In The News

US Voters Mull the Economy

Bruce Stokes September 6, 2012
The global economy has a stake in the US presidential campaign. Top issues so far are economic: jobs, debt reduction and protecting the safety net for the nation’s elderly, otherwise known as Social Security and Medicare, amid rising costs. US voters want the economy fixed, but resist the sacrifices required for long-term solutions. In polls, 80 percent of Americans have expressed dissatisfaction...

Non-Aligned Summit Belies Isolation of Iran

Dilip Hiro September 4, 2012
The Non-Aligned Movement was born out of the Cold War, as emerging economies looked to become partners in international relations, enhancing self-reliance and development without subservience to one superpower or another. NAM’s 16th summit was hosted by Iran, contradicting a notion that US-led sanctions are isolating the state. Instead, NAM endorsed Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for...

East Asia’s Free for All

Frank Ching August 30, 2012
More than half a century has passed since Japan occupied China or Korea. Mistrust and bitterness linger, with intense nationalism and territorial disputes flaring over two sets of small islands in the East China Sea – Senkakus/Diaoyu and Takeshima/Dokdo. The value of the islands extends beyond land and reputation, with deposits of oil and natural gas possibly resting in the nearby seabed. The...

Can India Revive Nonalignment?

Ashley J. Tellis August 28, 2012
India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is leading a large delegation to the summit meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran this week. A foreign policy of nonalignment – friends to all – is tempting for any state, but particularly for a populous democracy like India. Under Jawaharlal Nehru, India navigated the Cold War with such a policy of nonalignment, balancing ties and trade with both the...

Pakistan’s Taliban Nightmare

Zahid Hussain August 23, 2012
More than a decade of war in Afghanistan has devastated Pakistan economically and politically. Yet Pakistan is key to Afghan security, capable of acting as a regional enforcer or spoiler as the US and NATO plan to withdraw forces from Afghanistan before the end 2014. Contrary to what’s widely believed in the West, Pakistan isn’t pushing for Taliban rule in Afghanistan, but prefers that a...

Egypt's Islamist Surprise

Mohamed El Dahshan August 21, 2012
Concerns emerged after the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohamed Morsi, prevailed in Egypt’s presidential election – about rigid Islamist ways, rejection of the peace treaty with Israel, distancing with the US and inadequate leadership in general. In less than two months, he has surprised many with a moderate stance while neutralizing the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has controlled...

Beijing Unflustered by Cool Ties With Seoul

Scott W. Harold August 14, 2012
China displays keen indifference to improving relations with South Korea. South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has set up a chat-room to solicit public input on improving ties, but Scott W. Harold, China specialist for the RAND Corporation, is pessimistic about new foreign-policy approaches. He lists wide policy differences. South Korea hopes for eventual reunification with North...