In The News

A World Without the UN?

Ernesto Zedillo March 14, 2005
Critics of the United Nations point to its failure to intervene in humanitarian crises and to maintain global peace and security. Some claim that the organization has reached its expiration date, that the world no longer needs such an impotent governing body. Yet despite the significant changes in world politics in the last 60 years, collective action among nations is still necessary to assure...

Confucius Says: It's Time to Learn Mandarin

Hamish McDonald March 7, 2005
As China continues its ascent as a global power, the demand for Chinese-language speakers has, indeed, increased. In response to – and perhaps to reinforce –these needs, China has launched an international initiative to boost language proficiency. Dubbed the Confucius Institutes, over 100 Chinese language learning centers are planned to open in cities worldwide. As with many Chinese global...

A Question in Blix

Mohamed Sid-Ahmed March 4, 2005
Developed nations no longer monopolize weapons of mass destruction; nor are rogue states the most troubling new nuclear threats. The secrets of producing nuclear weapons have been spilled, and the cost of their production has fallen, making them available to non-state actors – namely, terrorists. Against this backdrop, UN weapons expert Hans Blix answers a difficult question: "Given that...

Bloodsport: A Sequel

Boria Majumdar March 3, 2005
For some, sport is simply viewed as another forum for entertainment – but it may serve other functions, as well. Sometimes, it is promoted as a way to bridge cultural gaps and facilitate peace, as seen most prominently with the Olympics. But as this Outlook India opinion suggests, an undercurrent of nationalism is ever-present in international sporting events. For India and Pakistan, the...

An End to Killing Kids

March 2, 2005
This week, the US Supreme Court abolished the execution of juveniles, leaving only a handful of nations still using capital punishment for minors. While convicted adults still face the death penalty, the popularity of capital punishment may be waning in America. According to The Economist, recent developments indicate that the United States no longer wishes to be out of step with its allies and...

Bratislava Summit: Buddies in Accord

Boris Yunanov February 25, 2005
There were no major surprises when US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on February 24. After a candid conversation, both leaders emerged wearing smiles. And, according to The Moscow News, the positive relationship between the two leaders stems from more than global strategic considerations, but from a close personal friendship which has colored the whole US-...

Stand Up for People Power

Fareed Zakaria February 21, 2005
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s killing last week, possibly the result of his anti-Syrian remarks made at a summit months earlier, has now sparked a new Lebanese nationalism and international outrage that could seriously threaten the Syrian state. Among the many repercussions following Hariri’s death, an unprecedented partnership between the US and France has appeared, as both...