In The News

The Barrel of the Gun, How Not to Promote Democracy

Ronald Meinardus August 23, 2004
The spread of democracy and globalization – defining characteristics of the modern era – have resulted in the erosion of national sovereignty, according to this op-ed from the Jakarta Post. The author contends that information technology, failed authoritarian regimes, and pure human nature facilitated the worldwide proliferation of democracy. A byproduct of this spread is the seemingly...

Reaching South

Dina Ezzat August 20, 2004
Embarking on a 10-day tour of Africa, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit has some serious diplomatic work to accomplish. The country’s failure in July to secure a bid to host the African Parliament was the most recent reminder of the tenuous state of Egypt’s continental ties. Throughout several upcoming diplomatic tours, Abul-Gheit plans to emphasize one key message: Africa is a top...

Taiwan's President Rejects China's 'Domestic Flights' Demand

Huang Tai-lin August 18, 2004
China and Taiwan are negotiating the opening of cross-strait air routes, but Taiwanese President Chen Shui-Bian has rejected China's assertion that the flights should be categorized as "domestic." This disagreement represents the last stumbling block in establishing what Taiwan refers to as the "three links" of opening trade, postal, and transport relations with the...

Bitterness Felt as Chávez Recall Fails

Gail Epstein Nieves August 17, 2004
Venezuelans living in southern Florida voted an overwhelming 12,710 to 246 for the recall of Hugo Chávez. However, much to their frustration, the fiery leftwing politician won 58 percent of the vote domestically. Now analysts say that Chavez, who already controls the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, may use his democratic mandate to deepen his so-called “Bolivarian...

The Metrosexual Superpower

Parag Khanna August 16, 2004
Europe is a “metrosexual” superpower, writes Parag Khanna, a fellow in global governance at the Brookings Institution; just as modern metrosexual men mix traditional masculine traits such as strength with an eye for style, Europe wields influence around the globe through soft power and finesse. Instead of overt displays of military strength, Europe has racked up diplomatic success through doling...

Southeastern European Nations Unite to Battle Sex Trafficking

David Binder August 15, 2004
According to the International Organization for Migration, 200,000 women are trafficked through Southeastern Europe each year. In response to this tragic crime rate, the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative in Bucharest has conducted three regional sweeps against human traffic rings. The Initiative, which opened in 2001 with American assistance, recently helped arrest five offenders in a...

Action or Sanctions

Dina Ezzat August 13, 2004
Jan Pronk, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to Darfur, has the responsibility of reporting to the Security Council on Aug 30 about the progress, if any, that the Sudanese government is making in its crisis-ridden Darfur region. If Pronk’s report is favorable, then no punitive action will be taken and the Council will wait until the next month for another progress report....