In The News

Blood Feud in Bangladesh

November 2, 2006
Violence has rocked Bangladesh as supporters of the country’s two major political parties clash over the upcoming transition period before national elections in January. The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has interfered in elections and been negligent about corruption and extremism. The main opposition Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina Wajed, is equally...

Islam, Terror and the Second Nuclear Age

Noah Feldman November 1, 2006
Iran’s defiance over international demands that it stop nuclear research could galvanize Shiites to demand more power throughout Asia, leading to nuclear proliferation on the continent. With violence escalating between Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq, author Noah Feldman ponders how the competing sects might handle a nuclear weapon in their midst. Nuclear weapons have less meaning as deterrents in...

North Korea Agrees to Return to Nuclear Talks

Howard Schneider November 1, 2006
After a lengthy meeting in Beijing with Chinese and US officials, North Korea agreed to return to Six-Party Talks. The announcement could ease tensions in the Asia Pacific region after North Korea tested a nuclear device in early October. North Korea has sent mixed messages to the international community during the past year: During the last round of talks in 2005, North Korea had assured the...

Un-free Kashmir

Graham Usher November 1, 2006
For decades, Kashmir has been the target of competing Indian and Pakistani claims. Many Kashmiris, however, prefer full independence from both occupying powers. Ironically, these Kashmiri nationalists have seen their fortunes buoyed since the earthquake that devastated their homeland last year. The Pakistani army, which has long repressed Kashmiri calls for independence, was forced to loosen...

America's Double Standard Fuels Crises

Ramzy Baroud October 31, 2006
North Korea’s nuclear arsenal must be dismantled, but the US must consider the stability of the North Korean Peninsula over its own political goals in any decision about how to proceed. US eagerness for regime change in Iraq led the US to its current quagmire of sectarian conflict and surmounting deficits. In 2005, just after North Korea agreed to end its nuclear program in a joint statement by...

The Withdrawal Syndrome – Part I

Richard N. Haass October 31, 2006
Three years into the endless violence and destruction of the Iraq war, sentiment in both Iraq and the US calls for American withdrawal. This two-part series reviews how the US government is dealing with that sentiment and analyzes the implications of US withdrawal for both nations. The first article – written by Richard Haass, president of the Council of Foreign Relations and former director of...

Bush Signs Fence Bill, Pushes Back

Nicole Gaouette October 27, 2006
President George Bush signed a bill that authorizes 700 miles of fence but does not cover costs. Critics on all sides questioned whether the bill may have been designed to shore up support for candidates favored by the president in the upcoming November 7 US congressional elections. Both Mexico’s president and president-elect lashed out against the plan, calling it an “embarrassment” for the US...