Ariel Rusila's Conflicts [Ex-BalkanPerspective]

As Lisbon Treaty seems to come into force also the enlargement process in the Western Balkans got new boost. On 14 October 2009 the Commission adopted its annual strategy document explaining its policy on EU enlargement. The document includes also a summary of the progress made over the last twelve months by each candidate and potential candidate: Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo (under UN resolution 1244). In addition of strategy paper the Commission published the 2009 progress reports of each of the candidate and potential candidates. Below is a summary related to the countries of Western Balkans. My source has been European Commission Enlargement pages from where one can find the strategy, country reports and also other key documents related to enlargement. EC's country conclusions Croatia has made good progress in meeting the benchmarks set in the accession negotiatio...

The way ahead with the dispute between Iran's nuclear programme and the possible response of western powers is foggy. News from last weeks give some base for optimism (peaceful solution) while others are increasing the use of military option. What's clear to me is that the stakes are now higher than before. From my point of view following aspects may have influence for one or the other solutions: Confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran is able to design and produce a workable atom bomb now Recent massive missile exercises implemented by Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Air Force Information leaks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s secret visit to Moscow on Sept. 7 Iran has agreed to have the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspect a previously secret nuclear facility near Qom as well transport of low-enriched uranium to France and Russia for reprocessing Iran's right to develop its nuclear program for civi...

When Nobel committee last year selected Mr. Ahtisaari – an unofficial spokesperson of US State department and Nato – as Nobel prize Peace laureate this years selection was not surprise. The bright side is that Mr.Obama has not (hopefully yet) junked the original criteria (“to contribute to fraternity in the world, to reduce armies and to establish peace congresses”) for Nobel peace prize as it was case with Ahtisaari. More in general in my article “ Do you hear Mr. Nobel rolling in his grave ” - and more specific about Ahtisaari's mediator tactics in my article “ 500.000 bodies or sign ” - Nobel committee's advancement can however promote peace in short term as now it is maybe more difficult to Obama launch or support bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities soon. Mr. Obama has also brought totally new spirit and approach to international relations if compared to previous administration so there is some hope that in near future international relations and conflicts can be mana...

Each year since 1990 the Human Development Report by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has published the human development index (HDI) which looks beyond GDP to a broader definition of well-being. The index is not in any sense a comprehensive measure of human development, however HDI gives some valuable information about some dimensions of global trends. Earlier I have published following two other articles related to other aspects of development in Balkans: Balkans and Failed States Rank which describes failed state index based on social, economical and political indicators, and Freedom in Balkans which has its perspective on political rights and civil liberties, democracy, economy, poverty and movement In this article my focus is to collect the human development index scores of Balkans and Black Sea regions as well some other picks. The report and additional related materials etc (my source with this article) can be found from UNDP's HDR 2009 site. Dimensions...