Indonesia has overtaken Brazil as the nation with the highest rate of deforestation in the world. Its previous rate had been significantly understated, and it appears as if tree-cutting on purportedly government-protected areas is largely responsible for the misstatement. The error also signals the difficulty in addressing the problem of deforestation–the lack of an effective governmental infrastructure and capacity to enforce the laws designed to protect the forests.
ISIS has declared itself to be “The Islamic State,” re-establishing a form of political governance last seen 100 years ago in the Ottoman Empire. The announcement signaled the establishment of a Caliphate, stretching from Iraq’s Diyala province to Syria’s Aleppo. The Caliphate is a genuine alternative to the more traditional nation-state, and relies much less heavily of territory that is bounded and delimited. The two states that previously controlled the territory, Syria and Iraq, will obviously contest the claim. The original Caliphate was the greatest extent of Muslim political control in the 8th century.
The European Commission of the European Union has designated Jean-Claude Juncker as its next President. Mr. Juncker is a former Prime Minister of Luxembourg and is in favor of a more integrated Union. He was strongly opposed by Prime Minister Cameron of Great Britain, and his designation will undoubtedly cause political problems in Great Britain. A British referendum on continued membership in the Union is scheduled and there is a real possibility that Britain will choose to leave the Union.
World Politics News 
Leave a comment