In The News

Robert Tait February 8, 2006
For decades, large-scale public art in Tehran has praised the acts of suicide bombers and urged boycotts of Israeli products. But traditional painted murals took time to produce. So the government relies on new high-tech murals, such as those adorning the World Without Zionism conference where President Ahmadinejad made his first call for wiping out the Jewish state. Ironically, experts have...
Aaron L. Friedberg February 7, 2006
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, the US government turned to China, not with a particular strategic agenda, but with the hope that the nation, like other great powers would be “united by common dangers” and “common values.” A few years later, though, uneasy feelings emerged about China’s status as ally, with US officials raising concern about the nation’s increasing...
Sadanand Dhume February 7, 2006
The forces of globalization are responsible not only for spread of capitalism, but the growing influence of radical Islam. Enraged Muslim protesters rely on the tools produced by modern capitalism: mobile text messaging, the internet, satellite television, and desktop publishing. Such technology is contributing to a united community of believers, or “ummah,” a long-held Islamic goal. Analyzing...
Jing dong-Yuan February 6, 2006
China has joined the US, Britain, France, Germany and the EU in deciding the time has come to report Iran’s pursuit of nuclear power to the UN Security Council. Despite joining the unified front, China has expressed less anxiety over Iran’s actions and continues to press, along with Russia, for a diplomatic solution to the standoff. China depends on Iranian oil and political ties, and hesitates...
Tariq Ramadan February 6, 2006
The controversy over the recent Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed should be cast as an issue of free speech versus civic responsibility. The cartoons fly in the face of a Muslim prohibition against making an image of Mohammed or other prophets. They also portray religion as subject for humor – an alien concept in Muslim culture. Scholar Tariq Ramadan calls for restraint and civic...
Spiegel Staff February 3, 2006
The world was surprised by the sudden fury in the Islamic world let loose following the publication of a series of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in Danish and later other European newspapers. Until now little was known, however, of the efforts made by Denmark’s Muslim community to raise awareness about the discrimination they faced. Feeling ignored after protesting the initial appearance of...
Scott Baldauf February 3, 2006
In a worrisome shift away from traditional guerilla tactics, Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan are beginning to deploy suicide bombers against foreigners as well as Afghan government and civilian targets. This change in tactics has increased pressure on Kabul to institute more checkpoints and increase general vigilance. The Christian Science Monitor’s Scott Baldauf spoke with a Taliban insurgent...