In The News

China Edges Towards a Greener Shade of Red

Jonathan Watts March 7, 2007
China’s rapid economy must slow in order to protect the environment, according to the nation’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in his annual report to parliament. In the speech, which sets policy direction for the upcoming year, environmental protection took priority over many other issues confronting the nation, reports journalist Jonathan Watts for “The Guardian.” China is the world’s most populous...

In US Overtures to Foes, Signs of New Pragmatism

Helene Cooper March 6, 2007
In what some analysts label as a complete turnaround, the Bush administration is engaging in diplomatic activity with Iran, Syria and North Korea. US officials insist the new talks do not mark a change in policy. Presidential administrations are often divided by policymakers who urge a tough, demanding approach and others who favor engagement and pragmatism. The Bush administration is no...

Paulson Says Foreign Treasuries Holdings Not Threat

Christopher Swann March 5, 2007
The US holds more than $4 trillion in debt – almost $15,000 for every man, woman and child – and foreign investors hold more than half the notes. In response to congressional critics who question the strength of the US economy, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson reports seeing no problem with foreign investors lending funds to the US. Even though US Congress controls spending appropriations, some...

US Heading For Financial Trouble?

Steve Kroft March 5, 2007
The US weakens its own security by borrowing vast sums from China and other nations to pay for reckless spending with little accountability. The nation, by not reducing spending or restructuring its health-care system over the next 20 years, will have to prepare for bankruptcy, insists David Walker, the US comptroller general, who has gone on tour to urge voters and politicians to oppose the...

Member of the Axis of Evil No More

Gavan McCormack March 5, 2007
Crisis can and seems to have opened new opportunity in the Korean peninsula. Having gone to the precipice of a nuclear confrontation, the parties in Northeast Asia have woken up to the need for a realistic approach. China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the US and North Korea reached an agreement to dismantle the latter's nuclear-weapon program in exchange for fuel aid, opening the door to...

US Had Doubts on North Korean Uranium Drive

David E. Sanger March 2, 2007
In 2002, US officials used intelligence reports not only to expound the danger of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, but also build a case against North Korea. The US accused Pyongyang of seeking to enrich uranium for use in a nuclear bomb and North Korea expelled weapons inspectors. Nearly five years later, as North Korea once again opens its doors for inspectors, American intelligence...

Taking It to the Brink

Daniel Sneider March 1, 2007
The Six-Party agreement may require North Korea to shut and seal its nuclear facilities, but does not immediately require the nation to hand over nuclear weapons already made. “There is ample evidence that this agreement is yet another demonstration of North Korea's uniquely successful brand of negotiation via escalation,” writes Stanford researcher Daniel Sneider, “a use of brinkmanship...