US Gov't Peacekeeping Issues

Wisconsin's Russ Feingold was no ordinary Democratic senator. He staunchly staked out unabashedly liberal positions on all things foreign policy and national security related, right up until his defeat Tuesday night.

Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger will seek the chairmanship of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, according to her spokesman, ending rumors that she would forgo the post in favor of some other position.

Although no decisions have been made, until last night Granger was the ranking Republican on the panel and she is the clear frontrunner for the job. She would succeed current chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), who has served as chairwoman since 2006.

Not all Congress’ are alike.  And this one is likely to be a unique mix of the old and the new when it comes to defense and international affairs spending. The consequences for defense and international affairs budgets and for the future of US global engagement will be striking.

Absent a surprise showing of "Dewey Defeats Truman" proportions by Democrats, Republicans are very likely to take control of the House of Representatives as a result of Tuesday's midterm elections. A takeover of the Senate is less likely but also possible. I have speculated previously on what a GOP Congress might mean for President Barack Obama's national security policy (CliffsNotes version: The White House should be happy, because a Republican House will be more supportive of the Afghan war and would advocate a tougher posture towards Iran).

KITCHANGA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Each day Joyce goes out into the bush and assembles five tiny bundles of wood for sale, only to have one taken from her by former rebels now in the ranks of the national army.

"I have to submit as I don't want to be raped," she said, her baby wrapped to her back in a camp for thousands of displaced people in Kitchanga in Congo's troubled east.

The enduring loyalty of Canadians to United Nations peacekeeping should not be treated – as it often is these days – as an unwanted remnant of the past. Canadians are correct in believing that peacekeeping has a vital role to play in the increasingly challenging world of global conflict.

Ahead of the upcoming November elections, Americans are rightfully concerned about the state of the economy, not least of which includes our budget deficit. But voters are also concerned about America’s place in the world and how we engage with our global partners to combat some of the toughest challenges. From the global fight against AIDS and malaria, to bringing food and clean water to the world’s poorest people, to establishing peace and security in some of the most volatile regions around the globe, no country can tackle these issues alone. This is where the UN comes in. 

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations is owed 4.1 billion dollars by member nations with the United States accounting for more than a quarter of the figure, a top UN official said Thursday.

The global economic crisis has caused the new financial troubles at the world body, Under Secretary General for Management Angela Kane told reporters.

"It has been a difficult year in many ways for many member states because of the economic recession," she said. "They have to tighten their belts."