Different Voices from Iraq and Afganistan

There were different voices in Iraq in one side and Afganistan in the other. Talking in Munich several days ago, President of Afganistan admitted that the situation in Afganistan after 7 years of what so called 'war against terrorism' is still terrible. He offered dialogue to Taliban. Yesterday, at least 20 people were killed in Taliban attack to the building of justice ministry.

Meanwhile, the situation in Iraq seems to be improved. Iraq Prime Minister, Nuri Al Maliki vocally asked US no to make so much intervention to entire Iraq affairs. The newest election in Iraq is also relatively carried out in condusive situation. If Iraq succeeded in building stable domocratic country, it will be good news of the region.

How much mideast need stable democratic countries in facing so many latent conflicts in the region.

More Difficult Chance to Peace

Right wing wins in Israeli election. Netanyahu can form goverment in coalition with other right parties: Israel Baiteinu and Shas Parties. Kadima in the center led by Livni also can for government only with coalition.

Right direction persicely means no peace seems to be acheived in near future.

On the other side, Hamas is actively moving to strengten ties with people and officials in Iran, Suriah, Sudan and other places. Khalid Meshal is warmly welcomed at every place he've visited.

It is really hard to imagine peace in such circumstance.

What a Paradox

It is the first time in American history; black president leads the U.S. Administration. President Obama not only welcomed by American people who voted him in the poll but also people around the world. It is amazing victory, amazing chance for hope and change.

But at same time, America faces one of the wosrt crisis in its history. Economy crisis is worse that it is predicted. Multi billion dollar of economy stimulus are now being debated in senate to bring U.S. exit from crisis.

It is no doubt that U.S will not be single player anymore in world affairs as the former US Presiden insisted to be in eight previous years.

Dateline Davos: Obama's World

It was a very interesting talk. Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief of International Correspondent, hosted a panel debate in Davos, Switzerland, aired in CNN, Feb 2. The Panelists were Foreign Minister of France, Iraq, Iran, Prime Minister of Kenya, Defence Minister of Afganistan and Director of IAEA. They talked about world and international affairs after Obama toke office as President of USA.

Read full transcript of the talk here.

Uncompleted Approach

Talking in 45th Munich Security Conference, Vice President of America, Joe Biden emphazises that world has changed and therefore we also must change.

US administration wants to hear, talk and build a better and more secure world for all. He will talk with Iran and Russia; work seriously to achieve lasting peace between Palestine and Israel; and continue to support Afganistan and Iraq to be a stable country.

The message of the speech is clear. The right way to solve the conflict is by engaging all parts in the conflict in talk, not isolating them. Unfortunately, niether US or EU will talk with Hamas. It is very difficult to solve the Palestine-Israel conflict without talking with Hamas because Gaza is still under control of Hamas and other resistance forces there.

Uncared UN Resolution

The question now is how to implement UN resolution.

Israel pursued its military operation in Gaza. Hamas rejected to give up. Humanitarian crisis remains continue. Death toll has risen to 854 and more than 3,650 injured at the third week of the crisis.

President of Indonesia said that if the UN resolution did not stop Israeli attacks and force both sides to agree to a cease-fire, then a clear mechanism should be enforced to assert the resolution.

What clear mechanism is possible to force both side to end the war? UN may need to use multinational forces to guard peace in the region.

Who Can Stop Gaza Disaster?

At the 1st day of ground strike and 9th day of Israel assault to Gaza, 507 people died, among them 107 children and 36 women; and 2450 injured.

So far, UN failed to end the strike.

Demonstrations of millions of people take place everywhere around the world. They condemn Israel and urge immediate end of military operation.

Muslim Scholars led by Seikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi move to ask muslim countries leaders to use all tools to end the strike. Leader of Qatar call the operation as war crime and urge immediate summit of arab leaders.

The area is going to be wider war zone, if the military operation can't be ended. How much more will humanity pay the cost?

Good News on Indonesia's Democracy

Prof. Juan Cole pointed Indonesia's democracy as one of top 10 good news stories of muslim world in 2008.

He said: "Indonesia's transition to democracy that began in 1998 has been 'consolidated' and it has regained its economic health, paying back $43 billion in loans to the International Monetary Fund. Indonesia is the world fourth most populous country and the world's largest Muslim country, comprising something like 16 percent or more of all Muslims. It faces many challenges, as do all young democracies, but when 245 million Muslims have kept democracy going for 10 years, the thesis that Islam is somehow incompatible with democracy is clearly fallacious.".

Yes, Indonesia has been proving during these 10 years the compatibility of Islam with democracy. Indonesian diplomacy either in term of state or people has brought the bright model of muslim world that can uphold mutual and beneficial dialogue between cultures, religions and civilizations. There will be still long road to go, but this is good start to play more important role in international affairs. At least, Indonesia can take leading initiative in spreading democracy to the muslim world. And I think strong democracies in the world should support such efforts.

Feeling of Being Threatened

How do you feel when you are under threat? That is what Israel has felt since 1948. This feeling has been growing fast as the threat widened. Benny Morris described it very well.

Threat comes from Arab-Muslim communities that surround and never welcome Israel; Global opinion that condemns Israel's violation against human right; Hamas that on the ground controls Gaza strip and owns thousands of rockets, Hezbollah with stronger power after Israel attacks of 2006 to the south of Lebanon; Iran with potentially future nuclear weapon in hand and fast growing population of Arab-Israelian entire Israel.

How long can Israel live with feeling of being threatened? Not long, may be...

New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009
Let's Make World a Better Place for All

US, Please Give Us Answer!

Time has changed, but international order hasn't. USA and its allies remain control everything. Israel got unconditional support from them. And that means, injustice will be alive for more time.

This is 4th day of Israel airstrike to Gaza strip. More than 300 civilians died. And the attacks continue. No country, no international body can stop the strikes. They have no enough brave to stand against USA and its allies.

For how long again, will this injustice be alive? US can give us answer.

Help Gaza!

Talks can do nothing in this terrible situation in Gaza. Crazy assault of Israeli forces against civilians in Gaza only can be stopped by hard-real actions. Arab countries have to own enough brave to stop Israel strikes. US should not give umbrella to the Israel.

People in Gaza need urgent help now, not later. Please arab-moslem leaders, help our brother in Gaza. Please UN, show your forces. Stop Israel strikes.

One More Step to Substantial Democracy

Democracy in Indonesia takes one more step ahead. Constitutional Court ruled that legislature candidates only can be approved to become member of parliament based on people votes not list number made by the parties.

This rule, of course, will make the candidates closer to the people rather than to parties elites. And when the parliament members are really representatives of people voices, better policies of development will be launched to serves people needs.

After promising role of KPK (Corruption Eradication Commision) in combating corruption, MK (Constitutional Court) is now taking more important role to guard the rules remain conform to constitution and justice that often uncared by politicians to defend their interests.

China's Turn

China's turn now is coming. America will not be single player anymore. Economic crisis in America and its allies is far from end. And China becomes the only country with more than 8 % of growth and $2 trillion of foreign excange reserves.

This economic power will be greater if China, ASEAN and Japan succeed in integrating their market and economy. Will Asian leadership replace American's sooner that it is predicted?

OBAMA: Person of the Year 2008

TIME Magazine named Barack Hussein Obama, President-Elect of USA as the Person of the Year 2008.

I quote TIME:

In one of the craziest elections in American history, he overcame a lack of experience, a funny name, two candidates who are political institutions and the racial divide to become the 44th President of the United States.

It is really exellent achievement. After being elected as President of US, he is now in real challenges to change the world. Israeli-Arab conflict, Iraq instability, Iran nuclear program and high tension of military-politic in Afganistan are hot issues that wait smart and right treatment. I hope that Mr. President will complete his achievment by his success in solving these acute problems.

More State Role on Economy

If i don't miss understand, Prof. Joseph Stiglitz argues more state role on economy, meet with all states administrations policies to deal with recent economy crisis. He said, "we are all keynesian now".

2009

2009 will be year of politic in Indonesia. A serial of election from parliament to president will be held at the year.

This is the second direct presidential election in Indonesia. It seems that there will be no change in Indonesian political landscap. Old faces among presidential canditates are still dominant. No big issues of change will be endorsed.

As Wimar Witoelar, prominent political analyst, said, election in Indonesia is not a matter of issues or programs but patrons or figures.

Indonesian people, therefore, have to wait any longer to own substantial democracy, rather than prosedural democracy.

Hajj

More than two million people will be in Arafah, one of the holy places in Makkah, tomorrow, sunday(12/7), to preform the most important pillar of hajj (pilgrimage), the fifth pillar of Islam.

I think that moslem pilgrimage is the biggest annual meeting of human being on earth. They start with same intention, to worship the same God and share same values. The values of equality, sincerity, willing to help others, to build good relation among people, etc. If you have ever been there, then you can feel how great the hajj is.

Eid al-Adha

Happy Eid al-Adha for All Moslems. Kul Am wa Antum Bikheir...

Long Road to Real Democracy

Indonesia's East Java has to run another round of direct election in some places (Bangkalan and Sampang) and re-count the votes in the other place (Sumenep). This is the third round of direct governor election and the longest one of it in Indonesia.

According to the Constitutional Court that adjudge this case, there are a massive, structural and systemic infringement against the priciples of democracy has been done at the places. So, the re-election and re-count have to be done.

It means that more money (near to one trillion of rupiahs has been spent at the previous two rounds)and energy are need to chose the governor and vice governor of the province. It is really long road to real democracy.