In The News

Some Chinese See Positive Lessons in Iraqi 'Torture Gate'

Anthony J. Spires May 14, 2004
To China, which has repeatedly faced American pressure to respect human rights, the international condemnation of US abuses in Iraq may seem like an ironic role reversal, writes China scholar Anthony J. Spires. While the Chinese government and official media have relished “returning the favor” by calling on the US to respect the Geneva Convention, Chinese internet bulletin boards - a proxy...

Putin: Talk Like a Democrat, Walk Like an Autocrat

Strobe Talbott May 12, 2004
Peace and stability in an expanded Europe cannot be separated from the fortunes of its giant neighbor to the east, Russia. President Vladimir Putin, who was recently won a second term in office, talks of being the president of a free people in a free country, but his actions so far have been marked by a strong autocratic streak. A leading Russia specialist and former Deputy Secretary of State,...

India's Elections Expose Economic Divide

Gareth Price May 11, 2004
Results from India’s national elections disproved pre-poll predictions by ousting the ruling national coalition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A few weeks ago, the results seemed predictable. The current government, successful in stimulating economic growth for India and promoting better relations with neighboring Pakistan, was expected to return to power. Low voter turnout may have...

The Indians Are Comin’

Sanjeev Srivastava May 10, 2004
Global interest in Indian economic and cultural practices is swelling rapidly, from the labor outsourcing debate to Bollywood film exports. In the United States, India is a topic for newspaper front pages, Indian corporations are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and audiences gather for the country’s art. Delhi is creating regional alliances with China and Pakistan, and all systems are go...

Asian Democracies: The Half-Full Glass

Gwynne Dyer May 10, 2004
The transition to democracy in many Southeast Asian nations has been striking. The upcoming or recent national elections in Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines highlight their quick turnaround from authoritarian rule. The last two decades have been marked by positive change in the region, but the inherent pitfalls of new democracy remain. Among the slew of candidates for election...

Ranking the Rich 2004

May 3, 2004
The process of helping developing nations is a lot more complex than simply giving foreign aid via public and private donors. Richer nations can benefit or harm poorer nations through policies on security, aid, immigration, environment, technology and trade. In an effort to rate which programs work and which do not, Foreign Policy Magazine and the Center for Global Development (CGD) have...

How Far East Can Europe Go?

Shada Islam May 3, 2004
As the celebrations over the expansion of the European Union die down, debates over the next big expansion proposal are sure to heat up. Talks on Turkey's entry into the European Union, however, won't be limited to a simple discussion of the economic benefits of regional consolidation. To some, letting Turkey - an Islamic nation that has been accused of human rights abuses - into the...