Sanitas Weekly Web Summary for the Week of November 21st

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 markets.

Thanksgiving had President Obama urging republicans and democrats to end “partisan gridlock” while the Romney campaign vowed to continue running its controversial Obama ad. In other political news, Newt Gingrich took heat over his stance on amnesty while Medicare’s chief, Dr. Donald Berwick, tendered his resignation after a “political standoff.” In the midst of Egypt’s unfolding turmoil, President Obama started putting pressure on the country this week to speed up reforms. Despite President Obama’s efforts, Egypt’s officials continue to delay elections while simultaneously apologizing for deaths that have occurred throughout the unrest. Syria, another Arab Spring country, is at the center of Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments calling for Syria’s president to step down or face death.  In digital news, Arabic has become the fastest growing language on Twitter and Facebook has once again become an ally for those in Egypt seeking reform by setting up an organized global protest through the site. The Middle East also made headlines for feeling the “financial pinch” in lieu of the Arab Spring movement, yet its effect is minimal when compared to the European debt crisis and Italy’s efforts to stimulate growth in the fledging country.

This week’s summary highlights these and other 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:

Troops reach out for help feeding their families

White House presses Egypt’s leaders to speed up reforms

Amid Signs of Rebellion, Putin Seeks Tighter Grip

On payroll tax cut, Obama paints Republicans as hypocritical

Crisis Management:

Egypt officials reject calls to delay elections; generals apologize for deaths

Italy’s New Premier Offers Broad Plan to Reform Finances and Spur Growth

Fed to Test U.S. Banks Over Europe Crisis

Digital Media:

Barack Obama Joins Google+

The Internet in Africa-still an alien concept

Arabic is the fastest growing language on Twitter

Egyptian activists to take to Facebook again for a global online protest

Political:

Romney campaign will keep controversial Obama ad

Medicare chief to resign after political standoff

Gingrich takes heat over “amnesty”

Michele Bachmann says knowing ‘when to say no’ as a mom applies to presidency

Obama: Let’s overcome partisan gridlock

Foreign Policy:

Analysis: China gameplan in question as Obama pivots to Asia

Turkish prime minister tells Syria's president to step down or risk tragic end

New York Times:

Mideast Starts to Feel Financial Pinch

20-Year Sentence for Text Messages Against Thai King