In The News

2003: France to Ban Pupils' Religious Dress

Jon Henley December 12, 2003
Muslim girls are the center of a debate that has been raging for 14 years in France; since 1989 (when "l'Affair de Foulard" occurred), the French government has tried to find a way to reconcile the Muslim headscarf with their conception of secularism, particularly within schools. Now, the Stasi Commission, after six months of deliberation and hearings, has ruled that all "...

Anti-Americanism: Causes and Characteristics

Andrew Kohut December 10, 2003
A series of public opinion surveys conducted by the Pew Global Attitudes Project in various countries has found unprecedented levels of anti-American sentiment around the world. Majorities express unfavorable opinions of the US, not only in Western Europe and the Muslim world but also in countries like Brazil and Russia. Even in Britain, the United States' most trusted European ally, 55...

Japan's Mating Culture Extends Baby Drought

David Turner December 9, 2003
The world population will rise to slightly over 9 billion people within the next century. Yet Japan and many European countries face possibly catastrophic population declines. Strikingly low birthrates don’t only threaten economic growth and domestic familial dynamics, but could provoke "shifts in the political weights of countries in the international arena." Concern is so great...

500 to 700 Ground Troops to Be Sent to Iraq

Reiji Yoshida December 9, 2003
In the "most heavily armed overseas mission ever" for Japan's Self Defense Forces (SDF), between 500 and 700 soldiers will be sent to Iraq to support the reconstruction. Japan has recently sustained strong criticism from its allies over its refusal to send troops to Iraq. On the other hand, Japanese law prohibits the SDF from engaging in any activity that is not explicitly for...

Asean: Japan Refreshes Ties

December 8, 2003
Japan still plays a very important role in Southeast Asia, despite China's recent overtures to the region, says this editorial in Singapore's Straits Times. As the region's largest foreign aid donor, biggest investor, and largest trading partner, Japan's influence cannot be underestimated. Yet the upcoming ASEAN-Japan summit is important for Japan to ensure its continued...

Moving Targets

Seymour M. Hersh December 8, 2003
American military officials have recently been struggling to find an effective strategy to counter the Iraqi resistance movement. One solution that has been proposed, and is being strongly supported by US Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, is to increase the number of Special Forces units who can operate covertly and in small numbers. The deployment of Special Forces does not need to be approved by...

Where Taiwan Support Stops

Michael D. Swaine December 7, 2003
The potential for conflict between China and Taiwan seems to have increased recently with Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian announcement that he wants to hold a referendum on Taiwan's independence next March. Although the island-state – a thriving democracy for over a decade – already enjoys de facto independence from mainland China, Beijing still views it as an integral part of...