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Monday, February 2, 2009
-According to the FT, over 20 million rural migrant workers have lost their jobs in China as a result of the global economic crisis, stoking party fears of social instability. The actual figure may be much higher; the initial number doesn't account for the workers who've remained in eastern cities.
-As first reported by The Cable last week, the US has been engaged in high level, "Track Two" discussions with Iran for the better part of a year, intensifying in recent months and including a number of individuals close to the Obama administration. The Iranian side has been led by Ali Asghar Soltanieh, ambassador and permanent representative to the IAEA. The talks have been conducted in European cities under the auspices of the Pugwash group. As The Cable notes, back channel talks have always occurred between the two nations (irrespective of public posturing), but these talks are significant in their attendance, timing, and frequency. While the nuclear issue is obviously the most pressing, talks have also focused on "how to move beyond the 1953 coup and 1979 revolution." This strikes me as a recognition by both sides that a window exists for a fundamental transformation of the relationship.-Political violence is on the rise in South Africa. A string of high profile assassinations in Kwa-Zulu Natal reflect rising tensions in the province between ANC and IFP supporters. Meanwhile, Cope (the party formed out of the ANC split last year) leader Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota issued his strongest criticism yet of the ANC and Zuma, claiming the party will push through immunity for the presidential favorite after the coming general election.
-Davos utterly failed its agenda: "shaping the post-crisis world". Chris Giles, Peter Thal Larsen, and Gillian Tett of the FT found the attendees united in their lack of confidence and inspiration.
Labels: China, Davos, financial crisis, Iran, Obama, South Africa
