Analysts often question whether the United States can sustain its preeminence in the face of rising competitors like the European Union, China, India, Russia or Japan – as well as the rising prominence of economic power. This two-part series analyzes potential leadership for the 21st century, and...
Guarding the Horn: US National Guard instructs Ethiopian National Defense Force soldiers on infantry tactics. (Photo: US Army)
CAMBRIDGE: It has become fashionable to talk about the arrival of a multipolar world...
South Korea seeks to make the most of democracy by granting foreigners and young Koreans the right to vote in larger numbers than ever before in the country’s local elections. Integration of foreigners is a major concern throughout the world, but South Korea is the first Asian country to grant...
The upcoming local elections are being seen as a test for the nation's maturing democracy with expanded voting rights for foreigners and younger citizens.
Under the election law revised last year, permanent...
Preserving democracy in an impoverished Muslim nation is no easy task. After separating from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh created a constitution embracing secularism and democracy. A 1982 military coup suspended the constitution, and Islam was eventually named the state religion. Extremists...
Intolerance vs. democracy: Bangladeshi protest against insult to Islam, but some are planting bombs. Inset: Terrorist leader Siddiqul Islam, alias Bangla Bhai
BLOOMINGTON: A specter of violent Islamic extremism haunts...
Modern-day diplomats in Asia and beyond envision reviving the Silk Road, an ancient network of routes crisscrossing the continent for trade and security. But Valerie Hansen, author and professor of history at Yale University points, out that trade was not the primary purpose of the network. “...
NEW HAVEN: Despite all the talk in diplomatic circles of a new Silk Road and restoring trade in Central Asia, in actuality, these routes were among the least traveled in human history - possibly not worth studying if tonnage, traffic or the number...
Long known for its opposition to genetically modified organisms, Germany will soon allow the cultivation and sale of GM foods. The minister for consumer protection, food, and agriculture, herself a member of the pro-environment Green party, says the new laws will benefit farmers looking to grow GM...
After months of negotiations, the German government has agreed to allow the cultivation and sale of genetically modified crops in Germany.
Calling the bill “a great success for consumers and farmers...
In 1990, “Foreign Policy” first analyzed “soft power.” Here, Joseph S. Nye, Jr., author of the original article, returns to correct notions that have since become associated with soft power. The concept, he asserts, is the power of “attraction,” as opposed to the power of “coercion” or “payment...
“Soft Power Is Cultural Power”
Partly. Power is the ability to alter the behavior of others to get what you want. There are basically three ways to do that: coercion (sticks), payments (carrots), and...
ISIS, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, began as an Al Qaeda offshoot in Iraq and is described as more fanatical than the parent group. With up to 5000 troops, ISIS controls an area of Syria and now storms through northern Iraq exploiting...
Historical divide: ISIS, including Iraqi Sunnis discriminated against by the al-Maliki government exact revenge (top); Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi discriminated against liberals and was soon overthrown after massive protests
LONDON...
After 9/11, the US airlines laid off more than 10,000 pilots, many still out of work. As US airlines struggle, the pilots take early retirements and fret about the safety of pension plans. Many abandon seniority systems or union protection in the US to land jobs with the booming aviation industry...
Nearly two years ago, at age 51, Brian Murray took early retirement from US Airways. The pilot was outraged by the airline's termination of his pension plan and worried about his future with a carrier sliding toward...
