WPR Articles April 27, 2015 - May 1, 2015 Burkina Faso’s Electoral Reforms Test Fragile Transition By: Ernest Harsch | Briefing Ambitious reforms pushed by activists within Burkina Faso’s interim government, including a new electoral code that effectively bars leading supporters of ousted President Blaise Compaore from running in October elections, could complicate the country’s transition. Holdovers of the old regime are in a position to push back. EU Strikes Twice Against Google With Antitrust Charges By: Maria Savel | Trend Lines The European Commission brought antitrust charges against Google earlier this month, alleging that it manipulated its search engine to favor its own comparison-shopping service. It also expanded a probe into whether Google forced manufacturers of Android devices to use other Google services. Amid Political Infighting, Malaysia’s Democratic Slide Continues By: Joshua Kurlantzick | Briefing Political infighting in Malaysia, with former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad demanding Prime Minister Najib Razak resign amid a corruption scandal, is the latest sign of the country’s democratic reversal. But Malaysia’s slide is part of a trend across Southeast Asia, where democratization has stalled. Armed and Ready: The Pentagon’s Assertive New Cyber Strategy By: Eric Sterner | Briefing The Pentagon’s new cyber defense strategy, unveiled last week, represents a major shift in Washington’s approach to cybersecurity, as it comes with a warning to potential adversaries: The United States will be armed and ready to retaliate against cyberattacks and even strike first to deter them. Illegal Mining Raises Security, Environmental Concerns in Colombia By: The Editors | Trend Lines The head of the United Nations refugee agency in Colombia recently said that illegal mining and drug violence will continue to displace citizens, even if a peace deal is signed with FARC rebels. In an interview, Juan F. Vargas of the University of Rosario in Bogota discussed illegal mining in Colombia.     More Greek Financial Crisis Forces EU to Play for Time on Ukraine, Migrants By: Richard Gowan | Column In the past 10 days, over 1,000 migrants have drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean; there has been fresh fighting in Ukraine; and Greece has careened toward bankruptcy. The EU has responded with a mixture of big talk and half-measures. More than anything, it is playing for time. Internal Security Concerns Keep Pakistan Out of Yemen Coalition By: The Editors | Trend Lines Last week, Pakistan agreed to send ships to help enforce an arms embargo against Houthi rebels in Yemen, but declined to send aircraft or troops to participate in the Saudi-led coalition there. In an interview, Ayesha Siddiqa, an independent security analyst, discussed Pakistan’s military capabilities. After Kirchner: Will Argentina Seize Chance to Correct Course? By: Jason Marczak | Briefing After a 12-year run, Kirchnerismo is nearing its end in Argentina. Following October elections, the next president will inherit a country ready for a course correction—if not a complete change. But there is no easy fix to the many problems that have befallen Argentina under President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. New Technologies Complicate U.S.-Russia-China Arms Control By: Richard Weitz | Column The 2015 review conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which began yesterday, will put a spotlight on a number of issues, including the potential for a nuclear deal with Iran. However, the current arms control stalemate among the U.S., Russia and China will also shape the conference’s outcome. Thunder God: Values, Corruption and Nigeria’s Election By: Sarah Chayes | Feature Corruption is not only a problem of governance, but a profound moral challenge for Nigerian society. It helps explain the results of last month’s remarkable presidential election, as well as the emergence and endurance of the radical Boko Haram insurgency that has terrorized northern Nigeria. As Stakes Rise, Muddling Through No Longer Viable Option for U.S. By: Nikolas Gvosdev | Column U.S. national security policy today lacks the gravitas it had during the Cold War, in part because there is no risk of nuclear annihilation when mistakes are made. While this is welcome, it can also inculcate an attitude that the U.S. is essentially invulnerable, even when it makes major errors. Friction Grows Between Hamas’ Gaza- and Foreign-Based Leaders By: The Editors | Trend Lines The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Iran has transferred tens of millions of dollars to Hamas’ military wing over recent months in an effort to revive ties. In an interview, Nathan Thrall, a senior analyst for the International Crisis Group, discussed Hamas’ internal divisions. Heightened Refugee Flow Signals Quiet Catastrophe in Eritrea By: Frida Ghitis | Column The world often learns of political and humanitarian crises in remote locations from unexpectedly large flows of refugees. That’s why the recent tragic deaths of refugees in the Mediterranean Sea are calling attention to a seldom-mentioned crisis: the quiet catastrophe in Eritrea. After Libya Failure, New Thinking Needed for Removing Dictators By: Steven Metz | Column The idea of a “Libya model” for removing dictators was short-lived, as the country quickly devolved to instability after Moammar Gadhafi’s demise. But though optimism about removing dictators has given way to deep pessimism, policymakers still must weigh when doing so is the lesser evil. Akinci’s Election Revives Hopes for Breakthrough in Cyprus Talks By: Ahmet Sözen | Briefing Mustafa Akinci was sworn in as president of northern Cyprus yesterday, after defeating right-wing incumbent President Dervis Eroglu in Sunday’s election. Pledging to reach a deal on reunifying Cyprus, Akinci represents a major shift in Turkish Cypriot politics. But there are still issues to address in talks.