In The News

Cartoon Jihad

Sadanand Dhume February 7, 2006
The forces of globalization are responsible not only for spread of capitalism, but the growing influence of radical Islam. Enraged Muslim protesters rely on the tools produced by modern capitalism: mobile text messaging, the internet, satellite television, and desktop publishing. Such technology is contributing to a united community of believers, or “ummah,” a long-held Islamic goal. Analyzing...

Iran the Great Unifier? The Arab World Is Wary

Michael Slackman February 7, 2006
With a confrontational foreign policy, the world’s only Shiite Islamic government is striving to fill a power void in the Middle East resulting from the fall of Arab nationalism and the absence of any dominant nation. Yet other leaders in the region are wary. Drawing popular support for its hardline stance towards the US and Israel, Iran maintains connections to militant groups such as Hezbollah...

The Future of US-China Relations

Aaron L. Friedberg February 7, 2006
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, the US government turned to China, not with a particular strategic agenda, but with the hope that the nation, like other great powers would be “united by common dangers” and “common values.” A few years later, though, uneasy feelings emerged about China’s status as ally, with US officials raising concern about the nation’s increasing...

China and the Iranian Nuclear Crisis

Jing dong-Yuan February 6, 2006
China has joined the US, Britain, France, Germany and the EU in deciding the time has come to report Iran’s pursuit of nuclear power to the UN Security Council. Despite joining the unified front, China has expressed less anxiety over Iran’s actions and continues to press, along with Russia, for a diplomatic solution to the standoff. China depends on Iranian oil and political ties, and hesitates...

In Kuwait, Succession and a Parliamentary Revolution

Mai Yamani February 3, 2006
The victory of Hamas in Palestine showed the world how the democratic process can produce unexpected results. Less publicized, however, is the recent assertion of democratic power in Kuwait. The nation, which has 10 percent of the world’s oil reserves, has been ruled by two rival branches of the Sabah family for the past two centuries. Traditionally the family resolves issues of succession...

Taliban Turn to Suicide Attacks

Scott Baldauf February 3, 2006
In a worrisome shift away from traditional guerilla tactics, Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan are beginning to deploy suicide bombers against foreigners as well as Afghan government and civilian targets. This change in tactics has increased pressure on Kabul to institute more checkpoints and increase general vigilance. The Christian Science Monitor’s Scott Baldauf spoke with a Taliban insurgent...

Alienated Danish Muslims Sought Help from Arabs

Spiegel Staff February 3, 2006
The world was surprised by the sudden fury in the Islamic world let loose following the publication of a series of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in Danish and later other European newspapers. Until now little was known, however, of the efforts made by Denmark’s Muslim community to raise awareness about the discrimination they faced. Feeling ignored after protesting the initial appearance of...