In the Issue

• Finding a Human Rights-Based Approach to Terrorism
• UN Releases Progress Report on MDGs
• Principled Multilateralism: Democratization in Security Strategy
• Making Global News Local
• Electing a Woman President
• Toys, Toothpaste, and Globalization

Features

Finding a Human Rights-Based Approach to Terrorism. The cornerstone of the UN's counterterrorism efforts comes from a resolution passed shortly after 9/11. Joanne Mariner of the Human Rights Watch says that, "Unfortunately, given its importance, it sent a worrying message on the issue of human rights." Mariner goes on to explain how an initially bleak picture has improved in recent years and why long-term success in fighting terrorism requires respect for human rights.

UN Releases Progress Report on MDGs. When the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted by the member states of the United Nations in 2000, they set a deadline of 2015 for implementation. With 2007 being the midway point between adoption and implementation, the UN Inter-Agency and Expert Group on MDG Indicators has released a report on progress toward the goals. Attached to the report is a 2007 Progress Chart that summarizes advancement toward reaching each of the goals. The UN, maybe not unexpectedly, claims clear progress on the goals. Looking at the chart, it appears that goal achievement is lagging in some regions of the world like sub-Saharan Africa as well as across all regions for some goals like halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

For interested groups or individuals who are active on UN-related issues, the Stanley Foundation has copies of the report available upon request and will mail them at no charge. Please e-mail info@stanleyfoundation.org to request your copy.

Principled Multilateralism: Democratization in Security Strategy. Balancing the desire to see democratic changes in authoritarian regimes with our need to engage those same regimes often leads to a policy dilemma for the US. Stanley Foundation director of Policy and Analysis Dialogue Michael Kraig draws upon the historical lessons of the Helsinki Process and discusses democratization as a part of US national security strategy. This is the second in a series of articles written by foundation staff that will examine the cases where principled multilateralism has been successful.

Making Global News Local. We all know how hard it can be to create local interest and concern about international affairs. While the local to global connections may be obvious to us, they are not always clear to others—including the news media. If we can get local journalists to cover the community impact of world news stories, we may find a new group of citizens willing to take a fresh look at our organizations and interests. In a recent interview with the Iowa Broadcast News Association, Stanley Foundation program officer Kristin McHugh offered tips for local reporters looking to make international news relevant to their hometown audiences. The story and a video are here. Sharing this interview with your local newspapers and TV and radio stations might prompt them to experiment with these methods in your community.

Beyond the Headlines

Electing a Woman President. With the 2008 US presidential elections heating up, many in the country are wondering if US voters are ready for a female president. Those who are could look to our neighbors to the south for inspiration, as the numbers of women elected to office in many South American countries have significantly increased. These increases have come at all levels of government—even the presidency, with the 2006 election of Michelle Bachelet in Chile. The continent now seems poised to welcome another female president, as President Néstor Kirchner of Argentina has anointed his wife, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, as his party's candidate for the October elections. The first lady, who was trained as a lawyer, boasts significant political experience, currently serving as a senator in Buenos Aires, and has earned unending comparison to Hillary Clinton in the US. Conversely, her charismatic, authoritative speaking style and penchant for high fashion have evoked comparisons to another former Argentine first lady, Eva (Evita) Peron. More significant than these comparisons, though, is the fact that Senator Kirchner has served as her husband's top advisor throughout his presidency, and many speculate that his choice to endorse her, rather than to run for reelection himself, is an attempt to create a dynasty in which the couple could under Argentine law potentially pass power back and forth and continue each others' policies until as late as 2019. Either way, the heavy favoritism toward Senator Kirchner in October's election is another sign of the increasing space for women in Latin American politics.

Toys, Toothpaste, and Globalization. The recall of millions of toys, pet food, toothpaste, and other products made in China illustrates the ongoing importance of international law and global business standards. National institutions like the Food and Drug Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service provide one layer of protection for Americans. But there is no equivalent on a global scale to monitor goods before they reach our shores or those of other countries. The reality of globalization is that the speed and growth of international trade can easily outpace the ability to monitor and regulate goods and services. While no formal international legal body yet exists to tackle this challenge, other national and nongovernmental groups are pointing the way. These include Consumers International, the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network, and the Federal Trade Commission's office of International Consumer Protection.