Sanitas Weekly Web Summary for the Week of March 12th

Sanitas International offers a weekly summary of influential and informative media articles from around the world regarding strategic communications, crisis management, digital media and political affairs.  Particular interest is given to articles discussing topics in developing countries and emerging market.

A familiar feeling of panic and fear of retribution was said to hit Washington this week after reports surfaced a U.S. Army staff sergeant allegedly killed Afghanistan citizens, causing the Army and Whitehouse to go into crisis management mode to quell potential backlash. This was not the only headline to come out of the Middle East this week. Egypt is said to be prepping for its first presidential election since the revolution last year, which toppled former dictator Hosni Mubarak. The revolution fell in line with the Arab Spring movement, which popularized the use of social media to promote citizen protests and activists’ causes. In other social media news from the Middle East, recently released emails from Syrian President Assad shows grave concern by  Syrian officials and the Assad family over the impact social media could have on the Assad family’s image in addition to that of the Syrian government. New media was on full display this week at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas where “Homeless Hotspots,” a social experiment in which homeless people wearing “Homeless Hotspots” T-shirts during SXSW wore a MiFi device around their necks allowing participants to connect to the 4G mobile device, sparked both “sarcasm and slams,” according to the LA Times. In political news, the campaign for former presidential candidate and one-term Senator John Edwards was ordered to repay nearly $2 million to the U.S. Treasury by the Federal Election Commission for improperly used campaign funds. In foreign election news, Kenya has set a March 2013 date for its upcoming elections while speculation about the French presidential election continues to heat up. Reports have surfaced saying François Hollande, the Social Party candidate, will likely be the next to lead France if Sarkozy becomes the 11^th political fatality due to the European debt crisis. In foreign policy news, the Obama administration’s discussions on potential actions the U.S. would take in regards to Iran’s nuclear program left some with raised eyebrows after containment/deterrence was taken off the table, according to Foreign Policy Magazine, leaving the door open for war.

This week’s summary highlights these and r developments around the world. As Sanitas constantly emphasizes, government and business cannot afford to ignore these growing and evolving challenges. Especially as these and others issues influence reputations, challenge operational decisions and affect overall revenues and influence.

Strategic Communication:

Rajan Says Greek Bailout Fails to Resolve European Debt Crisis

MEPs mark Fukushima anniversary

Obama energy chief recants statement about high gas prices

Crisis Management:

Crisis Experts: The Damage To Goldman Is Piling Up

Analysis: Crisis over Afghan killings may follow familiar script

Regling Says Crisis Strategy Working as EFSF Plans Debt Sales

Digital Media:

Gore says ‘democracy has been hacked’ at SXSW

At SXSW, the 'homeless hotspot' experiment spurs slams, sarcasm

CNN in talks to buy social media news site Mashable: source

Assad emails reveal obsession with portrayal on social media

Political:

Election commission rules that Edwards campaign must repay $2M to Treasury within a month

Slovaks Elect Government Backing Merkel’s Euro-Crisis Plans

Kenya sets March 2013 election date

Sarkozy Challenger Lucks Into Election Bid

Egypt’s presidential election shaping up to be the nation’s most exciting in memory

In risky election-year move, Republicans offer Medicare alternatives

Foreign Policy:

Santorum swings at Romney's foreign policies in first Illinois visit

Foreign Policy: Southern Discomfort

FG must review Nigeria’s foreign policy — Senator Adeyemi

Chinese foreign minister on Beijing’s firm foothold in Africa

Yes, We Can Contain Iran