In The News

A Retreat from Great Europe? – Part II

John Brenkman June 2, 2005
The highly anticipated French referendum on the EU constitution arrived this weekend: The vote was a resounding "Non." And with the Netherlands casting an even more strident "Nee" vote, observers, both European and worldwide, now wonder what lies ahead for the European Union. YaleGlobal examines the fallout of the referendum in a two-part series. In part two, John Brenkman...

Euro Stabilizes After Dutch No Vote

Steve Johnson June 2, 2005
When the French, and now the Dutch, voted against the new EU constitution, the fate of the euro appeared precarious. Speculation ensued as to the long-term viability of the euro. "Without political integration, the eurozone is a roofless house that becomes increasingly uncomfortable. Many inhabitants will want to leave the house sooner or later," said economist Paul De Grauwe. The...

Just Say No to Progressive Values

Ian Williams June 1, 2005
For reasons that many observers feel are inscrutable, France voted "no" this weekend to the new EU constitution. The constitution, which guarantees health care, social services, and workers' rights to European citizens found united opposition from both France's ultra-conservative element and, more surprisingly, its left. At a glance, it seems that workers in France voted...

"In Larger Freedom": Decision Time at the UN

Kofi Annan May 31, 2005
The wide range of threats afflicting different regions today complicates international collaboration. In an interconnected world, however, these threats are often more closely related than we realize. Extreme poverty and civil conflict in one country, for example, encourage terrorist groups to strike in another; the outbreak of disease in a region with poor health care may spread to wealthier...

Mood of Mistrust Shocks French Ruling Class

Jon Henley May 31, 2005
In the wake of France's rejection of the proposed EU constitution, President Jacques Chirac is expected to select a replacement for Jean Pierre Raffarin, "the most unpopular prime minister in the history of the Fifth Republic," according to The Guardian. But this turnover is just one of the political implications of the referendum, which this commentary characterizes as disastrous...

A Retreat from Great Europe? – Part I

Shada Islam May 31, 2005
The highly anticipated French referendum on the EU constitution arrived this weekend: The vote was a resounding "Non." Voters signaled their distaste for the proposed constitution, as well as their opposition to the economic consequences of integrating new members. And as the Netherlands prepares for a similar vote, observers, both European and worldwide, now wonder what lies ahead...

A Revolution in American Nuclear Policy

Jonathan Schell May 27, 2005
In this editorial, Jonathan Schell calls attention to "a revolution in US nuclear policy" – a revolution that was virtually ignored by the media. For the first time, the US president has the capability to launch a pinpoint nuclear strike anywhere in the world within a few hours. Why has President Bush sought a nuclear program that is sure to encourage proliferation elsewhere? In...