STRATFOR week of 5/12/03

STRATFOR week of 5/12/03

U.S. Infringes on European Efforts With Mideast Free Trade Offer
May 12, 2003

The Bush administration has proposed a free trade agreement with the Middle East -- a deal that could help the region but also could aggravate U.S.-European ties.

STRATFOR week of 5/9/03

New Resolution Would Solidify U.S. Position as Global Hegemon
May 09, 2003

The United States has presented a resolution to the U.N. Security Council that would suspend the sanctions regime and transition the oil-for-food program in Iraq into a different form. The resolution is an attempt to get a U.N. stamp of approval on coalition efforts in Iraq -- which in reality will continue regardless of the Security Council's actions. But more than that, it is a challenge to every state that opposed U.S. policy in Iraq and a threat to those who might do so again.
-------------------------------

Wolfowitz Hints at Support for Political Action by Turkish Military
May 07, 2003

U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz has criticized the Turkish military for not taking a "strong leadership role" in U.S.-Turkish relations. Wolfowitz's comments come amid escalating tension between Turkey's Islamist government and the country's avowedly secular military, and can only be interpreted as giving tacit U.S. support to decisive action by the military.
---------------------------------------

Mosul: Test Case for New Iraqi Government
May 05, 2003

The U.S. administration in Iraq has sanctioned the first election of an interim government in Mosul -- making that northern city a testing ground for the future U.S. strategy in administering Iraq. The new mayor, elected with U.S. backing, served as an army general under Saddam Hussein. Washington now faces the likelihood its best chance in forming a new Iraqi government rests heavily with many of the same officials who formed the old one.
----------------------------------

Turkey: Another Coup in the Making?
May 01, 2003

Tension between Turkey's Islamic-led coalition government and the secular military has risen sharply following the war in Iraq. A recent statement by Turkey's National Security Council raises the question of whether a military coup might again be possible.