In The News

Human Trafficking Casts Shadow on Globalization

Michele A. Clark April 23, 2003
Women and children have been among the biggest losers in this era of globalization, if we consider the massive increase in human trafficking in recent years. Cheated or sold into a life of sexual slavery or indentured servitude, the victims of human trafficking and their stories reveal the dark underside of increased international mobility. With the demise of socialist states, in particular,...

U.S. Officials Consider Ways to Punish France

Brian Knowlton April 23, 2003
The French reacted “brusquely” to recent discussions of consequences for its behavior throughout the Iraq crisis. Countering US Secretary of Defense Colin Powell’s remarks that France would suffer consequences for its opposition in the UN Security Council, French officials stated that they will continue in their commitment to defend international law. Despite this apparent rift, US President...

France Urging U.N. to Suspend Iraq Penalties

Felicity Barringer April 23, 2003
The French ambassador to the UN called for the suspension of non-military trade with Iraq today, offering what some see as an olive branch to the US. Since taking control of Iraq, Washington has sought the complete lifting of sanctions on the country. France's latest move may be a way to ensure it isn't completely frozen out of a role in Iraq's post-war reconstruction, but the...

Garner’s Challenge

April 22, 2003
Iraq’s post-war administration, led by former American General Jay Garner, faces difficult domestic and international political challenges as Iraq begins to rebuild. In addition to handling immediate problems such as providing basic services and keeping order, the administration must address potential religious conflict between Sunni Muslims and the Shia majority, as well as international...

Paris Takes Pragmatic Line as Poll Shows Isolation Fear

Paul Webster April 16, 2003
France: some say isolated diplomatically, but determined to press on for Iraq reconstruction.

Iraq War Ends, Not Europe's Acrimony with the US

Shada Islam April 15, 2003
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spain's Jose Maria Aznar have joined France and Germany in demanding that the United Nations play the central role in administering and rebuilding post-Saddam Iraq. Not only does the UN have the experience and the expertise to handle Iraq's reconstruction, it is the only body with a legal mandate to do so. UN oversight, EU leaders argue, will be...

N Korea Quits Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Andrew Ward April 10, 2003
North Korea withdrew from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty on April 10, as it had announced it would three months earlier. The US wanted the UN Security Council to condemn the act, but was blocked by China and Russia who argued such condemnation would only increase tensions on the Korean peninsula. North Korea had let it be known that it would consider any condemnation as a “prelude to war.”...