Alassane Ouattara's final push to get Laurent Gbagbo to resign

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ivory-coast-fighters-descend-on-main-city-for-final-push-to-unseat-entrenched-ruler/2011/03/31/AFNySu7B_story.html?hpid=z2


Alassane Quattara won the Ivory Coast's race for the presidential election last fall by the country's election commission in results verified by national observers. However, the previous president, Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept the loss and has used the military to attack pro-Ouattara areas with heavy-artillery and is accused of arming citizen militias and recruiting foreign mercenaries to defend his grip on power. Nearly 500 people (mostly supporters of Quattara) have been killed since the election. Quattara.

Rebels and supporters of Quattara gave Gbagbo an ultimatum, surrender peacefully or they will begin fighting in Abidjan, eventually to reach the presidential palace with the use of force. For over 3 months Quattara refused his rebel forces to march on Abidjan, however, this advance is seen as the resort since all other diplomatic means had failed. Quattara had won the election with over 54% of the vote and did not want to be seen as having taken the country by force, but now it is inevitable.


Erin Higgins

TA: Armel, Friday 1-1:50

Mr. Obama hasn’t overstepped on Libya

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mr-obama-hasnt-overstepped-on-libya-/2011/03/21/AB5C868_story.html

PRESIDENT OBAMA went to some lengths to get United Nations authorization and Arab League support for the current U.S. mission in Libya . But aside from some last-minute consultations, the president did far less to ensure the support of Congress. This strikes some members of that body, from both parties, as the opposite of what the Constitution requires. They are quoting back to Mr. Obama what he told the Boston Globe in 2007 : “The president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation. . . . It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action.”

To be sure, when it comes to committing U.S. forces to battle, it would be wrong to substitute the will of the U.N. Security Council, much less the Arab League, for the will of Congress. The framers of the Constitution gave Congress the power to declare war and raise armies precisely because they did not want an unchecked executive committing the country to battle as he pleased; and they wanted clear national political support for those military undertakings that proved unavoidable.

Still, Mr. Obama’s actions of the past week square with his words of four years ago and, more important, with the Constitution — for reasons the president himself has articulated. There is a broad category of military operations short of full-scale war — from hostage rescues to humanitarian relief to enforcement of no-fly zones. Such contingencies, especially when they are likely to remain brief and involve little or no risk to U.S. troops, do not require full-blown debate in Congress and a declaration of war, in part because the process might go on longer than the emergency.

Though not articulated in constitutional text, this principle has been confirmed by many years of historical practice, in which presidents have ordered forces into action abroad without prior congressional authorization. And it is why President Obama did not need a vote of Congress for what he promises will be a short and limited operation, soon to be handed over mostly to other nations, whose initial aim was to block Moammar Gaddafi’s forces from sacking opposition-controlled Benghazi.

Things could change, however, if the operation mutates into something longer and more ambitious — as wars are wont to do. In that regard, Mr. Obama has done himself no favors by saying that the goal for which he is using force — protecting civilians — is separate from a goal — ousting Mr. Gaddafi — that Mr. Obama also has embraced. On Monday, the president made the required report triggering a 60-day time limit for the use of force in Libya without a vote of Congress. Congress should use that time to demand more clarity about U.S. objectives. And Mr. Obama should welcome the chance to provide it.

Lance Pisman
Ryan Maness 1pm

Somali 'al-Shabab' suspect held in Canada

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12910995


The man, name not released yet, was stopped at Toronto Pearson airport on Tuesday. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said he was bound for Cairo, then Somalia. His plans were to join al-Shabab. The US and Canada consider this a terror group. He wanted to participate in their terrorist activities. He was charged under federal law with attempting to participate in their terrorist activities and with providing counsel to a person to participate in such activity, police said. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said he would be identified when charges are formally laid in court on Wednesday. Anti-terror police began investigating him in October, and arrested him without incident after learning he planned to travel to Somali to link up with al-Shabab, police said.

Rita Shabo

Ryan 1PM

Syrian Government Resigns Amid Unrest

The Syrian government resigned Tuesday amid an unusual wave of unrest that has roiled the nation, state TV reported.

President Bashar al-Assad accepted the resignations Tuesday, the same day that tens of thousands of Syrians poured onto the streets of Damascus to demonstrate in favor of the government. A new government should be named within hours, said Reem Haddad, a spokeswoman for the Syrian Information Ministry. Meanwhile, the president is expected to address the nation in a speech before the People's Assembly at 11 a.m. (5 a.m. ET) Wednesday, state TV said.
Is Syria the regional game-changer?
Supporting Assad in Syria. The state-run SANA news agency reported the speech would "reassure the Syrian people." Many demonstrators at the pro-government rally held posters of the president. Others waved Syrian flags, while some painted their faces and chests in national colors. Crowds filled the square in front of the Central Bank and jammed all roads leading to it, aerial pictures on state TV showed. There were also pro-government rallies in the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Hasaka, the broadcaster said.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/29/syria.unrest/index.html
~~~ Joe Kamper
~~~ Section 16199
~~~ Ryan Maness

Egyptian Christians Persecuted

http://www.copts.com/english/?p=1398



Egypt is far from a safe place for Egyptian Christians. With the police being absent and the military taking control, the Military is standing by not taking actions over cruel acts of violence towards the Christians. Most of the Christians in Egypt believe the Muslim brotherhood is being handed the country on a silver plater which will prove to be fatal to Christians

Syria Stuggles

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704396904576226293686597156.html?mod=ITP_pageone_3

So I read this article and it mainly talks about how in Syria protesters are marching for freedom and justice. In some places the protesters called for the fall of the regime. At the same time of the protest the Syrian leadership id facing a major crisis on how to proceed with the unrest within the country.

Now another key point of this article is that Hilary Clinton announced that the U.S would not interfere, but they have condemned the excessive use of violence against protesters in Syria.

The main question arises that should the U.S not interfere with these disputes and what was the main difference from Libya??

I was not sure if this would be a good thing or bad that we would not be helping out in Syria.

Any thoughts?

Vince Manno
Discussion Friday 1:00
Ryan

U.S. Brazil anti dumping dispute

It is easy to see why the U.S. would try to protect its orange growers due to the political power of California and Florida within congress. I am glad to see that the WTO ruled in favor of Brazil because the sooner the U.S., the E.U., and others stop protecting agriculture the better off the world will be as a whole. In addition, Brazil is a strategic trading and political partner for the U.S. the best way to improve relations is by playing fair and by the rules agreed upon by all sides. Protectionism gives false hope and the illusion of safety.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110325/pl_afp/wtotradedisputebrazilusfarmfoodoranges;_ylt=Aund7aj52CSw3rOVOhhCVpG3IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTNlZnB0anY3BGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDExMDMyNS93dG90cmFkZWRpc3B1dGVicmF6aWx1c2Zhcm1mb29kb3JhbmdlcwRwb3MDMTgEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDd3RvcnVsZXNhZ2Fp

Section: Armel 10 AM
Thomas Zabaleta

New Media Agreement Regarding Mexico's Drug War

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12855300

More than 40 major media groups in Mexico agreed on a set of guidelines regarding their reportage on the country's drug war. Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, as 20 have been killed since 2006. The new set of guidelines aims to prevent further violence against journalists. The 10-point voluntary agreement states that newspapers and broadcasters should condemn organized criminal violence, and that they may not publish or broadcast cartel propaganda or any information that endangers military operations. President Felipe Calderon welcomed the agreement, and the International Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was a "breakthrough that could set professional standards well into the future." Critics, however, fear that the agreement opens the door to censorship.

The safety of journalists is an escalating concern as conflicts arise across the middle east. The CPJ reports that more than 300 attacks on journalists have been documented in the middle east since the beginning of the year. I wonder if the recent conflicts played a role in prompting Mexico to take such measures, and I am curious to know if any other countries will follow suit. I am curious to see the changes that develop in Mexican reporting.

Jessica Grant
Armel - 10AM discussion

Humanitarian Crisis in Libya

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/fears-grow-of-libyan-humanitarian-crisis/2011/03/23/ABJA8PLB_story.html

There is a fear of a potential humanitarian crisis in Libya, a key city that has been taken over by military forces. The government tanks retreat during the day where they are attacked by airstrikes, however during nightfall they return and resume their attacks. Humanitarian agencies and the US have been giving supplies to Libya in hopes to aid their current situation. The US is currently unaware of their role in Libya, and it troubles many law makers that the there is no clear mission in sight. What do you think the role of the US should be in Libya?

Devina Dhawan
Armel - Friday 10AM

Yemeni president Saleh threatens civil war, calls for dialogue

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/yemeni_president_saleh_threatens_civil_war/2011/03/22/ABa89xEB_story.html#comments


The north African protests have sparked motivation in the young citizens of Yemen, who along with the opposition are revolting against Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 30 years. Saleh has stated he is making plans to step down within a year, but citizens want immediate action. The president is asking for the citizen’s cooperation in dialogue or to face consequences if they negate. This past week government officials killed at least fifty demonstrators. The United States and Saudi Arabia have not declared support for Saleh, but do promote Yemen’s counterterrorism cooperation. As the movement in the fight for democratic rights escalates, I am eager to see if Yemen protesters will succeed as protestors in Egypt and if the instability will permit for al Qaeda groups to flourish.


Ernestina Perez
Armel Fri. 10 AM

Canadian opposition parties 'to reject Harper budget'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12827085


Looks like our neighbor to the north is experiencing some of the same political infighting as us when it comes to dealing with politics and budgets. Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in quite a fight with the more liberal wing of his government with regard to corporate tax breaks and military spending. When politicians finally decide they want to balance their budgets, cutting military spending never seems to be an option. So far Obama has fired approximately 235 tomahawk missiles into Libya at a cost of about 1.5 million dollars a launch-to what avail??? Yet he wants to cut Pell grant funding for college students. Looks like President Obama and Prime Minister Harper might want to get together for a beer.

Jim Fehring
Ryan Maness

In Tripoli, Airstrikes and a Change of Atmosphere

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/world/africa/23tripoli.html?ref=world


One of the military officers supported the Western goal of creating a no fly zone. However, he think that a no fly zone is not the way to get rid of Qaddafi. Even though many of the people in Tripoli were angry over the West air strikes they still welcomed western strangers. It will be interesting to see what happens with those who support Qaddafi and those who are the rebels.

Jackie Mazur

French Military Jets Over Libya

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971

The United Nations decided on Thursday to create a no fly zone over Libya. The French have done what has been seen to be the first act of intervention since the no fly zone. Gadaffi forces are trying to enter Benghazi where the opposition strong hold is located, but the French with their air force is doing all they can to prevent what the president calls " The new UN resolution authorizes "all necessary measures" to stop Gadaffi forces from harming the innocent in Libya. This gave way for other countries including France, United States, United Nations, and other countries to use military action against what the French president calls, "murderous madness" of Col Gaddafi, Mr. Sarkozy said. This gives way for other countries to take actions against rulers who are jeoperdizing international law.

Juan Soliz
Maness

Lecture, Extra Credit

WEDNESDAY MARCH 16th
Event: China and Israel: Ancient Nations in the Modern Age
Time: 2:30-3:30
Location: SCE 605
Description: At first glance China and Israel appear to have nothing in common. Looking deeper, it becomes clear that both the Chinese and Jewish peoples belong to the tiny group of ancient civilizations that have survived into the modern age. They are both hardworking, creative peoples, and have made major contributions to mankind. Chinese Deputy Consul General Lu Kun and Israeli Deputy Consul General Shahar Arieli are coming to UIC to speak about the commercial and strategic cooperation that has flourished between the two nations since 1992.
***DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS THIS EVENT IS ONLY OPEN TO UIC STUDENTS AND FACULTY***

UN Security Council Reviewing Libya No Fly Zone Proposal

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/UN-Security-Council-Reviewing-Libya-No-Fly-Zone-Proposal-118048114.html

The Arab League called the UN's most powerful body to have a no fly zone in Libya to protect the civilians who have been caught in the battle. There are many questions to be answered regarding this proposal such as who would be participating and how would it work. As we talked about in class the other day a no fly zone is not an easy thing to do. In order to have a no fly zone you have to do something about it first on anti-warfare pieces. Also if there is a no fly zone you can have large scale attacks on radar and missels instead. The questions are going to be talked about in more detail tomorrow. It will be interesting to see what they decide on the no fly zone proposal.

Kate Fitzgerald
Armel 10:00am

How Japan's religions confront tragedy

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/14/how-japans-religions-confront-tragedy/




Proud of their secular society, most Japanese aren't religious in the way Americans are: They tend not to identify with a single tradition nor study religious texts.

"The average Japanese person doesn’t consciously turn to Buddhism until there’s a funeral,” says Brian Bocking, an expert in Japanese religions at Ireland’s University College Cork.

When there is a funeral, though, Japanese religious engagement tends to be pretty intense.

“A very large number of Japanese people believe that what they do for their ancestors after death matters, which might not be what we expect from a secular society,” says Bocking. “There’s widespread belief in the presence of ancestors’ spirits.”

In the days and weeks ahead, huge numbers of Japanese will be turning to their country’s religious traditions as they mourn the thousands of dead and try to muster the strength and resources to rebuild amid the massive destruction wrought by last Friday's 8.9 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami.

For most Japanese, religion is more complex than adhering to the country’s ancient Buddhist tradition. They blend Buddhist beliefs and customs with the country’s Shinto tradition, which dates back to the 15th century.

“Japanese are not religious in the way that people in North America are religious,” says John Nelson, chair of theology and religious studies at the University of San Francisco. “They’ll move back and forth between two or more religious traditions, seeing them as tools that are appropriate for certain situations.”

“For things connected to life-affirming events, they’ll turn to Shinto-style rituals or understandings,” Nelson says. “But in connection to tragedy or suffering, it’s Buddhism.”

There are many schools of Japanese Buddhism, each with its own teachings about suffering and what happens after death.

“There are many Buddhist explanations of why calamities happen: from collective karma to seeing calamities as signs of apocalypse,” says Jimmy Yu, an assistant professor of Buddhism and Chinese religions at Florida State University. “And perhaps all of them are irrelevant to what needs to be done.”

Indeed, where Christianity, Judaism or Islam are often preoccupied with causes of disaster - the questions of why God would allow an earthquake, for example - Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Shinto focus on behavior in reaction to tragedy.

“It’s very important in Japanese life to react in a positive way, to be persistent and to clean up in the face of adversity, and their religions would emphasize that,” says University College Cork’s Bocking. “They’ll say we have to develop a powerful, even joyful attitude in the face of adversity.”

Japan’s major religious groups are still developing responses to the disaster, but experts say the impulse toward maintaining a positive outlook will likely translate into calls for Japanese to help friends and neighbors clean up and rebuild.

At the same time, Japan’s Buddhist priests will be preoccupied with rituals surrounding death and burial. Japanese Buddhism is often called funeral Buddhism because of its concern with such rituals.

Despite the Japanese penchant for blending their religious traditions - even with Western traditions like Catholicism - the overwhelming majority are buried according to Buddhist custom: cremation and interment in a family plot.

With many bodies swept away in the tsunami, many Japanese will have to come to terms with having to forego that ritual.

After burial, Japanese typically continue to practice rituals around caring for the spirits of the deceased. Most Japanese keep Buddhist altars in their homes, Nelson says, using them to pay tribute to dead ancestors.

“In the days ahead, you’ll see people praying, with hands folded, for the spirits of those killed,” he says. “It goes back to a really early understanding of human spirits and rituals designed to control those spirits, which can take 49 days or, depending on the type of Buddhism, could go on for up to seven years.”

One popular school of Japanese Buddhism, called Amida - or Pure Land - believes in a paradise that spirits of the dead can enter with help from living relatives.

Despite what is likely to be a mass embrace of Buddhist rituals after the earthquake, there may also be some grievances expressed over those traditions.

Many young Japanese have left Buddhism, accusing priests of profiting from grief because of their paid roles in burials. Critics say the priests spend money from funerals on temples without playing a broader role in society.

“The earthquake is an opportunity for Buddhist priests to step up and show they are still relevant,” says Nelson. “Young people just aren’t buying it anymore.”



----Caitlin Arena

"Al Jazeera staffer killed in Libya"

Cameraman Ali Hassan Al Jaber was returning to eastern city of Benghazi from filing report when he was shot and killed.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/2011312192359523376.html

Ali Hassan Al Jabar was killed by unknown fighters who shot on the car he and his associates were in. He was shot three times but he did not survive after being rushed to the hospital. This was really devastating news since he is the first journalist to be killed, and hopefully the last. Al Jazeera condemns the crime since they know this is part of Libya’s malicious acts against Al Jazeera and their staff. Many journalists have reported that their equipment has been confiscated and many were arrested, detained, and beaten. Libya’s government has been watching journalists very closely and they have already tried to cover stories on the protests.
How far has Gadhafi’s regime gone, Are there any thoughts on this?





Asma Abusara
Ryan 11:00

Just in Case You Forgot about the Palestinian Territories

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/20113137914633959.html

Even as it negotiates with the Palestinians over toward their sovereignty, Isreal's executive has approved expansion of a settlement in the West Bank. These settlements are illegal by international law, but realist Israel continues to ignore the law. It's interesting that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at one time during a previous term actually acted to dismantle a settlement.

What has changed?

Deb Briggs

An Earthquake/Tsunami Hits Japan

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-japan-quake-idUSTRE72A0SS20110312


The fifth biggest earthquake in the world since 1900 hit Japan on March 11, 2011 which was followed by a tsunami. Hundreds of people were killed and hundreds of people are missing.You would think this would be the worst of their problems, well think again.

"Japan battled to contain a radiation leak at an earthquake-crippled nuclear plant..."
Thousands of people had to depart areas that were close to the nuclear plant to cautiously avoid exposure to radiation. I think this is too much anguish for the people in Japan to take in all at once. They need a great deal of help to rebuild themselves and their economy again.
What do you guys feel and think about this natural disaster that hit Japan?

Mariam Hassan
Ryan Maness Friday 11 a.m

Video Ivory Coast's Gbagbo calls video showing carnage

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/04/ivory.coast.violence/index.html

This video shows women in ivory coast singing and chanting, these women are holding signs that show that Gbagbo is not president. The police come and start shooting and even decapitated one of the women. Gbagdo obviously denies that he had anything to do with it. This all started because it is said that in november there was a election that left Gbagbo and Ouattara claiming presidential victory.

xisyenelly Pellicia
Armel 10:00 am

"There Will Be Another Hitler Some Day"

Interview with Ewald von Kleist, 88, a former officer in the German Wehrmacht and the last surviving member of the July 20, 1944 plot against Hitler


Interesting realist sentiment on war

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,748844,00.html

Underscores the complexity of global politics and the difficulty of thinking realistically about humanist solutions to nuclear proliferation and conflict of national interest.

-Kevin Tong_Armel 1pm

The Islamic Republic of Talibanistan

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/02/25/the_islamic_republic_of_talibanistanc

A little tongue in cheek, but the idea is that the goal of the taliban is create an islamist republic and the west's constraining them is their continued justification. The authors says that the best way to nullify the taliban is to give them exactly what they want-a section of caves in the middle of no where (for lack of a better description-but seriously, that IS how most people would view the area) and let them screw up at governing and then the taliban will have lost legitimacy. Interesting, but it seems like the taliban did that from the 90's till 2001 and it didn't lead to the taliban's downfall.

Hugh Vondracek

Armel @ 1

Iranian conflict with Olympic symbol

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12604512

Iran is calling the olympic symbol, created for the 2012 olympic games in London, racist due to the spelling of the logo looking like the word "Zion". While this is not a major article in the world of international relations, it will be interesting to see how this will play out. While Iran is not a big nation of interest for the olympics, it is still a global friendly event which everyone should be invited to participate in. If the OC does change the logo will it be setting a precedent for complaints in the future? Should the logo be changed or is this asking too much?

-John Sorensen