In The News

China Winning Resources and Loyalties of Africa

FT Correspondents February 28, 2006
In the early 15th century, well before Europeans set foot on the continent, Chinese traders and explorers landed along the coast of Africa. Centuries later, China and Africa continue to renew these ancient ties. Since 2000, China-Africa trade has quadrupled in volume, signaling a mutually-beneficial relationship. The continent offers China both a market for its goods and vast supplies of untapped...

Un-American

Mansoor Ijaz February 24, 2006
US lawmakers’ rejection of the Dubai ports deal stems from prejudice more than concerns about national security. Such attitudes are dangerous at a time when US needs all the friends in the Muslim world that it can get. Instead of rejecting the Dubai deal, the US could embrace the opportunity to work with a company run by educated and talented Muslim professionals who strive to overturn...

US Weighs Harder Line with China on Yuan

Andrew Browne February 22, 2006
With the appreciation of China’s currency moving at an unsatisfactory pace for the Bush administration, the US is signaling that it may press the issue more forcibly. Last year the US trade deficit with China rose to $202 billion, more than a quarter of the total US deficit. A week ago, US Trade Representative Rob Portman introduced a task force that will analyze Chinese trade practices. The...

Enlightened Independence

Arundhati Ghose February 15, 2006
On February 4, 27 out of 35 governing members of the IAEA expressed discontent over Iran’s emerging nuclear program. Rather than immediately referring Iran to the UN Security Council, however, the members passed a resolution that the author calls a “reporting procedure.” The work to contain Iran will be continued under the auspices of the IAEA, with no call for direct action from the Security...

Keeping North Korea from the Brink – Part I

Peter Beck February 14, 2006
Countries throughout the north Pacific recognize the grave danger of the North Korean nuclear program, but lack a coherent strategy for restraining it. This two-part series examines the specific concerns for US and China in containing the program – as well as proposals for a long-term resolution. Peter Beck, an analyst with the International Crisis Group in Seoul, notes that US economic...

Saudi Prince Slams Iran’s Nuclear Program

February 10, 2006
The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Prince Turki Faisal, denounced Iran’s nuclear program, but also criticized US policies on nuclear weaponry as inconsistent. Although he agreed that Iran’s uranium enrichment program is heightening tension throughout the Middle East, he noted that Iranian citizens support their government’s efforts in part because the US operates from a double standard...

The Future of US-China Relations

Aaron L. Friedberg February 7, 2006
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, the US government turned to China, not with a particular strategic agenda, but with the hope that the nation, like other great powers would be “united by common dangers” and “common values.” A few years later, though, uneasy feelings emerged about China’s status as ally, with US officials raising concern about the nation’s increasing...