WPR Articles Jan. 26, 2015 - Jan. 30, 2015

Nepal’s Constitutional Standoff Threatens Its Transition

By: Michael Vurens van Es | Briefing

As the brawl that broke out in Nepal’s Constituent Assembly last week highlighted, the country’s transition from war to peace, and from monarchy to republic, is at a critical juncture. Mounting protests and security challenges are testing the strength of democratic institutions and the leadership of political forces.

Despite New Tactics, Africa Needs More Holistic Approach to Poaching

By: The Editors | Trend Lines

South Africa has announced plans to relocate 200 rhinoceroses after anti-poaching efforts in Kruger National Park proved ineffective. In an email interview, Natasha White of the Graduate Institute’s Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding in Geneva discussed poaching trends in Africa.

Hezbollah and Israel Exchange Fire as Syria Chaos Spreads

By: Frederick Deknatel | Trend Lines

The threat of another war between Hezbollah and Israel ticked up Wednesday, after Hezbollah killed two Israeli soldiers in an attack along the Israel-Lebanon border. The violence shows how Syria’s civil war may finally break the relative calm that has prevailed between Hezbollah and Israel since 2006.

Japan-China Maritime Talks Signal Slow Thaw in East China Sea

By: J. Berkshire Miller | Briefing

Often tense relations between Japan and China over maritime access and territorial rights in the East China Sea eased earlier this month with the resumption of high-level talks in Tokyo. But it’s still too early to frame the Sino-Japanese discussions as the first step toward a broader rapprochement.

Netanyahu Stunt Distracts From Congress’ Proper Foreign Policy Role

By: Steven Metz | Column

In a breach of tradition, the U.S. Congress invited the Israeli prime minister to address it in order to challenge President Barack Obama’s negotiations with Iran. Sadly, this is only the latest example of the failure of Congress and the White House to work together on national security.

More Missing From Latin America’s Green Energy Policies: Cooperation By: The Editors | Trend Lines Leaders from across the Caribbean are meeting in Washington this week for the first-ever Caribbean Energy Summit, hosted by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. In an email interview, Johanna Mendelson Forman, founder of the Latin American and Caribbean Council on Renewable Energy, discussed renewable energy in Latin America. Will Libya, Nigeria Trigger Nation-Building’s Comeback in 2015? By: Richard Gowan | Column Is nation-building about to make a comeback? Two weeks ago, I predicted that 2015 could see the deployment of large-scale international stabilization forces in four trouble spots. The prospects for operations in at least two of these cases, Libya and Nigeria, have risen since then. Bond With Modi Helps Obama’s India Visit Exceed Expectations By: Richard Weitz | Column Though Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States last year yielded few concrete results, it created a personal rapport between him and U.S. President Barack Obama. This week, that bond helped the two overcome obstacles in the bilateral relationship to achieve progress in important areas. Quarantined: How Ebola Derailed Sierra Leone’s Postwar Recovery By: Tamasin Ford | Feature In 2002, Sierra Leone emerged from a decade-long civil war, one of the bloodiest in Africa. What followed next was a decade of unprecedented reconstruction, reconciliation and phenomenal growth rates. That is, until last year, when a crippling disease ripped through every facet of society. Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi Folly: Domestic Crackdown, Global Export By: Carol Choksy, Jamsheed K. Choksy | Briefing Saudi Arabia has increasingly cracked down on Islamic radicals within the country. But beyond its borders, Saudi Arabia remains the major funder of the Wahhabi ideology that has radicalized many foreign Muslims. With the death of King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia should now change its ways. If You Dig It, Will They Come? Nicaragua’s Controversial Canal By: Russell Sticklor | Briefing In late December, Nicaragua broke ground on Central America’s second mega-canal project, the aptly named and Chinese-funded $50 billion Nicaragua Grand Canal. But opposition has been widespread, with red flags raised over a dizzying array of environmental, financial and transparency issues. India Visit Successful, but Will Obama Follow Through? By: Nikolas Gvosdev | Column U.S. President Barack Obama’s just-concluded trip to New Delhi and his meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed that both leaders are interested in getting the relationship right. The question is whether Obama will now be able to turn a successful visit into sustained engagement. With Currency Swap, Argentina Becomes Dependent on China By: The Editors | Trend Lines Earlier this month, Argentina received the fourth installment of an $11 billion currency swap agreement with China. In an email interview, Eduardo Daniel Oviedo, professor of political science at the National University of Rosario in Argentina, discussed Argentina’s relations with China. Yemen’s Collapse Marks Iran’s Latest Victory Against Saudi Arabia By: Frida Ghitis | Column The fall of Yemen’s government at the hands of Houthi rebels last week offered further proof that the historical rivalry that has marked relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran has entered a new and far more dangerous stage. Riyadh and Tehran are in a state of undeclared war across the Middle East. How Illegal Fishing Threatens Development and Security By: Johan Bergenas , Ariella Knight | Briefing Environmental crime has long been viewed as a tree hugger issue. But the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing market threatens much more than conservation. Depleting the world’s oceans of fish is a serious geostrategic challenge with devastating global consequences for development and security.