In The News

NATO after Riga

Joseph S. Nye December 14, 2006
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) survived the end of the Cold War by re-inventing itself and adapting to a changing world, writes Harvard Professor Joseph Nye. Yet even a transformed NATO faces many challenges, particularly as the military alliance undertakes action beyond Europe in Afghanistan. Success in Afghanistan requires more troops and greater flexibility, argues Nye. “One of...

Kazakhstan Learns to Love Borat

Ryan Kennedy December 1, 2006
Kazakhstan leaders were appalled at how the movie “Borat: Cultural Learnings for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” portrayed their nation as backward and anti-Semitic. The comedy-documentary, with a British actor posing as a Kazakh journalist seeking to learn lessons from the US, has yet to be shown in either Kazakhstan or Russia. Initial Kazakh reactions to the film – such as removing...

Tripping on the Tightrope

Graham Usher November 13, 2006
Citizens of Muslim countries increasingly question who exactly are the targets in the US-led “war on terror.” In late October, three US-made missiles struck a madrassa in Bajaur, not far from the border of Afghanistan, killing more than 75 men under the age of 20. US and Pakistan leaders insisted the religious school was a training site for suicide bombers. Pakistani citizens suspect that the US...

Un-free Kashmir

Graham Usher November 1, 2006
For decades, Kashmir has been the target of competing Indian and Pakistani claims. Many Kashmiris, however, prefer full independence from both occupying powers. Ironically, these Kashmiri nationalists have seen their fortunes buoyed since the earthquake that devastated their homeland last year. The Pakistani army, which has long repressed Kashmiri calls for independence, was forced to loosen...

China's Iron Grip

Fred Hiatt October 10, 2006
The experience of Rebiya Kadeer, a 60-year old Chinese woman, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and critic of the regime in China, demonstrates the growing brazenness of that government in its retaliation against dissent. Released after six years in prison, Kadeer was exiled to the United States, only to find herself under surveillance by Chinese agents after she became involved with pro-democracy...

Is Russia Ready for a Shipping Boom?

Sarah J. Wachter October 2, 2006
The trans-Siberian pipeline is Russia’s largest infrastructure investment at $17 billion. When completed, it will stretch from Lake Baikal to the Sea of Japan, more than 4,000 kilometers and allow Russia to ship oil to China, Japan and even the US. Yet the pipeline has become the focus of debate for Russia, neighboring countries, international oil companies and conservationists who worry that...

Pakistan's Awkward Balancing Act on Islamic Militant Groups

Pamela Constable August 30, 2006
Pakistan presents itself as an ally in the US war on terror, but looks the other way when it comes to groups who instigate attacks in Afghanistan and India. But that two-sided approach could become more challenging as more evidence emerges of Pakistani links to recent cases: the July bombing of a commuter train in Bombay and the August arrest of British citizens who planned to bomb airlines over...