In The News

On NATO's future

Mohamed Sid-Ahmed March 18, 2005
The bipolar geopolitical order of the Cold War is no longer relevant, and one of the major military organizations of that era is preparing to shift its identity accordingly. Al-Ahram Weekly commentator Mohamed Sid-Ahmed opines about the nature of NATO's transformation, and how Arab states – Egypt, in particular – might approach collaboration with the group. Even the name, North Atlantic...

The Piracy Threat to Japan

March 17, 2005
In this age of global trade, the logical arena for international anti-piracy efforts would be intellectual property. Yet after a recent incident of maritime piracy in the Strait of Malacca, the world may be forced to recognize that the sea buccaneers of yore are not a thing of the past. Though the tsunami significantly reduced piracy in local sea lanes, the Malacca Strait remains one of the world...

US Says It Has Withdrawn from World Judicial Body

Adam Liptak March 10, 2005
The US administration has angered many countries in its lack of deference to international institutions, particularly the United Nations. Most recently, a US State Department announcement essentially revoked International Court of Justice jurisdiction to review disputes within US courts. Washington's withdrawal from this optional protocol, part of the Vienna Convention on Consular...

The Year of Africa's Economic Turnaround?

Amarnath Singh March 8, 2005
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economies of 30 African countries, as well as the continent as a whole, are projected to grow at a relatively high rate this year. However, Africa's nations still face many obstacles to becoming market miracles. Many remain paralyzed by poverty, AIDS, bad governance, high development and infrastructure costs, and social instability....

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,...

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...

The Problem Is the Extended Presidency

Chibli Mallat March 2, 2005
The Lebanese people launched a democratic revolution this week, as the sheer weight of street protests brought about the resignation of Prime Minister Omar Karami – thus toppling the Syrian-backed government. Protesters are now calling for a complete withdrawal of Syrian occupying forces and democratic parliamentary elections. However, according to this Daily Star commentary, these changes must...