In The News

South Like North? North Like South? The Great Korean Flap

Tom Plate September 9, 2004
This Khaleej Times opinion piece examines the significance of the recent revelation that a group of South Korean scientists experimented with nuclear materials. Despite North Korean claims to the contrary, the experiment – amounting essentially to a few researchers tinkering in a lab – was not indicative broader South Korean weapons capabilities. The true danger, according to the author, is that...

Massacre Draws Self-Criticism in Muslim Press

John Kifner September 9, 2004
The recent rash of violence, most notably a Russian school siege, has made terrorist activities a consistent presence in world headlines. In reaction to the latest tragedy, several Arab media members have spoken out ardently against violent Muslim fundamentalism. Remarking that Muslim groups orchestrated the majority of recent attacks, commentators openly condemned terrorist activities as...

Anchor the Black Sea Region to the West

Ronald D. Asmus September 8, 2004
Recent violence in the Black Sea region has highlighted the urgency of the area's political instability. Geographically situated at the intersection of Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East, this region is invaluable to the West, both economically and politically. For this reason, argues policy expert Ronald D. Asmus, both NATO and the EU must reach out to Black Sea countries, bolstering...

Kabul Needs Good Neighbours

Stanley A. Weiss September 7, 2004
Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election has many observers discussing the country's future. The author of this Asian Age op-ed piece asserts that Afghan success and regional stability hinge on "neighborly" support. In addition to security concerns, nearby nations also share economic interests in Afghan development. As potential host to gas pipelines and emerging cross-...

Chechen Terrorism: Old World Motive, New World Method?

Ben Wetherall August 31, 2004
Less than a week after a recent Russian airline tragedy, a female suicide bomber attacked a Moscow subway station; evidence indicates that Chechen separatists were likely the perpetrators of both attacks. According to Russia analyst Ben Wetherall, the government's approach to the Islamic Chechen rebellion will determine the degree of success in preventing further violence. Outlining the...

U.S. and Russia Still Dominate Arms Market, but World Total Falls

Thom Shanker August 30, 2004
The US and Russia continued to dominate the global arms market last year, especially when measured in sales to developing nations. According to a new Congressional Study, the US lead in worldwide weapons sales in 2003, signing more than $14.5 billion worth of arms, or 56.7 percent of the global total. Russia ranked second with 16.8 percent of all arms deals. Despite these sizable sales the...

Countdown in Khartoum

Gamal Nkrumah August 27, 2004
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan, has rendered 1.5 million people homeless and claimed 50,000 lives. Tensions between the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) threaten to destabilize the region, with costly consequences for Sudan’s neighbors, and the world at large. Efforts to secure peace have involved diplomats from neighboring Egypt and...