The Short List - April 21, 2011

We're back at it folks.  Been a crazy week, but we return this morning with a very internationally minded Short List.  Enjoy.

• Western forces have sent advisors to directly liaise with Libyan rebel, in an effort to try and break Qaddafi's resilient grip on the country.  In Misurata, Tim Hetherington, director of the documentary Restrepo, and Chris Hondros, a Pulitzer Prize nominated photo journalist were killed yesterday.  Two other journalists were injured as well, as Qaddafi forces rain down mortars on the rebel held city.  **Editorial Note: If you haven't seen Restrepo go do it now.  Incredibly intimate film making that brings the war in Afghanistan home.  It's a terrible loss that the director of such a great film won't have the opportunity to share another story.**


• The Arab League has delayed a planned summit in Baghdad, citing civil unrest.  Many analysts believe Arab leaders are afraid to leave their countries at this time.


• In the face of perceived corruption in the Western organized modern judicial system in Afghanistan, people have turned to traditional elder councils to resolve disputes.  The U.S. government, initially skeptical of such informal courts, have begun to embrace the idea.  These informal courts are the norm for the country, and it is unsurprising to see the system taking hold again.


• The Chinese faces calls of colonialism in Africa from Africans, even as China continues to actively do business on the continent.


• The European Commission has asked for a bigger budget in 2012, drawing a rebuke from members of the ruling Conservative party in the UK.


• Congressional Republicans have invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to address Congress.  Inside the Obama administration, this is leading to diplomatic gamesmanship as to who can release the next Israel-Palestine peace plan first.


• BP has sued two companies in connection to the Deepwater Horizon incident, hoping to defray the cost the company will incur in the face of the disaster.  One year after the incident, many people aren't yet whole.