In The News

Doubts Remain Over Iraq’s Path to Sovereignty

Roula Khalaf May 25, 2004
13 months after the fall of Baghdad, the city’s residents are frustrated about the direction their nation has taken. Doubts about the competence of both occupying forces and Iraqi leadership have surfaced as the June 30 deadline for transfer of power approaches. Reporters from the Financial Times spoke to young Iraqis, for whom “the joy of freedom… has been overshadowed by anxieties over Iraq...

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...

Burma: Feel-Good US Sanctions Wrongheaded

David I. Steinberg May 19, 2004
President Bush's recent decision to extend sanctions against Burma for another year is emotionally satisfying but ineffective as a means of promoting democracy in the military-ruled state, argues David I. Steinberg, Director of Asian Studies at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Although US allies like India or Southeast Asian nations share its concern about the junta...

A Change in the Climate

Vanessa Houlder May 19, 2004
The efficacy of the 1997 Kyoto environmental treaty, designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, hangs on Russia’s actions in the coming months. The protocol requires the participation of 55 percent of industrialized nations, and without Russian support, it lacks a deciding vote. Internal debate in Russia has focused the potential economic impacts on its struggling economy; those in...

Kids Born Abroad to Singapore Women to Inherit Citizenship

Joan Ho May 14, 2004
Up until this month, Singaporean women living overseas could not pass citizenship rights onto their children born out-of-country – only men were given this privilege. Children of expatriate women were forced to apply for citizenship. Yet as more Singaporean men and women leave the country to work and study, the government is amending the constitution to make citizenship rights more gender-...

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,...