By: Olivia Haywood

After more than two decades rife with anarchy, the government of Somalia has started to regain its legitimacy through recognition by key international players, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. This acknowledgement signifies a turning point in the international community’s acceptance of the new Somali government and Somalia’s political prospects.

On Jan. 17, the United States government officially recognized the Somali government in Mogadishu following the recoup of the nation’s major cities from militant Islamist group, Al Shabab. Former Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton described the new relations between the United States and Somalia as, “a very strong signal to the people of Somalia of our continuing support and commitment.”

Just two decades prior in 1991, chaos and disorder engulfed Somalia as the ousting of the dictator Mohamed Siad Barre transformed the country into a battlefield with rival militia leaders fighting for control of the capital, Mogadishu. The proliferation of violence and an extreme food crisis in the country prompted international humanitarian intervention, which ultimately had catastrophic consequences. The United States in particular suffered the fatal failure of Black Hawk Down.

Despite such considerable setbacks in the provision of humanitarian aid during the initial stages of Somali distress, Clinton noted that the United States had provided more than $650 million in aid to the African Union mission in Somalia, more than $130 million to the country’s security forces, nearly $360 million in emergency humanitarian aid over the past two years and more than $45 million in development-related assistance to help rebuild the economy. Moreover, with Somalia’s new recognition, they are eligible for certain foreign assistance programs, including military training and financing programs.

The United Nations Security Council later announced the partial abrogation of a 21-year-old arms embargo on Somalia, consequently allowing for the government to purchase light weapons, while President Obama reported the eligibility of Somalia for U.S. defense articles and defense services. The United Kingdom further added to Somalia’s nascent international support by reopening a British embassy in Mogadishu, becoming the first European country to do so since the Federal Government of Somalia was established last year.

Although the government of Somalia has succeeded in retaking control of the country’s main cities and creating the semblance of a democratic government, there is still much cause for concern for the country’s ability and capacity to maintain long-term control and prevent the outbreak of terrorist activities within their borders. Many in the Security Council are worried that ending the arms embargo might result in the flow of weapons into the wrong hands or into the hands of the undisciplined Somali military. While provisions in the resolution restrict heavy weapons, the legislation warrants a certain degree of apprehension as it allows automatic assault rifles and rocket-powered grenade launchers, which could have disastrous consequences if under militant control.

However, even with some ongoing anxiety about the security of the flow of arms into Somalia, the country’s international recognition is a triumph in a history of anarchy and political and social tumult. While it is true that a long, arduous journey lies ahead for Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, external aid, the U.K. embassy and the partial lifting of the arms embargo provides a certain degree of international legitimacy for Somalia. Whether this external legitimacy transfers domestically remains yet to be seen, but for now it seems that the country is moving forward. As President Mohamud stated, “We are aiming to make a valuable contribution to the region and the world at large.”

Sources:

[1]http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/17/us/somalia-recognition CNN

[2]http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/08/us-somalia-usa-idUSBRE93711G20130408 Reuters

[3]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22296317 BBC

[4]http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/world/africa/somalia-arms-embargo-partly-lifted-by-un-security-council.html NYT

[5]http://www.cja.org/article.php?list=type&type=287 Center for Justice and Accountability

It’s no lie the week following the Boston bombings was tragic. Boston has been in the hearts and prayers of many around the world. In fact, several recent news articles featured pictures of people around the world holding up signs expressing their sympathies for Boston. One picture in particular is especially attention-grabbing.

A group of people in Syria stand proudly with a sign that reads: “Boston bombings represent a sorrowful scene of what happens everyday in Syria. Do accept our condolences.”[1]

This mere sign was a reminder that while the bombings in Boston were an aberration, similar heinous events are a reality in Syria. Even worse, most Americans do not understand the daily events in Syria.

Since 2011, Syria has faced serious turmoil from a civil war between the Syrian regime, led by President Bashar al-Assad and opposition groups demanding more political and civil liberties. Since the uprising, the opposition has become larger and better armed, causing a serious increase in death tolls. According to the United Nations, 70,000 lives have been taken so far as a result of the civil war.[2] On average, about 3,043 deaths occur each month. Because of this violence, Syrians have limited access to food, water and medical supplies.

Why aren’t more Americans talking about this? Largely because the major news networks in the West integrate their own bias into their news reports. Guernica columnist Rafia Zakaria explains:

“Death is always unexpected in America and death by a terrorist attack more so than in any other place. It is this greater poignancy of attacks in America that begs the question of whether the world’s allocations of sympathy are determined not by the magnitude of a tragedy—the numbers dead and injured—but by the contrast between a society’s normal and the cruel aftermath of a terrorist event. It is in America that the difference between the two is the greatest; the American normal is one of a near-perfect security that is unimaginable in many places, especially in countries at war.”[3]

The Boston bombings and the massacres in Syria are both undeniably important and equally newsworthy events. It’s not realistic to expect people to care equally about every tragedy in the world at all times. But hopefully events like the Boston Marathon will remind us that violence is always tragic, no matter where it happens across the globe.

BUIAA members who are currently abroad or who have class during the elections may submit an absentee ballot. To do so, send an email to iaa@bu.edu with your vote for each position. Absentee votes will be accepted starting Tuesday at 5pm until Wednesday at 5pm. Any votes sent before or after these times will not be counted. When sending your absentee votes, please include your reason for missing the meeting (being abroad or having a class).

Below are the candidates running for each position and a link to their written proposals.

President

• Eric Kashdan

Vice-President

• Cassidy Bissell
• Tuaha Mubarak

Treasurer

• Prithvi Hingorani

Secretary

• Alix Neenan
• Ali Uslu
• Brandon Tomkiewicz

Marketing Director

• Hannah Lowry
• Kayla Wodzicki

Head Delegate

• Katrina Trost

IRR Editor-in-Chief

• Maddie Rosenberger

In a recent Foreign Policy article, Joshua Kurlantzick provides an interesting suggestion as to why democracy is “failing” in developing nations across the globe, the middle class. According to Kurlantzick, as the middle class grow, it demands more in terms of goods and services from their government, and sometime the government can’t keep up. In addition, the middle class favors stability, something that is often achieved when the military in power. According to the article, in any revolutions-including those that made up the Arab Spring-the factor that separated the successes from the failures is the support of the military. So if a military government that takes power by coup provides more stability than the old democratically elected, corrupt government, then why not favor the coup government? The article also points out that public opinion for democracy has been declining across the globe. Vote buying scandals and economic stagnation are just two of the factors that have led to this increasing distaste for democracy.

The United States has been attacked in recent years for allegedly “imposing” their own style of democracy on nations such as Iraq, but even if the American model doesn’t work, democracy can still be applied in other forms in other places. Yet the question when it comes to the US and other powerful governments, is should democracy be used as a tool of foreign policy? Does the United States have any authority or right to establish or even suggest that fledgling nations have democracy as their governmental system?

Around the world governments are changing and evolving and the question that inevitably comes up is, will democracy work here? Most often, the answer that question is an idealistic yes. Yet, democracy is a broad category and can be applied in a variety of forms. “Western style democracy” works in some places, but maybe not others.

So, what do you think? Is there a one size fits all style of democracy? Or should democracy be taken on a case-by-case basis? Moreover, is democracy even an appropriate form of government for developing nations? If these big questions intrigue you, please come to SMG 304 on Wednesday from 8-9 pm to share your opinions and learn what others believe about democracy.

We hope that everyone is excited for Alumni Weekend! We have some awesome events for you planned over the next few days, be sure not to miss any of them! Here is a rundown of the events:

Thursday, April 11th

Global Village: 7:30pm – 9:30pm @ GSU Backcourt

Hot off last year’s SAO student programming award for “Best Collaboration”, Global Village returns to bring together over a dozen awesome BU student groups that share an international flavor and focus. Join us in the GSU Backcourt for an awesome evening of entertainment. $3 donation at the door.

Friday, April 12th

Pub Crawl: Start at 9pm @ Sunset Cantina

For those members who are of legal drinking age, come join our alumni for a night of celebration as we work our way from Sunset in West Campus towards Fenway and Boylston. Since we will be starting at Sunset, you may still join us initially if you are not yet 21.

Saturday, April 13th

Career Panel and Brunch: 11am – 2pm @ Photonics 211

Come out and meet our alumni and get your employment and networking questions answered! We have assembled an expert panel of four of our former members: Shawna Walsh, Josh Stickler, Julie Drapala, and Joseph Patrick Vincent. Additionally, there will be brunch served and time for questions and mingling, so bring your career questions and apetite!

BUIAA Gala at The Castle: 9pm – 12am @ The BU Castle

The first ever BUIAA Gala, and the first time for many of us in the famous and historic BU Castle! There will be tons of hor d’oeuvres, drinks, and sharply-dressed members, so please come prepared in your savviest cocktail attire. The is a very reasonably priced cash-bar for those of you who are over 21, and for those of you who are not don’t worry- there are plenty of free nonalcoholic drinks. Let’s be honest, this is as close as you are going to get to feeling like a secret agent at a fancy castle party until the CIA assigns you to Bavaria, so come out and live it up!

Sunday, April 14th

Kofi Cup: 11am – 4pm (with lunch break) @ CAS 200

The Third Annual Kofi Cup kicks off with a crisis simulation of the Cabinet of Israel, with both alumni and members competing for the coveted prize. There will surely be tons of twists and surprises in store, so come out to participate or help staff! Members of the Travel Team are highly encouraged to attend.

Monday, April 15th

Marathon MUNday Celebrations

Come join BUIAA in various locations throughout South Campus and cheer on the runners from the Marathon! Make sure that you stay safe while celebrating, and cheer loudly!
We hope that this is helpful for everyone! Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,
Colin + Angela

The most fascinating yet reviled country on the planet,. North Korea has proven to be a fixation and a frustration to political actors around the world. A seldom few know what lies behind her borders, and the accounts of widespread starvation and a dictatorial regime beg the question; how can such a pariah state exist in the 21st century? And with its recent threats of increased production of nuclear weapons, there is a very real danger that other state actors will either peg the rhetoric down to theatrics, or the declarations will set off an international frenzy as a surge toward nuclear power is resurrected.

According to an article in the Washington Post, there could be a mild silver lining to this declaration. Is the restarting of nuclear reactors dangerous? Most definitely. However, the article proposes that North Korea has not yet learned how to create nuclear weapons from uranium. Plutonium bombs, while still incredibly destructive, are lower on the scale of intensity in comparison to uranium. Unfortunately, should North Korea harness the power to produce uranium-based nuclear weapons (and it is unknown whether the country can or cannot at this stage), the depth of nuclear weaponry at their disposal would increase. Furthermore, North Korea has a wealth of natural uranium and could possibly sell it to countries such as Iran.1

As of today, the North Korean government has moved its missiles to the nation’s east coast. Tensions continue to rise in the Korean Peninsula, and now more than ever there is an uncertainty as to whether North Korea is purely bluffing for political gains or if the threat is real. On the technical front, CNN’s information claims that the missiles being mobilized have a range of about 2,500 miles, putting Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia at potential risk. However, new information alludes to the missile move being linked with a test rather than a full-scale attack.

The Pentagon has been reluctant to allow the hysteria on the situation build. The main concern from their point of view is to prevent irresponsible dialogue on hasty troop deployment and defence robustness. There is a danger that the tempestuous relationship between North Korea and the United States could escalate not due to concrete action, but rather to the atmosphere of panic and sensationalism that could overshadow meaningful policy changes. Defense Department officials are quoted by CNN as saying that the temperature has been “turned up” on the current headlines, and the primary goal now is to assure the American people that they will be protected, to prevent an escalation of fear.

The outspokenness from North Korea has been heard: the country is accusing the United States of pushing the countries further toward a nuclear war. President Obama and his administration have allegedly compiled a “playbook” containing speculation of the possible actions North Korea will take and how the United States will respond should these realities arise.2

So, what will the next few days bring? At this stage of chaos and scrambling consolidation, it is difficult to see where the North Korean regime will go from this point. Already, the country is notorious for its “pariah state” status on the world stage, and some still maintain this is another political ploy for Kim Jong-un to solidify his position of power and leadership amongst his people. Regardless of the media hype, the developments in North Korea will definitely be worth monitoring in the coming weeks.

Democracy

Many people assume that democracy just doesn’t exist in Africa, but that is not entirely true. There are obviously countries that are still being ruled by authoritarian regimes and monarchies, but there are indeed directly elected leaders. In Ghana, for example, there have been multiple democratically elected presidents since their independence in 1957. In stark contrast, there are countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo that have only seen armed conflict and chaos since they gained independence. The troubles of governance facing many African countries has led some to question how feasible it is for them to actually implement Western-style democracies or if a new type of governance will emerge.

Economics

Africa has vast untold economic potential. It is filled with valuable natural resources, from oil to diamonds, and an increasingly educated workforce. Unfortunately, some crucial international investors that could help launch further development on the continent are fearful of investing due to the ever looming instability. There have also been success stories that are not as prominently displayed in the media. Botswana is a prime example of this, having found a way to mine their abundant diamonds with minimal corruption and maximum growth. The greatest challenge facing many countries in Africa is finding the best way to develop sustainably since most economies are dependent on commodities.

International Involvement

Countries outside of the African continent have clearly played a large role in its development. From the colonial times in which countries were under the direct control of European powers to present day, there have been numerous world powers with stakes in many of the countries. Presently, there has been increased discussion about the particular role of China on the continent. The Chinese have been steadily increasing both their economic and political role in African affairs to assert their new prominence in international affairs. This, of course, has caused some backlash in the United States as many question why they haven’t countered China’s role in Africa.

Come join the discussion this Wednesday, 4/10 from 8-9 pm in SMG 304. See you there!

Sources to Check Out:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/africa/roundup

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa/

http://africanpresidentialcenter.wordpress.com/

On March 24, Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky was found dead in his apartment in England. A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be hanging, with no indication of third party involvement, even though friends and family claim suicide was out of character for Berezovsky.

Before his death, Berezovsky was known as one of Russia’s oligarchs, a group of businessmen who made a fortune in the 1990s, following the fall of the Soviet Union. Berezovsky in particular mostly made his fortune buying companies within the Russian media. He was one of many who lent money to the Russian government when it was new and in desperate need of funds, and as a result became involved in several government issues.

A supporter of Putin before his presidency, Berezovsky’s relationship with the President soured over time as Putin vied for political control and resented Berezovsky’s involvement in politics. This resentment proved dangerous as many suspected Putin of attempting to assassinate those who opposed him, such as Alexander Litvinenko. Berezovsky himself, survived two car bomb assassination attempts in Russia before fleeing to Britain, where he was granted asylum in 2003.

In 2007 Berezovsky was convicted of tax evasion and fraud in absentia by a Russian court, a step presumably taken by Putin against most of the oligarchs to eliminate them as threats to his power. Berezovsky, in particular, was known for inciting controversy in Russia, even as an exile in London.

However, According to Putin’s Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Berezovsky had recently sent a letter to Putin admitting he made mistakes and asking to return to Russia.Politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky confirmed that Berezovsky wanted to return home on any terms, as long as he received a pardon from the government. This decision was likely motivated by the fact that Berezovsky’s fortune was in decline, exacerbated by a recent lawsuit filed against him by fellow oligarch Roman Abramovich.

His death signifies the end of an era in the constant feuding between Putin and the oligarchs. However, with Putin now in his third six-year presidential term, the loss of this bulwark against total power may not bring about positive change.

Footnotes:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21934079

We will also have lots of free food, so be sure to stop by this Wednesday, April 3rd from 7:30 – 9PM in CAS 211. See you there!

The Caucasus or Trans-Caucasus is a geopolitical region located at the eastern most part of Europe and some parts of Southwest Asia.  This region remains one of the most problematical in the post-Soviet area, as it is scarred by major border and ethnic disputes.  Several wars, including the 2008 South Ossetia war, Georgian–Ossetian conflict, and the Nagorno-Karabakh war have been waged in this region.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia seceded from Georgia in 2008, and Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence from Azerbaijan on January 6, 1992.

Lately, analysts’ fears of a renewal of hostile acts between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been increasing.

Armenia: A small mountainous country.  It prides itself for being the first Christian nation in 301 AD even before Rome did in 313 AD.  Turkey and Azerbaijan have imposed harsh blockades on the nation following the Nagorno-Karabakh war.  Official figures indicate that the population is close to 3 million, but in reality many analysts say it has sunk below 2 million.  Almost 10 million Armenians live abroad: the US, Russia, France, Canada, Lebanon, Syria, Argentina, Australia…  Most of the Armenian diaspora overseas are descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire, the Young Turks and Atatürk.  1.5 million Armenians perished as a result. Anatolia, which was the homeland of the Armenians, has been emptied of its indigenous population.  The recognition of the Armenian Genocide is the aim of the Republic of Armenia and Armenian diaspora activists.  Armenia is a young democracy; the EU oversees its elections and is continuously satisfied with the results.  However, the latest presidential elections resulted in a victory for incumbent president Serge Sargsyan.   The opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian claimed victory due to alleged electoral fraud. In the following days, mass protests took place both in Yerevan’s Freedom Square and other cities and towns throughout Armenia. Hovannisian, a US citizen, urged Sargsyan to accept “people’s victory” and concede his defeat.

Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan is a unitary constitutional republic.  The main religion is Shia Islam. It is one of the six independent Turkic states as well as an active member of the Turkic Council and the TÜRKSOY community.  Heydar Aliyev came to power by a well-orchestrated coup d’état in October 1993.  His son, Ilham Aliyev, succeeded him after his death in 2003.  The country is not really a democracy according to watchdog Freedom House. Elections have been deeply flawed since its independence from the Soviet Union. The Azeri Parliament is “rubber-stamping” the government’s decisions. Corruption is widespread.  The government is well known for cracking down any kind peaceful or violent form of protest. However, Azerbaijan’s international significance lies in its energy resources and strategic location.  The regime is also using its oil revenues to embellish Baku and the nation’s touristic sites.  Baku was the host of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and will be the host of the European Olympics of 2015.  On 1 January 2012, the country started a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Nagorno-Karabakh: a region over which Armenia went to war with Azerbaijan is a “sleeping volcano” according to a 2010 book by Tom de Waal. The main warfare stopped in 1994 but between April 27th and June 20th 2012, at least eight Armenian and seven Azerbaijani soldiers died. That’s by far the worst death toll of any conflict anywhere in Europe. If it were happening in the Balkans, the world would be watching worriedly. Sadly, no one is even keeping an eye on it.

Come join us this Wednesday, March 27th at 8pm in SMG 304 to learn more about this topic and discuss the future of this extremely important regional!