In The News

Need to Tear Down Another Wall

Jean-Pierre Lehmann July 4, 2013
At the 2013 World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa, more than 300 Israeli and Palestinian civic leaders, led by captains of industry Yossi Vardi and Munib R.Masri, called for a break in the impasse on peace talks, instructing Israeli and Palestinian political leaders to achieve in the shortest time possible a two-state solution. Yet serious discussion is blocked by obstructive...

Mursi Role at Syria Rally Seen as Tipping Point for Egypt Army

Yasmine Saleh, Tom Perry July 3, 2013
Egypt’s army has ousted Mohamed Mursi. Concern intensified in mid-June when the president attended a rally that called for “holy war” in Syria and was said to have called for foreign intervention. The army responded by suggesting its duty was to guard Egypt’s borders. The powerful, largely secular army has long mistrusted the Muslim Brotherhood, which supported Mursi as president and claimed it...

Get Ready for the Next China

Stephen S. Roach July 2, 2013
Foreign investors and governments must prepare to deal with China's new economic goals. Under new leaders, China is shifting toward a stable consumer-led growth model, away from production and rapid growth, writes Stephen S. Roach, Yale professor, author and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. New policies emphasize discipline in politics and finance. Also, the country’s service sector...

Granting Snowden Asylum Could Help and Hurt Ecuador's Leader

Chris Kraul, Pablo Jaramillo Viteri June 28, 2013
Giving asylum to Edward Snowden, the former US National Security Agency systems administrator who has exposed broad surveillance programs, might have mixed results for Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa. While assisting Snowden would help boost Correa’s image as a human-rights advocate in the international arena, Ecuador may have to sacrifice its trade preferences to enter the US market – set to...

Prism Informant: Moscow Welcomes Snowden With Open Arms

Benjamin Bidder June 25, 2013
Former NSA employee Edward Snowden’s arrival in Russia offers a public relations coup for Moscow after a string of criticisms by the United States on a number of fronts related to rights and freedoms. According to Spiegel Online, some members of the Russian parliament appear delighted with Snowden’s reported presence in their country, amid speculation about his eventual travel to Ecuador in light...

France vs EU: Bitter War of Words Escalates

June 24, 2013
A public spat between France and the EU is a potential sign of French disenchantment with the EU, reports The Local. The issue grew out of France’s position that European film and television industry be insulated from Hollywood during the upcoming US-EU trade negotiations and stems from past remarks José Manuel Barroso, EU Commission chief, regarding French protectionist positions on several...

Iran’s President-Elect May Offer New Opening

Mohammed Ayoob June 20, 2013
Iran’s voters rejected hardline conservatives in favor of Hassan Rouhani, a former chief nuclear negotiator who has served in the country’s National Security Agency, known for his conciliatory style. Mohammed Ayoob, professor and author, describes the president-elect as adept in foreign policy with the skills needed to ensure national security, control infighting and to engage with the rest of...