All Articles
Iran’s New Leader
Rouhani’s positive language should be scrutinized and taken seriously if the United States wants to establish greater legitimacy when dealing with the Middle Eastern issues. This may be a fruitful time when the U.S. could achieve its national objectives by carefully inviting Iran through diplomatic means instead of using the power of coercion, which it already has but with no apparent success.
Amidst Upheaval, a Land of Opportunity
Despite the challenges posed by turbulence since 2011, the monarchy has stood its ground against democratic change, bided its time, and absorbed the punches delivered by regional tumult. Now, the torrent of the Arab Spring has blossomed into a “Saudi Summer” for the al-Saud.
Egypt's Uncertain Democracy
Watching these events unfold, I was pleased to see the protests come out in force (easily the largest in the country’s history), and launch historic change in Egyptian politics. But as footage surfaced of tanks rolling down the streets, I couldn’t help but ask myself: was it the right kind of change?
Egypt's Mexican-Style Coup
The opposition, seeing that the government will fall if they don’t enter into dialogue with it, has steadfastly refused to settle for anything except its total overthrow, which, through their reticence, it would presumably precipitate.
Down Goes the Great Mosque
It is irrefutable that the destruction of the minaret carries great symbolic meaning, but the longer-term ramifications are less clear.
When the Sky Was Red
Castle Bravo was just one nuclear test out of the 68 that the United States conducted over a 12-year span (1946-1958) in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Measured by their power, these nuclear tests amounted to 1.6 Hiroshimas per day over that period – a fact little known to the world community.
With Arms Wide Open: The Threat of Iranian Arms Trafficking
Syria is not only a longtime ally of Iran; it is currently its only state ally in the region. Losing Assad means losing a key friend, but it also means losing the ability to funnel weapons to Lebanon and Palestine.
An Inconvenient Choice
The question now is, do we, a country with a per capita GDP 138 times that of the DRC, and a per capita carbon emissions 432 times as high, have a right to expect true environmental cooperation on a global scale?
The Lady is Not For Turning
Though policymakers need to evaluate the relationship between the state and the market in the light of the crisis, they must use the key principles that Thatcher espoused as a guiding light, just tempered by a sense of realism and pragmatism.
It’s Raining (Rich) Men
Perhaps it is because Singapore is my home, but when people in the United States complain about Saverin leaving for pastures new, sometimes it is tempting to say: “you can have him back!”
The North Korean crisis: the future of North Korea?
Many Koreans and non-Koreans alike hope for a revolution from the people. However, in order for this to happen, there are two vital actions that must take place: one, the people must be aware of their situation and two, have a means to mobilize.
Egypt's Authoritarian, Redux?
But while America has received handsome payouts for previous bets on regional autocrats, it must be careful on how it moves forward in Egypt. Not all authoritarianism is created equal. Morsi is not Mubarak. And the Egyptian revolution is far from over.
Man at a Crossroads
Yet, this new affair could prove highly embarrassing: if convicted (though that seems unlikely) Sarkozy risks jail. Even if he ends up being acquitted, the long judicial process will likely drag on to be an embarrassment, especially given the despicable behavior of most cadres of his party who have publicly doubted the judge’s independence.
Sir, Yes, Sir
At all cost, the Burmese military needs to maintain peace legitimately; it needs to support the civilian government, and not override it. For the alternative – renewed military crackdowns, political coups, the reversal of reforms – is possibly the grimmest yet.
Between a Rock and the Abyss
So, then, it seems that Cyprus has to swallow a very bitter pill, but, unlike the other options, it does not cause its hair to fall out or fail to address one symptom or another.