In The News

Bratislava Summit: Buddies in Accord

Boris Yunanov February 25, 2005
There were no major surprises when US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on February 24. After a candid conversation, both leaders emerged wearing smiles. And, according to The Moscow News, the positive relationship between the two leaders stems from more than global strategic considerations, but from a close personal friendship which has colored the whole US-...

Preventing a War over Taiwan

Kenneth Lieberthal February 24, 2005
An escalation of the ongoing standoff between Taiwan and China could draw the already over-committed United States military into an unpleasant – and unnecessary – armed conflict. As political scientist Kenneth Lieberthal writes, political missteps on both sides have inflamed already heated cross-Strait tensions. China's warnings of military action have been seen as empty threats....

Bush to Europe: Let's Move On

Shada Islam February 23, 2005
Speaking of transatlantic relations during his recent European tour, President Bush emphatically claimed that "no temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on earth will ever divide us." As journalist Shada Islam explains, there is some basis for the President's optimism. The United States and Europe have agreed to disagree on a number of issues, favoring...

The Pull of the West

Stefan Wagstyl February 22, 2005
When the governments of several Eastern European countries succeeded in joining the EU last year, the voice of protest was loud among the citizenry. Yet recently, opinion polls show a significant growth in approval rates for EU membership, reflecting the growing visibility of economic and political membership benefit. On the economic end, new member countries in Eastern Europe have seen...

A Dose of Realism

Philip Bowring February 22, 2005
China's desire to pressure Taiwan into unification has been stymied by Japan and the United States, who have stressed the need for "peaceful resolution" – tantamount to supporting the status quo. Both countries, while officially supportive of One China, have other pressing strategic considerations. Japan is increasingly concerned with Chinese arms development, as well as Beijing...

Stand Up for People Power

Fareed Zakaria February 21, 2005
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s killing last week, possibly the result of his anti-Syrian remarks made at a summit months earlier, has now sparked a new Lebanese nationalism and international outrage that could seriously threaten the Syrian state. Among the many repercussions following Hariri’s death, an unprecedented partnership between the US and France has appeared, as both...

The Beirut Blast Shakes the Middle East

Rami G. Khouri February 18, 2005
Though American and Israeli occupations routinely hog headlines around the world, another occupation in the Middle East has won international attention this week. The assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri on Monday raised fresh questions about the continued Syrian military presence in Lebanon. Syrian troops were initially stationed in Lebanon to preserve its fragile unity...