In The News

Sharon, Abbas Receive Middle East 'Road Map'

Harvey Morris April 30, 2003
A ‘road map’ to Middle East peace, drawn up by the US, the EU, the UN, and Russia, was presented to Ariel Sharon, Israel’s prime minister, and Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian prime minister. EU aid to Palestinians is linked to reform, and it is hoped that the plan will contribute to a stronger Palestinian Authority administration, better conditions for the Palestinians, and a reduction in...

Garner’s Challenge

April 22, 2003
Iraq’s post-war administration, led by former American General Jay Garner, faces difficult domestic and international political challenges as Iraq begins to rebuild. In addition to handling immediate problems such as providing basic services and keeping order, the administration must address potential religious conflict between Sunni Muslims and the Shia majority, as well as international...

Annan Implores Europeans to Forge Pact on Rebuilding Iraq

Frank Bruni April 17, 2003
The months before the US-led war in Iraq showed deep fractures in the EU, and according to this report on the first EU meeting since the war began, the divisions still linger. Aside from welcoming new and prospective EU members, two statements were passed at this meeting. The statement on Iraq, although “vague” and “brief,” held coalition forces responsible for restoring security in Iraq first...

Iraq War Ends, Not Europe's Acrimony with the US

Shada Islam April 15, 2003
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spain's Jose Maria Aznar have joined France and Germany in demanding that the United Nations play the central role in administering and rebuilding post-Saddam Iraq. Not only does the UN have the experience and the expertise to handle Iraq's reconstruction, it is the only body with a legal mandate to do so. UN oversight, EU leaders argue, will be...

A War Against Eurocrats

Ranvir Nayar April 3, 2003
This article from Outlook India suggests that one of the Bush administration’s objectives in the war on Iraq may be to maintain the dominance of the US dollar in the global economy. The Euro in recent years has been an attractive alternative to the US dollar for many countries around the world, including oil producing countries in the Middle East. Gaining control over Iraq’s oil fields would...

WTO Rules Against U.S. on Steel Tariff

Elizabeth Becker March 27, 2003
The World Trade Organization made an interim decision that the steel tariffs imposed by US President George Bush last year were illegal, and the decision is not likely to be overturned on appeal. Last spring, Mr. Bush imposed tariffs on most types of steel imported from Europe, Asia and South America. The tariffs received support from the US steel industry, but also protests from US industries...

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...