A state is a set of institutions that possess the power to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external sovereignty over a definite territory. Following Max Weber's influential definition, a state has a 'monopoly on legitimate violence'. Hence the state includes such institutions as the armed forces, civil service or state bureaucracy, courts, and police. For theorists of international relations, recognition of the state's claim to independence by other states, enabling it to enter into international engagements, is key to the establishment of its sovereignty.

Although the term often refers broadly to all institutions of government or rule—ancient and modern—the modern state system bears a number of characteristics that were first consolidated in western Europe, beginning in earnest in the 15th century.

In the late 20th century, the globalization of the world economy, the mobility of people and capital, and the rise of many international institutions all combined to circumscribe the freedom of action of states. However, the state remains the basic political unit of the world, as it has been since the 16th century. The state is therefore considered the most central concept in the study of politics, and its definition is the subject of intense scholarly debate. Political sociologists in the tradition of both Karl Marx and Max Weber usually favor a broad definition that draws attention to the role of coercive apparatus.

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BBC News | Africa | World Edition

Hijacked tanks 'for South Sudan'
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:09:25 -0000
The BBC sees evidence suggesting a Ukrainian ship held by pirates off Somalia is carrying tanks bound for South Sudan.
Somali shoppers killed by shells
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:59:07 -0000
Shells are fired near Mogadishu's main market, leaving at least 20 people dead, witnesses say.
Kenya 'will deport' Obama author
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:22:30 -0000
The Kenyan authorities say they will deport the US author of a book criticising Barack Obama.
Niger journalist released on bail
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:04:17 -0000
A radio journalist in Niger accused of links with Tuareg rebels in the north of the country is released on bail.
Darfur ambush kills peacekeeper
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:46:11 -0000
A peacekeeper in Sudan's Darfur region has been killed in an ambush by dozens of armed bandits, a UN official says.
Angola arms trial opens in Paris
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:06:49 -0000
Forty-two people, including members of the French elite, go on trial accused of involvement in trafficking arms to Angola.

NYT > Africa

Post-Apartheid South Africa Enters Anxious Era
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:58:57 -0000
South Africa is struggling with high crime, xenophobic violence, and an economic downturn.
World Briefing | Africa: Good-Government List Released
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:43:20 -0000
Among the 10 best-governed countries in sub-Saharan Africa are Mauritius, Seychelles and Cape Verde, according to a newly released index.
Persecuted in Africa, Finding Refuge in New York
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:13:46 -0000
Pape Mbaye is a rare individual who was granted refugee status by the United States based on sexual orientation.

L.A. Times - Africa

Kenya detains Jerome Corsi, author of anti-Obama book
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:33:00 -0700
He's left the country, but questions remain about whether he departed voluntarily or was deported. He was in Kenya to promote 'Obama Nation.' NAIROBI, Kenya-- The American author of a controversial book attacking Barack Obama was detained today by the other Obama nation.
Zambian woman's ambitions waylaid by Metrolink crash
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Fate brought Racheal Mofya to the U.S. to further her goals -- and put her on the commuter train that collided with a freight. She has been hospitalized, unconscious, ever since. Recently, Racheal Mofya opened an eye. She squeezed a doctor's hand. Bedside visitors saw her wiggle her toes.
World Briefing
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Afghanistan: Taliban's Abdul Salam Zaeef tells of Saudi talks / Pakistan: 50,000 Afghan refugees to be deported / India: Clashes kill 49 / Somalia: Market attacked / Brazil: Magellanic penguin rescue Ex-envoy for Taliban tells of Saudi talks

UN News Centre - Africa

Darfur: Ban outlines timetable towards full deployment of peacekeeping force
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The "severely stretched" United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, which has struggled to find enough countries willing to supply troops and equipment, should now reach two-thirds of its full deployment by the end of this year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
Whales, dolphins and manatees win protection under UN-backed pact
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Dolphins, small whales and manatees living in the waters off West Africa or islands in the mid-Atlantic Ocean will now receive greater protection after 15 countries signed an agreement under a United Nations-backed treaty that aims to conserve wildlife and habitats.
At least 5,000 Congolese arrive in Sudan after attacks by rebels - UN
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500
At least 5,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have arrived in South Sudan in the past two weeks after fleeing "ferocious" attacks by the notorious Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), the United Nations refugee agency reported today.

The Economist: Middle East and Africa

Correction: Elephants in Congo
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:11:45 -0000
Last week, in our article on poaching elephants in Congo, we referred to that country's “independence in 1964”. It was in 1960. Sorry. ...
South Africa: A new captain's new crew
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:11:45 -0000
A new and probably stopgap president picks some good new ministersA WEEK into the job, Kgalema Motlanthe, South Africa’s new president, made a good start. Right after his election by Parliament and after being sworn in, he filled the gaps left by several ministers who resigned after Thabo Mbeki, Mr Motlanthe’s predecessor, was ousted by the ruling African National Congress (ANC). His appointments have been welcomed. Now he probably has six months before a general election, expected in April, to heal the rift in the party and to show he can run a government better than Mr Mbeki did.Markets sighed with relief when Trevor Manuel, the trusty finance minister, was reappointed, though his deputy and heir-apparent, Jabu Moleketi, decided to leave for good. Mr Manuel has been the architect of South Africa’s good macroeconomic performance and fiscal discipline. So his reappointment goes some way to assuage fears that the new ANC leadership under Jacob Zuma, expected to become president after the election, may veer left. Mr Zuma has repeatedly tried to reassure business at home and abroad that economic policy would not change fundamentally, but his Communist and trade-union backers have other ideas. Most businessmen were happy to hear a few weeks ago that Tito Mboweni, the central-bank governor, would consider staying after his contract ends next year. ...
Somalia: The world's most utterly failed state
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:11:45 -0000
The spread of piracy just draws attention to the growing chaos on Somalia’s landTIPPED off by friends in ports from Odessa to Mombasa, Somali pirates captured a Ukrainian freighter, the MV Faina, in the Gulf of Aden and steered it to Somalia’s coast. At first they demanded $20m for the release of ship and crew. The captain died, apparently of “hypertension”, and several pirates may have then killed each other after a quarrel. This recent incident was only the latest in a long list of similar outrages and highlights the growing menace caused by the total failure of the state of Somalia, the ultimate cause of the virus of piracy in the region. The ship was carrying 33 T-72 Russian tanks, anti-aircraft guns and grenade launchers. Lighter weapons may have been offloaded on the Somali shore before an American warship arrived on the scene. Kenya claimed ownership of the cargo but the manifest suggests its destination was south Sudan, with Kenya’s co- operation in its delivery to be rewarded in the future with cheap south Sudanese oil. At midweek, a Russian warship was steaming to the scene to take responsibility for its citizens on the ship. ...

Africa & Middle East - International Herald Tribune

Iraqis unite to restore minority representation law
By ERICA GOODE AND STEPHEN FARRELL Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:25:44 -0000
Christians joined by Muslims gathered to demand reinstatement of a an elections law that ensured representation for minorities.
Deal near on status of U.S. troops, Iraqi foreign minister says
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:25:44 -0000
The United States and Iraq are close to a deal to keep U.S. troops in this country next year but it will take "bold political decisions" to overcome the final hurdles, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari of Iraq said Tuesday.
Israel turns over Jerusalem landmark to Russians
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:25:44 -0000
Russia reclaimed ownership of a landmark in central Jerusalem with the approval of the Israeli government, just as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was in Moscow to try to iron out serious policy differences that have sprung up between the two countries.
Anti-Obama author is arrested in Kenya
By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:25:44 -0000
The American author of a best-selling book highly critical of Senator Barack Obama was detained Tuesday by Kenyan immigration agents as he prepared to give a news conference in Nairobi.
Iran creates stir with reports saying U.S. plane was forced to land
By ALAN COWELL Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:25:44 -0000
An Iranian news agency said Tuesday that a United States warplane had been forced to land in Iran, but the Pentagon said there was no evidence to support the claim and Iran quickly withdrew it.
Hope gives way to gloom in South Africa
By BARRY BEARAK Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:25:44 -0000
Fourteen years after the end of apartheid, South Africa has lapsed into pessimism and anxiety.

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