In The News

The War on What?

Thomas Friedman May 8, 2002
With the end of the Cold War, the United States shifted its policy of supporting any regime that would repel communism to supporting the expansion of democracy. This policy change helped overthrow the Indonesian military dictator, Suharto, and strengthen a budding democratic system. New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman, writes that Indonesians now are worried that the newest US policy shift...

Let Nike Stay in the Game

Bob Herbert May 6, 2002
Does the US Constitution protect freedom of speech even when that speech is full of lies? According to this opinion piece in The New York Times, it most certainly should. Last week, however, a lawsuit was brought against Nike charging the corporation with misrepresenting its overseas factories and falsely telling the public that it was in compliance with applicable wage and safety regulations....

More Aid, More Need: Pledges Still Falling Short

Tim Weiner March 24, 2002
The US is not living up to its aid responsibilities despite growing concerns about global poverty after September 11, says this article in The New York Times. Though President Bush has drawn an explicit link between poverty and terrorism, and is substantially increasing aid to poor countries as a result, US aid remains restricted to specific counties and is still far less than aid from its...

That Dog Won’t Bark

William Safire January 24, 2002
China remains silent after it discovers 27 spying devices in a plane sold to them by the United States; Russia welcomes NATO to its borders; the Arab street does not publicly criticize the invasion of fellow religious extremists in Afghanistan. Why is it that whenever the United States resolves to “go it alone” anticipated opposition seems to melt away? Safire asserts that part of the reason is...

In Kashmir Sequel, Seeking a New Ending

Celia W. Dugger January 2, 2002
According to New York Times writer Celia W. Dugger, ''confrontations between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, the beautiful Himalayan land, have unfolded like movie sequels with the same discouraging plot line. But recently, the sheer force of events seems to have fast-forwarded the story line between these old enemies and suddenly a different, more hopeful ending seems possible, if...

Taiwan Polls Dash China’s Unification Hopes

Ching Cheong December 4, 2001
When Taiwan held legislative elections in late 2001, the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won a majority of seats, leaving China surprised. This political turnaround has dealt a blow to the theory that economic integration between China and Taiwan will bring political integration. As one official remarked, businessmen make rational choices but “when it comes to an election…then one...

China’s Leader Urges Opening Communist Party to Capitalists

Craig S. Smith July 2, 2001
China’s President, Jiang Zemin, declared that private business owners should be allowed to join the Communist Party of China. “China's leaders have recognized the importance of private businesses in absorbing the state sector's excess workers and in improving the economy's global competitiveness as the country prepares to enter the World Trade Organization.” The incorporation of...