Europe
Albania: the next Tunisia?
Prime Minister Sali Berisha accused the opposition of fomenting “Tunisian scenarios” after three protesters were killed by police in the Albanian capital, Tirana.
Watching the Shadows
Obama’s second year: a World War 4 Report scorecard
World War 4 Report offers an annotated assessment of Obama’s moves in dismantling, continuing or escalating the oppressive apparatus of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).
Afghanistan
US to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014: Biden
Vice President Joe Biden, reversing his recent position, said the US could stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014—as Hamid Karzai signed a long-term pact with NATO in Lisbon.
Europe
Neo-Nazis seize German village
Neo-Nazis have taken over the entire village of Jamel in northeastern Germany, and are running it as a “nationally liberated zone”—with no interference from authorities.
North Africa
Soros, WikiLeaks and Tunisia’s “color revolution”
Is Tunisia’s “Jasmine Revolution” a creation of George Soros, the National Endowment for Democracy and Julian Assange? No, but that hasn’t stopped Moammar Qaddafi from mouthing off.
The Andes
Peru: labor, campesino unrest plagues mineral sector
Peasants blocked roads to protest mining plans in Peru’s central Andean region of Ancash, as presidential candidate Alejandro Toledo pledged a tougher hand on the mineral sector.
Mexico
Mexico: Guerrero campesinos reinstate blockade against Parota hydro-dam
Members of the Council of Ejidos and Communities Opposed to La Parota Dam (CECOP) erected a blockade to prevent access of the Federal Electrical Commission to the dam construction site.
Mexico: 2010 narco-violence again breaks record
2010 saw 15,273 drug-related deaths in Mexico—another record year since President Felipe Calderón launched his offensive against the country’s narco-gangs in 2006.
Mexico
Mexico: leader of “Santa Muerte” cult detained on kidnapping charges
Mexican authorities announced the detainment of David Romo Guillén, leader of the “Santa Muerte” cult, on charges of leading a kidnapping gang that impersonated gunmen from Los Zetas.
Mexico
Mexico: Zapatistas deny link to Fernández de Cevallos kidnapping
Through their civilian wing, Mexico’s Zapatista rebels issued a denial of fraudulent statements claiming credit in their name for the kidnapping of politician Diego Fernández de Cevallos.
Central America
Guatemala declares emergency as Zetas threaten state
Guatemala has declared a state of emergency along the jungle border with Mexico in response to threats from Los Zetas. The narco gang responded by declaring “war” on the Guatemalan state.
The Andes
Colombia: new charges in “false positives” scandal
Colombian authorities brought charges against a Maj. Juan Carlos Del Río Crespo and four other troops in the slaying of a campesino family in another “false positives” case.