In The News

Time for a New Approach to Pyongyang?

Richard Halloran July 24, 2006
Ever since North Korea’s missile launch, the world has focused on diplomacy, sanctions and even hints of military action – all deemed ineffective or impractical. The Triple-I Strategy – ignore, isolate and implode – could be a worthy replacement. Led by the US, this action entails ending all official communications with North Korea, imposing substantial economic sanctions, and imposing military...

Russia Looks Both East and West

Andrew Symon July 20, 2006
As the Group of Eight industrial countries meets in St. Petersburg, Russian oil supply to Europe and western countries was a prominent topic of conversation. Russia supplies 25 percent of the EU’s oil. Russia also looks east to China and South Korea to expand its markets for oil and natural gas. Several projects under negotiation between Moscow and Asian governments would increase the Russian...

A Driven President Faces a World of Crises

Michael Abramowitz July 20, 2006
From North Korea to Iran, Somalia to Afghanistan and places in between, the US government faces a barrage of conflicts that could hinder the Bush administration’s stated foreign policy goal of democracy building. Committing so many resources in Iraq has limited US flexibility in responding to other crises, and some observers from both political parties in the US express pessimism about the...

Options for US Limited as Mideast Crises Spread

Robin Wright July 18, 2006
Three crises have been building in the Middle East, and Iran is behind each, according to author Robin Wright. The Islamic Republic has supported Hamas and Hezbollah, and both are currently escalating violence with Israel. Iran also lends support to the Shiite militias that move Iraq toward all-out civil war. Iran has also refused to respond to a package of incentives offered by the US and allies...

North Korea’s Missiles Backfire

Shim Jae Hoon July 18, 2006
North Korea’s missile launches in early July, despite repeated pleas by all, enraged an international community worried about a growing threat to global security. The launches even provoked North Korea’s longtime allies, China and Russia, prompting both parties to sign on to the UN resolution calling for sanctions. South Korea, which favored negotiations and reconciliation with the North, now...

North Korea Crisis Tests China’s New Global Role

Gordon Fairclough July 17, 2006
North Korea’s missile tests present a diplomatic challenge to many countries, but China is a special case. As North Korea’s largest trading partner, China may have economic leverage that could steer Pyongyang back to Six Party talks over its nuclear weapons program. Yet China’s reluctance to take action that could be viewed as punitive could stem from deep-rooted ties between the two countries...

How Much Will India Endure?

Xenia Dormandy July 13, 2006
The rush-hour train bombing in Mumbai creates yet another impediment to peace between India and Pakistan. Political analyst Xenia Dormandy cites the dire need for Indian and Pakistani leadership to seek a peaceful resolution and to resist impulsive reactions when rogue groups cause havoc in one country or the other. While the “composite dialogues” launched between the countries three years ago...