In The News

Allies Face a Fresh Crisis

Joseph Fitchett February 10, 2003
The differences over Iraq that emerged between France, Germany and the US in the UN Security Council have now widened and spilled over into NATO. The Bush administration and Congressional leaders were furious at a news report about a secret Franco-German plan to boost the number of arms inspectors in Iraq. That dispute has now spread to NATO as France, along with Germany and Belgium, blocked...

To China, North Korea Looks Radioactive

Joseph Kahn February 2, 2003
China’s reluctance to negotiate directly with North Korea about its nuclear program has surprised the Bush administration and Chinese foreign policy experts. China’s interests could be seriously threatened if North Korea is not dissuaded from building nuclear weapons. Such a buildup in North Korea could shift the balance of power in the region, should surrounding nations like Japan revive their...

Stepping into a Burgeoning Gap

Amira Howeidy January 29, 2003
What effects would a UK- and US-led war on Iraq have on Egypt’s economy, society and political position? What effects are already taking place at the prospect of war? This article in Egypt's Al-Ahram Weekly says Egypt would suffer heavy economic losses, for not only would the war hurt its vital tourism industry, it would also disrupt trade with Iraq and destabilize jobs for Egyptian...

Students Close Down McDonald’s Restaurant in Riau

January 29, 2003
Muslim students have closed down a McDonald’s in Indonesia and are calling for a boycott of U.S. products to protest U.S. interference in Indonesia’s domestic affairs. - YaleGlobal

Europe Acts Against US Effort on Ports

Gregory Couch January 28, 2003
The European Union's member states are joined together in an effort to remain competitive in an increasingly fierce and globally integrated world economy. It remains to be seen, however, whether the trend of globalization will undermine their national sovereignty. The United States, in an effort to combat terrorism abroad, has made bilateral trade and shipping security arrangements with...

Landmark China-Taiwan Flight Thaws Ties, for Now

January 27, 2003
To loud fanfare, an airline flight from Taiwan to Hong Kong, and then on to Shanghai, was hailed as a first step towards direct transportation across the Taiwan Strait. Though about 800,000 Taiwanese live and work in China, they have traditionally had to make complex connections to fly home for the New Year’s holiday. Taiwan's China Airlines is leading five other airlines that wish to make...

North Koreans Still Demand Direct Talks With the U.S.

James Brooke January 26, 2003
Many countries in the region of North Korea have sent diplomats to its capital, Pyongyang, in recent weeks, hoping to quell the dangerous storm currently brewing over that country’s nuclear weapons program. North Korea itself is simultaneously condemning these diplomatic efforts and calling for negotiations and a nonaggression pact with the United States only. Meanwhile, the possibility of armed...