Foreign Affairs Roundup

Christopher Herbert and Victoria Kataoka Rebuffet, 11.20.2009

Editors of Simple Intelligence

The Past Two Week's Top Stories in Foreign Affairs: Increased Tension Over Iran's Program SI Analysis: After an IAEA report suggests that Iran's rece...

Unjustly detained Colombian human rights activist to face trial, US Aid to Colombia key to ending arbitrary detention of activists

Human Rights First, 11.18.2009

Non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization

By Andrew Hudson, Manager Human Rights Defenders Program All signs pointed to the release of Carmelo Agamez Berrio, a well known Colombian human rig...

U.N. Birthday Rocks for Its Peacemakers

Jim Luce, 11.06.2009

Thought Leaders and Global Citizens

Flashbulbs popping non-stop, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations in New York, entered the U.N. General Assembly Hall in New ...

Terrorist Or Activist? A Young Colombian, Gabriel Gonzalez, Fights For His Country, His Reputation (VIDEO)

Diane Tucker, 11.09.2009

Writer/producer/director living in Washington DC

Last week Tom Brokaw presented a human rights award to Gabriel Gonzalez. The thoughtful young man then flew home to Colombia, where he is charged with being a terrorist and faces seven years in prison.

American Exporters Bleeding to Death as Trade Deals Languish

Gary Shapiro, 11.05.2009

President & CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association

As the U.S. unemployment rate climbs toward 10 percent and the economy faces a lengthy and uncertain recovery process, Congress and the last two admin...

In Broad Daylight: The Changing Face of Human Rights Advocacy

Sharon Kelly, 10.28.2009

Director of Communications at Human Rights First

The speed and agility with which large numbers of people can now express their support (or outrage) is changing the face of human rights advocacy around the world.

Counter-Factual History: McCain Is President and Bono Wins the Nobel Prize

Leon T. Hadar, 10.14.2009

Journalist and foreign affairs analyst

"I have to admit that I'm beginning to miss George W. Bush," is the way former Republican Senator "Chuck" Hagel responded when being asked by CNN's Wolf Blitzer to assess the foreign policy record of the administration of Republican President John McCain.

Colombian Free Trade: Exporting Death Squads to Honduras

Greg Grandin, 10.12.2009

Professor of History, New York University

News reports say that 40 members of Colombian death squads, responsible for the execution of thousands, have been recruited by Honduran plantation owners to protect their interests.

Turning the Corner on Drug Law Reform

Norm Stamper, 10.07.2009

Retired Seattle police chief, member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Australians are acutely aware that the U.S. is and has been since 1971 the chest-thumping, fist-banging four-star general in the global war on drugs. Their willingness to stand up to our bullying ways is growing.

The Evolution of Colombia's Narco-Submarines

Maryam Ishani, 10.08.2009

For over 20 years Captain Mario Rodríguez has worked to counter the steady advancement of the transportation technologies employed by Colombian traffickers to smuggle cocaine into Mexico and the U.S.

Los Angeles Times to Colombia: Prosecute Corporate Supporters of Terrorism

Leo W. Gerard, 10.04.2009

President, United Steelworkers International

The LA Times is applauding the order of a Colombian judge that top officials of the mining corporation Drummond be investigated as the intellectual authors of the brutal slayings of three union leaders.

New Strategy For Afghanistan, Good News Out Of Pakistan, Japan's Elections, Hondurus Crisis, And Columbia's Undemocratic Referendum

Christopher Herbert and Victoria Kataoka Rebuffet, 11.11.2009

Editors of Simple Intelligence

These Past Two Week's Top Stories in Foreign Affairs: A New Strategy for Afghanistan and A Rare Bit of Good News Out of Pakistan SI Analysis: The US ...

Meeting a Girl FARC Guerrilla in Bogotá

Karin Badt, 09.29.2009

Professor of theater and cinema in France

My image of a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla was not a small-framed pretty girl in a jean-jacket, hands bangled in silver rings and white-sparkling nail-polish.

Tensions Flare in South America Over U.S. Troops in Colombia

Adam Isacson, 09.28.2009

Director of programs and Latin America specialist at the Center for International Policy

The meeting between Chávez and Uribe could, years from now, be seen as a crucial turning point for South America's political stability. Latin America, as a whole, is suddenly in bad shape.

Weekly Foreign Affairs Roundup

Christopher Herbert and Victoria Kataoka Rebuffet, 09.14.2009

Editors of Simple Intelligence

These Past Two Week's Top Stories in Foreign Affairs: Afghan Elections SI Analysis: Presidential elections in Afghanistan will be held on 20 August....

Drug Wars: Brazil's Amazon The New Rio Grande

Eric Ehrmann, 09.08.2009

Writes on sports and global issues from Brazil

The last thing president Lula and Brazilian democracy need is the United States on its northern border using the drug war to interfere in internal politics like it has done in the past with Mexico.

Trucks, Drugs and NAFTA: Time for Congress to do the Right Thing

Gary Shapiro, 08.29.2009

President & CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association

Mexico did not take lightly to the U.S. closing our border to their trucks -- that's why they're called "trade wars."

Colombia: The Calamity of Displaced People

Aldo Civico, 08.27.2009

Director of the Center for International Conflict Resolution at Columbia Univeristy in the City of New York

Uprooted from their land and stripped of their rights as citizens, one wonders to whom these people belong, and what society they are a part of.

Honduran Violence, U.S. Aid Test Obama's Global Image

Roberto Lovato, 08.06.2009

Co-founder, Presente.org

Latin America may well be where the decline and fall of Obama's global rock star status begins.

When Barack Obama Meets President Uribe

Juanita Leon, 07.28.2009

Editor of lasillavacia.com, an investigative political blog in Colombia.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe may have good news to share with Obama when they meet on Monday: his government has managed to significantly increase the security of trade unionists.

Colombia: When Uribe Meets Obama

Aldo Civico, 07.28.2009

Director of the Center for International Conflict Resolution at Columbia Univeristy in the City of New York

Domestic concerns urge Uribe to meet with Obama; blamed for neglecting relationships with democrats, he needs to demonstrate to the country's leadership that he is in good terms with the Obama administration.