Do they want iPhones in Darfur?

The conflict in Darfur is not a battle between uniformed combatants, and it knows no rules of war. Women and children bear the greatest burden. Every day, women are sent outside the IDP camps to seek firewood and water, despite the constant risk of rape at the hands of the Janjaweed. Should men be available to venture out of the camps, they risk castration and murder. So families decide that rape is the lesser evil. It is a crime that families even have to make such a choice. Nowhere is really safe.

It’s an iPhone frenzy across the country. Gadget geeks started lining up Thursday night as months of anticipation turned into hours — and finally, into minutes. But the latest technology doesn’t come cheap. The phone/.mp3-player/camera combo will set you back between $500 and $600.  …Michelle Bythrow is waiting in a lawn chair but says the cost is worth it. The phones cost $499 for the 4 GB smaller storage, or $599 for more storage.

Filed under: Humanitarian Assistance, Thoughts

New CrisisWatch bulletin from the International Crisis Group

For your information.  The following article is supplied by the International Crisis Group, who monitor global security situations, evaluate specific indicators and report on improvements or deteriorating situations.

CrisisWatch N°45, 1 May 2007

Five actual or potential conflict situations around the world deteriorated in April 2007, according to the new issue of CrisisWatch,* released today.In Somalia, violence raged as government forces and Ethiopian troops clashed with insurgents and clan militias in Mogadishu, killing hundreds and displacing thousands. In Nigeria, the long-awaited general elections were marred by widespread violence and fraud, as well as serious logistical problems.  Turkey saw a sharp escalation in tensions between the ruling AK Party and the secularist opposition and military, as the opposition challenged the constitutionality of the first-round of the presidential election and the armed forces issued a statement declaring their determination to counter “mounting” efforts to undermine the secular republic. The situation also deteriorated in Chad and the Philippines.Three situations showed improvement in April. In Uganda, significant steps were taken to revive the peace process, as the government and LRA agreed to renew the ceasefire and restart talks under regional mediation. The peace process in Cote d’Ivoire again moved ahead significantly as New Forces rebel leader Guillaume Soro was sworn in as Prime Minister and transitional government posts were allocated among political parties. In Haiti, the security situation improved with stepped-up gang arrests and a decline in kidnappings.

Filed under: Global Threats, Humanitarian Assistance

Carolina on My Mind

Postings this week will be slim as I fulfill another obligation to the Commander-in-Chief.  I’ll be spending the next 7 days in the sandhills of North Carolina preparing a select group of Soldiers to develop their negotiating and adaptive leading skills in Stablization and Reconstruction operations.

Enjoy some of my archived posts until I get back online.

Filed under: Civil Affairs, Humanitarian Assistance

Beyond the call, make a difference

If you’ve got time to waste on Youtube, make it worth your while.  You want to know what I do and where I’m coming from?  Then get away from your TV set, put down that silly self-help book and spend 10 minutes of quality time to understand the power and influence we as American’s can have on really making the world a better place. This video is what I’m about and what I do.

Filed under: Civil Affairs, Humanitarian Assistance