In The News

When Millennia-Old Mummies Threaten National Identity

James Cuno February 23, 2011
Centuries ago, traders and travelers bearing commodities and ideas forged a series of routes crossing Central Asia, connecting China with Rome. What became known as the Silk Road is the epitome of early and unprecedented globalization. Archaeological excavations in the oasis areas of the Tarim Basin, the far western reaches of modern China, uncovered mummified human remains from 3,500 years ago...

Pakistan and the Bomb

Bruce Riedel February 21, 2011
The international community's questions about Pakistani control over its growing nuclear arsenal rankles the nation. Military leaders maintain control over weapons, while democratically elected civilian leaders have nominal authority, explains Bruce Riedel, senior fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy in the Brookings Institution, and author of a new book, “Deadly Embrace:...

The Long Road to Reunification

Yoav Cerralbo November 17, 2010
A goal for many Koreans since World War II has been reunification of North and South, and hopes are high with dictator Kim Jong Il designating a young successor. One-time bitter foes can unite into one nation, as demonstrated by Germany, though the possibility of Korean reunification depends on neighboring China, which supplies and controls the North, explains Hans-Gert Poettering, chairman of...

Fighting Terrorism in Yemen Requires Patience and Partners

November 10, 2010
Countries with high rates of poverty and lax central governments provide ideal settings for those intent on committing acts of terrorism. The most recent try was printer cartridges, loaded with explosions, in overseas packages addressed to Chicago synagogues, mailed from Sana’a, Yemen's capital. Yemen has severe water shortages, low rates of literacy, high rates of child hunger, with nearly...

Smaller Dragon Takes Global Strides

Jean-Pierre Lehmann July 8, 2010
For two decades, US leaders regarded communist North Vietnam as a threat to freedom and American generals vowed to bomb the regime into submission, before abandoning the fight in 1975. The US pursued an isolation policy, and Vietnam unified, yet wallowed in economic stagnation as it confiscated private property, re-educated opponents and allied with the Soviet Union. As the Soviet Union crumbled...

World Cup: The Symbol of a New Postcolonial World Order

Lyal White June 24, 2010
World order is not static in politics, economics, culture or sport. Lyal White, writing for the Mail & Guardian, analyzes the World Cup match between Portugal and Brazil, pointing out the shift in power between former colonial power and emerging power: “While Brazil is on the rise, Portugal is the latest European basket case teetering on the brink of default…. Today a reversal of colonial...

McChrystal Tests Obama’s Priorities

David Sanger June 23, 2010
Throughout history generals have griped about civilian commanders, as summarized by this New York Times article. But with the internet and instant global communication, such complaints do not remain secret long, exposed to colleagues and enemies alike. Any hint of insubordination or internal divisions adds to war’s complexity, dulling public support in the homeland and afar. Complaints by General...