In The News

Back to the Soeharto Years?

May 31, 2004
The Indonesian government has recently taken a hard-line stance in dealing with foreign non-governmental organizations in the country, shutting down one and “closely monitoring” the actions of 19 others. The rationale for the shutdown is based on claims by Indonesia's National Intelligence Agency that the NGOs, through reports on political freedoms, human rights and other issues, aim to...

The Dark Side of Globalization

Richard Gunde May 26, 2004
Along with increased cross-border trade and transnational migration, globalization has also contributed to the internationalization of social woes such as forced prostitution. In this article, UCLA professor Richard Gunde reviews key sessions from a recent forum on transborder crime in Southeastern Europe. Sociology professor Gail Kligman attributes the region’s high incidence of sex...

Human Rights Climate 'Worst in 50 Years'

Simon Jeffery May 26, 2004
Amnesty International has pronounced 2003 as the worst year for humanitarian law and human rights in 50 years. AI noted that the war in Iraq and actions across the globe stemming from the American anti-terror policy have led to unrest worldwide, especially in the Middle East. Long-standing international conflicts, as in Chechnya, Northern Ireland, or the Sudan, figured into the picture, but the...

Arab Presence at G-8 Summit

Mohammed A. R. Galadari May 25, 2004
This year’s G8 summit, held in The United States, may be punctuated, for the first time, by the conspicuous presence of leaders of Arab states. This is a departure from the last meeting of world powers, held in France in 2003, which featured discussions that did not directly involve the Middle East and included little input from the Arab community – only Egyptian and Saudi Arabian delegations...

CANF: Cuba's Liberty Lies with Activists

Luisa Yanez May 21, 2004
As Cuba marked its 102nd anniversary as an independent country, Cuban Americans demanded greater freedom in the island-nation. Jorge Mas Santos, chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF), urged Cuban Americans to vote in November for the presidential candidate that they believe is most committed to ending Fidel Castro's regime, but said that internal dissent, not external...

Paving the Way for a Sustainable Taiwan

Chen Shui-Bian May 20, 2004
Newly-reelected Taiwanese President Chen Shui-Bian delivered an inaugural address this week titled, "Paving the Way for a Sustainable Taiwan." In the speech, Chen assessed the progress of Taiwan's democratization. He said, "Democratic advancement occurs only through constant and gradual endeavor, one step at a time." Chen described Taiwan's new electoral processes,...

Japan Seeks Greater Global Role

Richard Halloran May 20, 2004
After decades of quiet growth and official pacifism, Japan is seeking an increased role in diplomatic and military actions globally. The country is now debating redrafting its constitution to amend an article that forbids the use of military force in international disputes. This attempt at reversal or modification of Japan's official pacifism is largely in reaction to the menace presented by...