In The News

G8 Leaders Side Step Fate of Syria’s Assad

Arthur Beesley June 18, 2013
Members of the G8 – the US, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, Japan and Russia – released a statement that reiterated their hopes for a political solution to end Syria’s civil war as well as a demand that both sides destroy Al Qaeda affiliates operating in the country. An isolated Russia objected to specific mention of Bashar al-Assad. The communique also endorsed proposed peace talks that have...

Ostrich Diplomacy

June 17, 2013
Henrique Capriles came close to winning Venezuela’s special presidential election in April, held after the death of Hugo Chavez. Capriles is challenging the results and seeking support in neighboring countries. Yet they are discovering that they incur wrath in Venezuela by putting out the welcome mat out for him. A one-hour meeting between Colombia’s President and Capriles led to an uproar....

Analysis: Iran Moderate's Poll Triumph Is Mandate for Change

Marcus George June 17, 2013
Iranian voters selected moderate Hassan Rohani to replace Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president, thus urging a conciliatory tone in world affairs from their leaders. Iranians are “weary of years of economic isolation and tightening political restrictions,” writes Marcus George for Reuters. The election is described as appearing “free and fair,” although leading reformists were not permitted to run....

NSA Surveillance: The US Is Behaving Like China

Ai Weiwei June 14, 2013
Many are shocked by reports on the scope of the US National Security Agency’s PRISM operation, and comparisons to the monolithic security apparatus in China may not be far off. Both US citizens and foreigners are left wondering about the targets. Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who has both lived in the US for 12 years and been in detention in China, expresses surprise and disappointment....

Turkey’s Economic Miracle Under Fire

Dilip Hiro June 13, 2013
Stability, democracy and integration with the global economy have transformed Turkey into a major regional power with a strong economy. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attracted admiration throughout the Arab world for his diplomatic stances – supporting Arab Spring protesters in Egypt and Libya in 2011 as well as the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in 2010 and, more recently, the Syrian rebels. Yet...

Brazil “to Write Off' African Debt

June 13, 2013
Amid expansion of economic ties with Africa, Brazil will restructure almost $900 million worth of debt with 12 African countries: oil- and gas-rich Congo-Brazzaville, Tanzania and Zambia as well as Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal and Sudan. The South American giant has also opened 19 new embassies in Africa in the...

Turkish Stock Market Falls 10.5% as Demonstrations Escalate

June 12, 2013
Following several days of intense protests in Turkey, the country’s largest stock index, fell 10.47 percent and the lira dropped to a 16-month low. The protests were originally sparked by plans to transform an Istanbul park into a shopping center, but have since expanded into concerns over government policies with a religious bent. Foreign investment in the country had received a needed boost...