CrossTalk: AFRICOM

Militarization of Africa... A geopolitical priority.

Has Africa made it to the list of US geopolitical priorities? Why is the US military expanding its secret intelligence operations in Africa? What is behind the growth of AFRICOM? Why is the US training and equipping militaries in a number of African states? Is it a price to pay for peace and order in Africa? Or is it just about the protection and promotion of American interests at the expense of Africa's search for stability? CrossTalking with Ivan Eland, Peter Pham and James Mittleman on July 9.

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Angelina Jolie Attends Historic Warlord Trial at the ICC

Angelina Jolie witnessed history in the making on Thursday when she attended a trial at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.

The "Changeling" actress headed to the hearing in The Hague to observe proceedings as the case against Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga, who is accused of recruiting child soldiers, wrapped up.

She tells the Associated Press, "(This is) an extraordinary moment for international justice but more than that for children of the world."

Jolie, who is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, is currently living in Scotland while her partner Brad Pitt films zombie movie "World War Z."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dailydish/detail?entry_id=96247#ixzz1WFyr6lRu

International Crisis Group : Elements of a New Strategy to Disarm the LRA

There has been a lot of talk in 2010 with the LRA Disarmament Act being introduced into Congress, then the historical moment when the legislation was enacted by President Obama. Things were sounding good, and hopefully they still are good, but from afar, there seems to be little effective action taking place.

There has been the release of the 'Comprehensive Strategy', which really only outlined what one would do to help LRA affected people...

Uganda Bomb Attacks:Kampala Explosions Kill 64 World Cup Fans

July 11, 2010

Uganda Bomb Attacks:Kampala Explosions Kill 64 World Cup Fans – At least 64 Ugandans were killed by the explosion of bombs in two restaurants Sunday in Kampala, Uganda, where many people met to watch the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, police said.

An explosion occurred in an Ethiopian restaurant in the south of Kampala and another in a sports club in the east of the city, Kale Kayihura the police chief, told reporters.

“These bombs were definitely targeting World Cup crowds,” he added.

According to reports 15 people had died in the Ethiopian restaurant and 49 in the second facility.

After the explosion, terrorism is on investigators’ mind, a possibility that The Inspector General of Ugandan police Kale Kayihura is not pushing aside.

“You know there have been declarations from Shebab and Al-Qaida. Terrorism is a modern-day threat. You know the region we are in and our commitment in Somalia,” Kayihura said.

“Obviously this is terrorism. That one is clear,” he added. “At this stage we can’t rule out anything.”