In The News

Africa's Hungry Are Fed Bad Policies

Paul Kwengwere December 30, 2004
Amidst plagues of war and disease, hunger remains one of Sub-Saharan Africa's most devastating afflictions. Developed countries have responded with aid, relief efforts, and policy interventions to help the region's struggling farmers. But, as Paul Kwengwere writes, behind the gratitude for this assistance looms a debate regarding the long-term value of the terms involved. IMF loan...

A Thaw in South Asia? – Part I

Michael Krepon December 23, 2004
India and Pakistan's feud over the disputed region of Kashmir may at last be subsiding, says nuclear proliferation expert Michael Krepon. The issue has long been a dangerous sticking point between the two nuclear powers. Yet after a year-long cease fire along the Line of Control, both Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf seem willing to compromise on...

Uzbekistan's Democratic Smoke Screen

Paula R. Newberg December 20, 2004
Many predict a great victory for populist democracy in the Ukrainian recall elections on December 26th. That same day, writes Paula Newberg, democracy will also suffer a great blow in Uzbekistan's elections. Repression and poverty have stifled the country's economic and political ambitions since the fall of the Soviet Union. And its current president, Islam Karimov, strongly believes...

African Renaissance

Gamal Nkrumah December 17, 2004
When the Egyptian and Nigerian presidents met recently to discuss bilateral and trans-African issues, top items on their agenda included economic cooperation, and most importantly and urgently, the Sudanese peace process. For both leaders, this process is both a crisis and an opportunity: If solved successfully, it will help enhance African-Arab cooperation. African leaders are more interested...

Moment of Truth as UN Chief Confronts Fiercest Rival

Michael Fullilove December 16, 2004
The past month has been difficult, at best, for the United Nations and its Secretary-General Kofi Annan. As Annan prepares to announce a reform package for the organization, this is a crucial moment for both the organization and its leader. In what may be a true test of grit, Annan will fight to pass a report on global security threats, which will outline the UN's role in addressing...

A Reluctant Embrace

Shada Islam December 16, 2004
Following Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh's murder by an alleged Islamic extremist, many European countries are even more nervous about the plan to begin talks with Turkey for EU admission. The country's Islamic religion and alleged undemocratic nature have also inspired opposition in largely secular Europe. Yet Turkey's membership has obvious benefits for the Union, says journalist...

Turkey's Muslim Identity Did Not Prevent Turkey's Intense Relations with Europe

Abdullah Gil December 16, 2004
The debate surrounding Turkey's inclusion as a member of the European Union has prompted a process of political and economic reform that has been remarkably successful and has received widespread popular support. Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul writes that his country has demonstrated a commitment to internal restructuring merits recognition by the European and global community....