Belgium Now 385 Days Without Functioning Government

Belgium has  now gone 385 days without a functioning government.  The small European country is divided between a slight Dutch-speaking Flemish majority (6.5 million) in the North and a French speaking minority (4 million) lives in the south.  When the New Flemish Alliance took power in elections last year, their primary aim was to split the country into two independent states.  The problem arises with the capital, Brussels.

Brussels is French speaking, but if Belgium was divided, it would end up in the Flemish speaking state.  Brussels is also the capital of the European Union, causing profound ramifications.

The people of Belgium are fed up with the limbo that their country is in.  Earlier this year, when Belgium overtook Iraq for the title of "country without the longest functioning government," the people took to the streets and had a sort of street party with live music, DJs, and dancing (including nude dancing, in the winter, as a political message).

Other political messages that day including the distribution of French fries in the Flemish north and Dutch beer in the French speaking south.

Talks Begin In Bahrain Between Government And Opposition

The minority Sunni-led government of the Bahrain has begun talks with the majority Shia opposition.  These talks come after months of anti-government protests that faced violent crackdown, so brutal, in fact, that doctors had been beaten and arrested for aiding wounded demonstrators.

The opening of the discussions were broadcasted on state television.  Says the BBC,

"Parliamentary speaker Khalifa Dhahrani said the dialogue would have "no preconditions and no ceiling" on the demands that could be raised by delegates.

The aim was to draw up "common principles for the relaunch of the political reform process," he said.
Opposition delegates from al-Wifaq have promised not to pull their punches at the talks.

"Al-Wifaq will not abandon the demands of the people, which are; an elected government, a fair electoral law and an elected parliament with full powers," said al-Wifaq leader Sheikh Ali Salman, in an address to supporters on Friday."

The major tension behind the protests comes from the fact that the majority of the country practices Shia Islam, but the Sunni minority controls the government.  The government of Saudi Arabia had sent "peacekeepers" to help put down the protestors.  The United States of America has a vested interest in a stable Bahrain: the tiny country is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.

Source: BBC World News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13999741

Ghadafi Threatens Europe; Clinton Responds

Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Ghadafi has threatened to "bring the fight to Europe."  He said that Libya would target civilian and commercial assets unless NATO ceased it's no-fly-zone campaign that paralyzes his military.  This announcement came after France confirmed that it was supplying weapons to the rebel forces and days after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Gadhafi, his son Saif, and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanousii for crimes against humanity, including ordering government soldiers to fire on civilian protesters earlier this year, before the revolution began in earnest.

American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton replied to Gadhafi, saying "Gaddafi should put the well-being and the interests of his own people first and he should step down from power."

Morroco Approves Constitutional Reform

The people of Morocco have overwhelmingly voted to support constitutional reforms designed by King Mohammed VI.  Says the BCC: "The reforms grant executive powers to a prime minister, but the king is retained as head of the military, religious authorities and judiciary."  These reforms appear to make Morocco more like other constitutional monarchies, while still retaining a lot of power for their king.  The turn out for the vote was close to 73%.  The constitutional referendum was the first of its kind during the king's twelve years in power.  King Mohammed described the reforms as a "decisive historic transition."  These reforms come in response to the unrest that has been sweeping the region as part of the so-called "Arab Spring."  This movement has toppled the governments of Tunisia and Egypt and is led to ongoing riots in Syria and open rebellion in Libya.

Russia Creates Arctic Specialist Army Brigades

Russia is taking steps to defend its interests in the Arctic with the creation of two army brigades specializing in arctic warfare.  Russia desires newly accessible oil reserves revieled by rapidly thinning ice.  As global temperatures continue to rise and arctic ice diminishes, Russia may take stronger steps to maintain their claim on these resources.

Minor Violence in Northern Ireland on Friday; Tension as Protestant Celebration Draws Near

There was violence in the streets of Belfast on Friday.  The city in Northern Ireland had seen riots two weeks ago spread over two days.  Authorities believe that Friday's incident was not organized by the perpetrators.  Six police officers were injured by thrown objects and seven civilians were arrested.

Two weeks ago, members of the loyalist paramilitary force called the Ulster Volunteer Force orchestrated a string of violence targetting Catholics in the community, who struck back collectively.  The tension in Belfast is blamed on the approach of the Twelfth of July, Orangemen's Day.  It is an annual Protestant celebration of England's Glorious Revolution when Protestant King Willian of Orange defeated King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.  The battle was a turning point in the revolution and wasd fought near Drogheda, Ireland.