In The News

Iraqi Planners Hope to Start Trial by Spring

Rajiv Chandrasekaran December 16, 2003
Only days after the capture of deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, Iraqi leaders have already begun planning for his legal prosecution in an Iraqi courtroom. Vowing to choose only a manageable number of charges to bring against the former dictator, Salem Chalabi said the process would not be rushed, but that the trial could begin as early as the spring of 2004. "We don't want to...

The Siren Song of a Two-Speed Europe

Heather Grabbe December 16, 2003
In a caustic critique of France and Germany's proposal to form a 'core Europe', Heather Grabbe, deputy director of the Center for European Reform, argues that such a plan would only damage the dream of an integrated Europe. The economic viability of the European Union is already under threat from Berlin and Paris' refusal to pay fines for economic transgressions earlier this...

Readying for Development

Nevine Khalil December 12, 2003
President Hosni Mubarak traveled from Cairo to Geneva for the first World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) with one message: African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American states must work together to develop their capacities as "IT-savvy" states. President Mubarak envisions a well-integrated system of cooperation, where nations can help each other's development through...

Donors Warn of Lost Foreign Expertise

Rungrawee C Pinyorat December 12, 2003
Believing it has 'outgrown' the need for international donors' assistance, the government of Thailand has announced that it will no longer accept technical assistance from foreign countries. Once a recipient of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from countries such as Australia, Thailand has refused grants and soft loans for some time. The rejection of the third form of ODA –...

Anti-Americanism: Causes and Characteristics

Andrew Kohut December 10, 2003
A series of public opinion surveys conducted by the Pew Global Attitudes Project in various countries has found unprecedented levels of anti-American sentiment around the world. Majorities express unfavorable opinions of the US, not only in Western Europe and the Muslim world but also in countries like Brazil and Russia. Even in Britain, the United States' most trusted European ally, 55...

500 to 700 Ground Troops to Be Sent to Iraq

Reiji Yoshida December 9, 2003
In the "most heavily armed overseas mission ever" for Japan's Self Defense Forces (SDF), between 500 and 700 soldiers will be sent to Iraq to support the reconstruction. Japan has recently sustained strong criticism from its allies over its refusal to send troops to Iraq. On the other hand, Japanese law prohibits the SDF from engaging in any activity that is not explicitly for...

Jihad Has Worked – The World is Now Split in Two

Ewen MacAskill December 8, 2003
"Osama bin Laden, two years and three months after the New York and Washington attacks that were part of his jihad against America, appears to be winning," writes the diplomatic editor of the UK's Guardian. The al-Qaeda leader has achieved a good deal of his objectives, says the author. Not only are US troops off Saudi Arabian soil now, but the world is also increasingly...