In The News

Real IRA bomb expert nabbed in West Bank

Abraham Rabinovich July 15, 2003
British intelligence sources have helped Israeli officials arrest an alleged bomb expert suspected to be a trainer of Palestinian militants. The suspect is linked to the Real Irish Republican Army, a more hawkish faction that does not accept the ceasefire of 1998 in Northern Ireland. Although it is quite common to see Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland supporting two different sides in...

A Muslim Missionary Group Draws New Scrutiny in US

Susan Sachs July 14, 2003
Tablighi Jamaat, a conservative Muslim congregation of traveling proselytizers, is facing increasing scrutiny of its members and activities by the FBI in the United States. Founded 75 years ago in colonial India, the Tablighi Jamaat is a nonpolitical congregation of Muslim preachers, who – much like Christian missionaries – travel throughout the world to proselytize. The Tablighi Jamaat has a...

US Rebuffs Iran Offer of Nuclear Talks

Guy Dinmore July 14, 2003
Although Iran has indicated its willingness to open direct talks with the US regarding its nuclear program, the Bush administration has not shown any interest. The Administration seems content to work with Europe and Japan to keep economic pressure on Iran. This latest offer of talk is seen as an invitation by the Iranian government to open the door to a wide discussion of contentious issues...

Is Iraq Becoming a New Vietnam? - Part One

Orville Schell July 14, 2003
Is the American occupation of Iraq turning into a Vietnam-style quagmire? With American casualties mounting almost daily and the Bush Administration hinting at increasing troop levels, it is a question that will be asked. Historical comparisons are often misleading, because the actors and the context tend to be different. Yet, such comparisons with the past provide a valuable analytical framework...

When Frontier Justice Becomes Foreign Policy

Thomas Powers July 13, 2003
America has always been ambivalent about assassinations, says intelligence expert Thomas Powers. Though several leaders were targeted during the Cold War, such attempts were generally shrouded in secrecy and vehemently denied by government officials. The one endeavor that was publicized – against Fidel Castro – caused such public outcry that Presidents Ford and Reagan imposed executive orders...

Australia Steps Towards Stopping North Korean Ships

Tom Allard July 11, 2003
An international military force will soon begin intercepting ships transporting North Korean nuclear materials and missiles to other countries. Following the Proliferation Security Initiative's Brisbane meeting this week, Australia, the United States, and nine other nations announced that they will begin military exercises as early as September. The plan serves as the most aggressive joint...

Talk of a Washington Split Over North Korea Is Overblown

Victor D. Cha July 11, 2003
Compared with the Bush administration's speedy handling of the Iraq challenge, its response to North Korean provocation has been surprisingly slow. The reason is widely believed to be a split between hawks and doves in the administration. But Korea expert Victor Cha says the division is not as wide as press reports suggest. Everyone in Washington agrees: North Korea must disarm. And,...