In The News

With Neighbors Like These

V. Sudarshan February 18, 2005
India's refusal to participate in the SARC summit earlier this month was a direct reaction to trouble in three of its neighboring countries: Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The crisis in Kathmandu has been particularly difficult for India, one of Nepal's biggest trading partners. Many New Delhi diplomats believe that India's best course is to successfully convince King Gyanendra of...

A Bitter Dispute Frozen in Time

Justin McCurry February 10, 2005
In the days following Japan's surrender in World War II, the Soviets seized four Japanese islands known as the Northern Territories. Sixty years after the war, the Russians still possess the islands, and Japan wants them back. While Russia is willing to honor a 1956 agreement to return two of the islands, Japanese leaders insist on the return of all four. As the author writes, amid the...

Everybody's a Winner

Tarek Atia February 9, 2005
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is one of the world's largest celebrations of the culture of consumerism. From the airport to the glitzy "Global Village" outpost, the festival, with its elaborate marketing ploys and promotions, is weaving a shopping ethos into the fabric of the city. Ten years after the first DSF was held, Dubai has undergone a huge construction boom, luring...

Dealing with a Declining Dollar – Part II

David Dapice February 9, 2005
If today's US budget deficit raises concerns, then tomorrow's projections should sound an alarm, writes economist David Dapice. As the United States descends further and further into debt – by several trillion dollars over the next ten years – the value of US currency will decline. Should a worldwide "run on the dollar" result, shockwaves would resonate throughout the global...

Out of the Shadows

Malcolm Maiden February 7, 2005
The rise of China and India – one, the world's most populous country and the other, the world's biggest democracy – seems to only be a question of time. With both countries on Australia's front doorstep, one would think that the Commonwealth would do everything possible to capitalize on this potential growth. But while relations with China have bloomed, the same cannot be said...

US Resolution Reveals Distrust of China, EU

February 4, 2005
As Brussels decides to suspend the 15-year-long arms embargo against China, European and Chinese politicians continue to nurture their flourishing relationship. Meanwhile, Washington remains anxious about the possible implications for regional geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific region – especially across the Taiwan Strait. According to this People's Daily commentary, a new US legislative...

Where Trade Trumps Politics

Quentin Peel February 3, 2005
In an effort to further ties with China, the European Union appears poised to lift an arms embargo imposed on the country for the past 15 years. From a military standpoint, the practical consequences may not be severe: China already buys sophisticated arms from Russia and Israel. However, any arms repeal would only further strain US relations with Europe; at this point, US officials are left...