In The News

Moscow’s Mysterious Move on Cyprus

Owen Matthews March 28, 2013
Russian deposits may account for about one third of Cypriot bank accounts worth more than €100,000, which could be frozen and taxed by up to 25 percent as part of a EU bailout deal. Russian President Vladmir Putin has denounced such methods for rescuing the Cypriot economy and “many non-Russian commentators agree with Putin that raiding private savings risks undermining confidence in Europe’s...

“China Dream” – Unshaken Party Rule

Börje Ljunggren March 20, 2013
China’s new president is entering office with more charisma and more authority than has been credited to previous leaders. Xi Jinping is ambitious for big reforms, but must deal with corruption, environmental devastation and an unwieldy bureaucracy that’s mostly lacking vision and set on maintaining the status quo. Xi wants to continue economic reforms that would make China a respected,...

Growing Divide in Saudi Arabia Between Rulers, Ruled

Karen Elliott House March 15, 2013
Saudi Arabia has a diverse arsenal for squashing dissent against the repressive regime, ranging from bribes and government jobs to harassment and long jail sentences. Two moderate activists received 10-year prison sentences for supporting a constitutional monarchy and human rights, reports author Karen Elliott House in an opinion essay for the Washington Post. The Arab Spring has spurred activism...

US Must Adopt Law of the Sea

Ziad Haider March 13, 2013
At a time when North Korea’s nuclear brinkmanship requires a common front, growing maritime disputes over small islands in the South China Sea and East China Sea are pitting major countries against one another. Key players, including China, Japan and South Korea, are at odds and increasingly relying on military bluster. Attorney Ziad Haider urges the United States to lead in easing the tensions...

The Kafkaesque Reality of Pakistan's Blasphemy Laws

Samira Shackle March 13, 2013
Blasphemy is a serious crime in Pakistan, but the law sets out no guidance, standards on evidence or safeguards against false accusations. As such, the law is subject to great abuse. Witnesses, police and court officials avoid repeating alleged comments, out of fear of attracting new charges. “The blasphemy law has created and facilitated a culture of vigilantism,” writes Samira Shackle in the...

Wildlife at the Mercy of International Trade Politics

March 5, 2013
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulates trade on endangered wildlife – so far 5000 animals and 29,000 plants. The parties meet about every three years, and at this year’s meeting in Bangkok, the US will propose a ban on trade in polar bears and their parts – a proposal opposed by ally Canada and supported by Russia. The US will also present a joint proposal with...

Citizenship of Convenience

Tyler Grant March 5, 2013
Lifting restrictions on travel visas is supposed to spur tourism. Yet a few citizens do quick cost-benefit checks of other nations’ laws, then hop on planes, relocating for benefits: With the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution providing citizenship to those born in the United States, thousands of pregnant women travel to give birth, thus ensuring those children access to US public education....