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IPSI's Peace & Security Report (PSR) is a concise weekly e-publication intended to brief busy students, academics, advocates, and conflict management practitioners on pertinent global news, events, and trends. The PSR empowers us all to take a step back from our immediate deadlines each Friday and gain a greater understanding of the week's global events.


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World Happiness Report 2015

Sustainable Development Solutions Network

 

The World Happiness Report is a landmark survey of the state of global happiness. The first report was published in 2012, the second in 2013, and the third on April 23, 2015. Leading experts across fields - economics, psychology, survey analysis, national statistics, health, public policy and more - describe how measurements of well-being can be used effectively to assess the progress of nations. The reports review the state of happiness in the world today and show how the new science of happiness explains personal and national variations in happiness. They reflect a new worldwide demand for more attention to happiness as a criteria for government policy.
Africa  

KENYA: Top security officials suspended pending investigation

On Tuesday, Kenya suspended nine top security officials pending an investigation into the handling of the al-Shabaab attack at Garissa University earlier this month. Further investigations of police conduct will establish if criminal negligence occurred ahead of the attacks. The Interior Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Nkaissery, and Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, appointed two teams which reported that police operations were affected by a shortage of officers on campus. These reports stated that on the day of the attack, four armed police officers were assigned to be on duty, yet only two were present. The county's security team was warned of a possible attack and had visited the college two days earlier in an effort to ensure security. Comment: In addition to local warnings, both the United Kingdom and Australia issued warnings of planned attacks in Kenya. The investigative team has 14 days to conducts its probe into the attack. (Reuters, BBC, Standardmedia)


SOMALIA: Al-Shabaab attack on UN vehicle kills six

On Monday, an al-Shabaab attack on a United Nation's vehicle killed six people including four UNICEF personnel. The vehicle was carrying staff to a UN office in the Puntland region. An estimated five other staff members were seriously wounded. Last year, the African Union and Somali government troops in southern Somalia launched an offensive that pushed al-Shabaab fighters north into Puntland. Since the offensive, attacks have intensified in the area. Comment: The incident preceded another al-Shabaab attack on Tuesday in which a suicide bomber crashed a bomb-laden car into a restaurant in Mogadishu, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than a dozen. Al-Shabaab's military operations spokesman stated that they targeted government ministry and presidential palace officials who eat at the restaurant. (BBC, Reuters, AFP, Reuters)


SOUTH AFRICA: Troops deployed to quell anti-immigrant violence

On Tuesday, South Africa deployed troops to areas in Johannesburg and Durbin in order to quell anti-immigrant violence. Seven people died and 5,000 people were displaced due to the outbreak of violence. Both the South African army and police forces conducted a series of raids in order to curb attacks on foreigners and looting of foreign-owned shops. Comment: In 2008, South Africa deployed army troops for similar instances of xenophobic violence, in which at least 63 people died. Foreign governments, including China, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe criticized South Africa for failing to protect foreigners within the country. An estimated two million foreign nationals currently live in South Africa. (Reuters, News24, BBC


 

Researched/Written by Jessica Obi
Americas 
EL SALVADOR: Gang violence soars

On Tuesday, President Salvador S�nchez Cer�n announced the creation of four special force battalions to combat the spike in gang violence. In March, El Salvador witnessed its deadliest month in ten years, with an estimated 481 murders reported. The defense forces consist of three army battalions, as well as one police unit that will coordinate with the army.A majority of the murders can be attributed to gang violence between Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). Comment: El Salvador and its neighbors, Honduras and Guatemala, are referred to as the Northern Triangle and have some of the highest homicide rates in the world, according to International Business Times, with an average of 15 homicides per day since January 2015. All three suffer from gang violence, and although deaths subsided in the past two years due to a truce between Barrio 18 and MS-13, a recent collapse of the agreement has reignited conflict. The rates of violence, particularly against minors, contribute to these three countries being among the largest sources of unaccompanied child migrants attempting to enter the United States. (International Business Times, Agence France-Presse, La Prensa Grafica)

 

MEXICO: Anti-Corruption billed passed in Congress

Legislators signed a law on Tuesday addressing the recent issues of corruption between the government and contractors. The anti-graft bill designates new powers to the Federal Audit Office and the Public Administration Ministry (SFP) granting increased oversight over public officials. The law also creates a special court with distinct prosecutors intended to try corruption-related issues. Officials reported that additional laws passed later this year will clarify the newly granted powers. Comment: The new reforms are intended to relieve political pressure on President Pe�a Nieto and his campaign to alleviate economic woes, according to Reuters. News of improvements to the economy has been tarnished by corruption scandals, such as the Head of the Federal Water Authority resigning due to personal and improper use of the agency helicopter. Anti-corruption organizations claim that the new laws do not address the issue of low prosecution rates, and simply put another name to current prosecutorial institutions. (Reuters, Yucatan Times, El Universal)

 

UNITED STATES: Puerto Rican finance officials warn of possible government shutdown

On Wednesday, the Government Development Bank of Puerto Rico warned the administration that a government shutdown is likely in the next three months if immediate multi-year plans are not implemented. In an open letter sent to Governor Alejandro Padilla and Presidents of both houses of the Puerto Rican legislature, finance officials addressed the current debt of USD 73 billion and how present regulation was preventing additional revenue streams by restricting bond sales. Comment: A government shutdown would have sweeping effects across all markets as both public and private sectors would experience salary and job cuts. The last shutdown occurred in 2006, and while only lasting two weeks, it resulted in the closure of public schools and suspended the central government's workforce. The government avoided a shutdown last November by passing an increase of crude oil taxes. (Reuters, Associated Press, Primera Hora)


Researched/Written by Eric Bravo
East Asia & Pacific 

CHINA/PHILIPPINES: Chinese coast guard clashes with Philippine fishermen

China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei, issued a statement on Wednesday defending the actions of its coast guard against Filipino fisherman in waters near Scarborough Shoal. The statements come after Filipino fisherman accused the Chinese coast guard of using water cannons against them, boarding their ships, cutting ropes, and throwing away their fishing catch and fishing gear in disputed waters last week. In his statements, Lei neither confirmed nor denied the use of specific tactics, but noted that the Philippines should respect Chinese sovereignty and "educate" its fishermen. Both governments claim the waters at Scarborough Shoal. Comment: This clash comes in the same week as the largest U.S.-Philippine joint military exercises in 15 years.  China denies that its actions in the waters, which are also claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, were provocative.  (Reuters, Philippine Star, BBC)

 

JAPAN: Radioactive drone found on prime minister's roof

Authorities discovered a propeller-driven drone with traces of radioactive material on the roof of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's residence on Wednesday. The discovery coincided with Abe's unpopular decision to reopen two nuclear reactors, which had been shut down since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster four years ago. The drone contained radioactive cesium, a chemical released in the Fukushima disaster. Commentators speculate that the incident may have been in protest to Abe's decision. At the time of the discovery, Prime Minister Abe was away in Indonesia. No injuries were reported. Comment: Although drone flights are restricted near airports in Japan, there are currently no laws governing their movement around government buildings. In response to the incident authorities vowed to review antiterrorism measures. (Japan Times, NY Times, CNN)

 

THAILAND: European Union threatens fish ban over illegal fishing

On Wednesday, Thailand's agriculture minister pledged to crackdown on illegal fishing after European Union (EU) officials threatened to ban imports of Thai fish. The EU's formal notice, issued on Tuesday by the EU Commission, requires illegal practices such as black-market fish sales, abuses of immigrant workers, and exploitation of illegal fishing zones to be curbed within the next six months. Thailand, the world's third largest fish exporter, currently sells over half a billion euros of fish to the EU annually. The agriculture ministry's response included a six-point plan to combat illegal practices. Comment: Thai government officials are troubled that the EU has not acknowledged their reported efforts to reform the industry in 2015. The notice comes on the heels of a recent Associated Press report exposing slave labor in the Southeast Asian fishing industry. (Bangkok PostReutersGuardian)

 

Researched/Written by Peter Valente
Europe & Central Asia

POLAND: Arms deal to purchase U.S. Patriot missiles

On Tuesday, Polish President Komorowski announced that Poland is set to begin talks with the U.S. to finalize a multibillion-dollar arms contract to purchase U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missiles defense system designed to defend against aircraft and cruise/ballistic missiles. Comment: Reports state that Poland's interest in this advanced weapons system is in direct response to Russia's deployment of missiles in the Kaliningrad exclave, which borders Poland. In addition to purchasing the U.S. Patriot missile defense system, Poland also purchased 50 military helicopters from the Airbus Group. Analysts argue that the acquisition of the missile defense system is Poland's contribution to NATO's long-term collective effort to deter missile attacks in Europe. (BBC, Wall Street Journal, Reuters)

 

ITALY: Migrant crisis in the Mediterranean

Over the weekend, a ship carrying hundreds of migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea. The Italian Coast Guard responded to the crisis after the passengers allegedly moved from one side of the ship to the other in response to the approach of a Portuguese merchant ship, unbalancing the vessel; however, the details of the specific cause of the capsize is still under investigation. As of Tuesday, the Italian Coast Guard speculated that as many as 850 of the migrants drowned before the coast guard could reach them, leading reports to label this incident as the "worst ever sea disaster on the Mediterranean." The Italian authorities in Catania arrested the captain and a crewmember of the ship for reckless shipwreck, multiple manslaughter, and abetting clandestine immigration. Comment: This year alone, the UN estimates that approximately 1,776 people have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea, earning the trafficking route the title of the "world's deadliest border crossing." In response to this growing crisis, the European Union announced a 10-point plan to tackle the problem. (Washington Post, CNN, Los Angeles Times

 

MACEDONIA: Armed men seize Macedonia border post

Macedonian Interior Ministry spokesman Ivo Kotevski announced on Tuesday that 40 armed men wearing Kosovo Liberation Army insignia attacked a border post in Northern Macedonia. The armed men detained four border officials for hours and seized weapons and mobile phones from border police at the village of Goshnice, near the Kosovo border. Kotevski labeled the attack as an act of terrorism, but could not confirm the origin of the attackers as either Kosovar or Macedonian. Reports also state that the attackers demanded their own state and denounced the provisions of the 2001 Ohrid Agreement that resolved a brief conflict between Macedonian government forces and ethnic Albanian rebels. Comment: Kosovo police officers disputed the Macedonian government's account of events, claiming that they had no evidence of armed men crossing the border. Pro-opposition media sources in Macedonia have also called into question the circumstances of the incident, suggesting that the government may have concocted the incident themselves to detract attention from growing accusations of government misconduct, specifically the use of wiretaps. (Radio Free Europe, Reuters, B92)  


 

 Researched/Written by Cate Partain
Middle East & North Africa 

EGYPT: Former president sentenced to prison

An Egyptian court ruling on Tuesday sentenced former President Mohamed Morsi to 20 years in prison on charges of inciting violence and ordering the arrest and torture of protesters demonstrating outside the presidential palace in December 2012. In addition to Morsi, 12 other Muslim Brotherhood members involved in the case were also given the same sentence, while two others received a lesser sentence of ten years. In addition to these charges, Morsi and his fellow defendants were also initially charged with premeditated murder for deaths resulting from the protests. During the trial, however, they were all acquitted of the murder charges, which would have been punishable by death. Following the sentencing, Morsi's legal team expressed plans to appeal his sentence. Comment: The verdict is the first to be handed down to Morsi since his ousting as president during a 2013 military coup. He is also currently facing charges in four other criminal cases. The ruling is the latest in a series of Egyptian court sentences handed down to Muslim Brotherhood supporters following Morsi's removal from power. Over 1,200 people accused of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood have received death sentences since early 2014. (Reuters, Al Ahram, Al Jazeera, Wall Street Journal).

 

LEBANON: First French weapon shipment arrives

Ceremonies at the Rafic Hariri International Airport on Monday celebrated the arrival of the first shipment of Saudi-funded French arms in compliance with a USD three billion tri-state arms agreement between the governments of Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and France. The military equipment - which includes MILAN anti-tank missiles, three small warships, 250 combat and transport vehicles, communications and surveillance systems, and seven Cougar helicopters - is meant to modernize the Lebanese military and augment its ability to fight extremist groups along its border with Syria. The remainder of the arms shipments are set to take place within the next four years in conjunction with a seven-year training program for the Lebanese army. Both Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Mokbel and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian praised the deal and Saudi Arabia's donation in statements made during the ceremonies. Comment: The decision to accept a USD three billion Saudi donation designated exclusively for the purchase of French government weapons was originally announced in December 2013 by then-president of Lebanon Michel Suleiman. Since then, Saudi Arabia's regional rival, Iran, has also expressed a willingness to provide Lebanon with security funding. Threats caused by the ongoing violence in Syria and the rise of extremist groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra and the self-proclaimed Islamic State continue to adversely affect internal relations in Lebanon, aggravating sectarian tensions and straining their already-limited resources. (The National, AFP, The Daily Star, Al Monitor)

 

YEMEN: Saudi-led coalition strikes continue

Saudi-led airstrikes resumed in Yemen on Wednesday, less than a day after the end of coalition operations was officially announced. The renewed strikes occurred in the city of Taiz, shortly after rebel forces successfully captured a key military base on the city's outskirts earlier that morning. Prior to its seizure, the base served as a headquarters to 35th Brigade forces loyal to Houthi-ousted President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is currently living in Saudi Arabia after fleeing Houthi advances in Yemen last month. Airstrikes targeting suspected rebel locations were also reported on Wednesday in the southern port-city of Aden amidst increased fighting between Houthi and pro-Hadi forces, and strikes continued into Thursday in central and southern cities. Comment: The Saudi-led coalition air campaign, known as "Operation Decisive Storm," originally commenced last month in response to further Houthi advances in southern Yemen. In a statement on Tuesday, the coalition's spokesperson noted that the operation had achieved its military objectives and was ready to transition into "Operation Renewal of Hope," a new campaign focused on political solutions and civilian protection. The announcement, however, did not rule out the possibility of future airstrikes. According to UN reports, coalition airstrikes have killed approximately 950 people and wounded approximately 3,500 more since they began. (Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, BBC)

 

Researched/Written by Kateira Aryaeinejad

South Asia

AFGHANISTAN: Taliban announces spring offensive

On Wednesday, the Afghan Taliban announced the launch of its annual spring offensive, dubbed "Azm" or "Resolution," in which it will intensify attacks on embassies, government facilities, and military targets. The name is similar to that of the NATO-led two-year "Resolute Support" operation that started last January to train and advise Afghan security forces following the withdrawal of most combat troops from the country. In a statement emailed to the media, the group said that their offensive would begin on Friday, and declared that their "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" is "determined to prolong the ongoing jihad," or holy war. The announcement of this offensive comes in the midst of efforts by President Ashraf Ghani to open a peace dialogue with the Taliban; however, the statement made no mention of a peace process, and Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid relayed to media that no talks are possible until foreign forces withdraw completely from Afghanistan and a "sovereign government" that is "free of foreign influence" is installed in Kabul. Comment: The Taliban has been waging an insurgency since it was ousted from power by U.S.-led international forces in 2001. The Islamist militant group typically intensifies military efforts in the spring when the snow melts on the mountains along the porous border with Pakistan, allowing for the movement of fighters and weapons. This fighting season is expected to be the bloodiest in a decade, marking the first year in which the insurgents will face Afghan fighters only following the end of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan on 31 December 2014. (AP, Reuters, VOA)


INDIA: Minister says 2,000 girls killed every day

2,000 girls are killed in India every day, with most aborted or murdered just after birth, the Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi said on Monday. In a statement to NDTV news channel, Maneka Gandhi discussed the preference for sons in India that drives this practice, as females are often viewed as a burden due to the dowry system. Sex selective abortions remain common despite laws banning tests to determine the gender of unborn children. The 2011 Indian census showed that despite a slight increase in the overall female-to-male ratio since the 2001 census, the number of girls younger than six plunged for the fifth decade in a row. According to a May 2011 study in British medical journal The Lancet, up to 12 million Indian girls were aborted over the last 30 years. In 1981, the child sex ratio was 962 girls to every 1,000 boys, but this ratio has fallen to 918 girls as of 2011. Comment: In January 2015, the Indian government initiated the "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) campaign, which attempts to reverse the declining number of girls. Launched in 100 districts that face especially low ratios of girls-to-boys, the initiative aims to better enforce laws against prenatal gender selection and improve access to education for girls. According to Gandhi, the initiative is already seeing results, as the number of girls being admitted to orphanages has increased. This trend, the Minister says, is indicative of a transition from girls "being killed to being thrown out." (TIME, Reuters, VOA)


PAKISTAN/CHINA: Xi Jinping launches USD 46 billion investment deal

During a two-day visit to Islamabad this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a USD 46 billion investment plan for energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan. The deal will largely center on the establishment of an economic corridor, a network of roads, railways, and pipelines from the Pakistani port of Gwadar to the Chinese region of Xinjiang. On Monday, President Xi and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signed 51 agreements and broke ground on USD 28 billion worth of the projects, many focusing on energy production. The initial projects are expected to be completed by 2018, and the plan calls for completion of all projects by 2030.  In a statement, Xi said the deal cements an "all-weather strategic cooperative relationship" between the two countries. Comment: The creation of this economic corridor is part of China's attempt to establish a "New Silk Road" of trade routes linking China with markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. To alleviate Chinese concerns about attacks by ethnic Uighur separatists in the predominantly Muslim Xinjiang region and by Pakistani militants, Pakistan will provide a special security force of 12,000 military personnel to protect the Chinese workers and engineers. (Reuters, CNN, BBC, Wall Street Journal)
 

Researched/Written by Sara Cook

April 24, 2015
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