Starvation, Births, Diamonds and How to Pack Like a Spy: FUUO's recommended daily dosage

Starvation, Births, Diamonds and How to Pack Like a Spy: FUUO's recommended daily dosage

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/features/reading-lists  Some of these are a bit old (2009) but there are some more recent ones as well.  Regardless of the date, they are a good jumping off point for a wide range of topics and countries.  Sadly, there is not a specific Africa one.  HOWEVER, I have an extensive one here on this blog:  http://fuuo.blogspot.com/p/foreign-area-officer-fao-book-list.html

How to Travel Safely - Tips from a Former Agent.  This is a great little video that highlighted a couple of things I don't always think about when traveling abroad.  Worth the 5 minutes out of your day.  Also, if you are a member of FAOWeb you can access all of STRATFOR's material for free!

http://www.stratfor.com/content/video-travel-safe?utm_source=freelist-f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110714&utm_term=sweekly&utm_content=bluebox&elq=83d7ea8073534425807404526f892de7>

Africa: Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Hearing on Somalia - Assessing the Consequences of the Failed State of Somalia http://www.state.gov/g/prm/rls/rmks/2011/168614.htm

Sudan Updates: Two New Sudans: A Roadmap Forward http://www.state.gov/s/sudan/rem/2011/168657.htm

Africa: Special Press Briefing on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/07/168728.htm

Africa: Briefing on the Current Situation in the Horn of Africa http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/07/168784.htm

Africa: U.S. Response to Declaration of Famine in Somalia and Drought in the Horn of Africa <http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/07/168792.htm

At USIP Event, U.S. Calls on Sudan to Halt Violence, Keep Its Promises

The government of Sudan should halt its military attacks in border regions adjacent to newly independent South Sudan. It also must meet all of its obligations under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, said Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson during a conference at USIP on July 14. | Read the news feature. http://click.newsletters.usip.org/?qs=60312130a97a0a3420b34c5e9ad62e11d09dbb60237d20ae52420a7619680629

U.S. Recognizes Libyan Rebels as the Legitimate Government

USIP's Paul Hughes examines the significance of the U.S. move to recognize rebel leaders as the legitimate authority in Libya, the potential risks involved and when to start planning for post-conflict operations. | Read the full Q&A with Hughes http://click.newsletters.usip.org/?qs=60312130a97a0a34c2c69f15f7f343ae49f2ee3829072f5fe028e2f34278feb5

Mbeki to Zuma: South Africa in the UNSC http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=140&mailid=17&subid=709
By Anton M. Pillay

This paper examines South Africa’s role in the United Nations Security Council in the context of the country’s foreign policy under Presidents Mbeki and Zuma. South Africa’s long history as a ‘bridge builder’ committed to strong cordial relationships has enhanced over the past sixteen years. The paper looks at how South Africa has managed to obtain this powerful constructive role not just in Africa, but in the world, and to what extent this can be attributed to Zuma's influence.

Diamond mining in Angola: Enter China and South Africa http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=141&mailid=17&subid=709
By Denine Walters

This paper examines Angola’s diamond mining sector, which generates more than US$ 650 million in revenue annually. The paper provides an overview of the diamond industry and analyses the potential of South Africa gaining a bigger foothold in the sector, Angola’s cautious approach, and China that recently acquired a stake in the country’s largest mine.

Industry Business
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=68&mailid=17&subid=709    

Asia Dimension
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=10&mailid=17&subid=709
Feeding China: Africa’s other natural resource <http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=142&mailid=17&subid=709
By Megan Erasmus

This paper discusses China’s quest for food security by ensuring access to another of Africa’s natural resources - land. China is no longer able to sustainably feed itself, and is so looking to the agricultural produce of other states to solve their dilemma. Africa, with its sparsely populated, fertile and uncultivated lands offers the perfect solution. This discussion paper will delve into the motivations of China’s purchase of agricultural land and determine if this practice is indeed the best option for all parties included.

Nigeria’s Boko Haram: The emerging threat expanding http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=143&mailid=17&subid=709
By Annette Theron

This paper considers the expanding threat that Boko Haram, an Islamic sect, presents to Nigeria. This is done by assessing the development and growth of the group in spite of several setbacks, such as the death of its leadership. The threat is expanding and, unless the Government finds a new lasting solution, it seems the group will spread to more regions and so, endanger more people. 

Conflict &Terrorism
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=13&mailid=17&subid=709   

Election Reflection
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=9&mailid=17&subid=709
African Election Review - July 2011
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=144&mailid=17&subid=709
By Hannah Gibson

This month’s African Election Review examines the lead up to four elections and one referendum taking place across Africa. The Presidential election in Sao Tomé and Príncipe is examined alongside the presidential election in Cape Verde, set for 17 July and 6 August respectively. Tunisia's Parliamentary elections which have been brought forward following the ousting of President Ben Ali following the popular uprisings in the country, as well as the upcoming constitutional referendum and general elections in Liberia, are also discussed.

 

Fertile poverty: Northern Ghana’s high birth rate
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=145&mailid=17&subid=709
By Aidan Prinsloo

This paper considers why certain regions in Ghana resist modern family planning methods, even in the face of increased availability and quality. While persistent poverty in Northern Ghana is generally used to account for the high total fertility rate (TFR) in this region, the failure of modern contraception and family planning methods must not be overlooked. The Ministry of Health has placed special emphasis on modern family planning methods throughout the country, yet the TFR remains high.

Gender Issues
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=17&mailid=17&subid=709      

HIV AIDS
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=20&mailid=17&subid=709
From voluntary to mandatory: The debates surrounding HIV

testing in Africa
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=146&mailid=17&subid=709
By Katherine Austin-Evelyn

This paper explores the issues and debates associated with HIV testing in high prevalence and incidence settings in Africa. The current voluntary testing and counselling approach in the African context is briefly discussed. This is followed by an examination of alternative approaches and calls for testing reform in light of what this means for the future of HIV & AIDS programming, and the potential impact that these may have on public health and human rights.

South Korea in Africa: Understanding South Korea’s interest in Africa (Part II) http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=147&mailid=17&subid=709
By Casper Hendrik Claassen

This paper follows up on a previous CAI paper which was entitled Korea-Africa aid and investment: Fostering an agricultural revolution
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=88&mailid=17&subid=709
Whilst the previous article focused primarily on how Africa stands to benefit from said relationship, this CAI paper considers said benefits as well as the stimuli of South Korea’s interest in Africa. The emphasis of both articles is to describe and analyse the relationship between South Korea and Africa.

Optimistic Africa
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=21&mailid=17&subid=709  

Rights in Focus
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=24&mailid=17&subid=709
Quest for power: Human rights abuses in Ivory Coast
http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&urlid=148&mailid=17&subid=709

By Flora Ogbuitepu

This paper focuses on the relationship between the post election crisis and the violation of human rights in Ivory Coast and examines the role of international organisations in curbing the violation of human rights. The 2005 Presidential election in Ivory Coast was expected to unite the north and south of the country, yet it was hindered for a period of 5 years. Rather than peace, the runoff election produced two presidents, violence and human rights violations.