In The News

Threaten One, Intimidate a Million

Henryk M. Broder February 2, 2006
With bomb explosions, assassinations and riots coloring the recent history of Islam in Europe, the already tense state of relations took a serious turn for the worse over some cartoons. Drawings in the right-wing Danish daily “Jyllands-Posten” last autumn satirically portrayed the images of Prophet Mohammad – unleashing outrage throughout the Muslim world, including a boycott of Danish goods in...

Nepal’s Kingdom of Discontent

Jo Johnson February 2, 2006
Since King Gyanendra seized absolute power in Nepal last February, civil war has paralyzed the country, with palace forces battling the radical Maoists abated only by the Maoists’ recent unilateral ceasefire. Appearing on the scene as rural-based insurgents, the Maoists alone lack mainstream legitimacy as a viable alternative to the monarchy. But after a landmark meeting with eight opposition...

The Basics: How to Outwit the World’s Internet Censors

Tom Zeller Jr. February 1, 2006
While China’s censorship of the internet receives increased attention, less publicized are the system’s imperfections. Relying on loopholes, greater freedom can be sought, even in a restrictive environment. One way individuals subvert a watchdog government is by surfing the web through a proxy server, which dissociates computer addresses from visited websites. In China, an underground network of...

Denmark PM Rejects Apology Demand

January 31, 2006
Islam traditionally considers any depiction of Muhammad disrespectful. Muslims in the Arab world were aghast, then, when they learned that the Danish newspaper “Jyllands-Posten” had published cartoons portraying their prophet as a terrorist last fall. Tensions have now come to a head, after a Norwegian paper reprinted the cartoons and as the Danish government insists that it cannot punish “...

Despite TV Appearances, Al Qaeda Is Not Winning the War

Fawaz A. Gerges January 31, 2006
In his latest videotape, Ayman al-Zawahiri, deputy to Osama bin Laden, postures that Al Qaeda is at full force. While many Muslims find Al Qaeda’s grievances against the US foreign policy compelling, few endorse terrorism or line up for martyrdom. Instead, Osama bin Laden’s warriors are increasingly at odds with the “Umma,” or the international Muslim community they seek to represent, as well as...

Expats Become Nepal's Biggest Money Spinner

AFP January 31, 2006
Nepal’s Maoist insurgency has paralyzed the country, driving civilians from their villages and leaving the kingdom’s economy in ruins. The war has driven away many of the tourists on which the poor-but-picturesque Himalayan nation relies, while foreign aid donors have cut off their assistance to the country in protest of King Gyanendra’s autocratic style of government. Nepalese, fearful for...

Rock of Agents

Nick Paton Walsh January 30, 2006
The recent spying spat between the UK and Russia has injured more than British pride. Russian officials allege that an NGO-liaison at the UK’s embassy in Moscow maintained links with the British intelligence agency MI6, conducting espionage. The timing is troubling: The revelation not only adds substance to ongoing Russian accusations of Western spying involved in NGO activities, but offers...