In The News

Obama's Japan Visit and US-Japan-China Relations: A Missed Opportunity for Conflict Prevention

Mel Gurtov May 5, 2014
The quarrels between China and Japan over small islands in the East China Sea are reaching a dangerous level. Despite deep economic ties and trade, the two countries share a history of war and occupation. The islands are also associated with energy potential. US President Barack Obama missed an opportunity to ease tensions over the territorial dispute, explains Mel Gurtov, editor in chief of...

Don't Be a Menace to South (China Sea)

James Steinberg and Michael E. O'Hanlon May 2, 2014
The US pivot to Asia was designed to promote stability in a fast-growing region for trade and a constructive relationship with China, explain James Steinberg and Mike O’Hanlon for Foreign Policy. Competing territorial claims in the region could counter those efforts. The US has treaty obligations with Japan and the Philippines, but massive trade with China. The writers urge clarity on US resolve...

Sanctions Will Not Deter Russia

David R. Cameron May 1, 2014
Ukraine concedes that its eastern part is in pro-Russian hands, and Russian buildup along the border continues. Russia’s security concerns in Ukraine trump any discomfort over sanctions. Russia contends the removal of Ukraine’s corrupt president defied constitutional limits that allowed replacement only in the case of death, ill health or impeachment. An April 17 agreement signed by Russia, US...

In Global Health, Abortion Bears the Scarlet A

Jill Filipovic April 30, 2014
Abortion poses a moral dilemma – ending the life of a child, but sometimes saving lives of individual women. Illegal, unsafe abortions have been cited as a leading cause of maternal death globally and a driver of gender inequality. “U.S. foreign policy exacerbates this global public health crisis, perpetuating a culture of stigma, silence and inaction around a leading killer of women,” argues...

When Flimsy States Don't Fail

Lawrence P. Markowitz April 30, 2014
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan rank among the most corrupt nations in the world with imminent collapse long anticipated. But regimes hang on: “the state’s ability to manage and manipulate competition over local resources to the benefit of the government and its security apparatus has been key,” writes Lawrence P. Markowitz for Foreign Affairs. Markowitz compares how the leaders of the two Central...

Palestinian Agreement on Unity Government Troubles Israel, US

Ahmed Abuhamda and Nicholas Casey April 25, 2014
Palestine factions plan a unity government, and United States and Israel argue the move undermines peace talks shepherded by US Secretary of State John Kerry. The West Bank has been controlled by Fatah and Gaza Strip by Hamas, a group committed to the destruction of Israel. The Israeli prime minister canceled a meeting of peace negotiators and Hamas reported Israel fired rockets into the Gaza...

Differing Approaches to Immigration on Two Sides of the Atlantic

Michael Mandelbaum April 24, 2014
Politicians opposed to immigration are making electoral gains throughout Europe, and legislators in the United States are also polarized over immigration reform, especially the status of an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants. Michael Mandelbaum, author and international studies professor, argues that “immigration has become a major and contentious political issue in the world’s...