In The News

CNOOC Is Not Yet Ready for Unocal

July 4, 2005
As one of the countries that host Unocal's energy holdings, Thailand will experience the direct effects of the US oil company's acquisition by either American-owned Chevron or China's CNOOC. This editorial emphasizes that though Thailand values its relationship with the United States and its ties with China equally, the country's business community would prefer that Chevron...

A Message to the South

Boutros Boutros-Ghali June 30, 2005
Is the UN in crisis? Former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali thinks so. He claims that the liberalized theories of globalization have eroded the importance of the UN’s core powers and responsibilities, and that solutions to the crisis are long-term and intricate. The newest crop of post-Cold War conflicts, increasingly difficult to resolve, leave a larger peacekeeping role for the UN. But...

It's Time for Pakistan to Play a Larger Regional Role

Aparna Shivpuri Singh June 23, 2005
With the completion of diplomatic visits to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei, Pakistan now participates in the growing trend of bilateral alliances in Asia. As Pakistan's economy opens to foreign investment, the government is courting Southeast Asian nations and promoting a bid to become a full member of ASEAN. Success thus far is partly due to its cooperation with Asian countries...

American Character Gets Mixed Reviews

June 23, 2005
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, America's worldwide reputation continues to suffer. The Pew Global Attitudes Project, co-chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Senator John C. Danforth, surveyed nearly 17,000 countries to assess their opinions about their own nations and the rest of the world. The 2005 survey revealed that, although US...

A Moment to Seize with North Korea

Donald Gregg June 22, 2005
Last Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il issued a statement indicating his willingness to return to six-nation talks and reverse his nuclear program. In this commentary for The Washington Post, Donald Gregg and Don Oberdorfer analyze the import of Kim's message. According to the authors, Kim's statements present "a golden opportunity to take the US offers to the one and only...

Europe in Disarray – Part I

Jean-Pierre Lehmann June 21, 2005
The French and Dutch rejection of the European Union constitution and last week’s collapse of the EU budget talks have exposed the deep division hidden so long behind rhetoric. Among other things, the European disarray highlights Europe’s problem with economic restructuring that globalization calls for. In a two-part series, YaleGlobal examines the reasons for the EU’s current troubles and its...

Whither Africa Avenue?

V. Sudarshan June 20, 2005
As a result of maneuvering by the so-called G4 (Japan, Germany, Brazil and India) to gain permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a meeting of African Union members in early July will play a large role in determining which of the four will be successful. The meeting, which will take place in Sirte, Libya, will decide on two African countries which will put forward their own...