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- Karzai's brother revealed to be on CIA payroll
Ahmed Wali Karzai, the brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and a suspected figure in Afghanistan's large opium-trafficking industry, has received regular payments from the CIA for the past eight years. Critics say the arrangement undermines efforts to eliminate the heroin trade and risks reflecting a willingness to back thugs in the efforts to fight the Taliban. The increased U.S. emphasis on protecting Afghanistan's central government and population has turned Ahmed Karzai into a liability in the eyes of some. The New York Times
(10/27)
     
- Report: Ivory Coast violates UN diamonds, weapons embargo
A report by the UN Security Council reveals government and former rebel forces in Ivory Coast are violating the UN-mandated weapons embargo. The report suggested Burkina Faso investigate arms smuggling, which might be linked to the cocoa trade. Ivory Coast, the world's largest producer of cocoa, also has exported diamonds in violation of the UN embargo. SeattlePI.com/The Associated Press
(10/27)
- Galbraith: Obstacles to legitimate Afghan election remain
In advance of the runoff presidential election in Afghanistan, the number of polling places has been reduced and some 200 district-level poll officials have been replaced -- factors that might contribute to a more successful election, former UN Deputy Special Representative to Afghanistan Peter Galbraith writes. Yet the main obstacle to a truly legitimate election still is in place, he argues, the Karzai-appointed Independent Election Commission, which "either committed the abuse, cooperated with those who committed it, or knew about it and failed to report it," in every instance of election fraud. The New York Times
(10/27)
- DRC refugees protest lack of food in Ugandan camp
Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo barricaded roads into a camp in Uganda to protest the deaths of several children because of a lack of food aid. Authorities say supply chain disruptions and a lack of funds resulted in the distribution of half-rations, but they deny any claims of deaths. CNN
(10/27)
- Icelandic McDonald's fall victim to big currency collapse
Iceland's three McDonald's outlets are the latest victims of the global financial crisis. Iceland's severe geography mandated the McDonald's outlets import the majority of its ingredients, a process that became too costly after the Icelandic krona declined in value. BBC
(10/27)
- Climate change taking toll on Kyrgyz glaciers
Unless immediate action is taken to combat global warming, Kyrgyzstan's 2,200 glaciers might melt within a century, Kyrgyz scientists warn. Much of Central Asia relies on the glaciers in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as a water source. BBC
(10/28)
- World watches U.S. Cuba policy
As the UN prepares its annual vote to condemn the U.S. embargo against Cuba, the world community is watching for policy changes from U.S. President Barack Obama. The Obama administration has taken some steps in recent months to ease sanctions but has stopped short of lifting the embargo. Los Angeles Times
(10/28)
- EU, HRW take aim at Guinea over deadly crackdown
European Union officials have imposed an arms embargo on Guinea and a visa ban for its military leaders in response to authorities' deadly crackdown on protesters in September. The move comes after accusations from Human Rights Watch that the assault, which left 150 dead, was a premeditated attack on the country's opposition. The Guardian (London)
(10/27)
, Reuters
(10/27)
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- Problems mount for U.S. strategy in Afghanistan
October has proven the deadliest month for U.S. troops in the eight-year war in Afghanistan, with eight soldiers dying Tuesday in separate attacks. An uptick in the use of roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices has contributed to the rising death toll at a time when international soldiers and Afghan troops outnumber Taliban fighters 12-1. With the resignation of a high-ranking U.S. military officer and persistent problems with the presidential election, questions regarding the overall strategy in Afghanistan have begun to plague U.S. President Barack Obama. The Washington Post
(10/28)
, The Independent (London)
(10/28)
, The Boston Globe/The Associated Press
(10/27)
- Car bomb kills dozens as Clinton visits Pakistan
A car bomb ripped through a crowded market in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing 100 people and wounding hundreds, the latest in a string of deadly attacks claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. The bombing occurred as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid her first official visit to Pakistan to commit $125 million to the country's effort to update its energy infrastructure and demonstrate the U.S. wants a relationship with Pakistan beyond counter-terrorism efforts. The Toronto Star/The Associated Press
(10/28)
, The New York Times
(10/28)
- Iraq vies for new nuclear reactor
Nearly 20 years after U.S. and U.K. forces destroyed Iraq's nuclear reactors, Iraq has applied to the UN and International Atomic Energy Agency to restart its nuclear program. Iraqi officials claim the government cannot meet the energy and water demands of its population using its antiquated conventional energy network. Critics point to ongoing attacks in Iraq and note yellowcake that went missing in 2003 has yet to be accounted for. The Guardian (London)
(10/27)
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| | | Lead Editor: Adam Mazmanian
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