In The News

The Fighters and the Freeloaders

Sebastian Mallaby July 17, 2006
Hezbollah’s attacks have focused on Israel, but growing extremism combined with North Korea’s missile tests and Iran’s nuclear-weapon program threaten many countries. Israel’s bombing campaign in response to Hezbollah could foreshadow a major war. Unfortunately, nations lack diplomatic options to negotiate with extremists who thrive in failed states. To avoid major conflicts, powerful nations...

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...

The New Face of Globalization...

Evgeny Morozov July 16, 2006
The hemming and hawing of the management of the European steel company Arcelor could be seen as either an astute strategy for forcing Lakshmi Mittal to increase his bid for the company or as an attempt by the anachronistic “Old Guard” of Europe to maintain nationalism in trade. Either way, writes author Evgeny Morozov, the takeover shows that globalization has taken hold in Europe: “The Mittal...

Africa Beyond Aid and Bono

Ferial Haffajee July 15, 2006
Africa is vast and diverse, making it meaningless to talk about an “African dilemma” or an “African solution.” The continent has had both successes and failures of governance and reform during the past year, and Mail & Guardian Editor Ferial Haffajee notes that humanitarian aid will be necessary for the foreseeable future in areas of crisis. However, African countries cannot develop stable...

British News Sites Seek Out Readers in the US

Eric Pfanner July 15, 2006
Americans are flocking online to read feisty articles of the British press. Online sites of the Times of London, the Guardian and the Sunday Times all have substantial circulations in the US. ''They got all these readers without even trying,'' said journalism professor Jeff Jarvis, as reported by Eric Pfanner in the New York Times. Sophisticated search engines assist readers...

Nasrallah Has Dismissed International Law

Chibli Mallat July 14, 2006
By conducting operations over the Lebanese-Israeli border, Hezbollah has violated international law, transforming domestic division into international conflict. To prevent violence in the Middle East from escalating to another level, strong and steady leadership is needed from several parties: The Lebanese government must insist on going through the channels of the United Nations to bring about...

States and Towns Attempt to Draw the Line on Illegal Immigration

Miriam Jordan July 14, 2006
Angered at the federal government’s failure to pass a bill addressing illegal immigration, many states and towns throughout the US have taken matters into their own hands. Recognizing a galvanizing issue, legislatures and communities propose crackdowns on illegal immigrants. Those favoring more stringent policies argue that illegal immigrants pose a burden on social services and taxpayers....