In The News

Immigration – and the Curse of the Black Legend

Tony Horwitz July 12, 2006
In the current US debate on illegal immigration, one argument stresses the threat posed to a unique culture by the “’invasion’” of aliens. Many assume that this culture, as evidenced by the recent push to make English the country’s official language, is based on an Anglo heritage. Many forget that US history includes Spanish exploration and settlement, according to author Tony Horwitz. Prejudices...

Communist Party at Crossroads

Chua Chin Hon July 11, 2006
The Chinese Communist Party has maintained its grip on power in China for 85 years, and by many estimates, is still going strong. Abroad, China’s influence continues to grow, while at home, membership in the party and its local organizations has also increased. Observers point out, however, a myriad of domestic problems facing the CCP that could erode its power: environmental problems, ongoing...

Putin’s Anti-Globalization Strategy

George Schöpflin July 11, 2006
Russia is active in the global market, but President Vladimir Putin’s governance does not embrace all aspects of globalization. While not resurrecting the Sovietisms of yesterday’s Kremlin, Putin places no faith in the western political mandates of globalization that advocate for the power of the individual consumer over the control of the state. Putin endorses a strong central state, control...

North Korea's Neighbors Keep Friendly Tone

Evan Ramstad July 8, 2006
The world is alarmed by the test launch of seven missiles by North Korea, yet South Korea and China decline to issue a tough response. Instead South Korea reaffirms its “sunshine” policy and China reasserts its “friendly” relations with its neighbor to the east. In the United Nations, meanwhile, China and Russia were the only two states on the Security Council to oppose a Japan-sponsored...

The Rush for Legal Status in France

Katrin Bennhold July 7, 2006
Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, reacting to protests against the deportation of families with school-aged children, instructed police chiefs to grant residency papers to families who fulfill certain requirements. That move toward leniency blurs his stance on immigration, especially after the French Parliament passed a tough new law proposed by Sarkozy that makes citizenship more challenging...

Japan’s Succession Battle

Daniel Sneider July 6, 2006
The succession struggle for Japan’s next prime minister has brought the two opposing schools of Japan’s foreign policy into sharper focus. Foreign affairs analyst Daniel Sneider writes that the result of the current debate between the ruling party’s Realist school and the Nationalist school could point to the future direction of Japan’s foreign policy toward its Asian neighbors. The “Assertive...

Sudan Rejects UN Peacekeepers for Darfur

Xan Rice July 6, 2006
The African Union (AU), sent to Darfur after the government launched attacks against civilians, is under-funded and struggling. Many agree that a more powerful force is the only way to end fighting and enforce a fragile peace deal. Sudan’s president, Omar el-Bashir, rejected the UN offer of peacekeepers on the grounds that it would represent western occupation of Sudan and draw Islamic militants...