In The News

Apples and Oranges Are Both Fruit, But…

William S. Turley October 24, 2003
Many US analysts have compared the current conflict in Iraq to the Vietnam War, citing similar trends - lack of support from allies, initial domestic support followed by growing doubt, and faulty intelligence. But, says Indochina expert William S. Turley, the two countries and their respective conflicts are strikingly different, making comparisons to Vietnam quite un-useful in analyses of the...

Most Iraqis Unhappy with Coalition Forces

Maureen Fan October 24, 2003
A poll by an independent think tank shows that Iraqis are less and less enamored of their American 'liberators'. Over half the Iraqis surveyed seriously doubted that US-led coalition forces could improve safety conditions and worried about deteriorating security conditions. When asked about their preferred political model for a post-Saddam Iraq, more chose Iran than the US, although...

Coming Clean or Playing for Time?

October 23, 2003
Iran will allow a tougher UN nuclear inspection regime to confirm that it is not attempting to build nuclear weapons. Issuing a declaration that Iran says outlines all of its nuclear activities, the country aims to fend off economic sanctions promoted by the United States. Skeptics argue, however, that Iran is only buying time with an extraordinarily vague and voluntary agreement. In fact, says...

Bolivia's Backlash

October 23, 2003
Uncertainty looms over Bolivia again now that isolationist and populist politicians have taken over former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada's post. Bolivia is the fourth country that has fallen victim to the trend in Latin America's political leadership of failing to complete presidential terms due to trying circumstances. His forced resignation, which followed violent clashes that...

Coming Clean or Playing for Time?

October 23, 2003
Iran will allow a tougher UN nuclear inspection regime to confirm that it is not attempting to build nuclear weapons. Issuing a declaration that Iran says outlines all of its nuclear activities, the country aims to fend off economic sanctions promoted by the United States. Skeptics argue, however, that Iran is only buying time with an extraordinarily vague and voluntary agreement. In fact, says...

APEC Acts with Speed on Trade

Achara Pongvutitham October 22, 2003
Thailand wrapped up the summit of APEC leaders in Bangkok on a sharp note. Delivering the summit's Bangkok Declaration to the World Trade Organization's offices in Geneva immediately after the close of the meeting, Thailand and APEC members were “clearly sending a signal to the EU that it should come back to the negotiating table" on the issue of agricultural subsidies....

Pyongyang Derides US Treaty Offer

October 22, 2003
The North Korean government is calling a US pledge not to invade North Korea a 'laughing matter'. US President George W. Bush had earlier offered the isolated communist country a written guarantee that the US and four other countries would not attack North Korea if Pyongyang agreed to give up its nuclear weapons development program. "We have demanded that the United States drop...