In The News

Pyongyang Damps Hope for Nuclear Deal

Anna Fifield February 11, 2005
By announcing that it has already manufactured nuclear weapons and that it would withdraw from multilateral negotiations on its disarmament, North Korea surprised its dialogue partners and the world. The US, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and South Korean governments, as well as foreign policy analysts, are busy trying to figure out what message Pyongyang is trying to deliver. The US State Department...

The Rise of a New Axis?

Leonard S. Spector February 11, 2005
North Korea is at it again. On the eve of a new round of diplomatic talks on its troubling nuclear program, Pyongyang has upped the ante: Announcing that it has already manufactured 'nukes,' the government suddenly suspended its participation in negotiations. This revelation comes in the wake of US reports that North Korea secretly shipped nuclear material to Libya, a shipment which...

Concern on North Korea Brings US Pressure

David Sanger February 9, 2005
Suspicions about North Korea's possible nuclear materials sales to other nations have prompted diplomatic actions aimed at amplifying Chinese pressure on Kim Jong Il. A US envoy traveled to Beijing, urging the government to join in the effort to force North Korea to abandon its weapons program. China has agreed to cooperate, swayed by the caliber of damning new scientific evidence, but has...

Israel, Palestinians Declare End to Violence

Reuters February 8, 2005
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and newly-elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared an end to violence between Israel and Palestine, after meeting at a summit in Egypt. The announcement marks the highest-level meeting since the outbreak of hostilities in 2000. The death of Yasser Arafat and meetings with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are said to have...

Israel, Palestinians Close to Agreement to Reduce Violence

Robin Wright February 7, 2005
Newly confirmed US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began her visit to the Middle East by naming a security coordinator to facilitate the new Israel-Palestine peace process. Rice also held meetings with new Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, highlighting the "hard decisions" both parties must make in the coming months. While Rice...

US Resolution Reveals Distrust of China, EU

February 4, 2005
As Brussels decides to suspend the 15-year-long arms embargo against China, European and Chinese politicians continue to nurture their flourishing relationship. Meanwhile, Washington remains anxious about the possible implications for regional geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific region – especially across the Taiwan Strait. According to this People's Daily commentary, a new US legislative...

Iraqi Elections: Not Yet Historic

Rami G. Khouri February 2, 2005
Sunday's elections in Iraq were an unprecedented step towards self-rule for a nation that had long suffered under autocracy. While the vote was certainly historical, it by no means assures the birth of a genuine democracy. Whether this moment becomes historic – producing lasting, meaningful change – or descends into chaos depends on the events of the coming months and years, says Rami G....