Regions
Africa
Snapshot,
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September 9, 2010
The January 2011 elections could tear Nigeria apart. Is there anything the Obama administration can do to help the country avoid North-South conflict or a military coup?
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
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The world’s leading international institutions may be outmoded, but Brazil, China, India, and South Africa are not ready to join the helm. Their shaky commitment to democracy, human rights, nuclear nonproliferation, and environmental protection would only weaken the international system’s core values.
Snapshot,
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August 22, 2010
The idea of holding national leaders to account for waging wars of aggression has moral appeal and historical pedigree. But whether the International Criminal Court can try such cases is a thornier issue.
Americas
Comment,
Sep/Oct
2010
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The ouster of General Stanley McChrystal does not suggest that U.S. political-military relations are in crisis. But the episode should remind the military's highest officers of the need for, and the requirements of, appropriate professional behavior.
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
Read
The world’s leading international institutions may be outmoded, but Brazil, China, India, and South Africa are not ready to join the helm. Their shaky commitment to democracy, human rights, nuclear nonproliferation, and environmental protection would only weaken the international system’s core values.
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
Read
Right now, more than 100 foreign intelligence organizations are trying to hack into the digital networks that undergird U.S. military operations. The Pentagon recognizes the catastrophic threat posed by cyberwarfare, and is partnering with allied governments and private companies to prepare itself.
Asia
Letter From,
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September 3, 2010
This summer, Kashmir has been rocked by a fresh outbreak of protests and violence. As long as Indian security forces continue to respond with indiscriminate aggression, a lasting peace remains unlikely.
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
Read
The world’s leading international institutions may be outmoded, but Brazil, China, India, and South Africa are not ready to join the helm. Their shaky commitment to democracy, human rights, nuclear nonproliferation, and environmental protection would only weaken the international system’s core values.
Snapshot,
Read
August 26, 2010
North Korea's foreign policy is more predictable than many think -- a lesson that appears to have been lost on generations of U.S. policymakers. Today, the Obama administration should continue to avoid armed conflict with Pyongyang while refusing to reward its actions by meeting its demands.
Europe
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
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U.S. policymakers have historically applied yesterday's solutions to today's problems in the Middle East. But the Middle East is not what it was five years ago; it has moved on. President Obama must recognize that there is not a clean divide between a moderate pro-American camp and an extremist militant axis and take into account the region's rapidly shifting dynamics.
In Reset, Stephen Kinzer argues that the United States should partner with Iran and Turkey to promote democracy and combat extremism in the Middle East. Although it is hard to imagine Iran as a friend of Washington, Turkey is ready to play that role.
Snapshot,
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August 17, 2010
Can the Doha trade talks ever be brought to a close? Without a final consensus, the global trading system remains fragmented. The best chance for a lasting agreement is for China and the United States to make new and significant concessions.
Middle East
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
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Hamas is central to Israeli security and Palestinian politics, yet the international community refuses to work with it. This is a mistake. Hamas might possibly be convinced not to undermine progress on a peace deal. Israel and the international community should exploit Hamas' vulnerabilities with a mix of coercion and concessions -- including a further easing of the siege of Gaza.
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
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For decades, Israel has maintained an "opaque" nuclear posture -- neither confirming nor denying that it possesses nuclear weapons. The time has come for Israel to reconsider the policy of nuclear ambiguity. It can do so without jeopardizing the nation's security.
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
Read
U.S. policymakers have historically applied yesterday's solutions to today's problems in the Middle East. But the Middle East is not what it was five years ago; it has moved on. President Obama must recognize that there is not a clean divide between a moderate pro-American camp and an extremist militant axis and take into account the region's rapidly shifting dynamics.
Russia & FSU
Snapshot,
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September 7, 2010
Guided by President Dmitry Medvedev, Russia appears to be slowly refashioning its foreign policy to favor better relations with the West. Moscow would like to exchange closer ties for investment and technology -- a trade that Washington would be wise to support.
Comment,
Sep/Oct
2010
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The proposed nuclear arms reductions in the New START treaty are sensible, but the United States and Russia can and should go much further.
Essay,
Sep/Oct
2010
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In today's Russia, officers in the country's security agencies -- especially the FSB -- wield great influence over Russia's political life, foreign policy, and economic interests. If the Kremlin is serious about modernizing the country, it will have to rein in the virtually untrammeled power of the security services.
Global Commons
Postscript,
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February 22, 2010
For many climate-change experts, the Copenhagen summit was something of a failure. In order to make real progress on pressing climate issues, policymakers must give up on a binding deal and begin to look outside the UN process.
Essay,
JUL/AUG
2009
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To defeat piracy in centuries past, governments pursued a more active defense at sea and a political solution on land. The current piracy epidemic off the coast of East Africa requires many of the same tactics.
Comment,
May/June
2009
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The expansion of the Proliferation Security Initiative to South Korea is a welcome development. The PSI is not only a promising model for combating nuclear proliferation, but also offers a blueprint for future international cooperation.
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