In The News

Fresh Setback for Schröder on Migrant Law

Haig Simonian December 18, 2002
Labor migration is a sensitive political issue in many nations. In Germany, businesses facing immediate labor shortages and an aging workforce have lobbied the government to open immigration to non-European Union talent. But now a law liberalizing immigration, put in place by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, has met with opposition from several local states, demonstrating that local interests,...

Lula: The End of Latin American Populism?

Ernesto Zedillo December 13, 2002
For nearly a century, populism has been the most pervasive and successful campaign strategy in Latin America; however, as a political and economic tactic once in office, it has consistently betrayed its followers. Quite frequently, populist regimes – democratic or authoritarian – deliver short-term prosperity followed by “painful financial collapse.” And with the Brazilian financial situation...

United States to North Korea: We Now Have a Pre-Condition

James A. Kelly December 12, 2002
Just a day before North Korea announced the resumption of the operation of a nuclear reactor closed since 1994, a top US official gave for the first time a personal account of his meeting with North Korean officials. He said that after reviewing the Clinton administration’s North Korea policy, the Bush administration decided in June 2001 to speak to the North Koreans "any time, any place,...

North Korea Suspends Nuclear Moratorium

Kim Min-bai December 12, 2002
Already the focus of nations worried about the proliferation of nuclear and conventional weapons, North Korea announced Thursday that it will resume development of nuclear power facilities to meet its energy needs. The communist country and the United States had agreed in 1994 that if North Korea stopped its nuclear programs, the US would supply it with enough oil to meet its needs until a safer...

After the Serial Blasts

December 10, 2002
The recent surge of terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia, like in Indonesia and Bangladesh, is putting pressure on politicians and local authorities to crack down on terrorism. Unlike the US, however, poor countries with internal political divisions are having a harder time fighting battles in the war on terrorism. An internal government feud in Bangladesh erupted after a series of bombs exploded...

Immigrants Stoke Fears in New Delhi

Nirmal Ghosh December 9, 2002
Porous borders allow useful goods and new ideas to travel the world, but when they're carried by migrants with destructive intent, locals become worried. According to this article in Singapore's Straits Times, Maoist rebels from Nepal are crossing the border into India and causing great concern for Indian authorities. "There is an imminent danger that the Maoist insurgency in...

What a Howler

December 9, 2002
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said recently that he favors preemptive strikes against terrorists in Asian nations, unleashing a flood of criticism from within Australia and without. This commentary in Singapore's Straits Times argues that the notion of preemption must be examined by the international community. The United Nations must be consulted before preemptive strikes occur...