In The News

France Hopes to Block the Wave of Globalization

A. Sheshabalaya September 20, 2004
Job outsourcing has figured prominently in worldwide economic discussions, and the French government has taken a decisive, though controversial, step to address the phenomenon. In an effort to protect domestic employment, Prime Minister Raffarin announced a large subsidy for companies refraining from relocation. Honorable intentions aside, writes global Ashutosh Sheshabalaya, France may be...

Muslim World's Brush with Democracy Turns into an Embrace

Jonathan Power September 20, 2004
Contrary to popular Western belief, free elections in largely Muslim states would not lead to domination by violent terrorist regimes, argues columnist Jonathan Power in this Khaleej Times article. Indonesia and Turkey are shining examples of Muslim nations that have used the democratic system to oust militants and put stable moderates in office. With an increasingly freer media, the governments...

Nagging Doubts About the Benefits of Globalization, and a Look at the Evidence

September 20, 2004
The phenomenon of "outsourcing" still fans the flames of much heated debate in both Europe and North America. At once praised and vilified, it has crept into all levels of discourse and political rhetoric. Some economists, led by Nobel laureate Paul Samuelson, have argued that by facilitating business and technological growth abroad, outsourcing companies may be sowing the seeds of...

The Road to Madness

Ibrahim Nafie September 17, 2004
After the fall of communism, did Western politicians and intellectuals chose to paint Islam as the next great threat to civilization? So claims Ibrahim Nafie, chairman of Egypt's Al-Ahram Weekly newspaper, in a new book. Nafie argues that US policymakers, fueled by racist hysteria and a desire for strategic control of Middle Eastern resources, have attempted to "reconfigure economic,...

The End of Unipolarity

Gautam Adhikari September 17, 2004
The end of the Cold War ushered in the beginning of a new era – one in which the economic, military, and political superiority of the United States seemed an undisputed fact. Gautam Adhikari reexamines the vocabulary of unquestioned – and often unquestionable – US authority. While the country's influence is undeniable, claims Adhikari, words such as "hyperpower" overstate its...

Bill Easing Travel Ban to Cuba Withdrawn

Pablo Bachelet September 16, 2004
Electoral politics continue to affect US policy toward Cuba. The focus of these policy debates are US restrictions on travel to the island nation. Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, citing election-year politics as a major obstacle, withdrew his initiative to ease such restrictions. "Unfortunately, the timing of this legislation this year does not lend itself to a reasoned and thoughtful...

Countering Terror with an Amnesty: Why It Makes Sense

Bouchaib Silm September 15, 2004
In a move that contrasts sharply with the US approach to combating terrorism, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah granted amnesty to several Al-Qaeda members. Providing a historical and psychological analysis of amnesty in Islamic religion and society, this Straits Times article explains why amnesty might ultimately defuse the cycle of violence from Islamic militants worldwide. Consistent with...