In The News

Can of Worms?

Gamal Nkrumah June 25, 2004
Al-Qaeda may have penetrated deep into the Saudi security apparatus, says this article in Egypt's Al-Ahram Weekly. Officials deny that there is a problem and are working hard to contain the terrorists, even killing Al-Qaeda’s reputed leader in Saudi Arabia last Friday. But the rapid replacement of this man by Al-Oufi, a former policeman and war veteran of Afghanistan, suggests both the...

Taiwan Urged to Buy US Weapons

Charles Snyder June 23, 2004
In April 2001, US President George Bush proposed to sell Taiwan a weapons package to help protect itself against possible attacks by China. This week, a Taiwanese delegation made a three-day visit to Washington to discuss the prospects for buying such a weapons package. This article in the Taipei Times reports that the delegation discussed with top defense and State Department officials Taiwan...

UK's Flawed Position on Global Court

Steve Crawshaw June 22, 2004
At the United Nations this week, the US is expected to request an extension of a resolution exempting its military personnel from prosecution at the newly established International Criminal Court. To grant such a request, say human rights advocates Steve Crawshaw and Richard Dicker, would weaken the Court and send a dangerous signal to the world. The Bush Administration's insistence on...

Roh Stands by Deployment of Korean Troops in Iraq

Seo Hyun-jin June 22, 2004
The government will not give in to terrorists demands, says the President of South Korea. Iraqi militants are threatening to kill a South Korean national they captured in Iraq if Seoul insists on sending more troops to the war-torn country, but President Roh Moo-hyun says his country will not waver. Beginning in early August, South Korea will send another 3,000 troops to the country, making it...

China Debates Its “Peaceful Rise” Strategy

Evan S. Medeiros June 22, 2004
Will the 21st century see China become a strong but benevolent superpower? Since late 2003, top-level Chinese officials have used the term 'peaceful rise' to describe an ideal growth plan for Chinese economic, political, and military expansion. Whatever the future evolution of this blueprint for Chinese development, says political scientist Evan S. Medeiros, it is noteworthy that the...

U.S. Is Accused of Trying to Isolate U.N. Agency

Christopher Marquis June 21, 2004
In advance of a July 15 deadline on funding for international health programs, it appears that US President George W. Bush will continue to withhold monies from the United Nations agency responsible for population control issues. The UN Population Fund has been a target of US conservative religious groups for its supposed support of coerced abortions in China. The Bush administration cut...

Unravelling 'Enlightened Moderation'

Masooda Bano June 18, 2004
In a critical rejoinder to an article by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Masooda Bano chastise Musharraf for calling on all Muslims to "bow unquestioningly to US demands." The "apologetic mindset" Musharraf evidences is an insult to Muslims worldwide and overlooks the achievements and strengths of many Muslims. He accepts that Muslim groups are responsible for...