In The News

Why the United States is Reacting Quietly to N. Korea’s Provocations

Howard LaFranchi March 5, 2003
The United States does not want to negotiate directly with North Korea; it has stated again and again that its partners in the region – particularly Japan, South Korea, and China – should be involved in any talks. Even in the face of military provocations such as last weekend's tailing of a US surveillance plane by North Korean fighter jets, says Howard LaFranchi. "By appearing to...

Time for Jaw-Jaw with North Korea

James Goodby March 5, 2003
Diplomat-in-residence at Stanford University James Goodby and Councilor of the Atlantic Council of the United States Kenneth Weisbrode outline the many reasons why bilateral talks should be preferred over a pre-emptive attack on North Korea. They argue in the Financial Times that the US is too occupied over the Middle East and Saddam Hussein, and will be for a long time, that its navy is spread...

U.S. Sending 2 Dozen Bombers in Easy Range of North Koreans

David E. Sanger March 5, 2003
Though President Bush keeps reiterating his wish to deal peaceably with North Korea, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ordered the United States military to ready itself for a potential attack on the rogue nuclear state. De-escalation of tensions seems less and less likely as both sides step up their military commitment to a potential violent clash. After refusing to talk to North Korea...

Infiltrators of North Korea: Tiny Radios

James Brooke March 3, 2003
During the Kim family’s 60-year rule over North Korea, the rest of the world has witnessed a communications boom: especially in recent years the Internet, cell phones, and the rest of the “information revolution” have made it easy to communicate from thousands of miles away. But Pyongyang's communist regime has made it all but impossible for North Koreans to take part in that revolution....

Does the “Hyper-Power” Have Feet of Clay?

David Dapice March 3, 2003
If you look past its formidable military machine, America is not as powerful as it seems. Tufts University economist David Dapice points out that the current view of the United States as a “hyper-power” fails to take into account the country's many economic vulnerabilities. A country that relies on over $1.3 billion in capital inflow each day to finance its import appetite may not be able...

Bubbling Up

February 28, 2003
World oil prices are higher than they have been in years, and economists have begun to speculate about the effect an oil shortage may have on the global economy. Not only has the impending war in Iraq made oil markets jumpy, but the strike in Venezuela and the possibility of conflict in Nigeria have contributed to the situation. On top of that, recent demand for oil has been high during the...

Military Aims for Global Reach, but the Budget Remains Tight

Aaron Kirchfeld February 28, 2003
As one of NATO's most skeptical members in regard to war, Germany has traditionally maintainted a small military budget. However, in anticipation of a U.S.-led war in Iraq and with Germany’s international peacekeeping missions in mind, Peter Struck, the German defense minister wants an overhaul of the army.. German troops currently rely on NATO forces to remain mobile, which can leave them...