Worldfocus  

From human rights abuses to political progress, the gay rights movement is at different stages throughout the world. We’ll take a comparative look at the progress of LGBT politics and the gay rights movement in different countries and explore the U.S. and Canada as safe havens for gay asylum seekers. Martin Savidge hosts David Rayside and Rachel Tiven on Worldfocus Radio.

Martin Savidge hosts Filipino peace negotiator and Catholic priest Eliseo Mercado and security analyst Zachary Abuza when Worldfocus Radio explores the forgotten terrorist front in the Philippines. Since 9/11, the U.S. has stationed 500 to 600 troops in the Philippines to strengthen military forces there. The U.S. counter-insurgency efforts in the Philippines have been applauded as success stories for its mix of military might and soft power diplomacy. The U.S. is also pouring aid into the Philippines, which has one of the largest USAID packages in the world. But how deep or lasting is this counter-insurgency success? Does it solve the root problems of poverty, low literacy and crippling infrastructure? And, if the U.S. pulls out, is the Philippines prepared to stop the tide of terrorism?

Last year, the Economist magazine slotted Ethiopia as the fourth fastest economy in the world, ahead of China. The World Bank report “Doing Business 2010” ranks Ethiopia in the top 10 African nations in terms of the ease of doing business. The Ethiopian government is trying to strengthen local and regional businesses and attract foreign direct investment. Martin Savidge, Ethiopian businessman Ermyas Amelga and economics professor Phillip LeBel discuss how easy it is to do business in Ethiopia, who’s investing and what this means as Ethiopia moves from an agrarian society to a more urban society. The entrenched poverty hinders the robust investment environment, saddling the country with drought, food shortages and inadequate infrastructure.

Martin Savidge hosts Gareth Jenkins and Mustafa Akyol to discuss whether Turkey is leaning West or moving East. They discuss the country's growing Islamicization, strained relations with Israel and the limbo of European Union admission.

Last month, Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom declared a "state of calamity" to shunt mass hunger and the worst drought in 70 years. More than half of Guatemala's 13 million inhabitants live below the poverty line and 50 percent of children are malnourished. But these are only the surface casualties of a vulnerable nation ravaged by 36 years of civil war, genocide and now, theencroaching drug war spilling over from Mexico's northern border. Worldfocus special correspondent Martin Savidge explores the current eroding conditions, the promise of the Peace Accords and the sanctity of land.

Somalia, Zimbabwe and Sudan topped the list of failed states this year — rankings based on human rights, governance, economic activity and other indicators. Also among the top 10 are Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Poverty is endemic in many failed or failing states; in others, the government has lost legitimacy and control. As economic pressures increase with the global financial crisis, and environmental pressures contribute to water and food shortages, even more countries are at risk of failure. But these dire conditions have implications far beyond individual borders, as failed states — with their high rates of poverty and violence — may serve as breeding grounds for terrorists with global ambitions. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show will explore what it means for a state to fail, from the impact on daily life to widespread geopolitical ripple effects. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests. Tune in on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.