In The News

The Poisonous Legacy of the Iraq War – Part II

Husain Haqqani March 19, 2007
The term "jihad" is often used to describe the violent struggle against those outside the community of Islamic believers. Yet jihad is also the struggle within each Muslim's heart, an attempt to abide by the teachings of the Koran. This article is the second of a two-part series that reflects on the impact of the Iraq war and attitudes in the Muslim world. Author and former...

Child Labor: The Cause Can Also be a Cure

Susan Ariel Aaronson March 13, 2007
Pressure of globalization has led to child trafficking and forced labor. Similar global pressure from public opinion can also put an end to the practice. Five years ago, reports emerged about small groups of children being trafficked and forced to pick cacao beans – the main ingredient for chocolate – in West African plantations. Outraged US officials, industry groups and activists organized the...

The Price of Progress: Transforming Islam’s Holiest Site

Hassan M. Fattah March 12, 2007
Mecca, birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed and Islam, is the destination for millions who arrive from every corner of the world for the religion’s annual pilgrimage, the hajj, required once of every fit worshipper. Steeped in history, the city has now become a target for tourism development, including malls, hotels with speakers that broadcast public prayers, fast-food restaurants and amusement...

While You're at It, Why Not Generate a Little Electricity

Jane Spencer March 6, 2007
People who perform hard workouts in a gym enjoy monitoring their efforts. Now gym managers can provide a new way to measure progress, by supplying batteries that store the energy released on exercise equipment. For now, the cost of capturing the energy far exceeds any savings – a gym in Hong Kong invested $15,000 in the battery equipment and wiring that generates less than $200 worth of...

More Children Seeking Asylum in Finland

Katja Martelius March 2, 2007
Every year, hundreds of children illegally enter Finland seeking asylum – most from conflict zones likes Afghanistan, Iran or Somalia. They leave their families behind, paying as much as US$20,000 to a smuggler and traveling for months to reach their new European home. The government rejects about half of the applications for asylum, but allows a few to stay – at least for a while. The government...

Broadcast Media in China Put On Notice

Edward Cody February 27, 2007
Communist Party leaders in China have issued strict guidelines for broadcasters that require praise for the nation's socialist system of governance rather than protection of individual leaders. Still, officials in power often rely on such controls to prevent negative coverage that could be linked to them individually. The controls could also squash complaints of party conservatives who...

Muslim Alienation Risk in Europe

February 26, 2007
Integrating Muslims into European society has proven difficult for many EU member states. Fears of stereotypical extremism run rampant in non-Muslim populations, and Islamophobic incidents are on the rise in the EU, though still under-reported. A report from the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia details statistics and discriminatory practices against Muslims in the areas of...