is studying abroad right now in Paris was actually traveling and happened to be at this exact cafe two months ago, and emailed me this article the other day.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13226117

Katie Kruse

Osama Bin Laden Dead

Leader of the Al Qaida terrorist group has been announced dead. He was found hiding in a mansion. His body is apparently in US custody after CIA and special ops forces killed him in Pakistan. Bin Laden has been on Americas most wanted list for 8+ years since Bush was in administration. Obama is releasing a statement soon about the death of Bin Laden. Most people are curious now to see what happens to the terrorist group now that the leader has been removed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/02/osama-bin-laden-dead-obama

Katie Kruse

Japans Economy Taking Hard Hit

There are a few factors contributing to the fall of Industrial Output in Japan. This past March factory output in Japan hit an all time high at 15.3%. in 2009 Japan's factory output fell 8.6% due to world economical crisis. One reason why this is happening is of course because of the earthquake and Tsunami which left Japan devastated. The shortage of supplies to produce products in another reason why the output in Japan is failing. Due to the damage of nuclear plants and electricty production is also falling short. Analysts say they cannot foresee when production will return to normal. Automobile production is amongst the largest industry seeing these effects. This is important because as a global market other countries are going to start seeing shortages on technology items we rely on Japan to import.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/13218449

Katie Kruse

Tokyo Bids for 2020 Olympics

After the devastating effects of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake to hit Japan, the governor of Tokyo has expressed the importance of getting back on track economically. He has specifically stated that by hosting the 2020 (although nine years off) it could boost the economy back up and help Japan. Tokyo lost to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 games. Other countries to express interest in hosting the 2020 games are among Rome, Berlin, Busan, Cape Town, Doha, and Istanbul. A final decision regarding the games will be made in September 2013.

Read More:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/13029861.stm

Katie Kruse

China tells U.S. to stop preaching on Human Rights

After reading the article on activist, Al weiwei, the U.S. expressed concern for his recent arrest, because of the tightening control the government has had over the internet and several other things. Chinese government has criticized the U.S., stating that "the U.S. should be more concerned about our human rights issues and stop interfering in other countries internal affairs." China who is known for stepping up the practices of forced disappearances, house arrest, and black jails, is stating that they would be happy to discuss human rights in terms of equality and mutual respect, but have made it clear that they want the U.S. to step back on preaching on human rights.

to read more:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13027427

Katie Kruse