In The News

Globalization's Challenge to Islam

Riaz Hassan April 17, 2003
The telephone, satellite television and the Internet have connected the Islamic community of 1.2 billion people across the globe. This connectivity has strengthened Muslims' sense of belonging to one community, which Islamic scholars call ummah. But it has also brought the realization that Islam, as practiced around the globe, is heterogenous. A group of Muslims in oil-rich Saudi Arabia have...

Annan Implores Europeans to Forge Pact on Rebuilding Iraq

Frank Bruni April 17, 2003
The months before the US-led war in Iraq showed deep fractures in the EU, and according to this report on the first EU meeting since the war began, the divisions still linger. Aside from welcoming new and prospective EU members, two statements were passed at this meeting. The statement on Iraq, although “vague” and “brief,” held coalition forces responsible for restoring security in Iraq first...

Paris Takes Pragmatic Line as Poll Shows Isolation Fear

Paul Webster April 16, 2003
France: some say isolated diplomatically, but determined to press on for Iraq reconstruction.

North Koreans and U.S. Plan Talks in Beijing Next Week

David E. Sanger April 16, 2003
The US will begin negotiations with North Korea in Beijing – the first talk between the two governments since North Korea threw out nuclear weapons inspectors. The US had contended that it would not talk to North Korea until it gave up its nuclear arms program. Furthermore, it feared that one-on-one talks with North Korea would drive a wedge between the US and its allies. North Korea, wishing to...

Syria Harbors Iraqis and Grants Transit to Hezbollah, U.S. Asserts

Don Van Natta Jr. April 15, 2003
US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has accused Syria of allowing members of Saddam Hussein’s family and former leadership circle to cross the border into Syria, and members of Hezbollah to cross the other way into Iraq. Both Syria and Hezbollah deny the accusations, but the US is applying pressure because it believes Hezbollah has plans to attack American interests in the region, and...

US retailers back import ban on Burma

Edward Alden April 15, 2003
International agencies such as the International Labor Organization have long advocated sanctions against Burma to protest its record of human rights violations and "disregard for democracy." In spite of a United States government ban on US investments in Burma, the US remains one of the country’s largest trading partners. However, US clothing manufacturers and retailers recently...

Europe Seems to Hear Echoes of Empires Past

Richard Bernstein April 14, 2003
The United States has long been acknowledged as a world superpower. However, following the success of the US led war in Iraq, some observers in Europe argue that the United States is also becoming an imperial power, akin to the great Roman and British empires. American military victories in Afghanistan, Kosovo and the Persian Gulf War of 1991 are cited as examples of American global power and...