In The News

"The Private Sector Is India's True Face – Open, Pragmatic"

Saumya Roy October 11, 2005
In an interview with Outlook India, Newsweek International editor Fareed Zakaria shares his thoughts about globalization and international politics, particularly with regard to India, China, and the United States. Zakaria opines that action is needed in order to bridge the gap between Washington policy wonks and the general public so that more Americans can learn about the rest of the world and...

China's Rise in Southeast Asia: Implications for Japan and the United States

Elizabeth Economy October 10, 2005
As China rises to the position of a major economic power in Asia, it is taking an increasingly active role in international politics. This is particularly apparent in Southeast Asia, where Chinese officials are starting to compete with their Japanese and American counterparts, the traditional regional powers, for dominance. US policy towards Southeast Asia – "a policy of relative neglect...

Opportunity in Tragedy?

October 10, 2005
Following Saturday's devastating earthquake, Pakistan appealed to the international community for emergency supplies and money. But because of the long-standing dispute over the Kashmir region, Pakistani officials have been reluctant to accept help from India. In order to save lives in Kashmir and elsewhere, the two nuclear powers must set aside their political disputes and focus on joint...

Chávez Moves Reserves Out of US Treasuries

Andy Webb-Vidal October 7, 2005
President Hugo Chávez has liquidated about half of Venezuela's US$30.4 billion holdings of US Treasuries, confirmed a director at the country's central bank. The bank director attributed the transfer to financial reasons: Venezuela's foreign reserves have benefited from high oil prices, and Chávez might have wanted to shift some of the winnings from securities to social programs....

It Takes Two Hands to Clap

Ahmed Rashid October 6, 2005
Two days after Afghanistan's parliamentary elections in September, President Hamid Karzai boasted that his country "now has a constitution, a president, a parliament, and a nation fully participating in its destiny." But as journalist Ahmed Rashid writes, that is not exactly the case. Despite Karzai's previous promises of reform and nation-building, conditions in Afghanistan...

Il faut etre uni pour reconstruire

Ahmed Rashid October 6, 2005

"The Cardinal Rule ... You Don't Target Civilians"

Brian Whitaker October 4, 2005
As bombings and attacks kill dozens of Iraqis daily, the rhetoric surrounding Iraq's invasion has remained polarized and extreme. In the international community, groups like Human Rights Watch (HRW) often focus on the human cost of the war – regardless of politics. The group's Middle East director insists, "US forces have used excessive and indiscriminate force, tortured detainees...