Survey: Sudan, Iraq Most Unstable Nations

Annual Index Ranks Countries Based On Social, Economic, Political And Military Indicators

(CBS/AP)  Iraq is now the second-most unstable country in the world, a private survey finds, its standing deteriorating from last year's fourth place on a list of the 10 nations most vulnerable to violent internal conflict and worsening conditions.

In the third annual "Failed States Index," analysts for Foreign Policy magazine and the non-profit Fund for Peace said that Iraq and Afghanistan, which ranked eighth, show that billions of dollars in development and security aid may be futile without a functioning government, trustworthy leaders and realistic plans to keep the peace and develop the economy.

"The 'Failed States Index' for this year has some predictable nations on the list, such as Sudan (the most failed), Somalia and Chad," said CBS News Foreign Affairs Analyst Pamela Falk. "But the troublesome conclusion for the Bush administration is that Iraq ranks as the second-most unstable state and Afghanistan the eighth — both nations where the U.S. has boots on the ground and an interest in the success of the government."

Preventing Iraq from becoming a failed state is a key part of the Bush administration's argument for keeping U.S. troops in the country; the administration says the troops are needed to keep Iraq from becoming a breeding ground for international terrorists.

The ratings are based on 12 social, economic, political and military indicators, such as: institutionalized political exclusion; "brain drain" of professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents fearing persecution or repression; massive and endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites; widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions; deterioration of essential services (such as health, education, sanitation and public transportation); and widespread violation of human rights.

Sudan, which topped the list, and seven other sub-Saharan African countries are among the top 10. Violence in the Darfur region was the main contributing cause to Sudan's top position.

The Failed States Index 2007: Greatest Instability

1. Sudan
2. Iraq
3. Somalia
4. Zimbabwe
5. Chad
6. Ivory Coast
7. Democratic Republic of the Congo
9. Afghanistan
10. Guinea
11. Central African Republic
12. Haiti
13. Pakistan
14. North Korea
15. Myanmar (Burma)
16. Uganda
17. Bangladesh
18. Nigeria
19. Ethiopia
20. Burundi
21. Timor-Leste

The 2007 index includes 177 nations, compared with 148 in 2006 and 75 in 2005; several countries were not included due to a lack of data.

As evidence that troubles in failing states often cross borders, the report cited violence spilling from Darfur into the Central African Republic and Chad.

Another African country, Liberia, was credited as the most improved, partly because an election in 2005 brought stability after more than a decade of civil war.

"Worrisome as well is the fact that two of the top fifteen failed states, North Korea and Pakistan, have nuclear weapons," said Falk, "and the study concludes that North Korea's possibility of economic collapse and Pakistan's lawless borders make them very dangerous to the rest of the world."

Liberia's economy is growing at 7 percent a year and it has disbanded its militia. Still, it ranked as 27th-most failing state.

The growth of China's economy and a lull in violence in Chechnya helped China and Russia, respectively, to move out of the category of the 60 worst states.

Lebanon experienced the biggest slide, winding up in 28th place; war in the Middle Eastern country reversed much of the progress made since the end of its 15-year-long civil war in 1990.

Usually, long-serving strongmen preside over a nation's collapse, the report said. For instance, it said, three of the five worst performing states — Chad, Sudan and Zimbabwe — have leaders who have been in power for more than 15 years.

On the other hand, effective leadership can pull a nation from the brink of failure, the report said. It cited Indonesia's first directly-elected president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as helping to steer the Southeast Asian country to stability after corruption and the devastation of the 2004 tsunami.

But even countries in the developed world are prone to problems, as evidenced by the United States placing 160 out of 177.

"According to the survey, the United States seemed to have failed some of the 12 indicators," Falk said.

"A major factor behind the high or poor score for the U.S. in human rights is indeed the erosion of civil liberties as part of the war on terrorism — a major source of the reports being Guantanamo Bay," Krista Hendry of the Fund for Peace told Falk. "Indefinite detention, the suspension of habeas corpus, and reports of harsh and severe treatment of detainees all are reflected in the high score."

"We would anticipate a change in policy on this particular issue could go a long way to improving the U.S. score in future [reports]," Hendry added.

[brianbwb-2009]

"The ratings are based on 12 social, economic, political and military indicators, such as: institutionalized political exclusion; "brain drain" of professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents fearing persecution or repression; massive and endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites; widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions; deterioration of essential services (such as health, education, sanitation and public transportation); and widespread violation of human rights."

Shows how the survey is skewed, Bush's USA should be up there in the top 3...

[norcalruss]

This is just great! For all of these moronic, neo-con, doubting-Thomas%u2019s who fail to see the stupidity of BUSH%u2019S WAR, I say WAKE UP NOW!!!
Despite billions of dollars in foreign aid and the presence of more than 150,000 U.S. troops, Iraq has declined steadily over the past three years, according to the index. It ranked fourth last year, but its score dropped in almost all of the 12 political, economic, security and social indicators on which the index is based.
Does any more need to be said to any intelligent person? Yes, sounds like MISSION ACCOMPLISHED indeed doesn%u2019t it? Of course the CHIMP, the CHICKEN HAWK, HIS MAJESTY McCAIN, Rush, the BUFFOON Limburger, and the FAUX News Fascists will all say that it is just another a LIBERAL MEDIA conspiracy. And the lemmings continue to march BLINDLY into the sea, in lockstep behind their CHIMP-In-Chief.

[feelfree1]

Re: "Iraq is now the second-most unstable country in the world, a private survey finds,"

Providing stability and security for the population is the legal responsibility of any occupying force.

Chalk this up as yet another Bush regime failure/disgrace.

[samthetvcat]

"Usually, long-serving strongmen preside over a nation's collapse, the report said."

I guess we've got something in common with the people of Darfur after all . . .

[ubrew12]

Report: "The Failed States Index 2007: 1. Sudan, 2. Iraq ..."

And We Won't Stop Until We're Number ONE!!!

[retiredinmex]

What place was Iraq in before Bush invaded? Is anyone as mad as me? What the hell is Bush doing still in office?

He has illegally, immorally and unilaterally invaded a country that originally had no ties to terrorism. Now, yes, there are many terrorism threats as Iraq is an international terrorist congregation point.

I served in Iraq and spoke with hundreds of US and "Coalition" military members. I guarantee you there was no one who agreed with our/their presence in Iraq.

When was the last time you heard the media refer to "the Coalition?"

Who are the terrorists in Iraq? What the hell has Bush gotten us into? Where's the plan to get out of this quagmire?

Is there a poll of parents of the dead, injured or missing as to their support for this war?

[acauble1]

"The 2007 index includes 177 nations, compared with 148 in 2006 and 75 in 2005; several countries were not included due to a lack of data."


Looks like Bono needs to take off his wacky sunglasses and see that his efforts are rather fruitless!

Perhaps Bono should just drop everything and go see if he can get some 'gigs' at various Bar Mitzvahs or Indian Casinos.

[xzavierbrown]

Mr Baremperor..I am sure Dan Rather can whip you up a story that YOU WOULD BUY..or how is Newsweek or was it the TIME..photoshop is a good investment was it not? I am sure the DNC and the liberal media has something to impeach the president by now..none yet?? well keep on making those stories up..something MIGHT stick.

[xzavierbrown]

what happened to all that UNICEF..LIVE8..

the rich got richer and the poor got a bigger shaft up thier arse?

[xzavierbrown]

Question...

So, who would you believe, a president who doesn't read the papers, or the papers themselves?

(NeoCons need not answer)
Posted by BareEmperor at 05:03 PM : Jun 18, 2007
+ report abuse

******************


problem is a lot of "liberals" cannot tell the difference between news and paid skit. How is Al Franken these days, with his record he can land a job at New York Times

[emsaund1]

RE: Terrapin78 -- Of course GW is no Harry Truman in your eyes...Your a "Nay Sayer"....

[terrapin78]

GWB is NO Harry S Truman.

Dumbya's leagcy is more befitting of Bozo the Clown than a US prez.

[emsaund1]

RE: Clestes -- Clestes, your obviously a "Bush" Hater. People like you are exposed everyday.

If you want to look back in history, Harry S. Truman had an approval rating of 21 percent toward the end of his presidency. And now, is rated one of the greatest foreign policy President's in US history.

Winston Churchill was ignored and at times "lamblasted" for even the thought of dragging other nations into WWII.

Do the research...there are many other examples out there to counteract idiots like you.

I dont mean that as a personal attack on you specifically, but I DO mean to lump you in with all the other naysayers out there.

If I may be so bold as to borrow a saying from t he great actor, Jack Nicholson, " You have no idea how to defend a nation"...

A Proud AMERICAN!

[bareemperor]

Question...

So, who would you believe, a president who doesn't read the papers, or the papers themselves?

(NeoCons need not answer)

[xzavierbrown]

Bono and Goldof promised the world that poverty will be eliminated after the Live8 concert..
you know the usual "we liberals know the answer to this problem" solution.

should we ask for our money back?

after 40 years, you would think that the liberals would re-think thier song and dance approach in africa..hey! whatever makes them rich

[notblue]

The insurgents and radicals are causing the instability in Iraq. Democracy was not "shoved down there throat", the U.S. gave 12 million Iraqis who voted for it the oppotunity for democracy for the first time in there lives. It's the twisted evil barbarism of the militants who are destroying that opportunty, not the hated Bush which the mental midget America haters have always claim here in these forums. When such evil and barbarism is committed by the Islamic radicals on a daily basis it is beyond comprehension that any CLEAR thinking adult could blame anyone or anything else unless the agenda is to purposely do so because of politics or outright ignorance.

[acauble1]

What a legacy, George. You really deserve to be remembered in history. An example of how NOT to be president.
Posted by clestes at 03:51 PM : Jun 18, 2007
................


George W. Bush and ******** Cheney have demonstrated over the past seven years how NOT to be a HUMAN BEING!

[clestes-2009]

If anyone had any doubts that forcing democracy down the middle east's throat was a bad idea, those doubts should be put to rest.

Now I read that Iran is going to be forced in democracy with nuclear weapons. Now that ought to work just great!!!

What a legacy, George. You really deserve to be remembered in history. An example of how NOT to be president.

[acauble1]

Sadly...


...Fox News fans would believe that Iraq is a thriving democracy, and a model for all other Middle Eastern countries!

[terrapin78]

Bu$h/Cheney

Mission accomplished!