Map of Sudan courtesy of BBC News

DEVELOPMENTS

Representatives from the Sudanese government met with various rebel groups this weekend in Sirte, Libya, for a new round of peace talks concerning Darfur. The talks were aimed at ending the four year conflict between the government of Sudan and tribal rebel groups. But as the world's attention drew to resolving the Darfur crisis, a former conflict was resurfacing.

The 21-year civil war between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the north and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the south caused the deaths of two million people. The war ended in 2005 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the NCP and the SPLM. An integral part of the CPA was the appointment of SPLM leader, Salva Kiir to Vice President of Sudan. But two weeks ago, Vice President Kiir withdrew from the government, protesting the failure of the NCP to meet its obligations under the peace deal. As tension between north and south begins to mount, the international community may have to revisit a conflict thought to have been resolved two years ago.

Map of Latin America courtesy of CIA WorldFactbook

DEVELOPMENTS

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is making headlines once again. Only months after he proposed scrapping presidential term limits, his new plan to create the Bank of the South is moving forward. The Bank will finance regional development projects and would enhance, and perhaps ultimately replace, Washington-based and U.S. controlled institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the main source of external funding for Latin American development projects.

Chavez and others in Latin America have decried the World Bank, IMF and IDB as puppet institutions controlled by the United States. Before agreeing to any loan package these institutions often require governments to commit to neo-liberal, free market economic reforms (which include things like free-trade, government deregulation and weakened labor unions).

Chavez has garnered support for the creation of the Bank of the South from his buddies in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Paraguay. Brazil's apparent commitment solidifies the Bank's short-term viability because of the size and importance of its economy. Colombia, another major economy that has grown steadily in the last five years, also appears ready and able to participate. Chile, which boasts Latin America's healthiest economy,however, is not participating. The Bank of the South would be supported with up to $7 billion in initial capital provided by member countries and could begin operating as early as 2008.

Photo courtesy of consumerist.com

DEVELOPMENTS

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao announced a draft law designed to increase food safety on Wednesday. The new legislation comes in the wake of a nationwide crackdown on the sale of tainted food and other consumer products. On Monday, Chinese officials announced the arrest of over 700 people charged with violating food safety laws. These are welcome developments for the millions of Americans who consume Chinese products every day. Since Mattel/Fisher-Price announced a recall of 18.6 million toys made with lead paint and other hazardous materials this summer, consumer protection advocates have been clamoring for better inspection of Chinese goods.

Photo of Serbian side of Mitrovice taken by Arthur Traldi

DEVELOPMENTS

On March 24th, 1999, Bill Clinton announced the bombing of Yugoslavia. By June 10th of that year the UN had approved a peace plan for Kosovo, effectively ending the bombing campaign. But nearly 9 years later, Kosovo's status is still unclear. The process of resolving Kosovo's final status has been stalled since the Ahtisaari plan was brought to the United Nations in January of 2007. The Ahtisaari plan, drafted by former Finnish president Mahti Ahtisaari, calls for Kosovo to develop its own national symbols and Constitution. The plan also advocates for Kosovo to become an independent state supervised by the United Nations. It has received the endorsement of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. The plan has stalled due to Russian opposition which has added a new round of negotiations scheduled to last 120 days.

The current round of negotiations will end December 10 and the United States and European Union have agreed to recognize Kosovo if it declares independence. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to respond by recognizing breakaway pro-Russian states like Transdniester, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia in Moldova and Georgia.

Map of Israel/Palestine courtesy of PBS.COM

DEVELOPMENTS

In a matter of weeks, President Bush will host the most direct diplomatic initiative in the Israeli Palestinian conflict since he took office. The United States will lead what Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has labeled an "international meeting" this November, with the goal of moving the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians forward and laying the groundwork for a future independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Encouraging signs from the Middle East in the past few months have reinvigorated the long-dormant peace process and raised the level of measured optimism among the parties involved. U.S. officials say they are encouraged by the consistent and substantive dialogue between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (also known as Abu Mazen). The two leaders persevere towards peace despite political opposition and uncertainty on both sides.