| Center of Innovation for Science, Technology and Peacebuilding Weekly News Roundup, November 4 - 10, 2010 Table of Contents
Nicaraguan Invasion? Blame Google Maps
An embarrassing error on Google Maps has been blamed for Nicaragua's accidental invasion of Costa Rica. Last week, Nicaraguan troops crossed the border, took down a Costa Rican flag and defiantly raised their own flag on Costa Rican turf. But the troops' commander, Eden Pastora, told a Costa Rican newspaper, La Nacion, that his invasion was not his fault, because Google Maps mistakenly said the territory belonged to Nicaragua.
See the full article (Wired, Mark Brown, 11/8/10)
[Return to top] Mining the Seafloor for Rare-Earth Minerals
Manganese nodules, rocks [that] are plentiful in nickel, copper and cobalt, turn out to contain so-called rare-earth minerals - elements that have wide commercial and military application but have hit a production roadblock. China, which controls some 95 percent of the world's supply, had blocked shipments, sounding political alarms around the globe and a rush for alternatives. China ended its embargo late last month, but the hunt for other options continues.
See the full article (New York Times, William J. Broad, 11/8/10)
[Return to top] Pentagon's Cyber Command Seeks Authority to Expand its Battlefield
The Pentagon's new Cyber Command is seeking authority to carry out computer network attacks around the globe to protect U.S. interests, drawing objections from administration lawyers uncertain about the legality of offensive operations. Cyber Command's chief, Gen. Keith B. Alexander, who also heads the National Security Agency, wants sufficient maneuvering room for his new command to mount what he has called "the full spectrum" of operations in cyberspace.
See the full article (Washington Post, Ellen Nakashima, 11/6/10)
[Return to top] Is There Ever a Good Time to Invest in War Torn Countries? Study Finds Out
In a study of the impact of war on stock markets in frontier countries, Caravan Capital Management, a fund that invests in frontier markets for wealthy individuals, found that many conflict countries experience intense post-war rallies. The average country return during the post-conflict phase was 26.6% greater than the benchmark.
See the full article (Forbes, Megha Bahree, 11/5/10)
Click to read about USIP's upcoming event "The Go-Between: Jan Eliasson and the Styles of Mediation - Book Launch" on November 15 at 4:30pm.
[Return to top] Did we miss anything? | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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