In The News

As Baghdad Awaits Aid, Feeling Grows Against U.S.

Jane Perlez April 23, 2003
While the US shifts from war to reconstruction in Iraq, many worries surface. Maintaining stability between the competing Islamic sects of Shia and Sunni is one problem, especially as Iran sends agents to promote its cause amongst Iraqi Shias. Settling the issue of UN involvement and sanctions is another since Russia has asserted that sanctions only be lifted once UN inspectors have confirmed the...

'Worse than 1967'

Amira Howeidy April 23, 2003
Twenty-nine Egyptian intellectuals have protested Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s statement that Saddam Hussein was the cause of the American invasion of Iraq. Instead, this disparate group of thinkers have offered other reasons for the war—the inherent weakness of authoritarian governments, the need for political liberalization in some Arab states, or even the ‘fall’ of Arab power after the...

Sars Sackings

Ching Cheong April 22, 2003
According to this article in Singapore's Straits Times, China's mishandling of the Sars epidemic is in part due to the communist country's heavy-handed control of its media and its proclivity for " putting its image above all else, including the lives of its people." Citing political corruption and ambition as the hallmark of China's communist party, the author...

Garner’s Challenge

April 22, 2003
Iraq’s post-war administration, led by former American General Jay Garner, faces difficult domestic and international political challenges as Iraq begins to rebuild. In addition to handling immediate problems such as providing basic services and keeping order, the administration must address potential religious conflict between Sunni Muslims and the Shia majority, as well as international...

Junior Coalition Partners Seek Pay-Back

Richard McGregor April 21, 2003
Australia and Poland put troops on the ground in the war in Iraq and now await compensation for their efforts. Although Australia must play down its participation for fear of offending Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, benefits are already being recognized: a free-trade deal with the US is on the table, and one of its agriculture officials is already a member of the post-war...

The Perils of Empire

Paul Kennedy April 20, 2003
Historian Paul Kennedy argues that the perception of the United States as the world leader is borne out by its current economic, military and political strength and influence. At this historical juncture, the United States can use its military success in Iraq to push for democratic reforms in Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. The United States also aspires to positively affect the conflict between...

Democracy Group Looks to Aid Iraq

April 17, 2003
Can Taiwan teach Iraq lessons in democracy? Taiwanese officials think post-Saddam Iraq can learn much from its “young democracy”, since Iraq has before it a road Taiwan has already taken – from authoritarianism to modern democracy. So while many countries are still bidding for economic contracts, Taiwan is one among the few to actively concern itself with the country's transformation to...