In The News

Street Protests by Poor Push Bolivia to the Brink

Jo Tuckman March 15, 2005
Bolivia's already faltering economy stands on the cusp of a potentially crippling nation-wide strike. Organizing against economic exploitation at the hands of a minority elite of European descent, ethnically indigenous organizers have already blocked important highways for weeks, disrupting trade in some regions. Leaders of the movement claim that those in power have indiscriminately signed...

A Less Super Superpower

Jonathan Schell March 9, 2005
To some, the United States is history's only all-encompassing empire – from military to economics to culture – but according to philosopher Thomas Hobbes, power is only a "present means to obtain some future apparent good." In this sense, writes Jonathan Schell, distinguished fellow at the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, America's superpower status seems less...

Confucius Says: It's Time to Learn Mandarin

Hamish McDonald March 7, 2005
As China continues its ascent as a global power, the demand for Chinese-language speakers has, indeed, increased. In response to – and perhaps to reinforce –these needs, China has launched an international initiative to boost language proficiency. Dubbed the Confucius Institutes, over 100 Chinese language learning centers are planned to open in cities worldwide. As with many Chinese global...

"We Don't Need Any Partners in Germany"

Carsten Knop March 4, 2005

Bloodsport: A Sequel

Boria Majumdar March 3, 2005
For some, sport is simply viewed as another forum for entertainment – but it may serve other functions, as well. Sometimes, it is promoted as a way to bridge cultural gaps and facilitate peace, as seen most prominently with the Olympics. But as this Outlook India opinion suggests, an undercurrent of nationalism is ever-present in international sporting events. For India and Pakistan, the...

Free at Last Through an Arab-Western Joint Venture

Rami G. Khouri March 2, 2005
Across the Middle East, signs of democracy are emerging. In Lebanon, peaceful protests toppled the Syrian-backed government. Palestinians successfully pressured their leader to fill his cabinet with qualified, fresh faces. And the Egyptian president announced support for a law permitting open elections. Many attribute this burst of democratic spirit to the US invasion of Iraq. While Daily...

The Problem Is the Extended Presidency

Chibli Mallat March 2, 2005
The Lebanese people launched a democratic revolution this week, as the sheer weight of street protests brought about the resignation of Prime Minister Omar Karami – thus toppling the Syrian-backed government. Protesters are now calling for a complete withdrawal of Syrian occupying forces and democratic parliamentary elections. However, according to this Daily Star commentary, these changes must...