Several international conferences on Afghanistan are trying to chart the country’s future after the planned 2014 U.S. withdrawal. Robert Templer, Crisis Group’s Asia Program Director, warns of the deteriorating security and regional interference likely to accompany the U.S. drawdown of troops. 7:39
Improved relations between Colombia and its neighbours have not alleviated the plight of border communities. For fifteen years, porous borders that offer strategic advantages to illegal armed groups and facilitate extensive illicit economies have exposed them to an intense armed conflict that is made worse by the widespread absence of public institutions. The warfare triggered a humanitarian emergency and worsened relations especially with Ecuador and Venezuela, the most affected neighbours. Spurring development in the periphery and reconstructing diplomatic ties are priorities for President Juan Manuel Santos. A little over a year into his term, his new policies have paid undoubted diplomatic and some security dividends. But the hard part is still ahead. Efforts to improve the humanitarian situation and build civilian state capacity must be scaled up, tasks that, amid what is again a partially worsening conflict, have been neglected. Otherwise, pacifying the troubled border regions will remain a chimera, and their dynamics will continue to fuel Colombia’s conflict.
During Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s trip to North Africa which was dubbed the ‘Arab Spring’ tour that included Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, he sought to assert Turkey’s growing influence in the region. A rapturous welcome in Cairo, Tunis, and Benghazi confirmed his soaring popularity in the Arab World. Hugh Pope, our Turkey-Cyprus Project director, discuss the relations between Turkey and its Arab neighbours following the “Arab Spring”.
Colombia’s armed conflict has moved to the periphery of the country and is now increasingly fought also on Venezuelan and Ecuadorian soil. Silke Pfeiffer, Crisis Group’s Project Director for Colombia/Andes, examines the situation at the Colombian borders and what can be done to help the affected communities.
Israel and Hamas reached a prisoner swap deal mediated by Egypt to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for the release of more than one thousand Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Robert Blecher, Crisis Group’s Arab-Israeli Project Director, speaks about the timing and significance of this deal, and whether it will advance peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Mark Schneider, Crisis Group’s Senior Vice President and Special Adviser on Latin America, discusses drug-related violence and corruption in newly democratic Guatemala and the steps the country’s leadership as well as the international community can take to consolidate security.
Jim Della-Giacoma, Crisis Group’s Southeast Asia Project Director, speaks about changes on the ground in Myanmar as President Thein Sein pursues a reform agenda and how Western nations can encourage further change.
Violence has escalated in Sanaa during the last three days. Military defectors backing anti-government protesters are fighting with troops loyal to President Ali Saleh taking the death toll to more than 50 people. April Alley, Crisis Group’s Yemen Senior Analyst, explains the situation on the ground, and what can be done to stop the violence.
This month’s podcast reviews developments for the month of August and warns of the risk of further conflict in Kosovo. However, the situation improved in Libya.
