As the looming crisis with Iran, North Korea, Iraq, Israel, and even our own financial crisis, there are tiny foreign issues that weigh quite heavily on politics. The issues in Zimbabwe, overshadowed by bigger crises, have been quietly following in the shadows. Yet, if there was something wrong, the political scandal would embroil the whole region, causing chaos.

Recently, Zimbabwe leaders brokered a power-sharing deal between incumbent Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. However, in the free elections, Tsvangirai had won by the election. But President Mugabe refused to concede office, and this political crisis ensued. They compromised with this power-sharing deal, but the developed nations are still wary. Mugabe controls much of the country, and his dictatorial standards have hurt the country under his rule. Even the UN is unconvinced of the power-sharing deal’s success.

Even as the country deals with its problems, Zimbabwe had to use foreign currency, as theirs completely failed. This is just one problem facing the nation. Their ‘progress’ has Mr. Mugabe calling on the lifting of sanctions against the country for economic growth. Because of the concern of the developed nations, the UN has not yet agreed to do so.

The crisis is escalating in the background. The world must be careful not to avoid the situation.

Josh’s Comments: Sam has it right when he warns us not to avoid the Zimbabwe situation.

Unfortunately, the UN’s unwillingness to lift sanctions shows callousness to the people of Zimbabwe. The lack of free trade and equal opportunity for Zimbabwe to participate on the international stage. This is definitely a problem that we must grapple with.

Still, Zimbabwe should be able to begin their own homegrown industries if the UN won’t allow access to international ones. Zimbabwe does have a way out of these sanctions -a way that wasn’t available under Robert Mugabe’s rule. For this, the G8, the Third World, and the Zimbabweans should be thankful.