As the M23 crisis has unfolded in the eastern Congo, the US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice has emerged as a holdout within American foreign policy, a sort of minority report to the prevailing criticism of Rwanda and the M23.

The first indication of this emerged in June, when Rice delayed the publication of UN Group of Experts' interim report, insisting that Rwanda be given a chance to see the report first and respond. While these UN investigations are supposed to give the accused the opportunity to respond and explain--the Group says it was refused meetings by the Rwandan government, which Kigali denies--they rarely allow them to see the entire report before publication. In any case, the Group finally did brief a Rwandan delegation in New York in June in New York ...

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Egypt has had quite a week, even by its inimitable standards. President Mohamed Morsi brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, returning Egypt to the regional political balance and proving to be the pragmatic, realistic leader for which many had hoped. Almost immediately afterward, his government announced a preliminary deal with the International Monetary Fund for a desperately needed $4.8 billion loan. But then, just as Morsi stood poised to bask in the international acclaim, he suddenly released a presidential decree granting himself extraordinary powers and triggering a surge of popular mobilization protesting his decisions.

Morsi's move should be seen in the context of Cairo's intensely polarized, gridlocked politics rather than as some pure expression of Islamist intent. His ...

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I was just alerted to this new feature-length documentary from Antwone Fisher - yes, that Antwone Fisher, who was the subject of the acclaimed Denzel Washington-directed, Derek Luke starrer that bears his name. The feature doc is titled This Life of Mine: The Fascinating Life of Leon T. Garr, and it centers on Leon T. Garr, born March 23, 1914, in Ruston, Louisiana, who, as the film's synopsis reads... ... endured and witnessed unspeakable horrors as a young man growing up in America's deep south. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Mr. Garr migrated to Los Angeles, CA. With a third grade education, he entered the construction business and amassed...

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The time has officially come... The 20th annual African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF), here in New York City, kicks off its 2012 edition (also its 20th anniversary, a milestone year), TONIGHT, November 23rd, running through December 11th. As noted, this year's event will open with Nigerian filmmaker Tony Abulu's cross-continental drama/thriller, Doctor Bello, a film S&A readers should already be familiar with, as we've been covering it since it began production earlier this year. The Nollywood/Hollywood collaboration stars Isaiah Washington, Vivica A. Fox, Jimmy...

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As the Yorkshire Post building closes down, could a new local TV landmark be ready to rise up in Leeds? Mark O'Brien is part of the Made in Leeds TV group which hopes so

An iconic fixture of the Leeds cityscape closed its doors last week. Journalists at the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post finally left the windowless, elephantine concrete block that has housed the newspapers and their staff on Wellington Street for over 40 years. 

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In the 1984 film Red Dawn, the Soviet army destroys Washington DC. Cuban spies, posing as immigrants, cross in from Mexico and disable America's strategic air command; Russian paratroopers occupy the town of Calumet, Colorado, and a group of patriotic high school students enact guerilla warfare against the invaders. While not plausible, it at least existed within the realm of possibility.

Fast forward to the 2012 Red Dawn remake, opening today: North Koreans, featuring shadowy assistance from Russians, paratroop in and invade Spokane, Washington. Assuming that North Korea actually wanted to invade the United States; would it have the ability to do so?

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As federal officials mull how to react to the passage of marijuana laws in Washington and Colorado, the head of a United Nations drug agency is urging the federal government to do whatever necessary to ensure the United States' continued compliance with international drug treaties. International Narcotics Control Board President Raymond Yans said laws authorizing [...]

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I've yet to attend the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), but I will eventually. This is certainly good news for residents of Seattle, festival attendees, and the festival itself, where films we've covered like Tey and Otelo Burning, made thair North American premieres. All you need to know if the release below: SIFF Receives Major Grant From The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 3-Year Commitment to Showcase African Films at Seattle International Film Festival Seattle, WA, November 20, 2012 - SIFF is excited to announce that it is the 2012 recipient of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences multiyear grant for its...

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After Democrats racked up massive victories in this month's elections, Tea Party Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) announced that he's willing to compromise on budget issues, as long as compromise only means "that all spending be cut." In a speech to incoming Republicans and the Tea Party Patriots in Washington DC on Friday, Paul addressed the [...]

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Crossposted from Open Society Foundations. The list seems endless. Deoni Jones, age 23. Stabbed to death in Washington, DC. Agnes Torres, age 35. Decapitated and thrown in a ditch in Atlixco, Mexico. Anil Aayiramthengu, age 39. Throat slit in Thangassery, India. Thapelo Makutle, age 24. Throat slit and mutilated in Kuruman, South Africa. Barbarita Alemán, [...]

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