Global Policy Forum

GPF Newsletter
January 19 - 24, 2009

Iraq Security Council Empire? Social and Economic Policy Nations & States International Justice

You can also access GPF's newsletters online at: www.globalpolicy.org/visitctr/wwnind.htm

GPF Publications

A New Era of World Hunger? - The Global Food Crisis Analyzed (July 2008)

Picture Credit: Greenpeace

This paper discusses the main causes of the steep run-up in global food prices and the resulting spread of hunger to nearly a billion people worldwide. Authors James A. Paul and Katarina Wahlberg conclude that biofuels and the agro-industrial approach to food production are the main culprits of the food crisis.
The paper looks at a wide range of factors endangering nutrition for all, including population growth, unsustainable consumption, international trade policy and climate change. The authors argue for effective and generous short-term aid as well as longer-term transformation of the agricultural system to make it more justly distributive, resilient, and sustainable for the future. (Global Policy Forum/Friedrich Ebert Foundation)

The MDG Project in Crisis "Midpoint Review and Prospects for the Future" (September 2008)

Picture Credit:
Jochen Hippler, Ulf Terlinden,
Jeanette Schade

Jens Martens and Tobias Debiel point out that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are much less ambitious than previous international development goals.
Even so, the UN, World Bank and NGOs agree that most countries will not achieve most of the MDGs on time. The authors further argue that the MDGs fail to deal with the structural root causes of poverty, such as unequal distribution of wealth, land and political power, as well as unfair global trade rules.(Institue for Developmet and Peace)

Causes and Strategies on World Hunger: Green Revolution versus Sustainable Agriculture (May 2008)

Picture Credit:
World Economy &
Development in Brief

Global Policy Forum's Katarina Wahlberg criticizes the World Bank's proposal to create a Green Revolution in Africa. By focusing on boosting agricultural production through scientific development of more productive crops, the Bank disregards the fact that the Earth's biological systems cannot be exploited forever.
The supporters of the new Green Revolution also fail to address the major causes of the global food crisis, including biofuel production and unsustainable global consumption of meat. The author calls for a shift from industrial agriculture of export crops to sustainable agriculture for local consumption. (World Economy & Development in Brief)

The "Surge" of Iraqi Prisoners (May 7, 2008)

Picture Credit:
Agence France Presse/Filei

Amid all the talk about the US military "surge" in Iraq, little has been said about the accompanying "surge" of Iraqi prisoners, whose numbers rose to nearly 51,000 at the end of 2007. Global Policy Forum's Ciara Gilmartin states that "US forces hold nearly all detainees indefinitely without charge, an arrest warrant or the opportunity to defend themselves."
Human rights monitors, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), are denied access to detention centers in Iraq by US officials. This lack of oversight not only increases the likelihood of detainee abuse, but also violates international human rights law. (Foreign Policy in Focus)

War and Occupation in Iraq (June 2007)

Picture Credit: Spec. Charles Gill,
US Department of Defense

Since the March 2003 invasion, the US-UK occupation of Iraq has utterly failed to bring peace, prosperity and democracy, as originally advertised.
This major report assesses conditions in the country and especially the responsibility of the US-led Coalition for violations of international law. In twelve detailed chapters, brimming with information, the authors provide a unique and compelling analysis of the conflict, concluding with recommendations for action. Among the topics covered are: destruction of cultural heritage, killing of civilians, attacks on cities and long-term military bases. The report has been written and produced by Global Policy Forum and co-sponsored by thirty NGOs.

GPF Internships

GPF offers unpaid internships to students and young professionals from all over the world to work in our offices in New York and Bonn. We encourage qualified undergraduates to apply, as well as graduate students and those between degrees. We welcome students who have studied the United Nations and international organizations, but we consider specialized academic training less important than dedication to GPF's goals, intelligence and enthusiasm for learning.
GPF is looking for applicants who are students of Political Science, International Relations, International Law, Political Economy or International Public Policy Studies. We especially encourage applications from those with broad international travel and work experience and those with a progressive, egalitarian and global outlook.
For more information about the internship, application procedures, deadlines and qualifications, please visit our internship page

Support GPF!

Thanks to individuals like you, Global Policy Forum has for many years monitored policy making at the United Nations, promoted accountability of global decisions, educated and mobilized for global citizen participation, and advocated on vital issues of international peace and justice.
You can help us continue this work by giving a donation today! To remain a strong independent voice, we do not accept any corporate or government funding. Therefore GPF depends largely on contributions from individual members.
More About Global Policy Forum

Iraq

Picture Credit: AlterNet

War without End: The Iraq War in Context (January 2009)
Michael Schwartz's book reveals the economic interests behind the US occupation of Iraq. Neo-liberals dismantled state industries and replaced them with foreign contractors to monopolize Iraq's energy reserves and create an "unfettered free-market." The state health care system, one of the best in the Arab world, collapsed. UNICEF has reported that only one-sixth of Iraqi children are being educated. The rise of resistance in Iraq was not irrational but rather "a product of the arrogance of US occupying officials and the failure of US state-building policies" to guarantee basic social services. (Z Mag)

Security Council

Picture Credit:
United Nations Photo

Somalia: Security Council to Strengthen African Force, Signals Eventual UN Deployment (January 16, 2009)
After a long period of international inaction the Security Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the establishment of a UN peacekeeping force in Somalia. The Council hopes to establish a mandate in support of AMISOM, the African Union Mission to Somalia, to assist the flow of humanitarian aid, monitor a ceasefire and to secure Somalia's vulnerable population. (allAfrica)
Kosovo Security Force to Begin Work Within Days (January 15, 2009)
A NATO led security force will replace the civilian Kosovo Protection Corpse (KPC). Former UN special envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, implemented this plan to deal with the Kosovo status issue. NATO's Kosovo Security Force (KSF) will not be a fully fledged army but will include 2,500 active members and will initially be responsible for crisis management and protection of civilians. The force will be lightly armed, multi-ethnic and operating under civilian control. (Southeast European Times)
War and Natural Gas: The Israeli Invasion and Gaza's Offshore Gas Fields (January 8, 2009)
Michel Chossudovsky of Global Research suggests that by invading Gaza, Israel intended to obtain sovereignty over rich Palestinian gas fields. A considerable amount of gas, located off the Israeli- Gazan coastline belongs to Palestine and in 1999 a British gas company (BG Group) signed a deal with the Palestinian Authority to explore these reserves. The Israeli government is now taking advantage of the power vacuum created by the Fatah- Hamas split by negotiating only with BG and ignoring Palestine's authority over the gas supply.
What You Don't Know About Gaza (January 6, 2009)
In this article Rashid Khalidi, Professor of Arab studies at Columbia University, points out facts about Gaza that people tend to forget. He explains that the majority of Gazans do not live in Gaza by choice, but because the Israeli army drove them there in 1948. Since 1967 Israel occupied Gaza and even after the withdrawal in 2005 it still largely controls the territory. Khalidi states Hamas' rocket response stems from a history of continued occupation and is in reaction to the Israeli blockade that prohibits the flow of fuel and electricity into Gaza. (New York Times)

Empire?

Historic World Map 1716
Picture Credit:
World Maps Online

"War on Terror" Was a Mistake, Says Miliband (January 15, 2009)
During a speech in Mumbai, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband criticized the "war on terror" and qualified it as "misleading and mistaken." Miliband stated that instead of reducing potential terrorist threats, the military reaction created more resentment and backlash. He praised diplomacy over a military response contrary to the position he held four years ago. (Guardian)
The Great Dragon Awakens: China Challenges American Hegemony (January 6, 2009)
This Global Research article sheds light on US efforts to contain China. The US strategy is threefold: it relies on Asian allies (Japan, South Korea, Indonesia), it expands its bases, and it supports ethnic minority claims that divide China. The author also mentions that the US could use its naval preponderance to reduce Chinese shipments of goods and raw materials. As an alternative, China depends on its monetary surplus to pressure Washington financially and on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a counter-power to NATO.

Social and Economic Policy

Picture Credit:
Government Technology

Development: Africa May Face 'Centuries' of Poverty (January 8, 2009)
The first Millennium Development Goal-to eradicate extreme hunger and poverty-cannot be tackled until rich countries prioritize development aid over their own narrow economic interests. Money that developing countries lose through the tax evasion of large corporations greatly exceeds development aid. More efficient tax systems are a key tool in reducing wealth inequality between countries.(Inter Press Service)
US Investor Buys Sudanese Warlord's Land (January 2009)
Phillippe Heilberg's purchase of 400, 000 hectares of land in Southern Sudan displays a new form of colonialism in Africa and a second wave in the scramble for resources. The former Wall Street banker, who has strong connections with the CIA told the Financial Times that he dealt directly with Sudanese warlords. He speculates on the break-up of several African countries. (Ethiopian Current Affairs Discussion Forum)
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2009 (January 2009)
This executive summary provides an overview of global economic performance, detailing the origins of the global financial crisis and its impact on world trade and finance. The report examines the implications for developing countries, the policy challenges ahead and reform of the international financial structures and institutions. (DESA/UNCTAD)
Food Sovereignty and the Contemporary Food Crisis (December 2008)
The globalized system of agricultural production makes it increasingly difficult for small holder farmers to compete on the domestic and global market. To avert hunger, emerging peasant movements propose "food sovereignty" as the only viable solution to avoid dependence on agro-industrial companies and regain control over production. (Society for International Development)

Nations & States

Bailed-Out Firms Have Tax Havens, GAO Finds (January 17, 2009)
The Washington Post reports that eighty three of the biggest one hundred corporations in US operate multiple subsidiaries in offshore tax havens that allow them to evade their US tax bills. The Government Accountability Office's report lists bail-out beneficiaries such as AIG, Bank of America, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs. Their fiscal operations are legal but unethical, given the economic crisis. The Treasury estimates that offshore tax havens cost the US government at least USD$100 billion annually in lost tax revenue.
Large US Corporations and Federal Contractors with Subsidiaries in Jurisdictions Listed as Tax Havens or Financial Privacy Jurisdictions (December 2008)
In December 2008, the United States Government Accountability Office released a report revealing that many bailed-out firms have tax havens. (GAO)

International Justice

Picture Credit:
Justice 4 Consumers

'A Dangerous Luxury' - The International Criminal Court's Dream of Global Justice (January 14, 2009)
This Spiegel article explores the dilemma between restoring peace and bringing justice to places in conflict. Many Africans challenge the idea that Western justice, promoted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), can bring peace to the continent. Traditional amnesties and systems of truth and reconciliation are preferred modes of justice and have encouraged the peace process. But legalists fear these traditional systems promote a "let-bygones-be-bygones-principle" and therefore undermine the ICC and a Western sense of justice.

Subscribe to the GPF Electronic Newsletter.