In The News

The First Step Towards Defeating the Terrorists: Stop Blaming Ourselves

Gerard Baker August 11, 2006
Uncertainty abounds in assessing the seriousness of any terrorist threat that has been thwarted. London Times Editor Gerard Baker criticizes those who would either accuse authorities of overreacting to the threat in an effort to boost poll numbers or those who would excuse attacks as a justified reaction to US and UK foreign policy. Indeed, actions by the US and its allies – from the invasion...

China Tests US Immigration Plan

June Kronholz August 4, 2006
The US wants to deport 40,000 Chinese immigrants, but China refuses to accept them without asylum-seekers such as Falun Gong members and political opponents as well. China’s refusal undermines US attempts at discouraging illegal immigration. The two chambers of the US Congress have clashed over how to handle the more than 10 million illegal immigrants estimated to be in the country, and...

As an Immigration Tide Swells, Europe Treads Water

Lawrence Downes August 1, 2006
Spain has the most nuanced laws in Europe regarding immigrants and refugees. Still, illegal immigration remains a contentious issue in the country that has received more than 11,000 immigrants from Africa this year. At a recent conference in Morocco, attended by delegates from European and African governments, representatives pledged to move towards a fair resolution of the problem, and the...

A Conflict That Will Stay Close to Home

Edward M. Luttwak July 18, 2006
The heated missile exchange between Israel and Hezbollah factions in southern Lebanon is influenced by Syria and Iran, both openly supportive of Islamist agendas to obliterate the Zionist state, according to political analyst Edward M. Luttwak. However, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reasons to step gingerly, as his precarious reign depends on the loyalty of the small Alawite religious...

States and Towns Attempt to Draw the Line on Illegal Immigration

Miriam Jordan July 14, 2006
Angered at the federal government’s failure to pass a bill addressing illegal immigration, many states and towns throughout the US have taken matters into their own hands. Recognizing a galvanizing issue, legislatures and communities propose crackdowns on illegal immigrants. Those favoring more stringent policies argue that illegal immigrants pose a burden on social services and taxpayers....

China's Brutal Crackdown on Dissidents

Andreas Lorenz July 5, 2006
In the name of economic development, many Chinese citizens find themselves forced from their land and homes for construction of dams, roads or other projects. Added to the displacement are paltry offers of compensation and corruption, funneling the gains of China’s “economic miracle” away from its poorest people. The conflicts invite protest, but, as many of the country’s “difficult citizens”...

Dealing With Terrorists: Sometimes Talking Is the Lesser Evil

Martin Griffiths July 3, 2006
Using dialogue to find political solutions to conflicts involving “terrorist groups” has largely been discounted in the arena of international diplomacy, writes the director of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue. Reasons for discarding this approach are threefold: By resorting to violence, terrorist groups forfeit their right to dialogue; engagement could legitimize the terrorists’ tactics; and...