“Overlooked” Occurrences In 2011.
The occurrences have gone head over heals in 2011. For example the forced change of regime in the Arabic world, a nuclear catastrophe and the world wide economic situation, shaped last year. But these were not the only events with global consequences. Because of a flood of issues, one or the other occurrence was simple “overlooked”. Therefore the magazine “Foreign Policy” submitted a top-ten-list on these issues.
India’s massive weapon chamber.
We all know that China not only increased their armoury but that also first aircraft carrier was launched, so that it can reinforce its military status in Asia. India’s stocking of armoury was therefore a bit overshadowed but shouldn’t be underestimated. As mentioned by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India has become the world’s leading weapon importer. In the arms race with China, India focuses on the expansion of its naval forces with a 45 billion Dollar investment for 2012.
Pakistan’s “secret war”.
Pakistan was also market on the crisis map of 2011. Focusing on the war against the Taliban on the countries borders, there is also a “secret war” against militant separatists in the state Bolochistan, whose claims reach from more autonomy to independence.
An old border dispute in Asia.
The border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand was newly blazed at the beginning of 2011. When in February both sides claimed the Preah Vihear Temple (which lies on the Cambodian side), first shots were fired and the region didn’t seem to come to a stand. Dozens of soldiers have lost their lives and thousands fled the area. Despite several attempts at mediation on both sides, a newly escalation is not unlikely.
Pirates apart from the Gulf of Aden.
More and more prosperity toward violence was seen off the cost of Somalia. The Gulf of Aden is still the most dangerous waters for international merchant shipping. But modern piracy seems to become a global problem in 2012. The Gulf of Guinea (on the West coast of Africa) is a new “hot spot” for pirates and Indonesia holds the record for pirate raids.
Drug cartels are geared up for expansion to the South.
No easing of tension seems to be in sight against Mexico’s drug cartels. But their reach is not limited to the US border, where thousands of people died in the drug war. Almost all of South America is involved in this war, yet there has been little notice about this in the news.
An action plan on the US-Mexican border.
Also a topic that has not been in the news was the US approach against illegal immigrants on the Mexican border. Despite president’s Barack Obama’s announced reform of the immigration law, the numbers of deportations have reached a new all time high.
East Europe pulls the Euro brake.
In 2012, Europe’s Euro crisis is not over yet. One thing is clear though: Until further notice, there will be no expansion of the Euro zone. Even though the crisis has already begun in 2011, Estonia joined the common currency. Meanwhile not only Lithuania and Latvia dropped their plans of joining the Euro zone. Also Poland (where the Euro should have been welcomed by January 1st, 2012), Bulgaria, Rumania and Czech Republic pulled the break on the Euro.
A camel shortage as a bad omen?
At the beginning of the “Arabic spring”, the future of the world’s largest oil exporter Saudi-Arabia was unsure. A possible bad omen could be the sinking amount of the camel population. The reason: By now the country already relies on imports.
Nuclear disarmament.
With the stationing of rockets in the Russian enclave Kaliningrad, the continuing dispute between Russia and the NATO reached its high point. Russia doesn’t only threat with the setup of a defense system but the country also considers a withdrawal of the START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty)-agreement with the USA.
Too many laurels for Rwanda?
Rwanda has become well known as Africa’s flagship country. With 7 percent economic growth and many reform initiatives, president Paul Kagame was downright paid court with by the USA. Even though the first US-trade agreement since the genocide of 1998 has become the highlight of the US-Rwandan relationship, Rwanda might get too many laurels beforehand. After critical newspapers have been closed down and opposition members have been jailed, reports of murdered government critics made the headlines.
