In The News

French Islam Wins Officially Recognized Voice

Elaine Sciolino April 14, 2003
As part of a national project to create what Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has called "an official Islam of France," delegates from mosques throughout the country voted for members of a new council that would officially represent France’s five million Muslims. Mr. Sarkozy said that organizing France's Muslims is the way to fight "the Islam of cellars and garages that has...

Iraq Descends into Violence and Chaos

The Financial Times reporters April 10, 2003
"A dangerous power vacuum opened in Iraq on Thursday as the triumphant overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime was quickly followed by violent chaos across much of the country".

Virus sows seeds of regional mistrust- Thai Prime Minister

April 9, 2003
According to Thailand’s Prime Minister, the spread of SARS is undermining regional cooperation in South East Asia due to the mistrust between different nations in the region. SARS has adversely affected the tourism industry in Thailand. Taiwan has protested its inclusion, by Japan, Thailand and China, as a SARS affected State. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has criticized China for...

Moscow Seeks to Take Advantage of Iraq Conflict to Reassert its Leadership in CIS

Igor Torbakov April 9, 2003
Some political analysts believe that the war in Iraq presents Russia with a "golden opportunity" to integrate the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Chinese Tourists Touch Down in Germany

Hugh Williamson April 6, 2003
Until recently, the Chinese middle class was able to visit only a few countries due to strict travel regulations by the Chinese State. A recent bilateral agreement between China and Germany that gave Germany the "approved destination status" has implications for tourism industries in both countries. This is the first such agreement between China and a European Union State. The...

Street Gaps

Amira Howeidy April 4, 2003
As the war in Iraq proceeds, demonstrators, political dissenters, and even frozen political parties wage their own war of dissidence within Egypt. Among their grievances are the US invasion of Iraq, Israeli aggression towards the Palestinians, and, according to some analysts, government corruption. Yet also within this battle both sides struggle over the right to demonstrate. The Egyptian...

Iraq, Testing Ground for US Hi-tech Weapons

March 29, 2003
Some analysts believe that the United States is using Iraq to test newly developed hi-tech weapons – some of which have never been tested in a real battle in the country.