President Rafael Correa

• UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown takes third place this week following his first meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev since the latter became president of Russia.  Brown expressed displeasure with the treatment of UK staff working in the troubled TNK-BP joint venture, and also reiterated London's demand that Andrei Lugovoi -- a Russian parliamentarian suspected of involvement in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko -- be extradited to the United Kingdom.  While Brown’s robust stance will have a negligible effect, it has, at least, served as a reminder that Medvedev will have to do more than present an amiable demeanour if he wishes to restore Russia’s public image and strained relations with the West.
• Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) takes second place following the imprisonment of two retired four-star generals on charges that they were involved in a plot to overturn the government by force.  The detention of prominent leaders of the secularist nationalist opposition to the AKP government is a frontal challenge by the elected legislature to the bureaucracy.  Although the detentions have raised political tensions in the short-term, the move may end up by damping down efforts to bring down the government by fair means or foul -- thus shortening the period of instability through which Turkey is passing.  Until recently, it seemed probable that the AKP would be shut down as a result of the case that is being heard against it in the constitutional court.  While this is still possible, it has become less likely.
• Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa wins this week’s masterstroke.  His government recently seized two private television stations which were part of Grupo Isaias; the owners are related to bankers Roberto and William Isaias, who ran a bank which went bust during the late 1990s. The Isaias brothers, whom the government seeks to extradite from the United States, are accused of embezzling some 661 million dollars.  The seizures, aimed at recovering funds, will be popular and should help shore up the 'yes' vote in an up-coming referendum on a new constitution.