In The News

China Doubts US Data on North Korean Nuclear Work

Joseph Kahn March 7, 2005
As diplomatic jousting over East Asian security continues, the United States received a public blow from China. Questioning the accuracy of US intelligence on North Korea's nuclear arsenal, a Chinese official essentially communicated Beijing's unwillingness to pressure its neighbor. The Bush administration had appealed previously to China, North Korea's only significant ally, to...

A Drug-Free Afghanistan Not So Easy

Paula R. Newberg March 7, 2005
The recent announcement of surging Afghan poppy production, while no surprise, is indicative of a dangerous trend – one that may ultimately undo the recovery of the fragile Asian state: Illegal poppy production now, more than ever, forms the basis of Afghanistan's economy. The fledgling state's existence as a cornerstone of both the war on terror and international anti-narcotics...

Abbas: Time to Walk the Walk

Barry Rubin March 4, 2005
The recent death of Yasser Arafat provided a hopeful opening in the search for Mideast peace. Newly-elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas quickly instituted internal reforms and pledged his support for a ceasefire. On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed to withdraw some settlers and release Palestinian prisoners. Regional neighbors have taken an interest in the peace process,...

A Question in Blix

Mohamed Sid-Ahmed March 4, 2005
Developed nations no longer monopolize weapons of mass destruction; nor are rogue states the most troubling new nuclear threats. The secrets of producing nuclear weapons have been spilled, and the cost of their production has fallen, making them available to non-state actors – namely, terrorists. Against this backdrop, UN weapons expert Hans Blix answers a difficult question: "Given that...

Bloodsport: A Sequel

Boria Majumdar March 3, 2005
For some, sport is simply viewed as another forum for entertainment – but it may serve other functions, as well. Sometimes, it is promoted as a way to bridge cultural gaps and facilitate peace, as seen most prominently with the Olympics. But as this Outlook India opinion suggests, an undercurrent of nationalism is ever-present in international sporting events. For India and Pakistan, the...

Free at Last Through an Arab-Western Joint Venture

Rami G. Khouri March 2, 2005
Across the Middle East, signs of democracy are emerging. In Lebanon, peaceful protests toppled the Syrian-backed government. Palestinians successfully pressured their leader to fill his cabinet with qualified, fresh faces. And the Egyptian president announced support for a law permitting open elections. Many attribute this burst of democratic spirit to the US invasion of Iraq. While Daily...

Japan Dips its Toe in the Taiwan Strait

Wenran Jiang March 2, 2005
China might not be an "outpost of tyranny," but the new Bush foreign policy team again considers the Asian giant a strategic competitor, writes political scientist Wenran Jiang. Concerns over China's military development and heightened aggressiveness towards Taiwan have led the United States to reassess its previous conclusion that China posed no serious threat to the global...