In The News

Divided over War

January 22, 2003
It appears that American unilateralism may rear its head again. In its coverage of the conflict with Iraq, the UK's Economist magazine says "As a massive military build-up continues in the Gulf, France and Germany say they cannot support American military action to topple Saddam Hussein. Russia says it believes the decision to attack Iraq has already been made." France is hinting...

Ready for a Fight

January 17, 2003
As the world's attention focuses once again on Iraq, U.N. Chief Weapons Inspector, Hans Blix, expressed concern over a discovery yesterday of chemical warheads that were ready for use. He did not, however, see these as a necessary catalyst for war. So far, European and American officials have agreed. The discovery does put Hussein more on the defensive, sparking him to angrily denounce...

The Northern Front

William Safire January 16, 2003
A quiet military alliance between Turks, Americans and Israelis has been an important force for regional stability in the Middle East over the last decade. However, in part due to the growth of democracy in Turkey, there is now uncertainty as to the loyalty of the Turks to the alliance, especially when it comes to discussions of a Turkish role in a possible US-led coalition against Iraq....

N. Korea Pulls Out of Non-Proliferation Treaty

Peter S. Goodman January 10, 2003
Responding to North Korea's announcement that it is withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, South Korean President Kim Dae Jung said today "The nuclear issue is tied to our life and death… We must have the patience to resolve the issue peacefully." The Washington Post, in this in-depth analysis of the situation, reports that "Shortly after making its...

What Does North Korea Want?

January 10, 2003
In a background report on North Korea, the staff of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations provides an excellent overview of the recent tensions between the US and North Korea. The question-and-answer format addresses the following: What does North Korea want? What is North Korea’s latest move? Is the decision final? Will the United States meet North Korea’s demands? Why has the...

Tensions Rise as N Korea Abandons Nuclear Treaty

John Burton January 10, 2003
Saying recent actions by the US has left it little choice, North Korea announced that it is withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The country had been a seeking written statement that American military would never move to attack North Korea, but thus far US President Bush has only offered verbal assurances. "North Korea is pursuing its classic tactics of ratcheting up the...

Brazil Needs A-Bomb Ability, Aide Says, Setting Off Furor

Larry Rohter January 9, 2003
A Brazilian official says that nuclear research is necessary for his country because "we need to be prepared." But prepared for what? Across the border in Argentina, and across the region, people are wondering what to make of this latest news from Brazil's newly-elected leftist government. Although the Brazilian President has distanced him from his aide's remarks, during...