In The News

A New Asian Invasion

Dan Roberts June 23, 2005
Two high-profile deals have brought Chinese companies into the spotlight: The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) bid on the Unocal oil group, while appliance manufacturer Haier set its sights on Maytag. Several Chinese companies are actively pursuing US industrial assets, stirring debates within Washington regarding trade policy and job displacement. The Unocal bid has also...

It's Time for Pakistan to Play a Larger Regional Role

Aparna Shivpuri Singh June 23, 2005
With the completion of diplomatic visits to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei, Pakistan now participates in the growing trend of bilateral alliances in Asia. As Pakistan's economy opens to foreign investment, the government is courting Southeast Asian nations and promoting a bid to become a full member of ASEAN. Success thus far is partly due to its cooperation with Asian countries...

A Muslim Woman, a Story of Sex

Alan Riding June 22, 2005
The Almond, the first novel of North African writer Nedjma, has attracted media and critical attention ever since its publication in France last year. The novel is a study of sex – a topic very much off-limits to authors in traditional Arab societies, let alone the women who live within the conservative-leaning social structures. Nedjma, herself a female and a product of Muslim society, has...

A Moment to Seize with North Korea

Donald Gregg June 22, 2005
Last Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il issued a statement indicating his willingness to return to six-nation talks and reverse his nuclear program. In this commentary for The Washington Post, Donald Gregg and Don Oberdorfer analyze the import of Kim's message. According to the authors, Kim's statements present "a golden opportunity to take the US offers to the one and only...

Europe in Disarray – Part I

Jean-Pierre Lehmann June 21, 2005
The French and Dutch rejection of the European Union constitution and last week’s collapse of the EU budget talks have exposed the deep division hidden so long behind rhetoric. Among other things, the European disarray highlights Europe’s problem with economic restructuring that globalization calls for. In a two-part series, YaleGlobal examines the reasons for the EU’s current troubles and its...

Mixing Oil, Gas, and Politics

June 21, 2005
The Russian government has become a majority shareholder in Gazprom, one of the country's largest oil producers. The buyout is aimed at opening the company up to foreign investment and bolstering the Russian stock market. The move was also likely designed to put the government in a more favorable position to purchase large blocks of other oil companies, with the goal of creating an enormous...

Whither Africa Avenue?

V. Sudarshan June 20, 2005
As a result of maneuvering by the so-called G4 (Japan, Germany, Brazil and India) to gain permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a meeting of African Union members in early July will play a large role in determining which of the four will be successful. The meeting, which will take place in Sirte, Libya, will decide on two African countries which will put forward their own...