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TAMU GEOG 201 - activity 4

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Geography 201 • Human Geography • Dr. Sarah Bednarz • Spring 2006 Activity 4 Introduction A number of problems can arise from the intersection of geography and politics. The world is plagued by numerous conflicts caused by a variety of factors ranging from “local and regional responses to the impacts of globalization of the economy” (Knox and Marston 2004, 339-40) to racial, religious, and ethnic strife, to competition for scarce resources. The purpose of this activity is for you to become familiar with current political conflicts and to reflect on the causes and “cures” for some of these conflicts. You will use a well-respected organization, the International Crisis Group, and their materials, particularly CrisisWatch as well as other sources to accomplish this task. Procedure 1. Read the bulletin (#29) from the International Crisis Group issued on January 2, 2006 reporting on the status of conflict situations around the world during December 2005 on the next page. In early February watch for the next bulletin available at the web site http://www.crisisgroup.org 2. Map these conflicts, one map for December, one for January, in this fashion: Color A—locate, label, and color the nations/locations (or regions of nations) with deteriorated situations Color B—locate, label, and color the nations/locations (or regions of nations) with improved situations Color C—locate, label, and color the nations/locations (or regions of nations) with unchanged situations Color D--locate, label, and color the nations/locations (or regions of nations) on the conflict risk alert Use a symbol to denote any nation(s)/locations with a conflict resolution opportunity 3. Compare the maps and write (type) a brief summary addressing these questions on a separate sheet of paper: Do you observe any patterns in the locations of nations in conflict? Can the concept of core/periphery help to explain the incidents of conflicts? Do you observe any changes from December to January? 4. Select any three “deteriorated” or “conflict risk alert” nations for December or January and write (type) a brief summary of the conflict based on your research using the CrisisWatch web site. The site includes maps, articles, updates, and links to additional resources. Address these questions: • What is the conflict about? • What is precipitating the latest crisis? • In what ways does geography (geopolitics; resource competition; ethnic strife; core/periphery relations; imperialism/colonialism/neo-colonialism/decolonization; globalization & the “new world order” etc.) contribute to tensions in each instance. Be sure to write these three summaries in your own words. Write clearly and succinctly. They should be typed and attached to the two maps and answers to #3. Use your textbook (Chapter 9) for assistance.Geography 201 • Human Geography • Dr. Sarah Bednarz • Spring 2006 CrisisWatch Bulletin No. 29 from the International Crisis Group (January 2006) Eleven con flict situations around the world deteriorated in December 2005, according to the new issue of CrisisWatch,* [http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3856&l=1 ] released today. A surge o f violence in Sri Lanka raised fears o f a return to full-scale civil war. Internal divisions within the ruling Fatah part y helped hardline Hamas win major West Bank cities in municipal elections casting a shadow over the scheduled January general election. Nuclear negotiations with North Korea returned to stalemate a fter five months o f apparent progress. In Colombia, despite an optimistic start to government talks with leftist ELN rebels, the Revolutionary Armed Forced of Colombia (FARC) killed 37 in two of the worst attacks in years against securit y forces. In Egypt, the final round of parliamentary elections was marred by arrests, obstruction and violence as 12 were killed in the 7 December run-of f vote. And in China police killed up to 20 rural protesters demonstrating against land seizures for state projects. The situations also deteriorated in Bangladesh, Chad, Lebanon, Pakistan and Peru. Four conflict situations improved in December 2005. The Democratic Republic o f Congo held its first democratic vote in four decades as an o verwhelming majority of the population approved a draft constitution. In Afghanistan, the first elected parliament in 30 years was inaugurated by President Karzai. Bolivia saw the election o f its first indigenous head o f state in a free and fair poll. And in Côte d’Ivoire, a fter months o f political deadlock, all parties accepted Charles Konan Banny as interim prime minister. For January 2006, CrisisWatch identi fies Ethiopia/Eritrea, Nepal and Sri Lanka as Conflict Risk Alerts, or situations at particular risk of new or significantly escalated conflict in the coming month. No new Conflict Resolution Opportunities are identified for January. TRENDS AND WATCHLIST SUMMARY DECEMBER 2005 TRENDS Deteriorated Situations Bangladesh, Chad, China (internal), Colombia, Egypt, Israel/Occupied Territories, Lebanon, North Korea, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka Improved Situations Afghanistan, Bolivia, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo Unchanged Situations Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Basque Country (Spain), Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Burundi, Central A frican Republic, Chechnya (Russia), Croatia, C yprus, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India (non-Kashmir), Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Ken ya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Macedonia, Mauritania, Moldova, Myanmar/Burma, Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijan), Nepal, Nigeria, North Caucasus (Russia), Northern Ireland (UK), Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia & Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Somaliland (Somalia), Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan Strait, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Turke y , Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zimbabwe JANUARY 2006 WATCHLIST Conflict Risk Alert Ethiopia/Eritrea, Nepal, Sri Lanka Conflict Resolution Opportunity None * NOTE: CrisisWatch indicators - up and down arrows, conflict risk alerts, and


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