Background on the News - 2004-08-11

Will Chavez Lose His Luster?

August 11, 2004

Next week Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez will face his biggest political challenge yet: a national referendum to determine whether he should be ousted before the end of his term. Elected in 1998 on the promise of purging the government of corruption, the once-popular president has since alienated business interests, trade unions, and even some of the poor who carried him to power by failing to contain Venezuela's reeling economy and pushing too far self-serving political reforms. The recall vote is the latest episode in the story of Chávez's turbulent tenure, which Kurt Weyland started tracking in an article for Foreign Affairs in late 2001 and a postscript in January 2003.

• Read a postscript by the author
• Full text of original essay

Previously in Background on the News

What Happened to the "New Sovereigntism"?
July 28, 2004
In a 2000 article for Foreign Affairs, Peter Spiro examined how advocates of a "new sovereigntism" called for the United States to resist being absorbed into a broader community of international law, standards, and institutions. . . . Read more

The Power Gap in Gaza
July 14, 2004
In a powerful challenge to Yasir Arafat's authority as Palestinian leader, the armed wing of the Fatah political movement recently called for a comprehensive campaign against corruption in the Palestinian Authority. . . . Read more

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In the Next Issue of Foreign Affairs

On newsstands starting August 31, 2004

• Larry Diamond, former C.P.A. official, on the bungling of the Iraq occupation;
• Stephen Flynn on the need for the United States to step up its homeland security efforts;
• Peter G. Peterson, Chair of The Blackstone Group and former U.S. Commerce Secretary, on the looming catastrophe for the U.S. economy;
• Joseph Siegle, Michael Weinstein, and Morton Halperin on linking economic and democratic development.

Plus: Overhauling counterproliferation policy, a look back at the past decade of Middle East peacemaking efforts, the case for Turkey's E.U. membership, and Indonesia's democratic transformation.

To get your copy of the September/October 2004 issue, visit your local newsstand or the Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstore nearest you beginning August 31, 2004. To receive your copy in the mail, subscribe no later than:

• U.S. Orders: September 30, 2004
• International and Canadian orders: August 31, 2004

Or use our Newsstand Finder.

In the Current Issue of Foreign Affairs

The complete text of selected essays and of all the book reviews from the July/August issue can be found on the Foreign Affairs Web site. Currently the following essays are available in their full text:

A Global Power Shift in the Making

James F. Hoge, Jr.

Global power shifts happen rarely and are even less often peaceful. Washington must take heed: Asia is rising fast, with its growing economic power translating into political and military strength. The West must adapt — or be left behind.

• What people are saying
  (via Google)

Beyond Kyoto

John Browne

Global warming is real and needs to be addressed now. Rather than bash or mourn the defunct Kyoto Protocol, we should start taking the small steps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions today that can make a big difference down the road. The private sector already understands this, and its efforts will be crucial in improving fossil fuel efficiency and developing alternative sources of energy. To harness business potential, however, governments in the developed world must create incentives, improve scientific research, and forge international partnerships.

• What people are saying
  (via Google)

Berlin to Baghdad: The Pitfalls of Hiring Enemy Intelligence

Timothy Naftali

Washington wants to hire ex-Baathists to help rebuild Iraq. The CIA's experience using ex-Nazis to run West Germany's intelligence service should give it pause.

• What people are saying
  (via Google)