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Everyone loves equality. The problem is, however, that in geopolitics equality usually does not work very well. The fact is that domination of one sort or another has a better chance of preventing war than a system in which no one is really in charge
The 21st century is likely to see not a population explosion, but a cessation of population growth altogether. The defining demographic characteristics of the 21st century are likely to be declining births and stabilization in size
Immortality: Holding Back the Years
The quest for immortality probably began with the first flicker of human consciousness and was driven by survival. Although immortality looks as remote today as it did thousands of years ago, we have made strides in prolonging life and understanding why we age
Moscow - Beijing Ties: An Axis of Necessity
The recent Russia - China presidential summit in Moscow yielded a clear message. Both governments want a comprehensive relationship, but they want one that is practical and based on common interests. Shop-worn Cold War ideology has nothing to do with it
Elimination of Poverty Possible
The head of the World Bank says for the first time in human history, it is possible to eliminate poverty around the world. Jim Yong Kim told an audience, he wants to make ending world poverty by 2030 a top priority for the Bank and governments around the world
New Century is Off to a Wobbly Start
This certainly is not the best of times, nor the worst of times, considering the years of totalitarianism, war and cold war the world lived through in the 20th century, recently closed. But the years since 2000 have provided no auspicious start to the 21st century
United States and Israel Push The Boundaries of International Law
International law progresses through violations. We invented targeted assassination and we had to push it. At first there were protrusions that made it hard to insert into the legal molds. Now, it is in the center of the bounds of legitimacy
Military Interventions Rarely Fulfill Their Goals
Military interventions by powerful nations into lesser ones, such as now continues in Mali (and Afghanistan), and is being urged by many into the Syrian civil war, are inherently reckless since even the most powerful states can have the whole project blow up on them
Why do once-successful societies ossify and decline? Hundreds of reasons have been adduced for the fall of nations and empires. Reasons run from inflation and excessive spending to resource depletion and enemy invasion, as historians attempt to understand the sudden collapses
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George Magnus, the former chief economist at UBS Investment Bank and author of The Age of Aging has spent five years researching the effects of declining fertility on the global economy
Feel Like retiring? Forget It!
While longer years of life are a blessing, the speed with which this demographic change has occurred is forcing everyone -- from governments to employers to individual workers -- to rethink retirement
Half-Baked Economic Theories Continue to Direct Global Economy
I am not writing this to pile on two Harvard economists who put the Western world into economic mess. I am concerned about the policy professionals who accept such economic propositions even when they seem self-evidently too good to be true and defy common sense
UN Arms Treaty May Succeed Despite Iran, North Korea, Syria and NRA
Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias could not believe his ears when he heard that the United Nations had overwhelmingly approved a treaty to curb international arms sales, a cause he had been championing for nearly two decades
Pope Francis Ties with Jews, Muslims Could Strengthen Vatican
The most interesting thing about Argentine Pope Francis may be not just that he's the first Latin American to head the Vatican, but also that he may become the Church's biggest champion of interfaith dialogue ever
Pope Francis Staunch in Conservatism and in Defense of the Poor
A pope from Latin America brings to Rome an attunement to the nature of poverty. This is the social question of the moment. How far will Francis go to press his natural constituency on the right wing to establish a more just economic order?
War seems to come out of nowhere, like rust that suddenly pops up on iron after a storm. Throughout history, we have seen that war can sometimes be avoided or postponed, or its effects mitigated. But it never seems to go away entirely
The World's Struggle to Kick the Habit
Packaging has become what some describe as the 'last bastion' of tobacco marketing. And there is much to play for. Consumption of tobacco products continues to grow despite declines in most high-income countries
As two hellish, costly and needless wars struggle toward collapse, this is the time for us to look honestly at the cost and quality of national security based on militarism. It's time to get it through our heads that war is not inevitable
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Capitalism is not facing any sort of crisis, but rather is just being subverted by socialists, Wall Street con artists and various anti-capitalist wishful thinkers who are corrupting the once-straightforward relationship between work and benefit
When are Goals Ever Truly Realized in International Affairs?
It is, I suppose, too discouraging to face the fact that in international affairs paradox and contradiction rule the world. Policymakers and politicians consistently get what they don't want
Beyond the Post-Cold War World
We have lived in the post-Cold War world since 1991. The post-Cold War world had two phases. The first lasted from Dec. 31, 1991, until Sept. 11, 2001. The second lasted from 9/11 until now. We are now entering a new period
The bombs went off in the final stretch of the race -- which had been dedicated to the victims of the tragedy in Newtown. My God. Now another wound has opened in the social fabric. Another enormous question tears at our hearts. Once again we ask: Why?
Bin Laden's Influence Lives on After Him
A day will undoubtedly come when Osama bin Laden will occupy the same place in 21st century history as Gavrilo Princip holds in the history of the 20th Century. Both committed acts that provoked great wars, brought down empires and profoundly altered their times
Dam Construction Raising Regional Tensions
Here come those dastardly dams! In Asia, Africa and the Middle East, nations are aggressively building new hydroelectric dams, seemingly heedless of the potentially disastrous effects on the countries downstream
This is a glimpse at what it means to build lasting peace: to transform the volatility of hopelessness into deep and real connection between people. And this is the beginning of lasting peace
We'll be leaving behind an unstable Afghanistan with hundreds of armed insurgent groups. We haven't rescued or rebuilt the country or accomplished any objective that begins to justify the human and financial cost of this adventure. We just lost
United States to Join Global Race for Talent -- Big Time
President Obama's immigration plan calling for a huge increase in visas for foreign science and engineering graduates will pose a huge challenge for China, India and Latin America
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German-Born Pope Brought Conservative Views to Vatican
Two Africans Among Candidates for Next Pope
Intelligence and Human Networks
Earth-Like Planets Closer Than Expected
Falling Birth Rates Portend A Very Different World
Avoiding the Wars That Never End
The Geopolitics of Immigration
Global Governance at Heart of Failed Foreign Policies
Financial Nerve Centres at Risk of Flooding
Cyber Threats: Establishing the First Line of Defense
Arming The Information Highway Patrol
Stripping Down to 140 Characters
Education Can Replace the Loss of Hope
21 Trillion Dollars Hidden in Tax Havens
The World is Changing Minute by Minute
Could We Have the Wars Without the Manipulation?
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Africa is the one remaining region where big families are the norm. Fertility is still high with five births per woman and rapid population growth is inevitable. Africa's population will more than double from 900 million today to 1.96 billion by 2050
Nigeria's Squandered Opportunity
Transparency International lists almost three dozen states as more corrupt. But are any of those nations as wealthy as Nigeria -- taking in $81 billion annually, just from the sale of oil? No. So Nigeria steals and squanders more money than any other nation
Richest Businessman Says Libya Is Better Off
Despite problems buffeting the country, Libya's richest businessman says all Libyans are better off now than they were under Moammar Gadhafi. However, Hesham Husni Bey's optimism is tinged with frustration
Nobel Laureate Gbowee Laments Liberia's Political Disputes
Liberian Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee has warned that recent developments are undermining Liberia's young democracy. Her warning comes amid a dispute between Grace Kpaan and members of the House of Representatives
Egypt's Turmoil Makes Life Tougher for Refugees
Life in Egypt for refugees has moved from bad to worse after the revolution. Refugees and migrants are frequently the victims of unprovoked arrests and disappearances, while also struggling to feed themselves and pay rent
Rising Insecurity in Northern Kenya
Over the past two months, an estimated 1,000 families have been forced from their homes in Baringo, a district in Kenya's northern Rift Valley, because of recurrent conflict between the local Tugen and Pokot communities
Libyans Wary of Violence in Tunisia
Facing similar challenges, Libya and Tunisia have been establishing closer ties, trying to learn from each other. Libya’s leaders are watching nervously the turmoil in neighboring Tunisia, fearing it may foreshadow trouble for them too
Kenya Violence Threatens March Vote
Human Rights Watch is urging Kenya to crack down on rights abuses and enact promised political reforms ahead of its national elections as heightened tensions could lead to an outbreak of violence and threaten the voting
Housing Crisis Causes Disease Threats in Zimbabwe
The thick stench of human waste pervades the block of the eight unfinished flats in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. The complex is dotted with human faeces - some of it parcelled in plastic bags, some not
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Mali: After the War, The Hard Part
A slow return to normality is becoming possible in Mali's northern regions which endured months of harsh jihadist rule until French-led forces intervened. However, there is concern that this should not simply mean a return to the pre-crisis state of affairs
Victims of Forgotten War Need the World's Attention
The forgotten war has just turned 10 years old, but of course almost no one took notice. Since early 2003, at least 300,000 people have been killed. More than 2 million others have been forced from their homes. Even now, the problems are worsening
Anti-Morsi Fervor Grows Despite Shift in Election Dates
Whether it's angry Copts or the ongoing demonstrations against his rule, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi continues to face growing challenges and growing nationwide unrest
Will Morsi Face Mubarak's Fate in Egypt?
As Egyptians celebrated the second anniversary of former President Hosni Mubarak's ouster, protests organized by opposition groups continued against the rule of Mubarak successor Mohamed Morsi, whom some believe will meet Mubarak's fate
Somali Government to Relocate IDPs, Welcome Returning Refugees
The Somali government plans to relocate thousands of internally displaced persons currently in Mogadishu to camps on the outskirts of the city, but there are concerns over inadequate government capacity as well as security and access to services
Jihadism in North Africa Gets US Attention
The main foreign preoccupation seems to be the potential threat to America of al-Qaida of the Islamic Maghreb and the other bands of Islamic jihadists, kidnappers, smugglers and bandits active in the Sahara
Tunisians Question Future After Politician's Death
The shooting death of an opposition politician has brought to a head simmering tensions in Tunisia and deep political and religious divisions. Tunisia, once heralded as a model for Arab democracy, is struggling for a way forward
The Mali Blowback: More to Come?
The French-led military offensive in Mali has pushed back radical Islamists freeing the local population from totalitarian rule. However, despite these initial victories, it raises concerns as to what unforeseen consequences may lay down the road
Mali a Sign of France's Reset Africa Policy
After mounting a military operation to help Mali crush Islamist extremists, some observers say the Mali intervention symbolizes a changed French relationship with Africa -- and the presidency of French leader Francois Hollande
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China Works to Improve Image in Africa
China's activities in Africa have long been a target of criticism. Its support of controversial leaders and massive hunger for resources have led some to question its intentions. Changing that perception has been a key point for Chinese President Xi Jinping
Will China Wear Out Its Welcome in Africa?
The key to China's acceptance in Africa has been its strictly businesslike approach: economic investment without political engagement. Yet there is some evidence that Chinese companies are beginning to wear out their welcome on the continent
Algeria: Return of the Arab Strongman
Algeria, the biggest country in Africa, played an eerily subdued role in the Arab Spring. It is only now, two years since a wave of popular uprisings spread across the Middle East and North Africa, that Algeria has become a focus of world interest
Despite his repeated brushes with the law, a poor performance in his first term and a general sense that at the age of 70 he is unfit for leadership, Jacob Zuma won a second term as president of the ANC with 75 per cent of the vote
The Regional Threat Posed by Mali's Militants
Militant Islamists fleeing northern Mali under pressure from French forces could undermine security in neighbouring countries from where some of the fighters are believed to hail. They could also attract the support of sympathetic militias in the region
Delusions of the Anti-War Crowd
It would indeed be nice if there were no wars anywhere on Earth. It would also be great to own five BMWs and three private islands. Both are equally unlikely scenarios, yet only the first is accepted as plausible by the perpetually deluded
The In Amenas Fiasco Throws Cold Water on the Algeria-U.S.-France Love Fest
The Algerian hostage situation and ensuing crisis -- one of the largest hostage seizures ever ended with the death of 80 people -- was both a human and political fiasco and its regional implications are still evolving
A New Take on Land Reform in Zimbabwe
More than 10 years after the chaotic and often violent farm invasions that accompanied Zimbabwe's fast-track land reform programme, a new book argues that the redistribution programme has dramatically improved the lives of thousands
Relief as Mali Towns Recaptured
Residents of Gao and Timbuktu in northern Mali expressed relief after French and Malian forces re-took the towns from Islamist militia, but said they faced an enormous task in rebuilding the cities
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The Unspectacular, Unsophisticated Algerian Hostage Crisis
Africa to the World: Don't Tell Us Who We Are or What To Do
Regional Defense Chiefs to Meet Over Mali Crisis
In Swaziland Child Marriage Still a Grey Area
Why Africa Is Turning to China
The Expensive, Diminishing Threat of Somali Piracy
Two Women Unlock Possible Key to HIV Vaccine
Illegal Migration on the Rise in Somaliland
Western Cape Farmworkers Join Strikes in South Africa
Foreigners Still at Risk of Violent Attacks in South Africa
Underfunding Leaves Poor Unable to Adapt
Congo Attempts to Trade Their Way Out of Poverty
African Wheat -- Balancing Consumer and Farmer Demands
Anti-Migrant Sentiment Increasing in South Africa
Postcard from Isoke, South Sudan
Nigeria: Big Problems But a Big Future
Police Targeting Foreign Traders in Limpopo
Typhoid and Cholera Outbreaks Return to Zimbabwe
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China and North Korea: A Tangled Partnership
China's alliance with North Korea seems like a Cold War relic with little reason for persisting. However, Beijing's continued support for Pyongyang is not rooted in shared ideology or past cooperation nearly as much as in China's own security calculations
North Korea Following a Well-Worn Pattern
Some experts believe North Korea's posturing is still another ploy to obtain foreign aid, and that is certainly one of the goals. But at the same time, this provocative series of events is drawing more international attention than previous inflammatory moments
Any book that purports to tell the story of the 'real North Korea' runs the risk of serious overhype. North Korea, after all, is perhaps the least understood, least accessible, and least research-friendly country in the world
Saber-Rattling on the Korean Peninsula
The cycle of saber-rattling and counter saber-rattling resolves nothing and worsens the situation. Continued rounds of aggressive posturing increase the likelihood of a dangerous miscalculation that could trigger outright conflict on the Korean Peninsula
Japan under Shinzo Abe: Too Nationalist for the Rest of Asia?
Nationalist gestures and recent rhetoric have led to suggestions that Japan may be abandoning its post-War pacifism in favor of a more assertive posture. However, this narrative forgets that the overwhelming majority of the country is opposed to such a change
Bizarre Belligerence on the Korean Peninsula
The news from North Korea has of late been of the frightening variety. What the North Korean leadership is hoping to achieve by its belligerence is anyone's guess, but the aggressive American response has only escalated tension
Considering a Departure in North Korea's Strategy
North Korea's primary goal is regime preservation. Demonstrating ferocity makes other countries cautious. Weakness prevents other countries from taking drastic action. The pretense of insanity makes North Korea appear completely unpredictable
China Begins Efforts to Lift Veil on Officials' Assets
As China's Communist Party leaders step up their efforts to fight corruption, a rapidly developing district in Guangzhou is one of the areas that has been chosen to lead the way. Soon, officials will be required to disclose a wide range of financial details
New Internet Regulations Provide Window into North Korea
Foreigners living in and visiting North Korea can now access Twitter, Facebook, and other social media on their mobile phones, providing what could be an unprecedented, real-time view of the notoriously isolated country
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A Legacy of Rogues in Afghanistan
Afghan militias created by the United States have been accused of committing serious human rights abuses against local populations with apparent impunity
Afghanistan: Narco-State Building
After years of war, $664 billion spent and 2,210 Americans dead what has the United States built in Afghanistan? According to a top international law enforcement official, the United States is building 'the world's first true narco-state'
Afghanistan: Confronting University Campus Trouble Makers
The increasing politicization of Afghan universities should be high on the list of security concerns. Anti-Western and anti-government militant groups are winning the increasing support of Afghan university students
Balochistan: Pakistan's Next Headache?
Balochistan has struggled for independence from Pakistan for decades. Vikas Kumar believes upcoming elections and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan will provide Baloch nationalists with opportunities to rejuvenate their cause
China a Long Way from Gaining World's Trust
China is earnestly striving to become a respected world power, one that finally surpasses the United States. The day could conceivably come. But its biggest problem right now is the nation's 'soft power.' China appears to have very few true friends in the world
United States, South Korea Ready to Counter North Korean Aggression
Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States will defend itself and its allies amid what he calls 'provocative, dangerous and reckless' threats by North Korean leader Kim Jung Un
Philippines Hopes Better Credit Rating Will Draw Investors
The Philippines has shrugged off decades of financial woes to earn its first investment-grade credit rating from one of the world's leading ratings agencies. Economists say it was only a matter of time before the Philippines would be given an investment-grade rating
A middle class has emerged, several hundred million Indians have seen lifestyles improve immeasurably and wealth is displayed more conspicuously than ever before. Western attention is often fixated on India's economic growth
India has been consumed by a mixture of doubt, revulsion and a desire for vengeance after the rape and murder of a young physiotherapy student on a bus in the Dehli suburb of Munirka as she returned from a trip to the cinema
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In 2012, China became the world's champion saver with a gross national savings amounting to 53 per cent of GDP. More than half of the nation's savings are accumulated by the corporate sector and government but that still leaves a very high rate of household savings
China: Cheap Labor is Becoming Scarce
China's working-age population reached a peak in 2010 at 70 per cent of the total population. The peak moment of enjoying the Chinese demographic dividend -- when the ratio of working-age people to dependents is highest -- has passed
India: Where Girls are in Short Supply
India should be booming. It has an enormous and youthful workforce and it is predicted to overtake China as the world's most populous nation by 2030. However, the population figures show a quite startling gender imbalance. That is not an accident
Everybody knows that Japan is ground zero for global ageing. The youngest of the developed countries as recently as the mid-1970s, it is now the oldest -- and its age wave will continue to roll in for decades to come
Asian Little Tigers have Fewer Cubs
The Asian 'little Tigers' -- Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Macau -- have small families. In one ranking of total fertility rates, these places are at the bottom, with rates of 1.25 or below. The consequences of this are stark
Is International Pressure Failing in Sri Lanka?
The end of the decades-old civil war in Sri Lanka enabled the world to shift its focus to events in Africa and the Middle East. Not smart, argue numerous observers. Colombo now appears unwilling to integrate meaningful reconciliation and reintegration processes into its official policies
Georgia's Armed Forces: Army of the All or Army of the Few?
While Georgia's politicians believe that reforming the country's armed forces is essential, they remain divided over what roles civilians should play in national defense. Eugene Kogan outlines the issues surrounding Tbilisi's military reforms and what Russia thinks about them
Chinese Silk Railroad Ambitions
China has become the world's workshop and Europe has an insatiable appetite for its exports. Most now arrive on giant container ships. But as ports become clogged and delivery times critical, China is once again looking to the old land routes across Asia
A silver and white Bullet train rolled out of Beijing on its maiden journey. It was a proud moment for China, the inauguration of the world's longest high-speed rail line, running from the north to south of China, from Beijing to Guangzhou
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New Faces, Old Tensions in East Asia
Pakistan Coming Apart at the Seams
30 Million Pilgrims Take Holy Dip at India's Kumbh Mela
Spiritual Guru Launches 'Volunteer for a Better India' Campaign
North Korea May Have Finally Gone Too Far
Why Civil Registration Matters in Asia
Powering the Pacific 'Pivot' With Leon and Chuck
Afghanistan Bribes Totaled Nearly $4 Billion
Lessons from William Dalrymple's 'Return of a King'
Indonesia Tries 'Cloud Seeding' to Prevent Flooding in Jakarta
North Korean Nuclear Test Could Worsen China Relations
South Korea to Implement New UN Sanctions Against North Korea
Korea: The Case for Withdrawal
Ferocious, Weak and Crazy: The North Korean Strategy
Food Security Still Major Issue in Southeast Asia
Fresh Outbreak of Nipah Virus in Bangladesh
Economists Optimistic About China's 2013 Outlook
United Nations Calls for North Korea Human Rights Inquiry
Don't Call China's Liaoning a 'Starter' Aircraft Carrier
No Reason to Postpone Afghanistan Withdrawal
Citizen Protests Making an Impact in China
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A Right and Proper Death of the Euro When the proposal was initially made for a common European currency, it seemed to be a good idea. Although inexpert in economics, it struck me as an effect of a false analogy with the United States that was common in Europe at that time
The Acute Jihadist Threat in Europe
While Europe as a whole is suffering from the economic crisis, the Muslim population has been hit particularly hard. This, in addition to the frequent discrimination against Muslims, leaves many Muslims feeling alienated, disenfranchised and resentful
European Union: Caught in the Fertility Trap
The European Union has voiced concern about low fertility as a major demographic challenge. If it stays at these low levels, the population quickly moves from growth to decline, which is already happening in Germany, despite immigration
Russian Gas, European Integration and the Fate of Ukraine
After years of protracted negotiations, Ukraine is almost ready to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union. Robert Cutler describes how the agreement might impact the fate of Ukraine's Russia-to-Europe gas transit system
Poland Still Coping with Dark Past
Poland is a thriving, vibrant democracy that, like Germany, managed to escape most of the devastating economic repercussions of the European debt crisis. But it's still struggling, not so successfully, to cope with its dark past
A European Bailout Unlike Any Other
The European Union's bailout plan for Cyprus has nothing to do with socialism but rather with much greater stakes. This is the EU attempting to outmaneuver an uncharacteristically flat-footed Vladimir Putin and Russia in a key battleground
Europe's Disturbing Precedent in the Cyprus Bailout
What makes this crisis different from the previous European bank bailouts are the conditions the European Union has set. Due to circumstances unique to Cyprus, the European Union, led by Germany, has taken a harder line with the country
Balkans: New Extremism Poses Threat
Emerging extremist organisations in the Balkans are operating alongside existing extremist groups and may try to change the political and legal framework to fit their agendas
Italy's Election: Lighting the Lamp
After years of brutal austerity, collapsing economies, widespread unemployment, and shredding of the social safety net, Italians said 'basta!' Enough!
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Explaining the Cyprus Shakedown
The ultimate terms of the Cyprus bailout reveal the ongoing problems in the European Union, where differing political agendas have undermined the cohesion of the system as a whole. Policymakers have neglected to consider the lasting negative consequences
How The Baby Boomers Have Betrayed Their Children
There is a silent war going on in Britain, between the Baby Boomers and the Millennials. The generation born after 1981 is trying to deal with a simmering resentment towards their parents, because of the things we will not inherit
Despite Warning on Violence, Greece won't Ban Golden Dawn
Although Greece's government has said it will not ban the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights said there is enough evidence of the party's support for violence to outlaw the group
Margaret Thatcher: Not a 'Quota Woman'
Margaret Thatcher never cared much for feminists and other progressive equal-rights movements. Yet she deserves to be honored by those of us who do, whether we like the result of her politics or not
Margaret Thatcher: The Lady was a Champ
There is a story about Margaret Thatcher, which is probably apocryphal, but speaks volumes about the strength of Great Britain's first female prime minister, who died at age 87
Greece: Dangers of the Disaffected and Unemployed
With unemployment in Greece at 27 percent, it is not surprising to see both radical right- and left-wing groups gaining support from those who have become disaffected by the crises. The disenchanted are joining radical parties espousing a wide variety of ideologies
Economists, Greeks Wary of 'No More Austerity'
Many Greeks are welcoming an announcement that further austerity measures to repay Greece's overwhelming debt will not be sought following three years of pay cuts, tax increases and slashed pensions. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said better times are ahead
Along with the divide between rich and poor in Europe, another has opened between the mobile and the stationary. This tension between the mobile and the stationary can be creative and not just contentious
Catching the Train Bug in Britain
There is a paradox in the British attitude towards the railways. On the one hand, trains are the great repository of complaints. Indeed, no boss questions employees who site train delay as an excuse. On the other, people just keep flocking on to the lines
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Greece Expects Record Number of Tourists this Year
The ongoing economic crisis that has dropped hotel rates and food prices made Greece one of the most attractive destinations for tourists this year. Tourism revenues could hit record highs of as much as 12 billion euros this year
France: A Socialist Lawmaker's Fiscal Double Life
Former French Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac, who left his Socialist government post earlier this year amid allegations of a secret Swiss bank account, now faces a formal investigation for allegedly laundering the proceeds of tax evasion
Among many other demographic problems, Russia is confronting a rapidly ageing population. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has fallen from having the 6th largest population in the world to 9th. By 2050, it will fall to 15th place
Margaret Thatcher: What the 'Iron Lady' Forged
When the news of Margaret Thatcher's death broke, I went back to the archives of National Review to look at what William F. Buckley had to say about her when she was a fresh face. Dismissing the skeptics, Buckley was impressed by her personal story
Nanny-State Freeloaders Celebrate Thatcher's Death
As dignitaries gathered in London to pay their respects to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the riff-raff of Great Britain have emerged, subsidized by either the state or by mummy and daddy, to rejoice in her death
Eurozone Jobless Rate Hits Record 12 Percent
The latest labor market report continued to show a wide disparity in the jobless rates throughout the eurozone. More than a quarter of the workforce is unemployed in both Spain and Greece, while in Germany only 5.4 percent are out of work
Europe, Unemployment and Instability
The global financial crisis has slowly yielded to a global unemployment crisis. This unemployment crisis will give way to a political crisis. The crisis involves all three of the major pillars of the global system -- Europe, China and the United States
Swiss Curb Executive Greed, Will Anyone Follow?
Switzerland just had a referendum in which it voted to give company and bank shareholders veto rights over the salaries, bonuses and overall compensation packages of senior executives and board directors
Czechoslovakia: Revisiting the Velvet Divorce
Czechoslovakia, though it no longer exists, remains a symbol of courageous resistance and sensible conflict resolution. It's been 20 years since Czechoslovakia split apart. The divorce took place without violence and without a referendum
Hollande Proving Himself a Surprisingly Wise Warrior
Serbia's Strategic Ambiguity and the European Union
Europe in 2013: A Year of Decision
Date with History: The Peace Palace Opens in The Hague
United Kingdom Moves Away from the European Project
New Generation of Russian Dissidents Flees to West
Relations Between Russia and United States Deteriorating
Key Suspect in Soccer Match-Fixing Scandal Arrested in Italy
Bulgaria: The Failure of Funding Roma Inclusion
Fight for Human Rights in Bulgaria Meets With Mixed Success
Taming the Wild East: Bulgaria
Milan Judges Reject Berlusconi Bid to Halt Sex Trial
European Union Gives Peace a Chance
Great Britain: The Great Power Hangover
Scotland: We'll Take The High Road
Europe is Divided Again: This Time It's Creditors vs Debtors
Spain: Catalonia and Romantic Nationalism
Tensions Between Germany and Greece Run Deep
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Latin America's Fastest-Growing Economies
New economic projections from the World Bank and the United Nations show that Latin America countries will keep growing at moderate rates this year, except for the booming economies of Paraguay, Panama and Peru
A Post-Castro Era Looms for Cuba
With a post-Castro Era looming on the horizon, the United States should muster the political will to prepare for February 2018, when neither Fidel nor Raul Castro will remain at the helm of the Cuban state
The State Department releases a report indicating which countries the United States considers 'State Sponsors of Terrorism.' Currently the list consists of four countries: Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria. Cuba remains on its list. It's a serious mistake
The Free Market Experiment in Latin America
Beginning in the 1980s nearly all of Latin America began to take part in a great experiment, the adoption of neoliberal or capitalist free market economic policies. This policy orientation was built upon the belief that neoliberalism would bring growth
NAFTA was touted as the cure for Mexico's economic 'backwardness.' Promoters argued that the trilateral trade agreement would dig Mexico out of its economic rut and modernize it along the lines of its mighty neighbor, the United States
Surprise! Mexico Backs Human Rights Cause!
What a pleasant surprise! Mexico, whose government routinely supports human rights violators throughout the region, played a key role in thwarting an effort by a group of countries to weaken the region's most important human rights commission
The Deal That America and Russia Must Make Following Chavez's Death
A chess piece has fallen in Latin America. The road to prosperity and peace for the citizens of many countries -- probably even yours -- runs through the recent death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and a counterintuitive deal between two nations
Venezuela Election: David vs Goliath Contest
When Venezuela's opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski says the April 14 presidential election will be a 'David versus Goliath' fight, in which the government's candidate will have a formidable advantage, he's not kidding
Ecuador, The Dictatorship of the 21st Century?
Many people are surprised by Rafael Correa's sweeping victory in the Ecuadorean presidential election, despite massive corruption scandals and repression against the media and political opponents. But if you look closer, it shouldn't be surprising at all
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Evolving United States - Mexico Relations
U.S. - Mexican relations are strategically important to both countries, and Mexico's period of transition has created opportunities to reshape the partnership. The Pena Nieto administration is working with Washington to center primarily on mutual economic possibility
Mexico's Drug War: Balkanization Leads to Regional Challenges
Mexican cartels have followed a trend of fracturing into regional crime networks for more than two decades. This trend toward polarization, with the cartel landscape largely split between the Sinaloa Federation and Los Zetas, has been reversed
Venezuela's Maduro Off to a Bad Start
While media coverage of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's inauguration centered on the contested April 14 election results, a dramatic escalation of government human rights violations since the election has gone virtually unnoticed
Venezuelan Elections: Rehabilitated Neoliberalism vs 21st Century Socialism
In those Latin American countries that have decided to abandon neoliberalism in pursuit of social justice, there has been a change in the parameters of political debate in presidential electoral politics
Chavez: American Nemesis, Latin American Hero
What scared the United States most about Chavez was not his failures or idiosyncrasies. It was his success. So, what happens next? Venezuela held an emotional funeral on March 8 and is planning for April elections
Chavez's Populism will Remain Popular for Decades
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's death will most likely mark the beginning of the end of Venezuela's political clout in Latin America, but his influence inside Venezuela is likely to last for many decades
Open Letter to The Economist - RE: 'Hugo Chavez's Rotten Legacy'
'Hugo Chavez's Rotten Legacy' bequeathed by The Economist offers many sloppy factual errors regarding the Venezuelan President. In its shamelessly ideologized bushwacking, Chavez is presented as an anti-democratic, autocratic, and anti-private business zealot
Everybody is Upbeat on Mexico — Except Mexicans
I couldn't help being surprised by the scornful reaction of many Mexicans to the growing consensus in the world media that this is 'Mexico's moment' in the global economy. There is a constellation of positive factors working in Mexico's favor
United States - Europe Deal Will Impact Latin America
President Barack Obama's vow in his State of the Union address to seek free trade deals with Asia and Europe has raised a thorny question south of the U.S. border: Will Latin America find a place in the new global economy of giant trade blocs?
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Venezuelan Opposition Leader Gains New Political Clout
Venezuelan opposition candidate Henrique Capriles' impressive show of force -- despite an unfair election process in which his rival enjoyed all the advantages -- has turned official winner Nicolas Maduro into a politically weak president-elect
Argentine President May Be Hurt by 'Francismania'
After the election of Argentine Pope Francis, the euphoria over his designation - or 'Francismania' - has unleashed a wave of Catholic fervor in Argentina. But there is a growing debate over whether it will help or hurt this country's leftist-populist government
A Guatemalan Tyrant Faces Justice at Last
In a courtroom, a gray-haired man sits passively through the trial of the century for Guatemala. At 86, the former dictator Efrain Rios Montt has escaped this criminal scrutiny for decades. Now, he stands accused of genocide and crimes against humanity
Argentine Pope Could Impact Politics in Latin America
One of the biggest questions about Pope Francis is whether he will be a politically activist pontiff who - much as he has done in Argentina - will be a thorn in the side of leftist-populist governments throughout Latin America
Argentina Shoots Itself in the Foot Over Falkland Islands
The Argentine-British dispute over the Falkland/Malvinas islands is once again heating up, and the latest events point at a new diplomatic setback for Argentina's legitimate claims over the South Atlantic islands
Venezuela Vice President Maduro Will Raise Anti-American Rhetoric - For Now
With record inflation and skyrocketing crime rates, Venezuela's Vice President Nicolas Maduro's best bet to win Venezuela's coming elections will be to campaign on late President Hugo Chavez's memory, and to raise tensions with Washington
Brazil Should Stop Being Self-Absorbed Giant
Brazil will have to stop being an inward-looking giant. Brazil can't keep relying on its domestic consumption either, nor on ever-rising commodity prices. If it doesn't cease being a self-absorbed giant, it risks becoming a once-emerging power
Mexico's Education Reform May Prove Historic
After decades of unsuccessful efforts to modernize its public education system, President Nieto's government arrested almighty teachers' union leader Elba Esther Gordillo and - perhaps more important - signed a constitutional amendment that will allow key education reforms
Argentina-Iran Deal Makes a Mockery of Justice
Argentina has crossed a line by making a deal with Iran to jointly investigate a 1994 terrorist attack against the AMIA Jewish community center, which according to Argentine prosecutors and Interpol was masterminded by top Iranian officials
Salvadoran Gang Leaders Achieve a Measure of Redemption
Latin America Should Not Be an Asterisk
Mexico's Drug War: Persisting Violence and a New President
Latin America's Corruption Starts at Top
Latin America's New Leader: Raul Castro
The Falklands Referendum: A Hemispheric Balancing Act
Mexico's Cartels and the Economics of Cocaine
U.S. Congress Could Learn from Mexico's National Accord
Mexico's Pena Nieto has Luck on his Side
Enrique Pena Nieto and Mexico's Drug War Opening
Cuba's Role in Venezuela May Grow -- For Now
Super-Rich Pay Lower Taxes in Latin America
Accused Guatemalan War Criminal Hasn't Run Far
Some Latin American Countries Among World's Least Corrupt
Obama's Latin America Policy May Change -- Slightly
Argentina's Leader Populist, But No Longer Popular
U.S. May Pay More Attention to Latin America in Obama's Second Term
Latin America Needs More Engineers
College Rankings Should Alarm Latin America
Latin America's Growing Media Conspiracy
Uruguay's Plan to Sell Pot May Not Be That Crazy
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Palestine After Fayyad: The Choice Between Cooperation and Conflict
Why did Salam Fayyad recently resign as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority? Nathan Thrall explores the factors that led to his departure, including the challenges of holding a position widely backed by Western powers but only weakly supported by Palestinians
Turkey: PKK Fighters Begin Their Withdrawal to North Iraq
In what could prove to be a historic day for Turkey and the decades-old Kurdish issue, fighters from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) started withdrawing from Turkish soil and returning to bases in the mountains of northern Iraq
The Path to Follow after Syria Crosses the Red Line
Obama's recent announcement that he believes Syria has used chemical weapons ignited a debate. Has the Assad regime crossed the 'red line' the White House laid down? But politicians seem more concerned about credibility than suffering Syrians. So what's next?
Syria: Chess Match Turned Free-for-All
In some ways the Syrian civil war resembles a proxy chess match between supporters of the Bashar al-Assad regime -- Iran, Iraq, Russia and China -- and its opponents -- Turkey, the oil monarchies, the United States, Britain and France
Iran's regional status has been compromised by the Arab Spring, ongoing civil unrest in Syria and continued tensions over its nuclear program. Indeed, Tehran could soon find itself regionally isolated to a degree that is unprecedented in its recent history
The Saudi-Iranian Rivalry and the Future of Middle East Security
Is Saudi Arabia synonymous with status quo'ism and Iran with revolution? This contrast may now have to be adjusted. The Arab Spring has introduced new political variables that Riyadh and Tehran must account for while pursuing their competing priorities
Is the complex political system that Ayatollah Khomeini bequeathed to Iran in turmoil? This article considers what this predicament means for the Iranian electorate and external efforts to open up the country's political space
Would the Turkish Model Work in Arab Spring Countries?
The leader of one of the most popular political parties in Tunisia says his model for the development of democracy in the Muslim world is Turkey. Experts debate whether secularism could take root in countries like Egypt or Tunisia
Kerry Talks Regional Issues With Gulf Arab Leaders
Secretary of State John Kerry says there is a 'finite amount of time' for talks on Iran's nuclear program. Kerry made the warning during talks with Gulf Arab leaders, as he continues his first overseas trip as America's top diplomat
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Redlines and the Problems of Intervention in Syria
The Americans and Europeans have had no appetite for intervention in Syria. At the same time, they have not wanted to be in a position where intervention was simply ruled out. As such, they identified the use of chemical weapons as a redline
Leadership, Not Locusts, is Egypt's Greatest Plague
The central problem behind Egypt's problems is its president, Mohamed Morsi. He quite obviously has no idea what he's doing. The brotherhood hadn't governed anything of consequence -- certainly not a fractious nation of 82 million people
Iran's North Korean Nuclear Future
The present crisis with North Korea offers us a glimpse of what, and what not, to expect should Iran get the bomb. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would gain the attention currently being paid to Kim Jong-un -- similarly not otherwise earned by his nation's economy or cultural influence
Iran's Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons in a Regional Context
Is an Iran with nuclear weapons acceptable or even a potential good? To answer this question, Emily Landau takes Kenneth Waltz's notorious argument that nuclear weapons may enhance security and applies it to the Middle East
Israeli Apology to Turkey Big First Step But Not Sea Change
After several years of mutual silence, Turkey and Israel are talking to each other again. However, this latest rapprochement owes more to US diplomatic efforts than a genuine desire by Ankara and Tel Aviv to reset diplomatic relations
Israel is in the process of watching a peace treaty unravel. I don't mean the one with Egypt, but the one with Syria. No, I'm not crazy. Since Henry Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy in 1974, the Israelis have had a de facto peace agreement of sorts with the al Assad family
Settlements Still Blocking Middle East Peace Agreement
Obama's visit to Israel was a great success, but don't expect peace between Israelis and Palestinians anytime soon. So now we may have more cordial relations. But settlements continue to be the main thing blocking any Palestinian peace deal
Iranian Nuclear Program World's 'Greatest Challenge'
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says Iran's nuclear program is the biggest challenge facing Israel, the Middle East and the world, and that 'all options' remain open to addressing possible atomic weapons development
Self-Interested Leaders Roil Chaos in Middle East
The Middle East along with the larger Islamic world are the perfect demonstration of a 'world on fire'. When have we ever seen such widespread turmoil, destruction and death as we are witnessing right now?
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Iran: Birth Control Flip Flops
Iran's attitude to population control has see-sawed over the past fifty years as strategic and political imperatives have changed. Currently, financial incentives and housing concessions have now been reinstated for large families
Saudi Arabia: Cyber-savvy Youth on the Rise
Saudi Arabia's population is heavily weighted with young people. Some 64 per cent of its 19.4 million citizens are below the age of 30. A deeper dive into the data shows that 13 to 17- year-olds now make 12 per cent of the population
With Bus Segregation Israeli Apartheid Becomes More Blatant
Israel's continued disregard for Palestinians is yet again highlighted in its latest segregation of the region's bus system—modern day apartheid at its finest. Especially problematic is the fact that the bus system is a public service
Is Egypt Being Primed for a Coup?
When an important opposition leader hints that a military coup might be preferable to the current chaos, and when a major financial organization proposes an economic program certain to spark a social explosion, something is afoot
As Syria's civil war enters its third year, the country's humanitarian crisis worsens each day. Unless a tactical shift in the balance of power occurs, it is unlikely that either the regime or the rebels will gain control of Syria's entire territory
Western Intervention in Syria Long Overdue
Syria is fast becoming the new Somalia -- a nation whose central government wields little control over the bulk of the country while feuding sects and gangs fight each other as well as the thoroughly discredited president, Bashar al-Assad
Promoting Peace, But Fueling War in Syria
The international community largely supports the United States and Saudi Arabia on Syria: hope for peace, but failing that, throw more money at the conflict
One Day The World Will Thank Bush For Shaking Up The Arab Region
The worst type of history is that inspired by political rivalry. The Iraq story is no exception; the received wisdom is largely shaped by Democrats vilifying the legacy of George W. Bush. The result is that most of the criticism focuses on the invasion itself and its aftermath
Iraq: Problems in the Pipeline
The first year of Iraqi autonomous political rule since US troop withdrawal was, to put it delicately, complex. While some of the challenges are inherent, the issues affecting long-term stability have not been dealt with in any meaningful way
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The Middle East's Risky Economics
Is the American Shadow War Helping Yemen?
Hamas Leaders Keep Low Profile in West Bank
The Dreams and Dilemmas of Iraqi Kurdistan
Iraq: Three Costly Lessons from the Invasion
Women Struggle to Find Their Role in Syrian Revolution
The Consequences of Intervening in Syria
Egyptians Struggle to Keep Hope
Syrian Businesses Take Refuge in Jordan as War Ravages Aleppo
Call for Investigation into Post-Revolution Deaths in Egypt
Syrian Government and Rebels Swapping Civilian and Iranian Prisoners
Israel's First-Timers Position for Their 'Moments' in New Government
Iraq's Sadr Demands 'Fair Implementation' of National Security Laws
Israel Vows to Build in West Bank Site After Evicting Protesters
Jerusalem Residents Rejoice: 'Let it Snow, Let it Snow'
Iran Willing to Resume Nuclear Talks as Sanctions Bite Hard
Tweeter Sentenced to Jail for Insulting Kuwaiti Emir
Egypt's Hazardous Roads and Railways
Jordanian King's Uncle Said to Flee Country for Alleged Corruption
Saudi 90-year-old and 15-year-old Bride Divorce
Russia Calls for Political Transition in Syria
Failure of Syria Talks Signal Conflict May Be Long Struggle
Israeli MP Proposes Paying Palestinians $500,000 Each to Leave West Bank
Egyptian Court Orders Retrial for Mubarak
Morsi Seeks Release of Blind Preacher from U.S. Prison
Hagel Nomination Raises Hopes for Improved Iran - U.S. Relations
Groundhog Day: Middle East Version
The Unfolding Human Catastrophe in Iran
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What's a fair interest rate to pay on a loan? If you think 300 percent is no big deal, you can stop reading. But if you'd be outraged to learn that some of the biggest banks charge exorbitant interest on their most vulnerable customers, you might want to read on
Not since the late-19th-century juxtaposition of the Wild West with the Victorian East has popular morality been so unbridled and yet so uptight. In short, we have become a nation of promiscuous prudes
Immigration: Of Athens and Jerusalem
It's a complicated mix, the history of American immigration, just as the future of American immigration doubtless will be. But creating two classes of Americans, foreign workers and real citizens, Americans first- and second-class, has never worked in this country
A Little Humility May Be in Order
This is from the rest of us. Meaning the ones who don't have personal chefs, gift-wrapping rooms or hired sycophants, who don't hobnob or rub shoulders, and who drive the same car every day of the week. The rest of us would like to offer some of you a little advice
Now is the time to choose our future, so let us choose one that transcends the insanity and sheer stupidity of violence and violent behavior. This requires personal empowerment. It also requires collective empowerment
We're chasing infinity. We're ceding ever more ground but aren't the least bit safer than we were a decade or a half-century ago. Every high-profile act of violence is followed by some new security procedure and market opportunity
Why the Boston Bombers Succeeded
When seeking to place an attack like the April 15 Boston Marathon bombing into context, it helps to classify the actors responsible. Such a classification help us understand how it fits into the analytical narrative of what is happening and what is likely to come
Visions: America after Hegemony
With the Iraq war fading into memory even as the country still simmers, the United States peace movement faces the need to reframe its message. The peace movement needs to make it clear not only what it is against, but what it is for
The Honorable Absurdity of a Soldier's Role
There is no sign anywhere of a New Middle East. There are only intimations of more American-supported war to come, likely to involve Iran, Iraq, Syria or Lebanon -- as well as continued war, in and after 2014, in Afghanistan
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The last time there was a terrorist attack on America, we got the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA. Each entity has spent billions to keep us safe, but neither could stop the two brothers from killing and maiming innocent people at the Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon Bombings: Grief Without Borders
The bombs went off in the final stretch of the race -- which had been dedicated to the victims of the tragedy in Newtown. My God. Now another wound has opened in the social fabric. Another enormous question tears at our hearts. Once again we ask: Why?
Boston Marathon Bombings: Horror Without Terror, Just Anger
President Barack Obama has made it official. The Boston Marathon bombing was an 'act of terror,' he declared. But here's my little message to the two brothers responsible: Make no mistake, I don't feel terrorized; I feel mad
Boston Marathon Bombing Parallels Toulouse Attacks
The details revealed in the Boston Marathon terrorist bombing case are strikingly similar to those of a high-profile case in France last year. Both exemplify the modus operandi of today's young jihadist
Even in Tragedy, A Nation Divided
Ordinarily, I'd thank you for writing. But truth is, I am not grateful you wrote; your note is one of the more troubling things I have read. I do not blame you for leaving it unsigned
Deportation has become a near-taboo word. Yet the recent Boston bombings rekindle questions about the way the U.S. admits, or at times deports, foreign nationals. The current emphasis is on increasing legal immigration and granting amnesties
Boston Marathon Bombings: When Profiling Becomes a Real Menace
The meteoric rise of new Internet media has created a dangerous rise of send-before-you-think journalism, especially in do-it-yourself media. That puts a greater burden on news consumers to be skeptical about how and what they are being served
Immigration Reform and Entitlement Reform Go Together
We need to think more broadly, and connect the dots. One logical way to help deal with the challenge of funding Social Security and Medicare is to have more workers per retiree. And the simplest way to do that is to allow more immigrants into the United States
Baby Gets Cruel Lesson in Life Early
19-month-old Jonah received a lesson in How Things Are. Sitting on his mother's lap on a recent flight, he was crying his little head off. Shut that 'n----r baby' up. Those were the alleged words of the man in the next seat just before he allegedly slapped the baby with an open palm
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Grassroots Militants from Chechnya
The Boston Marathon bombers appear to confirm several suspicions. From this profile, the simple nature of the attack, we can say that they are grassroots militants. Despite being amateurs, such militants clearly still pose a significant threat
Boston Marathon Bombings: 'Oh, My God'
Shrills of panic and fear. The videographer carries you forward. Police and bystanders rip barricades apart trying to reach the epicenter of chaos. 'We need help!' someone cries. And the videographer whispers three words to himself. 'Oh, my God,' he says
In today's ever-growing coagulation of fact, fiction and rumor from print, digital and social media, where is the news consumer to look with confidence for the truth?
Drones: Anonymous Murder from a Safe Distance
War is war and murder is murder. The law draws the distinction. The American armed drone is a weapons system of war, not of policemen. Nor has the United States a commission to police the world of its radicals, jihadists and religious fanatics
AP Should Not Stop with 'Illegal Immigrants'
The fact that the Associated Press news agency decided to ban the term 'illegal immigrant' recently is a big victory for fairness in journalism, but there are other terms used daily in the media that should be revised as well
NRA's Task is to Frighten, Sell More Guns
The NRA scares politicians far more than it scares the average citizen. The senators who are now wimping out on background checks for gun buyers aren't afraid for our Second Amendment rights; they're afraid the NRA will bankroll their opponents in the next election
School is a Battlefield, and NRA Determined to Keep it that Way
Good guys vs bad guys, both sides armed to the teeth. That's how the NRA views the moral universe. Yes, the group admits, an epidemic of gun violence is plaguing our nation. The reason for it is that good people have disarmed themselves. The cure is to rearm
The new 'tougher' gun laws in Maryland and Connecticut appear to be the result of high emotion, not logic and clear thinking. We all ache for the Sandy Hook victims, but the Newtown tragedy shouldn't be used as a prop for anti-gun proponents
Bring up Iraq -- and expect to end up in an argument. Conservatives are no different from liberals in rehashing the unpopular war, which has become a sort of whipping boy for all our subsequent problems
Onion 'Edgy': Tasteless and Sickening
From Affirmative Action to Diversity
Who would follow our example on Keystone Pipeline?
Pentagon Keyboard Jockeys Can Now Out-Decorate Combat Heroes
The Minimum Wage and The Meaning of a Decent Society
Iraq: Bush's War, 10 Years Later
VIDEO: BREAKING NEWS | BUSINESS NEWS | ENTERTAINMENT NEWS |
It has been a gloomy year, but 2012 could have been so much worse. Our Chatham House experts look at some of the notable surprises of 2012, and ask why no one predicted them, and what we can learn
These are the prejudices -- the spiritual contaminants -- built into the society we inhabit. It begins with the myth of civilization and the abundance of technology and art and fabulous entertainment and great footwear it bestows, however unequally
Plutocrats: The Rise of the New Global Super Rich
It seemed impressive that this critical study of the very rich had found its way into a league typically dominated by aspirational how-to books delivering recipes for the successful life. Then, an insidious thought struck me
What Tyrants Fear Most: Social Media
Most of the world's dictators share a common fear, and it's not of the United States, NATO, the United Nations or any outside entity. No, the force that most threatens them is social media
Nuclear Weapons Could Become Obsolete
When idealists say that they look forward to a world free of nuclear weapons, realists shake their heads sadly and then patiently say, 'That's all very well, but you can't disinvent nuclear weapons'
Keeping the Global Ship on Course
Our world has changed. The seven billion people who inhabit Planet Earth no longer live in more than one hundred separate boats. Instead, they all live in 193 separate cabins on the same boat. But this boat has a problem
A look at two books that celebrate the internet for its ability to undermine old tyrannies and increase the potential for democratic participation
Children Often the Targets of Islamic Extremists
Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who Taliban miscreants shot in the head, has once again galvanized worldwide public opinion against Muslim extremism
Time to Separate Drugs Policy from Crime
Illegal drugs are used by 270 million people and organized crime profits from a trade with a turnover of more than $320 billion a year. This makes it the world's largest illegal commodity market
Europe Loses its Chinese Cheerleader
Wen Jiabao's term as Premier of China will, most commentators presume, come to an end over the next six months as he loses his party and government positions
Congratulations, Europe, on Winning the Nobel Peace Price
The Nobel Committee recently awarded its prestigious top prize to 500 million people who have, for the last 65 years, made a conscious decision to live together in peace and harmony: the European Union
Would a Stronger European Federation Even Help?
Seventeen economically disparate nations bound their fortunes together in creating the euro zone, and it is exactly this that has thrown the European project into crisis
Like ghosts from the past, we see political violence, xenophobia, migrants being scapegoated and extreme nationalism creeping into our public debates -- even into our parliaments. This is a Europe diverging from its founding principles
It would seem that we're now at the stage of global economic lunacy where the worldwide socialist slide is so far gone that the president of Russia is lecturing about the risks of socialism
Britain Must Engage with a Multi-Tier European Union
In place of the drift that we see in Great Britain's relationship with the European Union, British politicians should start to think and act strategically
Russia Struggles to Exert Influence in a Weakened Europe
From an economic perspective, Russia has been unable to avoid the effects of the global financial crisis. From a geopolitical perspective, the position is rather different. Since the crisis began, Russia has taken a number of steps to strengthen its positions in Europe
Mass slayings by disturbed young men with access to assault weaponry just keep happening. It's not a problem we can isolate and correct -- it's system-wide. We live in a society permeated with paradox and darkness
In the Newtown massacre, both the news and social media went all-out to provide the fullest coverage of what happened and why. In too many instances, though, the legitimate quest for the truth was accompanied by abuse
The 'Land of Opportunity' is Becoming Hollywood Fiction
Opportunity for everyone is fast becoming Hollywood fiction. Ironically, Hollywood may be one of the few pockets where upward mobility is based on merit. Silicon Valley is another. But for the vast majority another story is emerging: a new plutocracy of the super-wealthy is cementing its hold on the top
Deja Vu on the Korean Peninsula
North Korea will not consider relinquishing its nuclear program without fundamental changes to the security dynamic in the region
China's President-in-Waiting is Inheriting a Mess
China's troubles at home are daunting -- economic, political, social. And as the government transition approaches, all of it seems to be coming to a head
Pakistan: Brave Teen, Cowardly Taliban
Just when you think the militant Islamic Taliban movement can't sink any lower, you hear another story as deplorable and cowardly as the shooting of Malala Yousufzai
Pakistan's Malala: Everyone's Daughter in the Fight for Girls' Education
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban for demanding that she and other girls go to school, is rightly becoming the icon for 32 million girls worldwide who are out of primary school
The Wahhabi War on Indonesia's Shiites
Indonesia's Shi'a minority is under heavy attack. It is becoming increasingly clear that Saudi Arabia's intolerant brand of Wahhabi Sunni Islam is behind most of the assaults
An Unlikely Hero Stands Up to the Taliban
14-year-old Malala Yousafzai. The child the Taliban ordered assassinated. Shot in the head returning home from school. She was targeted for vocally demanding what should be available to all girls: an education
Afghanistan's Vibrant Media Scene
While Afghanistan may remain a troubled land as the US-led intervention force prepares for military withdrawal in 2014, the rise of its media industry has been a success story acknowledged at home and abroad
Afghanistan: The Barber of Kabul
Kabul in the winter of 1989 was a city in monochrome, where grim public buildings seemed to have taken on the hue of the mud-plastered homes that stretched across a wide plain
Political Meritocracy is a Good Thing: The Case of China
Political meritocracy has been largely eclipsed from political theorizing, but there are important reasons for reviving and reinterpreting this political ideal, particularly in a Chinese context
Egypt: The Roundabout Road Back To Tahrir
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi may have inadvertently provided his critics with a temporary unifying device
The Geopolitics of Immigration
The United States is a nation of immigrants. That is the ultimate cliche and the absolute truth
When the National Rifle Association promised 'meaningful contributions' to prevent another massacre like the recent horror in Newtown, Conn., I didn't expect much, but I hoped for more than what we got
The Social Context of Mass Murder
The social context of being human has been shattered for far too many people, and one manifestation of this is the eerie rise in mass murders -- seemingly senseless, impersonal rampages -- over the last four or five decades
Turkey's Zigzag Diplomacy Leads Nowhere
Turkey seemed to be on course to fulfil its neo-Ottoman ambition and lead the Middle East. But the Arab uprisings, and in particular the Syrian crisis, exposed the limits of Ankara's influence
Syrian Chemical Weapons Threat Eerily Familiar?
Military gas has claimed a major place in discussion of the civil war in Syria. The Syrian government has admitted to holding major stocks of gas in or near the areas of fighting the insurrectionary movement
Every Day Brings New Drama in the Middle East
The UN vote on Palestine was a most amazing event. Only nine of 193 nations voted against the motion. What made this so striking is that most prognosticators had guessed that, after the Gaza conflict, Palestinians would muster less sympathy
Egypt could well embrace the dark side and become the region's biggest force for extremism, just ahead of the Wahaabists in Saudi Arabia, though Iran with its race toward nuclear weapons poses the most immediate danger
Mortality Alters the Arab Order
The loosening of the grip of the old order is taking place partly because of mortality. Within five weeks in the summer, three of the pillars of the 20th century Arab security state system passed away in quick succession
Is the World Waiting for Genocide?
From Nazi Germany to Rwanda, some of the most inhumane atrocities and genocides were committed while the rest of the world was watching. Today we are all witnessing the atrocities and mass destruction in Syria
Mexico's Geopolitical Strategy
Over time, North America will see two significant powers. In the short run, Mexico's traditional strategic problems will remain
Latin America Gets Bad Marks in Innovation
It shouldn't come as a big surprise that most Latin American countries ranked toward the bottom of a new U.N. index of innovation
The Winner of Mercosur's Expansion: Brazil
Conventional wisdom is that Venezuela was the big winner at the Mercosur summit when the country officially joined South America's trade bloc. But for me, the big winner was Brazil
America's children are shortchanged on almost every issue we face as a society. Not only are we failing to protect our children from deranged people wielding semi-automatic guns, we're not protecting them from poverty. And we're not protecting their health
Children as young as 14 are joining military training camps in southern Mali preparing to fight Islamist groups in the north. At the same time, Islamist groups are recruiting children as young as 11
Burundi Still Accused of Killings, Cover-ups
The government insists that the killings cited by human rights activists and the UN, far from being targeted assassinations of opposition supporters, were the result of banditry, land disputes or score-settling between civilians
Mammoth Task Ahead for New Somali President
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's election as president of Somalia has been heralded as the start of a new era for the troubled Horn of Africa state, which has been mired in conflict for over two decades
Testing the Limits of Globalization
Globalization might be a spur to national feeling -- people fighting to preserve their identities against the rising sludge of homogenization
We're Too Tolerant of Corruption at Home
There is still a comforting us-and-them attitude when Westerners look East. The moral superiority of the West is taken as read
No Need for a Witch Hunt Over Executive Pay
Income inequality is rising in most rich countries, and has been for many years. People are angry, especially in these tough times
We need to rethink our prohibition of drugs. What problem are we trying to solve by making drugs illegal? Have we chosen the most effective and affordable solution? Are the collateral consequences worth it?
United Nations Picks Wrong Education Partners
There was a major event at the United Nations General Assembly that went almost unnoticed: U.N. Secretary General Moon's launch of a plan to put education at the center of the world's political agenda
We live within an economic system that is cruel and impersonal, divorced from gratitude, empathy, compassion, love and nurturance
50-Year War Against Drugs Has Failed: A New Approach is Needed
Drug policy is a toxic issue for politicians, one that they usually want to avoid for fear of the political backlash. And yet the past 12 months have seen a clear shift in the debate
Drugs Legalization Could Make Things Worse
The prohibition of drugs is blamed for creating the problem of drug abuse, but is that entirely fair? Before the 1960s, drugs were not a major world issue
BRICs Should Focus on their Own Problems
As the world struggles to deal with its two largest foreign-affairs dilemmas, Syria and Iran, resolutely standing in the way are the BRICs
Is Treating The Symptoms The Way Forward?
Most drug users do not receive effective treatment and care. Experts are now calling for an orientation away from the punitive strategy -- especially for users -- towards a public health approach
Heads of State Show Lack of Faith in Own Health-Care Systems
Across the developing world whenever a president or potentate gets sick, he travels to a more developed state for care. That boldly displays the heedless view these leaders have of their own people
The Rich Grabbing Bigger Slices of Pie
In countries that go soft on taxing the rich, top business executives have a huge incentive to game the system and to squeeze out every bit of personal profit their power enables
United Nations Human Rights Council is Irredeemable
You should probably sit down before you read this. Syria has put its name up for membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council, and it will most likely win a seat
Corporations try to appear as though they have solutions to environmental problems while, in reality, they are continuing the policies that cause the most environmental degradation
By clinging to a paternalistic attitude and an antiquated Washington Consensus, the United States has opened up space for a broad Chinese role in Africa
The Beginning of the End of AIDS?
Simply put, the AIDS response is rightly viewed as one of the greatest success stories in modern global public health
