In The News

A Bush Alarm: Urging US to Shun Isolationism

David E. Sanger March 13, 2006
President Bush’s vision for US foreign policy has evolved in five years. During his first campaign for president, Bush promoted a “humble foreign policy” and avoided talk of globalization. With 9/11, benign neglect turned to a go-it-alone search for security, with the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq quickly following. But isolationist policies have not worked, and Bush is a late convert to the...

On Immigration and Ports, Turning Inward

Dana Milbank March 3, 2006
Powerful sentiments are rising that threaten to turn the world’s most globalized nation inward. Two issues have emerged that capitalize on US fears about jobs and security, both revealing an increasing desire for isolation. Debate over a proposed “guest worker” program aimed at transitioning illegal immigrants to legal status mirrors the objections to transfer of control over six US ports to...

Think Again: Soft Power

Joseph S. Nye Jr. March 1, 2006
In 1990, “Foreign Policy” first analyzed “soft power.” Here, Joseph S. Nye, Jr., author of the original article, returns to correct notions that have since become associated with soft power. The concept, he asserts, is the power of “attraction,” as opposed to the power of “coercion” or “payment.” Soft power is not exclusively cultural power, yet exporting cultural goods that hold attraction...

Don’t Punish the Palestinians

Jimmy Carter February 23, 2006
Former US President Jimmy Carter analyzes the new Palestinian government under Hamas and finds that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas retains certain key powers. Abbas can appoint a prime minister who recognizes Israel and endorses the “road map.” As the leader of the PLO, Abbas can also continue to pursue peace talks with Israel as he has done throughout 2005. Despite their high numbers of...

Globalization Spawns Port Situation

Douglas Birch February 23, 2006
Controversy surrounding a plan to transfer management of six US ports from a British company to Dubai Ports Worldwide reveals the complexities of US-Arab relations. Dubai belongs to the United Arab Emirates, not known for radical Islamic politics. In fact, the UAE is a key Arab ally of the US, with US Navy ships frequently moving in and out of its ports. The al Dafrah Air Base facilitates US...

An Interview with Thomas L. Friedman

February 23, 2006
New York Times foreign affairs columnist and author Thomas L. Friedman talks about the next edition and updates to his bestselling book, "The World Is Flat," with Nayan Chanda, editor of YaleGlobal Online. A full transcript of their conversation follows.

American Ports in a Storm

Thomas L. Friedman February 23, 2006
New York Times foreign affairs columnist Thomas L. Friedman criticizes politicians in Washington for their opposition to a proposal to turn management of six US ports over to a state-run Dubai company. In an interview with YaleGlobal editor Nayan Chanda, Friedman argues that a far greater danger than any perceived threat to US security is thinking that holds it untenable for the US to cooperate...