Water Resources
Water resources are sources of water that are useful or potentially useful to humans. Uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Virtually all of these human uses require fresh water. 97.5% of water on the Earth is salt water, leaving only 2.5% as fresh water of which over two thirds is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The remaining unfrozen freshwater is mainly found as groundwater, with only a small fraction present above ground or in the air. Fresh water is a renewable resource, yet the world's supply of clean, fresh water is steadily decreasing. Water demand already exceeds supply in many parts of the world, and as world population continues to rise at an unprecedented rate, many more areas are expected to experience this imbalance in the near future.The framework for allocating water resources to water users (where such a framework exists) is known as water rights.
Currency Market Conflict
The short-term and long-term patterns on display in the EUR/USD epitomize the conflict in the currency market. The short-term bull flag portends further upside, while the long-term head-and-shoulders top suggests downside. The conclusion of one, or both, of these patterns will likely dictate the next cyclical move in the EUR/USD and, indeed, the direction of the U.S. dollar in general.The EUR/USD is the most actively traded and closely watched pair in the currency market. Consequently, the EUR/USD is an excellent proxy for the U.S. dollar in general.The EUR/USD is in the midst of a head-and-shoulders top, which began forming in 2003. A head-and-shoulders top is a bearish reversal pattern. The head of the pattern marks the EUR/USD's all-time high near 1.3600, while the two shoulders fall into place at 1.2950. The right shoulder marks the EUR/USD's short-term high.
While the head-and-shoulders pattern has been forming, the fundamental backdrop of the EUR/USD has been going through dramatic changes. Foremost of these changes has been the widening interest rate differential, in favor of the U.S. dollar. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has taken short-term interest rates in the United States to 5.25 percent, which is 250 basis points better than the equivalent European Central Bank (ECB) rate of 2.75 percent. The FOMC has been far more aggressive in raising rates than the ECB over the past three years.But with the FOMC recently signaling a pause in rate hikes, and the ECB turning more hawkish, the interest rate differential between the euro and dollar may start to narrow, which is negative for the greenback.The short-term view of the EUR/USD, in contrast to the long-term view, supports a bullish outlook for the euro and bearish outlook for the U.S. dollar. In other words, the EUR/USD's short-term pattern points higher. The pair is consolidating within a bull flag, which is a continuation pattern. These patterns typically break in the direction of the prevailing trend, which in this case is upward.
Note that the short-term high of the bull flag of 1.2950 is the right shoulder on the longer-term chart.The confluence of patterns over different timeframes sets up two 'if-then' scenarios for trading the EUR/USD. If the EUR/USD breaks its short-term bull flag, and then violates the head-and-shoulders with an advance past 1.2950, then the pair most likely goes on to retest its all-time high. Alternatively, if the EUR/USD breaks down from its bull flag, then it will probably trend towards the neckline of the head-and-shoulders at 1.1700. Either outcome represents a big move in the pair, which makes both of the patterns worth monitoring for the remainder of the summer.The fundamental impetus for a break of either pattern will most likely come in the form of interest rates. The ECB might start hiking rates more aggressively, which is reason for the EUR/USD to violate its head-and-shoulders and then trend higher. Or the FOMC might continue hiking rates more than the market is currently expecting, which is supportive of the head-and-shoulders.Whatever the outcome, a big move is forthcoming. Follow these two patterns in the EUR/USD to discern the direction of the next big trend in the currency market.
Note that the short-term high of the bull flag of 1.2950 is the right shoulder on the longer-term chart.The confluence of patterns over different timeframes sets up two 'if-then' scenarios for trading the EUR/USD. If the EUR/USD breaks its short-term bull flag, and then violates the head-and-shoulders with an advance past 1.2950, then the pair most likely goes on to retest its all-time high. Alternatively, if the EUR/USD breaks down from its bull flag, then it will probably trend towards the neckline of the head-and-shoulders at 1.1700. Either outcome represents a big move in the pair, which makes both of the patterns worth monitoring for the remainder of the summer.The fundamental impetus for a break of either pattern will most likely come in the form of interest rates. The ECB might start hiking rates more aggressively, which is reason for the EUR/USD to violate its head-and-shoulders and then trend higher. Or the FOMC might continue hiking rates more than the market is currently expecting, which is supportive of the head-and-shoulders.Whatever the outcome, a big move is forthcoming. Follow these two patterns in the EUR/USD to discern the direction of the next big trend in the currency market.
US AID conflict management
A peaceful, stable world is a key foreign policy priority for the United States. Yet violent conflict and instability are widespread in the developing world, affecting almost 60 percent of the countries in which USAID operates.
Many of the most important causes of violence, extremism and instability – such as stagnant or deteriorating economies, weak or illegitimate political institutions, or competition over natural resources – are the central concerns of aid. Development assistance must take this into account. Therefore, the Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation (DCHA/CMM) was created to change the way aid is planned and implemented.
Many of the most important causes of violence, extremism and instability – such as stagnant or deteriorating economies, weak or illegitimate political institutions, or competition over natural resources – are the central concerns of aid. Development assistance must take this into account. Therefore, the Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation (DCHA/CMM) was created to change the way aid is planned and implemented.
Cost-Effective Strategizing:Rather than develop and sponsor new, stand-alone activities, DCHA/CMM helps USAID Missions and partners do more to address conflict with resources that are already available.
DCHA/CMM also collaborates extensively with other U.S. Government agencies such as the State Department and the Department of Defense. These new partnerships have formed the basis of building government capability in the Global War on Terror.
DCHA/CMM also collaborates extensively with other U.S. Government agencies such as the State Department and the Department of Defense. These new partnerships have formed the basis of building government capability in the Global War on Terror.
Cross-Cutting CapabilitiesDCHA/CMM’s operational reach is global and cross-cutting, extending to all USAID missions, geographical bureaus, and sectors. A key part of DCHA/CMM's mandate is to integrate or ‘mainstream’ best practices of conflict management into more traditional development sectors such as democracy and governance, economic growth, natural resource management, security sector reform, social development, and peace building.
Innovative Thinking and DesignDCHA/CMM seeks to put innovate ideas and greater creativity into USAID’s work so that the agency may better understand and respond to conflict. The office is supporting USAID missions by developing a series of toolkits, to help clarify the relationship between areas of development work such as youth programming and livelihoods development, and to recommend policies and project designs to address these issues.
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