In The News

Perilous Journeys: The Plight of North Koreans in China and Beyond

October 27, 2006
One reason for the stalemate over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is because neighboring nations fear a rush of desperate refugees from the country of 23 million people. The International Crisis Group reports that a record number of North Koreans headed to South Korea this year to escape the brutal political control and isolation of Kim Jong Il, which has led to famine, censorship and...

Can You Tell a Sunni From a Shiite?

Jeff Stein October 26, 2006
Some of the worst violence in Iraq is a result of sectarian conflict, pitting followers of the Shiite branch of Islam against Sunni adherents. The sectarian violence draws in neighboring states and adds to the challenge of the US military in the region. Unsettling is the lack of US understanding about the difference between Sunnis and Shiites, as described by journalist Jeff Stein. Questions...

China Gets Tough With North Korea

Susan L. Shirk October 26, 2006
Destitute and isolated, North Korea is a desperate state. The nation may have nuclear weapons, but survives only with economic aid from China and South Korea. Despite many provocations, China has been steadfast in refusing to penalize North Korea. But a North Korean nuclear test in early October, despite Chinese warnings against conducting it, proved too much. China surprised the world by siding...

Expatriates Face a Changing Reality in Gulf Countries

N. Janardhan October 25, 2006
About 13 million foreigners make up about 70 percent of the workforce in six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Governments in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar worry about their societies’ over-reliance on foreign help. Increasing unemployment rates and population growth has prompted nationalization and new limits on foreign workers in the...

Beijing Hosts Big Africa Summit as West Watches

Shai Oster October 25, 2006
China has made no secret of its interest in Africa. Now the nation will host a lavish summit for the leaders of 48 African nations. One assistant foreign minister fends off criticism about China’s motives, pointing out that the nation pursues mutual interests with Africa in a transparent and open manner. “China has nothing to hide,” said Zhai Jun. Western oil companies have expressed some...

Kremlin Puts Foreign NGO’s on Notice

C.J. Chivers October 24, 2006
The Russian government stopped operations of foreign non-profit organizations operating in Russia, such as Amnesty International, while reviewing bureaucratic registrations required under a new law. For now, the bureaucratic process, combined with closures and described as temporary, has quieted normally vocal non-government organization spokespeople. The closures, according to the “New York...

Global Outsourcing on Wane

Ashley Seager October 24, 2006
Companies have pushed the pause button outsourcing – despite dire predictions of thousands of jobs moving from developed nations to developing ones. Part of the reason could be politicians taking a protectionist stance in campaigns and pledging to stop outsourcing. The index provided by sourcing consultants TPI, based in the US, analyzes the global outsourcing market and reports that the value...