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| Courtesy of Reuters |
After the chaos that seemed to engulf Asia in June and the many political upheavals that echoed around the world, the month of July seems relatively tame. Besides a few isolated natural disasters, the international community has not seen any shake-ups or shakedowns this month. Let's hope that this is indeed not the calm before the storm, but possibly the beginning of an extended political calm so that America can catch its breath.
The Americas
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has recently ordered troops to ten districts along the border between Venezuela and Colombia. Chavez charges that the outgoing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe issues an invasion order before he leaves office. The Colombians claim that they have proof that the Venezuelans are harboring terrorists members of FARC (a leftists terrorist group in Colombia), a charge that Chavez denies vehemently. Colombia is calling on Chavez to allow third party observers to survey the areas they claim harbor terrorists; Chavez has denied them access however, citing reasons of national sovereignty.
Personally I think this issue comes down to pro-American Colombia versus and obviously anti-American Chavez. Colombia is the U.S.'s most prominent trade and political partner in South America, whereas Chavez has been characterized as South America's Saddam Hussein. As tensions mount no one can say for certain that this will end without bloodshed but I certainly hope that both sides can come to an agreement.
Europe
The only story out of Europe this month is that the European Union (EU), the 27 member bloc of nations, has signaled that negotiations to bring Iceland into the bloc would be welcomed. This marks a vast deviation from the past when Iceland was seen as one of the most economically unstable nations in Europe and membership was being withheld because its poor economic state could hurt EU interests. However, membership is far from assured because public support for the EU in Iceland is about 40%, coupled with the demands that Iceland reimburse all nations that loss money in its banking collapse of 2008 could really impede the process. In my opinion, Iceland should and will be eventually admitted into the EU, because I personally believe the only way to rectify Iceland's abysmal economy would be for the Euro to reinvigorate it.
Asia
After last months political upheavals, and ethnic battles, July seemed to restore a relative calm to the beleaguered continent. The main story from Asia this month once again revolves around its red-headed step child nation, North Korea. The communist outpost, commonly known as the Hermit Kingdom has once again stepped up aggression during planned United States and South Korean military exercises. The exercises, dubbed Invincible Spirit, are being held in South Korean waters in response to the March sinking of a South Korean Warship from a torpedo fired by a North Korean submarine. An incident that North Korea denies even happened.
The exercises have been designed to show North Korea that both the United States and South Korea will not tolerate acts of aggression from the impoverished nation. North Korea has responded to the exercises calling them illegal and unwarranted and stated that North Korea is both ready for peace and war at the same time. They also maintain that they will not be intimidated by foreign powers. However, most U.S. officials agree that North Korea is too worried about ensuring its own survival that it will not do anything to further endanger the regime.
The Middle East
A major step has been made between the Israelis and the Palestinians this month. The Arab League gave the Palestinian Authority the go ahead to enter into peace talks with the Israelis which immediately prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce that his nation is willing and ready to commence direct and honest peace talks. This has put peace back on the table, now all that remains is for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to decide whether he wishes to enter into the talks or not. If both parties agree to enter than this may be a historic step towards peace between the two warring factions. A peace treaty between these two, seemingly irreconcilable, parties may be just what the global community needs to reassure it that even the biggest adversaries can find a common ground. A treaty here would be a win for the entire world. Mr. Abbas, the ball is in your court. I only hope you do what is right.
Later,
Cody
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