In The News

The Gordian Knot of Gaza

Tamara Cofman Wittes March 6, 2009
The internal politics for authoritarian Arab nations allied with the US complicate any resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and empower nations that resist Western influence, like Iran. The lack of power and miserable existence for Palestinians who seek their own state resonates with millions of Arabs, especially those who live in corrupt regimes allied with the US, Israel's major...

US and Global Security: An Interview with Admiral William J. Fallon

March 6, 2009
Admiral William J. Fallon, former commander of US Central Command, analyzes the ongoing US role in Iraq and Afghanistan, including criticisms about troop numbers, in this interview with Nayan Chanda, YaleGlobal editor. Fallon also describes security matters related to Pakistan, Iran, China and Japan. The consequences of any military action can extend far and wide, and Fallon notes: “I think one...

A Dangerous Void in Pakistan

Ahmed Rashid March 4, 2009
Many analysts had hoped that the democratic elections in 2008 and the resulting civilian government might stabilize Pakistan. Instead, a dithering and weak government which tried to buy off Islamic militants by a controversial ceasefire now face a breakdown of the ceasefire, in the midst of new terrorist attacks, political protests and economic meltdown. The result is that NATO and the US,...

China’s Quiet Activists

Shawn Shieh February 25, 2009
The Sichuan earthquake in May 2008 devastated entire communities, but it also witnessed the sprouting of grassroots organizations in the rubble. Notable among these has been the 512 Center, a grassroots group of activists who moved quickly to coordinate rescue efforts and alleviate suffering after the earthquake. What has also been notable is the government’s attitude toward this group. Normally...

The War on Drugs Is a Failure

Fernando Henrique Cardoso February 23, 2009
In 1971, US President Richard Nixon declared that fighting drug abuse would be a major priority. More than 30 years later, three former presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico label the policies that attack the supply side a failure. “Prohibitionist policies based on eradication, interdiction and criminalization of consumption simply haven't worked,” write Brazil’s Fernando Henrique...

End Game in Sri Lanka

Harsh V. Pant February 23, 2009
Civil war has divided Sri Lanka since 1983, as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam fought for a separate state for Tamils, which comprise 18 percent of the country’s population. But global and regional events that conspired against the rebel cause can’t be counted on during the post-conflict phase, explains Harsh V. Pant, a lecturer in defense studies at King’s College in London. Several factors...

Bangladesh’s Challenge

Philip Bowring February 20, 2009
Bangladesh has an array of economic, diplomatic and cultural challenges awaiting its newly elected democratic government, explains Philip Bowring for the Asia Sentinel. Bowring cautions that the world’s seventh most populated country cannot afford to depend on foreign aid: “Make the right moves now and Bangladesh will not only survive the global economic downturn relatively unscathed but could...