In The News

Indian Election: Of Computer Mice and Men

S. Nihal Singh May 17, 2004
India's surprise election results from last week have left everyone struggling to understand how the powerful BJP could lose so decisively in a time of economic prosperity. The answer, suggests S. Nihal Singh, a former editor of the Statesman of Calcutta and the Indian Express, lies in the unequal distribution of India's growth. Though the globalization of India's technological...

Across Spectrum, Politicians Condemn U.S.

William Pratt May 14, 2004
As the sixtieth anniversary of D-Day approaches, German foreign minister Joschka Fischer arrived in Washington with glowing praise for US conduct during World War II. But his account of recent American military actions was strongly critical. As more details of the Iraqi prison abuse scandal emerge, Fischer said the Bush administration must “restore U.S. moral leadership in the world.” Fischer’s...

Putin: Talk Like a Democrat, Walk Like an Autocrat

Strobe Talbott May 12, 2004
Peace and stability in an expanded Europe cannot be separated from the fortunes of its giant neighbor to the east, Russia. President Vladimir Putin, who was recently won a second term in office, talks of being the president of a free people in a free country, but his actions so far have been marked by a strong autocratic streak. A leading Russia specialist and former Deputy Secretary of State,...

The Medium Shapes the Message

Seth Fein May 7, 2004
The fact that US President George W. Bush addressed audiences on Arab television this week made clear to all that Washington sees a need to communicate better with people in the Middle East about its policies and programs. Nonetheless, says Yale historian Seth Fein, past US efforts to promote American foreign policy goals through the media have met only with skepticism and distrust. A news...

Learning From Europe

Nader Fergany April 30, 2004
In a time of tremendous scrutiny upon the Arab world, many interpreted the March collapse of the Arab League summit in Tunisia as a sign of Arab impotence. Nader Fergany, the director of Almishkat Centre for Research, and the lead author of the Arab Human Development Report, argues that rather than being discouraged by the failure of the summit, Arabs should push to reform the Arab League itself...

Canadians Allow Islamic Courts to Decide Disputes

DeNeen L. Brown April 28, 2004
In Ontario, Canada, Muslims can now choose to decide civil disputes under sharia, a form of Islamic law. Practitioners may agree to arbitration in tribunals separate from the Canadian judicial system, run by imams and Muslim elders. The power of these courts would be limited, and the Canadian government reserves the right to overturn decisions. The idea for establishing sharia in Canada came from...

Native Son: Samuel Huntington Defends the Homeland

Alan Wolfe April 21, 2004
According to reviewer Alan Wolfe, Samuel Huntington’s distinguishing characteristic in previous books has been detached pragmatism. However, in Huntington's latest book, Who Are We? The Challenges to America’s National Identity, he delves into the issue of immigration to America with unprecedented ardor and nostalgic sentiment. It is this “moralistic passion” that clouds his powers of...