Sunday, February 21, 2010

Contemporary International Relations


The era when nations viewed each other as enemies is over as all have been replaced by the emergence of transnational actors leading to genuine transformation in world politics. Mutual misperceptions that fueled discord and rivalry and the mirror image phenomenon during the Cold War have been replaced by mutual understandings. Global cooperation among nation-states have brought about integrative trends leading to increased trade and communication where they individually and collectively strive to overcome disintegration trends like weapons proliferation, terrorism, environmental degradation, and genocide.

The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan which was signed in Washington, DC, on January 19, 1960 is a prime example of transnational cooperation. Another important agreement is the 1972 Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT I) between U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. It was an Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and an Interim Agreement on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. Most importantly, the collapse of the U.S.S.R. paved way for major global cooperation on many international levels. The creation of the United Nations in 1945 after the failed League of Nations (which the U.S. never joined) and the formation of Amnesty International in 1961 have opened a path for joint international cooperation on issues pertaining to facilitation of international law, international security, social progress, human rights, economic development, and the observance of global peaceful coexistence.

The emergence of multilateralism where nations work in concert for a certain cause has become a global preference as opposed to unilateralism where nations act individualistically without seeking cooperation.

The Realist Theory states that “states are the most important in world politics and that states are sovereign, and because there is no higher power, world politics is a ceaseless struggle for world politics.” Less concerned with ideals, social reconstruction or ethics, realists mainly focus on national interests and security. In the Realist Theory, special attention is given to great powers whereas NGOs, multinational corporations, and individuals receive less credence in the international arena. The Realist Theory is mainly based on the abhorrence of cooperation or alliance, amassing of resources, relations based on military and economic capabilities, and the use of pragmatic approaches to solve problems.

Despite coming to fore on the eve of World War II, the writings of Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes have played a great role in the history of Realist Theory. The failure of realists in defining the importance of power and national interest and their failure to account for new trends in world politics make them less reliable in the international arena. To Thomas Hobbes, the English philosopher who wrote Leviathan, international politics is about “a war of all against all”.
On the other hand, there is the Liberal Theory which “emphasizes reason, progress, ethics, and mutual gains.” Liberals value the importance of free trade for the prevention of unnecessary conflicts; they give significance to international institutions to solve conflicts, and prefer the use of legal procedures to overcome conflicts before they escalate. Liberalism is the most accepted view in the world today. Adam Locke is considered the father of liberal thought. Though realism and liberalism each have “comparative advantage in explaining certain kinds of international events”, none seem to be perfect as viewed from international theory and global future.

In principle 3 of economics, we learn that rational people think at the margin. Given the available opportunities, rational people systematically and purposefully do the best they can to achieve their objectives. At the international affairs level, the President of the United States has greater responsibility in foreign policy more than any other president because as a nation, the U.S. remains the sole super power after the demise of the former Soviet Union.

America’s military superiority over other nations in deterring belligerence anywhere in the world always gave every U.S. president the leverage to act unilaterally as happened in the invasion of Panama in 1989 when President George H. Bush was in office leading to the subsequent capture, transfer, and imprisonment of General Noriega in U.S. soil. Despite some nations within the international community viewing this unilateral act by the U.S. as irrational and a flagrant violation of international law, to the President of the United States and his loyal bureaucrats, interest groups, and supporters, it was an act undertaken to preserve America’s interests abroad.

The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Thomas R. Pickering, cited Article 51 of the U.N. Charter as sufficient grounds for the invasion. Perhaps, General Noriega rebelled against the mighty U.S. because of his preconceived notion that Panama had nothing to lose in the war with the U.S. The type of government that existed in Panama at the time of the invasion was less restrained by domestic factors. The economic factor that mattered most to General Noriega was that he was a drug trafficker while at the same time being on the payroll of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. For the economic factor, it was in the interest of the U.S. to ensure the smooth running of the Panama Canal.

At the individual level the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary and the rise of Adolf Hitler sparked World War I. The rise of hegemons seeking world dominance culminated in the start of WWI. On the state level, the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire and the creation of new states and the evolvement of nationalism-a mindset that glorifies particular states came to the fore. At the global level, the League of Nations was created. Colonialism, multipolarity that lead to domino effect, and imperialism which implied expanding state power through conquest as experienced by Japan and Germany surfaced during these brutal wars.

On the persistent underdevelopment of the Global South, I find modernization theorists’ arguments to be more convincing. The “Global South’s own internal characteristics, including managerial inefficiency, lack of modern technology, and inadequate transportation and communication infrastructures” are the major factors behind the suffering and underdevelopment visible to this day.

Insecurity, corruption, embezzlement of state coffers, the absence of allocation of resources, retarded technology, poor governance, lack of political pluralism, and disparities between the rich and the poor are to blame for the suffering seen in the Global South. The notion that the absence of division of labor between the industrialized core and the underdeveloped periphery is the cause of the Global South’s underdevelopment seems to be out of context.

Many people believe Multinational Corporations (MNCs) can provide significant financial infrastructure for trade and industry and social improvement in developing countries as long as MNCs abide by the ethical standards and guidelines for operating in developing countries. However, others believe these institutions exploit the hardships encountered by developing nations. There are those who believe that most of the negative perceptions about MNCs are anecdotal rather than empirical.

There have been several documented cases of environmental degradations by MNCs as happened in Liberia a few years ago where Firestone was found to have created extensive environmental degradation and to have allowed its local employees live in squalid conditions. As long as MNCs abide by the internationally recognized environmental standards management set forth by ISO 14000, there shouldn’t be any problem for MNCs operating from far a field in developing countries.

The emergence of the World Wide Web has had adverse effects on the cultural and social well-being of some cultures notably Singapore and China where there have been outcries from many sectors of society. The negative effect of the internet on Chinese society has prompted the Chinese government to impose censorship on some URLs. Besides, pro-democracy advocates claim that the internet is playing a great role in the dissemination of democracy in politically retarded Asian nations. But there are those who cite the effects of pornography and other obscenities as harbingers of social degradations and other cultural absurdities.

A few Multinational Corporations have been involved in politics as happened in Chile when ITT attempted to block Salvador Allende of Chile from seeking the presidency. One major problem MNCs pose in foreign soils besides political, environmental, cultural, social, and traditional degradations is the effect of monopoly they have on the people and nations they have business dealings with. MNCs have been accused of exploiting the cheap labor of poor nations.

Another negative argument by some writers or scholars is that MNCs drastically changes the infrastructure of host countries and at the same time alter the culture and tradition of the locals they encounter. Besides the cultural and environmental erosion created by these foreign-based international institutions, a global effort can be effected to put a cap on further degradation of cultures, traditions, and the environment not only for the present but for posterity.

The world Trade Organization (WTO) was superseded by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) founded in 1947. The purpose of the World Trade Organization in the international arena is to liberalize international trade or in other words the regulation of trade between member states. Its central pillar is the multilateral trading system which is in regard to disputes settlements. Critics contend that the rich get richer and the poor poorer in what they refer to as convergence and divergence.

The World Bank (WB) was formerly established for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II ended. However, the bank’s working strategy changed to that of economic development once reconstruction was finalized. Generally, the bank is there to serve and protect the interests of the great powers. With the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Assistance (IDA), the World Bank gives loans and grants to countries that have no access to international credit markets. Some critics argue that the World Bank harms southern nations; some perceive it as practicing what they call “NGO imperialism”. Despite having 186 members, the World Bank is run by a few economically powerful countries whose interests dominate the bank composition and management; it has been blamed for running policies that are both practical and political in structure.

Founded in July 1944 in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire with originally 45 members, the purpose of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an international organization is to keep an eye on the global financial system with the goal of stabilizing exchange rates and the modernization of the international payment system. The IMF provides loans to poor countries; it helps in surveillance and monitors economic and financial progress of nations that borrow from it; it provides statistics, research and technical assistance where applicable and is there to fight money-laundering and terrorism related activities in its spheres of influence global wise. As contended by critics, it is the conditions on the loans dished out by the IMF that make democratization and privatization a hurdle for member states.

Terrorism has changed dramatically since it has become more global in nature, more fatal; it is waged by civilians who rely on military technology to advance their aims and objectives. The use of the internet has enhanced their communication strategies; borders have become easier for them to encroach without being detected.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Good News for Peace-loving Somalis

The recent signing of a peace agreement between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) and the Sufi-led faction hereafter referred to as Ahlu Sunna Wal-Jamaa is a step forward and should be commended by all peace-loving Somalis and their friends in the international community. Sufism, a branch of Islamic school of thought, is a theological thinking that seeks closeness to the Almighy Creator through meditation and hymmimg.

For many years, Somalia's sufis have been known to have been peaceful in their pursuit of their religious practices until the emrgence of various religious factions uncluding the likes of Al-shabab and Hizbul Islam who imposed alien ideologies on the peaceful ASWJ followers in Somalia's central regions.

The sharing of power between the TFG and the ASWJ where ASWJ will have powerful ministerial posts in the current government headed by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed will create a powerful force that will eventually be a clog in the eyes of Al-shabab and Hizbul Islam.

The announcement by the leaders of ASWJ that they will pacify the country in as little as six-months and ensure all antagonists are annihilated should be a warning sign to those opposed to the combined forces of the TFG and ASWJ.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Foreign Fighters Fleeing Somalia

There has been a beehive of military activity in Somalia for the past few weeks. According to media reports, the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) headed by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has been mobilizing thousands of militias loyal to his government and contingents of well-trained troops who recently completed military training in friendly African countries for a final onslaught against forces opposed to his administration. Forces rivaling Somalia’s infant government include the theologically-driven Al-shabab supported by hundreds of foreign fighters. Al-shabab recently joined forces with the militia of Ras Kiamboni headed by hard-line Sheikh Hassan Turki. Hizb-ul-Islam, a faction headed by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and funded, supported, and advised by the Government of Eritrea is suspected to fight the Somali government should the war turn out to be full scale war. Eritrea has been a target of African Union condemnations because of its flagrant violation of Somalia peace and security and has been absent from the Union’s summits in Addis Ababa for the last ten years.

Somalia media is now abuzz with the drumbeats of war with some reporting that residents have seen foreign fighters fleeing the areas they previously frequented. These fighters have been mostly impacted and frightened by the continuous flights of foreign reconnaissance planes that have been flying over Somali airspace for the past few weeks. Somalia’s foreign fighters who have been drawn from all over the world have been providing rebellious factions with military expertise, bomb making skills, intelligence gathering, and have been vanguards of targeted assassinations against high profiles and most importantly oversaw almost all suicide bombing operations. By fighting alongside the rebels, in return, these foreign fighters get the free will to marry Somali women of their choosing while enjoying unconditional protection from international manhunt and prosecution.

Somalia’s president has run out of patience with those wrecking devastation in his besieged nation. Sheikh Sharif Started clasping his fists as a form of practicing pugilism and tightening his belt after his administration celebrated its first year in office. For the past year he has been globetrotting seeking assurances and gathering support from friends and allies of Somalia. Residents of Mogadishu reported seeing the young president in military garrisons fuming and clad in military fatigue-a sign the next few weeks will turn the tables upside down. The alternating interviews he gave to foreign and local media houses, the various communiqués he is said to have issued, and the movement of troops and hardware he is said to be overseeing should be enough to signal the end of a bleak era for Somalia and the start of peaceful reconstruction.

Ahl-sunna-wal-jama’a (ASWJ), the Sufi-led faction that controls the central regions and allied to the TFG, has its forces in high alert. ASWJ with support from Ethiopia could inflict devastating blows to Al-shabab and Hizb-ul-Islam forces fleeing to Ethiopia’s Somali region. The Government of Kenya, having amassed thousands of troops along its border with Somalia and having officially closed all border crossings could act as a detriment against fleeing terrorists. To the north, the tiny nation of Djibouti with support from French and American forces could deter fleeing rebel forces. Massive aerial bombing by western powers will undoubtedly bring about shock and awe to the rebels military installations. Those running away in decrepit dhows and headed for the Gulf of Aden could be blockaded by the combined international navies currently battling piracy along the coasts of Somalia. Such concerted efforts could usher in the defeat of international terrorism in the Horn of Africa.

Analysis: Taking Africa Seriously

This is an analysis on the article Taking Africa Seriously. It was was written by Lieutenant Commander Patrick J. Paterson and is a copyright from the U.S. Naval Institute proceedings of 2007. Lt. Commander Patrick J. Paterson is a Navy Foreign Area Officer who recently completed an assignment with Special Operations Command Europe. “He was a strategic planner for Operation Enduring Freedom-Trans Sahara (OEF-TS) and coordinated U.S. Special Operations Forces employment in 43 countries.” He is a prolific writer who has written many articles pertaining to security especially in Europe and Africa. He obtained his B.S. degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1989 and his Mater of Arts in National Security Affairs in June 1997.

Setting the Stage: Paterson focuses his attention on the creation of African Command (AFRICOM) which was established in 2002, the changing foreign policy of the United States toward the massive African continent in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and the growing threat of terrorists in Africa. He explores the myriads of problems sprouting in Africa and the role the United States could play to bring about sustainable peace and stability before the continent becomes a breeding ground for terrorists. The writer elucidates how, “according to the Pentagon’s Unified Command Plan, the world’s regions are divided into zones”. He further explains how, for strategic military purposes, 43 of the 53 African nations was overseen by the European Command (EUCOM) based in Stuttgart while the Central Command (CENTCOM) located in Tampa oversaw the operations of eight African nations in the Horn of Africa, including Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen while the islands of the Pacific Coast which include Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, and Mauritius fell to the Pacific Command in what Robert Gates, the U.S. Secretary of Defense berated as “an outdated arrangement left over from the Cold War.”

Thesis: Because of the enormous size of the African continent where “the region encompasses 25 percent of the world’s landmass and 20 percent of its coastline”, Africa’s diverse culture, its hundreds of ethnic tribes, and its
existing dissimilar religious composition will remain a daunting task for AFRICOM. The writer argues that “transferring all the various African programs from three COCOMs to a new headquarter was deemed problematic and unnecessary.”

Since the closure of the Wheelus Airbase near Tripoli, Libya, in 1970, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) currently headquartered in Djibouti and established after 9/11will serve as the first permanent U.S. military base for the entire continent with the exception of Egypt.

Searching for a Home: Up to now no one precisely knows where the future AFRICOM command headquarters will be in Africa. Former President Bush has been quoted to have said “we will work closely with our African partners to determine an appropriate location for the new command in Africa.” The writer is of the view that many African nations are reluctant to host the new command headquarters. Much of African nations’ hesitancy to host the command headquarters emanates from the U.S. invasion of Iraq and other suspicions related to U.S. objectives in Africa. Whatever suspicions African states may have about U.S. presence in the continent, Theresa Whelan, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense has a different opinion. She has been quoted as saying: “Some people believe that we are establishing AFRICOM solely to fight terrorism or to secure oil resources or to discourage China. That is not true. AFRICOM is about helping Africans build greater capacity to assure their own security.”

A New Model for Regional Military Commands: AFRICOM will be totally different in perspective from EUCOM and CENTCOM in the manner it operates. It will serve as a base for humanitarian operations. Despite the size of the continent sounding massive and challenging to other forces, the U.S. military has the means and logistics to penetrate every corner of the continent without any huddles as it did in previous adventures in other parts of the world. “AFRICOM will attempt to coordinate and focus the efforts of myriad government, international, and nongovernmental relief agencies dedicated to improving Africa’s deplorable public-health problems.”

Current Military Missions: The presence of the U.S. military in Africa has already been felt in Djibouti where CJTF-HOA, under the command of CENTCOM’s Navy Rear Admiral James Hart, oversees 1,800personnel that include engineers, veterinarians, an doctors who meticulously provide benevolent services to nomadic and urban communities so as to deter radicalism and extremism caused by destitution. Since 81% of the 54,000 peacekeeping troops serving Africa come from the continent itself, AFRICOM’s primary mission will be training the peacekeepers.

U.S. Strategic Objectives: The African continent is experiencing population explosion which could lead to “youth bulge”. It is estimated that the current 800 million population of the continent will grow to 2 billion by 2050. So, in order to deter the youth from exploitation, “military civil affairs units and AFRICOM-supported charity organizations will have the dual assignments of winning the hearts and minds of Africans while improving their desperate conditions.” Thus, our military’s role of curtailing poverty, providing health care services, and sustaining animal husbandry through veterinary services will in the long run usher in the long-awaited democracy which will drastically reduce if not eliminate the menace of radicalism and extremism much feared in Africa. In my own opinion, this is what many Africans would want the U.S. to undertake for the betterment of their continent.

Can We Do It? “But regardless of perceptions, the best hopes of preventing an African apocalypse ride on the shoulders of the new African command”, concludes the writer. Given the right resources, Africa’s suspicions will finally dissolve despite the United States’ invasion of two Muslim countries.

Lieutenant Commander Patrick J. Patterson’s arguments on Taking Africa Seriously describe Liberalism.

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