WPR Videos
U.S. Focuses on Latin America
Posted By The Editors 08 Mar 2010 As Brazil's influence on the global stage climbs, the United States' influence in Latin America may be waning. A recent visit to Latin America by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton highlights the weaknesses and strengths in the relationship the Obama administration has forged with its southern partners. Experts say there has been a noticeable strain in diplomatic relations, but that not all hope is lost, should the U.S. refocus their priorities in the region.
U.S.-Turkey Relations On Thin Ice After Genocide Resolution
Posted By The Editors 08 Mar 2010 A U.S. congressional panel voted in favor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, a non-binding decision by U.S. lawmakers branding mass killings of Armenians by Turkey during World War One as genocide. The resolution comes at a time of renewed efforts toward normalization between Turkey and Armenia -- a process that could be interrupted by Congress' vote.Though President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have shied away from the term "genocide" for fear of disrupted relations with strategic partner Turkey, the Armenian-American diaspora is celebrating the vote.
Will Sudan As We Know It Be No More?
Posted By The Editors 04 Mar 2010 Time is almost up on a 2005 comprehensive peace agreement in Sudan that slated this to be the year for a referendum on South Sudan's independence. International Crisis Group Africa Analyst Zach Vertin says that though one of the aims of the original agreement was to make unity between the North and South attractive, that effort has failed and South Sudanese will most likely vote in favor of secession from Khartoum. Key issues such as demarcation of the North/South border, wealth sharing and a timely referendum will be the focus of this democratic process unfolding in Sudan, Vertin says.Open Voting In Iraq Sparks Violence
Posted By The Editors 04 Mar 2010 NewsHour's Ray Suarez reports on violence that sprang up as Iraqi citizens lined up for early voting. The much anticipated parliamentary elections have moved forward, despite violence that has sprouted throughout the country to deter voters from making it to the polls. As democracy fights for a place on the Iraqi political stage, the Obama administration continues to talk about an impending withdrawal.Marjah as the New Model
Posted By The Editors 03 Mar 2010 NewsHour's Judy Woodruff interviews U.S. Army Brigadier General Ben Hodges of the Southern Region Command in Kandahar about the Marjah offensive. Hodges says that the focus in Marjah is on governance, despite military operations, and that he expects a few more weeks of fighting there before the mission is complete. Furthermore, he says the tactics used to fight insurgents in Marjah will be used as a model for future offensives.Iraqi Elections Preview
Posted By The Editors 03 Mar 2010 In the lead up to the much anticipated March 7 parliamentary election in Iraq, VOA's Deborah Block reports on the political climate in the country. Experts say they are looking to see if coalitions will be formed along nationalist or religious lines. More than four hundred candidates have been banned from running in the election, causing apprehension in the international community that election results may not be seen as legitimate -- an outcome that would be a serious blow to Iraq's democratic progress.So Far, Calm Follows Coup in Niger
Posted By The Editors 24 Feb 2010 There has been relative calm since last week's coup in Niger, says Deputy Assistant Secretary of African Affairs William Fitzgerald. He says that though the United States does not support the violent overthrow, if the new government can stay true to its moniker, "Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy," not all hope is lost. Overthrown President Mamadou Tandja had already begun to twist the meaning of the word democracy in previous years as he manipulated Niger's constitution to extend his rule. The new government, which has already dropped their previously imposed curfew, says they would like to see a return of true democracy. Fitzgerald says to do so, the group will need to turn over the government to civilians as soon as possible.Mnookin: Iran is 'A Problem from Hell'
Posted By The Editors 23 Feb 2010 Director of Harvard's Negotiation Research Project Robert Mnookin talks about the ramifications of a nuclear Iran. Mnookin says that a nuclear Iran will cause a domino effect with its neighbors, such as Saudi Arabia, wanting to become a part of the nuclear club. The realization of which, he says, would be detrimental to international security.Clinton: NATO Strategic Concept
Posted By The Editors 23 Feb 2010"Those of us
responsible for crafting a new Strategic Concept do face a
great challenge and a great opportunity. The phrase "post-Cold War" says
more about what our current era is not than about what it is or should
be. All of us here today will help define what this new era will
become." -Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton, NATO Strategic
Concept Seminar
Civilian Casualties Under Fire in Afghanistan
Posted By The Editors 23 Feb 2010 Afghan officials are continuing to raise concerns over a recent wave of civilian casualties. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen attributes these errors to be in great part due to difficult terrain and an enemy that is known to mingle with civilians making differentiation difficult. At the end of the day, Mullen said, "war is ugly."
