In The News

Rumblings in Iran

William Safire June 19, 2003
In recent weeks, Iran has seen a wave of student-led protests against the country’s theocratic leadership. The uprising has similarities to protests of several decades ago that led to the fall of Iran’s Shah, and it is this historical precedent, argues New York Times columnist William Safire, that should lead the rest of the world to take today’s demonstrations seriously. For the US to engage or...

Women’s Fate

Rasha Saad June 19, 2003
After decades of dictatorship, sanctions, and war, Iraqis are infused with a feeling of hopelessness. The current chaos after the US-led war against Saddam Hussein’s regime has only exacerbated the sense of despair. With the country’s infrastructure in shambles and uncertainty about Iraq’s political destiny, the sole goal of many young people is to leave the country. However, seeing the chaos...

Report by the E.P.A. Leaves Out Data on Climate Change

Andrew C. Revkin June 19, 2003
Global warming has long been a hot political topic. In the US, the interests of environmentalists and big industry converge around this nexus, pitting the two against each other for political support and public attention – or the lack thereof. In the final draft of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s report on the state of the environment, the section on global warming has been...

The China Syndrome

John Elliott June 19, 2003
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s trip to China is hailed for moving the two countries’ frosty relations forward. However, as this article by a New Delhi-based writer shows, growing trade ties with China and economic globalization are still subject to historical suspicion and national security concerns. If it were not for old security concerns, trade relations between India and China...

China Remains Wary of the US-Led World Order

Robert Sutter June 18, 2003
As it rises in economic strength, China is currently cooperating with the US-dominated global power structure. But this cooperation may not last, argues China scholar Robert Sutter. US attempts to contain China through international organizations and a regional military presence have frustrated China's leaders, who dream of a grander Chinese presence in Asia and the world. Beijing has also...

WHO Lifts Travel Warning on Taiwan

Melody Chen June 18, 2003
The SARS epidemic finally seems to be waning. The World Health Organization (WHO) lifted its travel advisory to Taiwan on Tuesday, with Beijing the only place remaining on the list of areas with the health agency's warning. WHO officials said that Taiwan had met the agency's criteria for the lifting and that it was now a safe place for travelers. Because of SARS, Taiwan received more...

Demos, GOP Joust to Frame a New Policy on Immigration

Gary Martin June 17, 2003
In 2001, illegal immigration came to national attention in the US as the Bush administration began reviewing a proposal for immigration reform that would have permitted illegal workers to remain employed in the US. After Sept. 11, however, Washington's attention turned to security issues, and the proposal was dropped. Now, with the promise of a significant Hispanic electorate in the 2004 US...