In The News

Eric Schmitt July 5, 2003
The United States influence and presence in Africa is set to increase with the signing of a series of bilateral agreements between the United States and several African countries. The US is already planning to provide troops to join an international peacekeeping force in Liberia. The US is also seeking to establish Army bases in Mali and Algeria, and sign aircraft refueling agreements with...
Marian Wilkinson July 5, 2003
At an upcoming of 11 nations officials in Brisbane will consider practical ways of intercepting weapons of mass destruction before they change hands. The US and Australian will specifically discuss a proposal to track and force down aircrafts believed to be carrying prohibited weapons from North Korea, Iran, Syria and Libya. The operation is designed to disrupt the international flow of weapons...
Shada Islam July 4, 2003
For the European Union - a body recently divided over the pre-emptive use of military force in Iraq - adoption of a muscular foreign policy doctrine marks a new departure. The strategy represents a more self-confident Europe, determined to match the United States, if not yet in military force, then at least in global influence. The EU doctrine echoes some of Washington's concerns by...
Rupert Cornwell July 4, 2003
In a twist of international affairs, the United States is being pressured to send troops to a foreign nation. This time, however, the regime in need of change is in Africa. After several years of strife, Liberia's president, Charles Taylor, has been charged with war crimes and supporting rebel insurgencies in neighboring Sierra Leone. In the capital, Monrovia, local people are reported to...
Felicity Barringer July 3, 2003
The United States, backed by Great Britain and France, has continually asked the Security Council to issue a statement condemning North Korea’s violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, the issuing of the statement has been held up by the lack of consensus among the permanent members of the Security Council . China and Russia remain reluctant, believing that doing so, will...
Salim Bokhari July 3, 2003
For Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, the last leg of his four-nation trip to North America and Europe was one of the most important. After the US, France is the one country with which Islamabad has strong defence cooperation. Although his visits were primarily meant to build ties and goodwill with allies, Musharraf also used the opportunity to reiterate that Pakistan's recognition of...
Yang Sung-jin July 3, 2003
In South Korea, foreign investment firms are putting pressure on the government to allow greater foreign ownership of telecommunication companies. South Korea is one of the leading East Asian countries in deregulation, allowing foreign investment and market forces to have a considerable degree of influence. While the telecommunications sector is currently in much need of capital, some of the...