The latest critical perspectives on Libya and the Arab Spring

31 March 2011

Newsletter 31 March 2011

En español

Special Feature on Libya and the Arab Spring

	Obama's Speech on Libya: Leaving Too Many Questions Unanswered Phyllis Bennis The attention to military engagement in Libya drowns out the call for negotiations, for accountability, and even for a ceasefire. A response to Juan Cole's letter* in favour of the UN resolution.*

	The Road to Hell is Paved With 'Humanitarian Interventions' Tom Reifer Will the outcome of the Western intervention in Libya be positive for its people? A look at history shows what came of 'good intentions' and promises in the past.

	Dirty deals and unprincipled politics Interview with Ben Hayes Dealings with Libya in recent years by Europe have been dictated by unprincipled politics and naked profiteering. The sudden discovery of a humanitarian imperative is not only deeply hypocritical, but also duplicitous.

Libya intervention threatens the Arab spring
Phyllis Bennis
Despite its official UN-granted legality, the credibility of western military action in Libya is rapidly dwindling. See also:Bennis on Dutch TV talking about the Libyan intervention.

Jaw-jaw about the Libya war-war
Oscar Reyes
Instead of focusing on the motives of the US and NATO, the opposition to the Libyan bombings needs to focus on the likely outcomes. Afghanistan and Iraq taught us there is still no way to bomb a country into democracy.

South of the Sahara dictators tremble
William Gumede
The possible domino-effect of the Arab Spring makes African dictators tremble in their boots. What are the parallels and what are the differences? Will an African Spring take place and how will it look?

On No Fly Zones as a form of External Military Intervention
Achin Vanaik
What are the different arguments surrounding the debate on no-fly zones? Should foreign powers ever claim the right to intervene or should the people of a country overthrow their own dictators? Do interventionists not always have alterior motives that could undermine the people's sovereignty over their struggle and it's outcomes?

Editor's Picks

	Debating the Global Land Grab Coinciding with the Global Land Grab conference held at the University of Sussex, three leading commentators debate the politics of land deals; contrasting a World Bank "code of conduct" perspective with more critical analysis looking at human rights and labour issues.

	Time for a realistic new international drugs framework Tom Blickman It is time to face up to the fact that the 50 year old 1961 UN drugs convention is obsolete, impossible to amend and has lost its integrity.

	Another missed opportunity Manuel Perez Rocha Obama's trip to Latin America: about gaining economic advantages, ignoring historical and recent diplomatic interferences and strategically placed critisism.

	Lessons from Fukushima Praful Bidwai As the global nuclear industry's fate hangs in the balance, India must rethink its nuclear power expansion plans and impose a moratorium on new reactors. See also: The Nuclear Crisis in Japan: a Wake-Up Call for India

Special Feature: UN World Water Day 2011

	UN World Water Day 2011: Reclaiming public water for our cities TNI's Water Justice programme marked this year's UN World Water Day in Cape Town at the GWOPA (Global Water Operator partnerships Alliance) Congress, in the continuing struggle to reclaim public water.

Water privatization does not yield cost savings
Mildred E. Warner
Proponents of privatization argue that it saves costs due to competitive pressures private providers face to be more efficient, but our comprehensive scientific analysis found no empirical support for cost savings.

Public Community Partnerships in Peru and Uruguay
Philipp Terhorst, Alicia Araujo, Luis Isarra and Adriana Marquisio
Citizen struggles for public water in Peru and Uruguay share many similarities and a common vision, with 'public-community partnerships' bringing trade unions and water utility managers together on a shared platform.

Video: Water Union Rally in Jakarta - December 2010
In December 2010, hundreds of water union workers in Jakarta protested against the privatisation of the water service in the city, demanding an end to contracts with private foreign companies Suez and Thames.

Publications

	Burma's Longest War: Anatomy of the Karen Conflict Ashley South As Burma enters a period of political transition, the role of the Karen ethnic communities will be critical in responding to the political and economic challenges that will shape their future. This historical analysis looks at their complex relationship with the Burmese government.

	On the Frontline of Northeast India Drug Policy Briefing No. 35 Conflict and underdevelopment in Northeast India have contributed to drug consumption and production, and are hampering access to treatment, care and support for drug users.

	Withdrawal Issues: Report on the U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in Europe Wilbert van der Zeijden, Susi Snyder Interviews conducted with EU NATO delegations and staffers concerned with nuclear planning and deployment reveal that there is sufficient political will to end the deployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in Europe.

En español

Selección del editor

Libia y el debate sobre zona de exclusión aérea
Mariano Aguirre
Mientras las fuerzas de Gadafi reconquistan zonas tomadas por los rebeldes en las últimas semanas, EE.UU. y la UE discuten si imponer una zona de exclusión aérea sobre Libia.

La privatización del agua no ahorra costes
Mildred E. Warner
Los defensores de la privatización afirman que ésta ahorra costes debido a las presiones competitivas a los que se enfrentan los proveedores privados para ser más eficientes, pero nuestro exhaustivo análisis científico análisis no halló ninguna prueba empírica que sustentara el supuesto del ahorro de costes.

¡Es la Amazonía, estúpido!
Atilio Borón
La reciente visita de Obama a Brasil esconde las ambiciones de Washington por avanzar en el control de la Amazonía y sus importantes recursos.