Politically, the nation-state will always be the highest form of socialization and the psychological framework that most individuals actually identify themselves with—Americans, Zambians, Russians, Kenyan. The nation-state and the theoretical framework envisioned by Thomas Hobbes and other political theorists still holds and for many International realists, such as myself, seem to hold sway and have complete hegemony over other nucleus forms of identification. Even our news reports to Russia having done A or the United States having done B. However, of particular interest is maintaining what is a legal entitlement that nations seem to have and something that should be universally be held such as human rights. In other words, is ‘national sovereignty’ truly a basis for allowing some of the most flagrant abuse of human rights or total waste of country resources by uncouth rulers a legitimate basis for not intervening?

                 The United Nations:  Its Moral as well as Legal Obligations to Zimbabwe

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) peacekeepers are trapped in the middle of the fight. Checkpoints are all over the North Kivu province and the UN personnel are not exempt from interrogation. The UN peacekeepers are forced to live with a precarious relationship with the various warring factions in the DRC, including the government army. The DRC's current government army is just a conglomerate of merged rebel armies and so there does not exist a common identity. You never know who you may have to deal with at a checkpoint. Recently a rebel leader in North Kivu surrendered to the UN forces. Kabila has given the green light to loyal troops to engage and disarm rebel General Nkundu. The recent fighting between government forces and rebels probably caused the small rebel group of about 30 to surrender. The resurgence of fighting has also brough with it human rights abuses. From 2005 - 2007, over 258 cases of rape were recorded along with 14,200 cases of sexual violence. Less than one percent of these made it to court. The UN Independent Expert on human rights has called for an end to the impunity of sexual violence cases and urged Kabila to take up a 'zero-tolerance' policy.

This is from a group (Avaaz) which is providing a way for people to influence the UN Security Council. Please click the link below and ACT NOW:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/h.php/?cl=20614760

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We are back again to the age old debate of language and the way it is used - this time however the consequences are much greater. Genocide, how do you define it? In a Slate News, Senator Obama's comments are noted when referring to genocide. The article, titled "Getting comfy with genocide", gets deep into the definition of genocide and the consequences of our current use of the term.

From the When not in Africa. . . blog.

The 'bright idea' of the West very often comes under scrutiny from the rest of the world. In Tanzania the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are seen as the 'hidden agenda' of the West that is impossible for African countries to achieve. Many see South Africa's ability to achieve the MDGs as an obvious reference to the Western powers' foreign policy towards 'developing states.' Is it because South Africa is most Western and developed that it has achieved so much?

The UN has reported that Africa's economic growth is increasing, slow and steady, but frail. They are predicting that the continent's economies will grow almost 6% in 2007. However the report states that if African countries are to continue to grow they will need to diversify their economic output and invest more in infrastructure. The top growing econmies include: Mauritania (19.8%), Angola (17.6%), and Mozambique (7.6%). The report points out that the economic growth rests on a very fragile base and there are still conflicts to face. The HIV/AIDS crisis has killed much of Africa's workforce. Countries need to open their borders to trade, invest in their infrastructure, and insulate themselves against external shocks. If these predicted growth percentage's come true in 2007 this will be the continent's fourth year of growth. Zimbabwe was the only economy to contract in the last year by 4.4%.

If you read this blog, chances are good that you already care about Lebanon, Darfur, Iran, etc. But how do you translate these issues to your little brother and sister?

It's hard to explain to junior high students why they should care about issues that will never directly affect them.  It's unlikely that they'll meet a Tsunami survivor, or see the damage in Lebanon firsthand.

But now it's become a little easier to make your brother or sister care. Three new video games have been released (or are about to) that make contemporary crises interactive. They're educational without being preachy and interesting without belittling the issue.

First, check out Darfur is Dying. Playing as a Darfurian adult or child, you have to get water and protect your village from the janjaweed. The game offers opportunities to learn more about the crisis. It's also free to download

Also check out Food Force, a freeware game designed by the UN to teach people about the difficulties of humanitarian relief (this game is good for your little brother, but if your thinking about joining the peace corps, maybe you want to play this a few times first).

Finally, take a look at A Force More Powerful. This game teaches non-violent methods of resistance against dictatorships. it costs $20.00, so maybe it could be a Chrism-kwanza-rama-ka-madan present.