In The News

Greek Debt Crisis Is Providing Fuel for the Country's Neo-Nazi Movement Golden Dawn

Nick Apoifis July 16, 2015
Corrupt and inept management for Greece later forced a need for austerity measures, which in turn lead to politics of resentment – emboldening neo-Nazi parties like the Golden Dawn in Greece where the unemployment rate is 25 percent. Riots have broken out in Athens after the parliament had little choice but to approve strict reforms and exit the European Union. “Against this backdrop of declining...

Coalition in Turkey Could Alter the Country’s Foreign Policy Direction

Chris Miller June 18, 2015
Turkey’s governing Justice and Development Party, or AK, won the most votes in the June 7 election, but not enough to dodge the need for building a coalition in parliament. The coalition AK builds could swing right or left with implications for foreign policy, explains Chris Miller, a PhD student at Yale University and a research associate with the Hoover Institution. “A right-wing coalition...

Nigeria: Buhari’s Victory in Nigerian Election Has Global Significance

Richard Joseph April 1, 2015
Nigeria experienced its first peaceful and democratic transfer of power to an opposition candidates with the victory of Muhammadu Buhari. Voters and global onlookers expect a hard stance on corruption, terrorism and poverty. “Inexplicably, Africa's largest armed force, which has been given enormous financial outlays, has not been able to subdue a ragtag militia,” writes Richard Joseph in an...

Danger From the East: Bangladeshi Extremists Target India

Saroj Kumar Rath March 26, 2015
Some political parties try courting extremists, urging them to target political opponents. “Violent street contests between the cadres of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s Awami League and former Prime Minister Khalida Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party are weakening the country’s nascent democracy and ceding space to extremist groups,” writes historian and author Saroj Kumar Rath. “The...

Under Modi, India Challenges Old Assumptions

Harsh V. Pant March 12, 2015
Foreign policy in India has abruptly reversed course under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in office since May. Rather than maintain India’s aloof and traditional non-alignment stance, Modi has initiated a fresh start with major powers, engaging all with a confident enthusiasm to secure the best possible outcomes for India. Modi’s diplomacy is pragmatic and pro-active, explains Harsh V. Pant,...

Sri Lanka Tells China It Will Rethink Ties and a Major Port Project

Chen Qin and Huang Shan March 12, 2015
Foreign relations can shift with a new national government, and a key link in China’s plan for a maritime Silk Road winding through the Pacific and Indian oceans has been put on hold in Sri Lanka. The new government under President Maithripala Sirisena announced an environmental review for a proposed port and retail project in Sri Lanka. The deal included more than 1 million square meters of land...

Chad, Niger Launch Offensive Against Boko Haram

Krista Larson and Dalatou Mamane March 11, 2015
Forces from Chad and Niger are crossing into northern Nigeria to join the fight against the Boko Haram extremists whose name means “Western education is forbidden.” Boko Haram, which has kidnapped and enslaved large groups of schoolgirls, has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State extremists who control and terrorize strips of territory in Syria and Iraq. Generals leading the offensive insist...