In The News

Cracks in the System

Hassan Nafaa May 12, 2006
Nonproliferation is an admirable goal, but hardly stops the spread of nuclear weapons. Since its inception, the nonproliferation system was designed to be temporary. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) has flaws and loopholes that make it inadequate and unfair. Dividing the world into two groups – with nuclear capability acceptable for some nations and not for others – is not a viable...

Can the Doha Round Be Salvaged?

Ernesto Zedillo May 9, 2006
The Doha Round began in 2001 as an attempt to eliminate trade barriers and encourage global commerce among developing nations. But countries submitted lengthy wish lists to the negotiators. With collective agreement required among 149 member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO), it’s no surprise that the round has stalled. The Doha Round struggles from an inherent contradiction –...

Think Again: International Courts

Helena Cobban May 8, 2006
Human-rights activists envision international courts as a source for justice and peace. Author Helena Cobban, however, questions the worth of international courts, especially when cases are prolonged as in the case of Slobodan Milosevic, former president of Serbia. In Rwanda, the court has spent more than $1 billion prosecuting about 25 cases from the 1994 genocide. Cobban says the court...

Climate Change Drives Disease to New Territory

Doug Struck May 5, 2006
Politicians tend to procrastinate when it comes to long-term problems. But rising temperatures are causing immediate problems, as diseases like malaria, cholera, Dengue fever, Lyme disease and West Nile virus make inroads into new territory, including the US, Europe and Canada. Common insects like ticks and mosquitoes live through mild winters and find new habitats, thus transforming from...

Not Out of the Woods Just Yet

Don Melnick May 5, 2006
Forests are an essential part of the earth’s delicate ecosystem. But corporations and governments promote rapid cutting for profits, and more than a billion acres of forestland have been lost since 1970. Forests not only provide fuel and building products, but also protect water supplies and mitigate the effects of global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide. Biology Professor Don Melnick and...

The Global News War

Marcel Rosenbach May 5, 2006
The terms used to describe media globalization rely on metaphors of war – as more countries realize that a strong media presence is as powerful as traditional diplomacy. More industry leaders and governments struggle to portray events with new perspectives and reach new audiences. Emerging networks include Aljazeera International, a French version of CNN, and a BBC Arabic channel. Several...

Globalization Is a Story Still to Be Written

Sheldon W. Stahl May 3, 2006
Despite all the commentary on globalization, the ultimate question of whether the phenomenon enables progress or detracts from quality of life remains to be answered. Undeniably, globalization delivers tangible benefits, many visible in the US. A greater array of high-quality goods at lower prices is one benefit, while foreign direct investment can provide new employment opportunities. Such...