In Yukiya Amano’s first report as Director of the IAEA he presents his findings on Iran’s aggressive nuclear enrichment tactics. The Council of Foreign Relations evaluates the importance of this report, and argues that while the stance is strict, current conditions limit the impact of its findings. With the IAEA’s hands tied, it leaves the international community asking “what’s next” in its approach towards Iran.
Obama’s election was greeted by the world as an opportunity to re-engage with a milder, friendlier US. How much has the foreign policy of the United States changed since he came in office? The latest report by LSE Ideas argues that despite symbolic efforts, American foreign policy has not changed enough.
Obama’s presidency held promises of change for those looking to see the security situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan improve. A year later, Brookings Institution Fellow Vanda Felbab Brown puts Obama’s strategy to the test concluding that although there were significant setbacks, the important groundwork has been laid for vast improvements.
Saudi Arabia has created a counterterrorism program commended for its success rate, but criticized for its progressive some would say “soft” components. Boucek, however, demonstrates that the softness of the program— the government’s commitment to incorporating social and psychological support for detainees— is the key to the program’s success.
The financial crisis has exacerbated claims that immigrant labor reduces employment opportunities for low-skilled workers in more developed countries. Dadush and Falcao dispel these claims and argue instead that migrant labor is extremely beneficial to both the host and home countries of migrant labor. However, as an under represented group, migrant workers tend to find themselves between a rock and a hard place in the context of a financial crisis.
The report by the Council of Foreign Relations underscores the dynamic between Iran’s foreign policy and the internal conflict between the regime and its opposition. In essence, Takeyh’s report highlights how the controversial elections in Iran, and the general sense of illegitimacy attached to the current president, affected the prospects of the October deal on uranium enrichment.
Ever since the 9/11 attacks tensions have been rising between Western Europe and its Muslim population. Incidents such as 2006 Danish cartoon and the ban of head scarf in France heightened sensitivities and made it far more complicated for Muslims in Europe.
Momentum toward political reform has stalled in most of the Middle East. Democracy, the report argues, has become increasingly essential to the region and the US should do more to encourage its growth. In particular, the Obama administration needs to provide the Middle East with the necessary incentives to commit to democratic reform.
LSE provides an in depth analysis of Middle Eastern politics, shedding light on the conflicting ideologies in Iraq, and the stumbling peace process in Palestine.
Beyond looking at the usual economic indicators, these two investigations frame the question in original ways. As a result, they manage to look at the issue by observing how development affects the well-being of individuals, that is, how it affects what the UN has dubbed human security. Their unique approach to development undoubtedly highlights risk factors for the region that might otherwise have gone unobserved.
Protectionism is largely considered a negative trend amongst financial institutions, while liberalization is heralded as a means for global economic growth. However, protectionism has been on the rise in the face of the global financial crisis. The Carnegie Endowment of International Peace and the Brookings Institute look to understand the causes behind the rise in this trend, and propose ways of reducing protectionism.
The International Crisis Group and Carnegie Endowment have both provided two different analytical viewpoints to Central Asian dynamics. International Crisis Group takes Nagorno Karabakh as a hotspot which has all the makings of Central Asian conflict zone, while Carnegie's Martha Olcott tackles the region from the broad perspective of regional cooperation.
Despite having spent the latter parts of the ‘90s courting Europe, since 2009 Turkish attention, both politically and economically, has started to look East rather than West. Is this a sign that Turkey, grown tired of its role as the perpetual suitor of Europe, finds the position of regional leader more congenial?
Too many disruptive and unpromising events have been going on just before elections in Iraq, and the promise of a truly democratic state where the rule of law prevails seems grim. These elections will determine much of Iraq’s near future, not only the internal balance of power but also Iraq’s diplomatic relations with other Arab countries, with the US, and with Iran.
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This article reads pretty much as an attack by a pro-Israeli writer who is not happy hearing awkward ...
Enlightened at Mar 7, 2010 1:33 PM
The response level to national disaster is awesome but it's a real shame that so many people take ad ...
exalfungula at Mar 7, 2010 1:32 PM
Its a great article and it gives a warning to future investors to the region to take a more cautiou ...
SANJAY CHADHA at Mar 7, 2010 1:28 PM
Settling scores in a third country sets a dangerous precedence and can cause major aberrations to a ...
Nishthar Idroos at Mar 1, 2010 2:46 PM
Very interesting and informative. Well written. We are proud of you 'beta'.
Sajiv
Sajiv Sibal at Feb 27, 2010 8:18 PM
The so-called Quetta shura is led by deposed Taliban leader and Osama bin Laden ally, Mullah Omar, w ...
alex at Feb 24, 2010 10:06 PM
Thank you for the Majalla that provides us with insights and details about influential figures like ...
Salim Mahrous at Feb 24, 2010 10:04 PM
I disagree to some extent with the writer. Dubai crisis has had economic and political implications ...
Safiy Helal at Feb 24, 2010 9:59 PM
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