In The News

Iraqi Elections: Not Yet Historic

Rami G. Khouri February 2, 2005
Sunday's elections in Iraq were an unprecedented step towards self-rule for a nation that had long suffered under autocracy. While the vote was certainly historical, it by no means assures the birth of a genuine democracy. Whether this moment becomes historic – producing lasting, meaningful change – or descends into chaos depends on the events of the coming months and years, says Rami G....

Democracy Won, but do Americans Care?

Maggie Mitchell-Salem February 1, 2005
The largely successful democratic election in Iraq was made possible only by tens of thousands of deaths, both Iraqi and American. In the United States, many initial supporters of the war are growing increasingly wary of mounting costs and casualties, suggests this Daily Star commentary. This wariness comes as President Bush uses the elections to justify a continued US presence in Iraq and –...

Voting, Not Violence, is the Story for Arab Press

Hassan M. Fattah January 31, 2005
Yesterday's historic elections in Iraq proved, by many accounts, to be a relative success, but the story of the day may be the measured reaction of the Arab press. Popular news outlets Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera, who have spent most of the last two years broadcasting images of violence to the Middle East and the rest of the world, took a step back from this type of coverage to provide...

Critics See Hypocrisy in China's Support for Baghdad Elections

Mark Magnier January 28, 2005
China contributed US$1 million to help ensure the success of Iraq's upcoming election this Sunday. But at home, democracy is still something to which leaders have a serious aversion. Chinese officials argue that their country's history provides a tenuous foundation for democracy and that their people are too poor and uneducated to participate in the electoral process. Yet neighboring...

Read My Ears

Thomas L. Friedman January 27, 2005
As President Bush prepares for his visit to Europe next month, he faces widespread criticism across the continent. In this New York Times op-ed, Thomas Friedman writes that Bush has one good option if he wants to truly mend relations: He should talk less and listen more. Most Europeans believe that Bush does not take their opinions seriously enough. According to Friedman, Bush could change...

Humanitarian Stain

Justin McCurry January 26, 2005
Strict immigration policies in Japan have changed the lives of one Kurdish family - and may have a lasting effect on Japan's relations with the international humanitarian and diplomatic communities. For a decade, the family of seven has been subject to countless obstacles from the Japanese government. After separation, multiple refusals, and deportations, their story became a rallying point...

Putin's Wary Reconciliation

Liliana Proskuryakova January 24, 2005
Although the newly elected Ukraine president Victor Yushchenko arrived in Moscow today in a gesture of reconciliation, Russia's ill-disguised attempt to defeat him in the election has left a bad taste in the mouth. It has not only soured relations between these two historically close partners giving rise to anti-Russian sentiment in Ukraine, but also further complicated Russia's...