In The News

European Court Agrees to Hear Chechens’ Suits Against Russians

January 17, 2003
In a move that both brings Russia within the fold of European law and alienates it from the European community, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Chechens could sue the Russian army for crimes against humanity during the war in Grozny and its surroundings. This moves the Russian and Chechen fight out of domestic courts and into the international arena, giving credence to Chechnya’s...

Illegal Migration in the 21st Century

Bertil Lintner January 10, 2003
Globalization is often described in terms of increased 'flows' or 'movements' of money, ideas, or goods. But the movement of people across national borders remains highly regulated and a point of major contention between many countries. Governments of rich industrialized nations spend billions of dollars each year to control inflows of poorer people seeking greater economic...

Chiang Mai Aviation: Outcry over Air-Hub Plan

Choosak Jirasakunthai January 9, 2003
Thailand's government is being criticized for even considering allowing Singapore Airlines to turn the Thai city of Chiang Mai into a regional aviation hub. Several Thai airline operators believe that the idea of a regional hub is sound, but that its development should not be handled by foreigners. One executive worries that "If Singapore Airlines is allowed to operate the regional...

A Jurisdictional Tangle

December 10, 2002
A high-court ruling in Australia may make it possible to sue a publication for libel from halfway around the world. An Australian businessman sued the Dow Jones Company using the libel laws in his home state of Victoria, claiming that because he could access the Wall Street Journal website from Victoria, any libelous material on that website could be prosecuted under Victoria’s jurisdiction....

What a Howler

December 9, 2002
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said recently that he favors preemptive strikes against terrorists in Asian nations, unleashing a flood of criticism from within Australia and without. This commentary in Singapore's Straits Times argues that the notion of preemption must be examined by the international community. The United Nations must be consulted before preemptive strikes occur...

PM: We Will Act Against Those Who Intrude into Our Country

Sim Leoi Leoi December 3, 2002
In the wake of the recent Bali bombing, the US-initiated global war on terrorism has taken unexpected turns in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, is coming under fire from his Asian neighbors for following the lead of the US and asserting the right to unilateral action against terrorists anywhere. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is fuming at the...

PM's gaffe leaves a hostile Asian audience

Tom Allard December 3, 2002
The American enunciation of a doctrine of preemption brought muted criticism , perhaps because American power is unchallenged. A similar claim to the right to launch preemptive attack on neighbors if they harbored terrorists planning to attack Australia brought howls of criticism from Asian neighbors. There is a danger that Australia’s tough talk may harm its relations with neighbors without...