In The News

Recognition of Israel Not on the Cards: Musharraf

Salim Bokhari July 3, 2003
For Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, the last leg of his four-nation trip to North America and Europe was one of the most important. After the US, France is the one country with which Islamabad has strong defence cooperation. Although his visits were primarily meant to build ties and goodwill with allies, Musharraf also used the opportunity to reiterate that Pakistan's recognition of...

President Bush's Visit to Africa Isn't All about Oil

Peter Fabricius June 30, 2003
US interests in Africa go well beyond oil, says this editorial in South Africa's Cape Times. Though oil is likely a factor prompting US President Bush’s upcoming trip to the continent, American national security interests are the definitive motivation for the visit – and for expanded US interest in general. Since September 11, the United States has been forced to realize the immense impact...

Asia Throws a New Challenge to Washington

Michael Richardson June 25, 2003
Burma's repression of democracy advocates like Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has won the country infamy in the international human rights community. Even after allowing a free election a decade ago, the military junta that runs Burma ignored the results and refused to give up power. Another brutal crackdown on opposition just weeks ago has brought the country back into the international...

Women’s Fate

Rasha Saad June 19, 2003
After decades of dictatorship, sanctions, and war, Iraqis are infused with a feeling of hopelessness. The current chaos after the US-led war against Saddam Hussein’s regime has only exacerbated the sense of despair. With the country’s infrastructure in shambles and uncertainty about Iraq’s political destiny, the sole goal of many young people is to leave the country. However, seeing the chaos...

‘Dubai Aid City’ Launched

Jamila Qadir June 16, 2003
Plans for “Dubai Aid City” were recently released by the United Arab Emirates with promises that the complex will have both humanitarian and economic benefits. The site, described as a “fully integrated aid distribution and storage facility,” will provide a strategic location for international aid organizations to dispense aid to surrounding locales, including Iraq, Eastern Europe, the Indian...

Greening U.S. Foreign Aid through the Millennium Challenge Account

Nigel Purvis June 5, 2003
Last year, US President George W. Bush proposed the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) as part of his National Security Strategy report. With its goals to provide development assistance to certain developing countries, the MCA calls for an unprecedented increase in U.S. foreign aid. If the MCA is passed by congress, it will undoubtedly play a major role in fighting global poverty. However, says...

European Union’s Southern Drive

Shada Islam May 30, 2003
Despite apparent attempts by the US to lead the world in every way and area, when it comes to northern Africa and the Middle East, the European Union has its own ideas. Europe's importation of immigrant labor to support its aging population has contributed to a buildup of over 13 million Muslims of Middle Eastern descent across the continent. In the face of continued economic shifts and...