DC - Frequent Content

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – At the Heart of the Global Nuclear Debate

Alistair Burt — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:59:57 +0000

The 2012 Non-Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee in Vienna will be the first meeting of States Parties to assess global progress and build on the success of 2010.

The Euro-Exit Taboo

Uri Dadush — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:38:05 +0000

Europe's periphery is finding itself at a crossroads similar to the one Argentina and Latvia faced in the last decade. But a decision to exit or stay in the eurozone will have much more far-reaching consequences.

What's Behind the Bombings in Ukraine?

Matthew Rojansky — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:45:17 +0000

On the eve of the 2012 European Football Championship in Poland and Ukraine, a series of bombings in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk have left dozens injured, but questions remain as to who is responsible for the attacks.

The Unspectacular Future of the IAEA Additional Protocol

Mark Hibbs — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:17:37 +0000

One topic of discussion at the upcoming five-year treaty Review Conference meeting in Vienna will be how best to universalize the Additional Protocol for safeguards among the treaty's 185 non-nuclear-weapon states.

The Competitiveness Crisis

Uri Dadush — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:55:57 +0000

While the commotion over bond spreads is justified, it diverts attention from the main arena where the survival of the euro will ultimately be decided: the realignment of Europe's peripheral economies toward exports and import substitutes.

Mafia States

Moisés Naím — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:09 +0000

An important obstacle to combating the spread of mafia states is a basic lack of awareness among ordinary citizens and policymakers about the extent of the phenomenon.

Russian Strategic Forecasting's New Look

Matthew Rojansky — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:01:23 +0000

The Institute for World Economy and International Relations has released a forecasting project which challenges the Russian leadership to recognize and adapt to measurable global trends, even when those run counter to the Kremlin line.

Chinese Oil: An Evolving Strategy

Kevin Tu — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:12:34 +0000

Chinese National Oil Companies, while owned by the government, increasingly base investment decisions on market signals rather than state orders. Their efforts to access oil and gas resources are helping to meet the challenge of high petroleum consumption levels.

Getting Iranian Oil Sanctions Right

Adnan Vatansever — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:40:01 +0000

The United States and its European allies can make oil sanctions against Iran work by designing the right foundations that will not falter at the early signs of price instability in the oil markets.

The Ayatollah Under the Bed(sheets)

Karim Sadjadpour — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:03:11 +0000

In essence, the Iranian regime's approach toward sex, like its philosophy of governance, is marked by expediency and used alternately as a tool of suppression, inducement, and incitement.

The Enemy Within

David Rothkopf — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:31:49 +0000

If America abandoned its visceral need for an enemy, it might actually be able to reset its economic priorities and start investing in the things that would make the country stronger, more prosperous, and safer again.

Why is Uribe Under Attack in Colombia?

Moisés Naím — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:25:51 +0000

Although former president of Columbia Álvaro Uribe is currently facing sharp criticism, it is hard to dispute the fact that Uribe left his country better than how he found it.

Bleak House

David Rothkopf — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:24:36 +0000

There is a growing sense that European leaders have lacked the political will to take the decisive and potentially painful measures that could help resolve the financial crisis.

U.S. Confuses Carrots and Sticks in Pakistan

Stephen Tankel — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:30:44 +0000

The United States must decide if it wants to eschew engagement and get tough on Pakistan or if it wants a rapprochement with Pakistan in order to pursue a long-term strategy of engagement.

Don’t Blame China’s Currency for U.S. Trade Deficit

Yukon Huang — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:26:12 +0000

China's trade surplus has less to do with the value of its currency than it does with rapid urbanization and the rise of production networks across East Asia.

Action Needed as Sudan Heads into War

Paul Salem — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:28:41 +0000

As Sudan drifts again into war, the regional and international community must act quickly to save the lives of hundreds of thousands that are at risk. And political change in Khartoum might have to be part and parcel of a long-term solution.

China's Problematic Coal Plan

Kevin Tu — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:48 +0000

To improve the credibility of China's recently announced coal plan, Beijing should seriously consider fundamentally overhauling its statistical reporting system.

The Siren Call of Populism Seduces Again

Moisés Naím — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:50:38 +0000

Sooner or later the situation in Argentina will become unsustainable, forcing the government to make unpopular and necessary changes in its economic policies to put the nation on a more sustainable path.

Deescalating Tension with Iran

Karim Sadjadpour — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:56:30 +0000

Negotiations are unlikely to resolve the problems surrounding Iran’s nuclear program at this time, but they can help deescalate tensions and maintain stability between all concerned parties.

'Frozen' Transnistria Conflict Begins to Thaw

Matthew Rojansky — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:05:35 +0000

The latest apparent thaw on all sides of the protracted Transnistria conflict is a hopeful sign, but the resolution process will continue to be gradual and deliberate.

Stability Before Profit in Russia's East Asian Strategy

Dmitri Trenin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:41:54 +0000

While developing its Asian strategy, Russia will certainly give a lot of attention to cooperation with China, but it will not ignore its interests and opportunities in other countries in the region.

Egypt's Transition Imbroglio

Nathan Brown — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:31:15 +0000

The rapid developments over the past month have shown that legal and constitutional loopholes have the potential to seriously undermine Egypt’s democratic transition.

Of Oil Prices and Elephants

David Burwell — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:57:57 +0000

Washington must grasp the reality that the price of oil is directly related to how it is wasted.

The Next World Bank President

Uri Dadush — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:34:21 +0000

The new World Bank president, an American once again, was selected through a process that was far from competitive. However, the presence of two developing world candidates in this year's field may be a sign that the tide is turning.

Deep Impact—Fukushima and the Future of Nuclear Power

Mark Hibbs — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:55:15 +0000

Since the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power, countries have reviewed the safety of their nuclear infrastructure and plans for expansion, with some choosing to cease their nuclear programs altogether.