In The News

Europe's Lesson, from Brussels to Baghdad

Wolfgang Schauble January 13, 2004
Europe's crisis over the ideal constitution for the EU stems from fundamental differences between contending countries, says Bundestag official Wolfgang Schauble. France and Germany's belief in the right of majority rule is their justification for insisting on having their way on certain key economic and political decisions. With large populations, they expect greater clout. Poland,...

Tensions Between Globalization, Backwardness

Riad al-Khouri December 18, 2003
For the Middle East to move forward economically and politically, says this article in Lebanon's Daily Star, states in the region must embrace principles of efficiency and inclusivity. Rather than fight against the tide of globalization, the author suggests, the Middle East must jump on the bandwagon, work to strengthen itself internally, and fortify its position in the global economy....

Anti-Separatist Taiwan Parties Changing Tune

Ching Cheong December 18, 2003
The 'pan-blue' political camp in Taiwan has traditionally been Beijing's best line of defense against those who want full separation from China, as pan-blue members aim for maintaining the status quo separation of Taiwan and China with an eye to eventual unification. The 'pan-green' camp, which is committed to an eventual Taiwanese independence, has traditionally been...

Justice for Saddam

Harold Hongju Koh December 15, 2003
The capture of Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003 marks an historic moment in the US-led effort to re-shape Iraq and the Middle East. To many of his foes and friends alike, Saddam's ignominious surrender to US forces was unexpected. Now, says Harold Koh, Dean-Designate of the Yale Law School, the world must face the question of what to do with this former dictator who chose to go...

Editorial: Window of hope opens for Iraq

December 15, 2003
Saddam Hussein's capture by US forces has taken the world by storm. For Iraqi politics, says this editorial in the United Arab Emirates' Gulf News, the news could not be better. The paper encourages Iraqis to take control of their own political futures and "build a new political momentum looking for peaceful political development." Noting that the Iraqi Governing Council...

Where Taiwan Support Stops

Michael D. Swaine December 7, 2003
The potential for conflict between China and Taiwan seems to have increased recently with Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian announcement that he wants to hold a referendum on Taiwan's independence next March. Although the island-state – a thriving democracy for over a decade – already enjoys de facto independence from mainland China, Beijing still views it as an integral part of...

Fight for Freedom Logs On

Garrett Glass December 2, 2003
A new class of freedom fighter has emerged in Cuba - the computer hacker. In a country where high prices and government censorship restrict access to the internet, an increasing number of Cubans are using creative methods to explore the internet unhindered. These "informaticos" acquire laptops from friends in foreign countries and modify the hardware and software to get around...