In The News

A Stronger Europe for a Better World

Laurent Fabius March 26, 2003
The war in Iraq will undoubtedly be won, but what about the peace? Former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius suggests three lessons Europeans should learn to better their own, and the world's position. First, Europe must cooperate to reinvigorate internationalism and multilateralism. Members should work toward this goal through strong encouragement and compliance with international law...

With Little Loans, Mexican Women Overcome

Tim Weiner March 19, 2003
Still struggling after decades of failed poverty alleviation schemes and IMF-imposed structural adjustment programs, poor women in some developing countries are finding hope and success in micro-loans. In Mexico, where banks have generally ignored the financial services needs of the poor, microcredit organizations offer poor people loans of a few hundred dollars to start new small businesses....

The Administration’s Budget for Global Poverty and HIV/AIDS: How Do the Numbers Stack Up?

Lael Brainard February 24, 2003
The Bush Administration’s announcement of new funding for global poverty and HIV/AIDS has led to much rejoicing in many parts of the world, but it has also met with skepticism in some quarters. The Washington-based Brookings Institution offers an in-depth quantitative analysis of the offer and the establishment of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). The report summary presented here says...

Negotiation Offers Hope in Nuclear Containment

Daniel Sneider February 16, 2003
As the global frenzy over Iraq reaches its boiling point, the Bush administration has downplayed the threat of nuclear weapons in North Korea. Capitalizing on US distraction, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is apparently building up a nuclear stockpile, perhaps to later sell to improve a weak North Korean economy. Daniel Sneider argues that in minimizing the North Korean problem, the US has...

To China, North Korea Looks Radioactive

Joseph Kahn February 2, 2003
China’s reluctance to negotiate directly with North Korea about its nuclear program has surprised the Bush administration and Chinese foreign policy experts. China’s interests could be seriously threatened if North Korea is not dissuaded from building nuclear weapons. Such a buildup in North Korea could shift the balance of power in the region, should surrounding nations like Japan revive their...

Gates Gives $200 Million to Aid Poor Nations

Lawrence K. Altman January 27, 2003
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is creating a new program to combat health problems in developing nations, including tuberculosis, malnutrition, and diarrhea. In an effort to divert funds from “rich-world” diseases and to invest in solutions to the problems that affect two-thirds of the world, the Gates Foundation is offering $200 million in competitive grants to scientists and health...

The Northern Front

William Safire January 16, 2003
A quiet military alliance between Turks, Americans and Israelis has been an important force for regional stability in the Middle East over the last decade. However, in part due to the growth of democracy in Turkey, there is now uncertainty as to the loyalty of the Turks to the alliance, especially when it comes to discussions of a Turkish role in a possible US-led coalition against Iraq....