Domestic Debates
North American
Given the Bush administration’s obstinacy in refusing to take action against climate change, many US states have stepped up to the challenge - none more so than California. ++ California has taken the bold step of becoming the nation’s first …More
For Republicans, the financial crash of Sept. 29, as the stock market fell over 700 points, will be remembered as the day which began their “exile” from political power. ++ Republicans in the House voted against their own party’s bailout plan by a margin of 2 …More
Obama’s foreign policy proposals are too vapid; far from incipient or novel, we are subjected to his recycled ideas - which, albeit, were fresh when first espoused in the face of Bush dogmatism. ++ “These ideas have lost their oomph among …More
“It is a glorious day for democracy.” ++ With all members of the House up for re-election in November, the rejection of the Paulson plan is a clear indication of the American public will - Wall Street must be accountable, not the tax payers. ++ Americans …More
By talking about terrorism instead of the financial crises in front of the UN, Bush has staged himself as “yesterday’s man.” ++ Even Germany - one of America’s closest allies - is distancing itself from the US and blames the state for opposing tighter …More
The rejection of the rescue package, led by Republicans, proved the incompetence of US leadership. ++ Most members of the G.O.P. still believe socialism poses the biggest threat and disregard that today’s economy experiences huge cycles of bubble and burst …More
Congress has failed to take any significant steps on an energy policy over the past year; in fact, it appears as if they’re backsliding. ++ “Drill, baby, drill” has become the mantra de jour, as partisan politics have rendered any …More
Presidential debates cannot change the fundamentals of an election. ++ Reagan’s poor opening debate against Mondale didn’t keep him from a 49-state landslide, and Kennedy’s strong debate against Nixon didn’t insure his victory - a …More
Currently, the US is reeling from the “Palin Effect.” ++ The overall demoralization and financial crises damage the collective identity of Americans and that is why voters need to hear that their country is still ‘exceptional’. ++ Fortunately, “Palin finds …More
Brown and McCain value experience as a virtue. ++ Especially McCain’s strategy is contradictionary: he portrays himself as a politician who has enough experience to shape the decision about the financial rescue package, and as …More
The US Senate must pass a waiver buying seats aboard Russian space vehicles for US astronauts.++ The NASA shuttle fleet retires in two years, and its new space vehicle, the Orion, will not be ready until 2015, essentially leaving the …More
The Bush administration’s financial bailout package is not well received by Congress – and rightly so. ++ There should be no “blank check,” given Henry Paulson’s maladroit leadership. ++ Obama has outlined four cardinal …More
In the late 80’s and early 90’s the government-owned Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) was charged with overseeing $400 billion in assets, most from failed banks and loan institutions. ++ The lessons learned then are applicable …More
Ban Ki-moon lauded Tehran’s mediating role in the Caucasus, which surely is music to the ears’ of Iran’s president. ++ Ahmadinejad adopted the language of post-hegemony and portrayed Iran as the leader of a new global alliance for peace and, …More
Urgent action to save the financial system is good, but current draft legislation is risky. ++ Congress should not rush into a decision but needs to concentrate on three things: quickly restoring financial stability with low cost, punishing …More
The US weapon industry is continuously growing, while more weapons are sold abroad ++ In Iraq, a host of factors, oil revenue included, has created a “loyal new customer,” namely the Maliki government. ++ Some say selling weapons to …More
The US has done the right thing when it launched a rescue plan. ++ Those who argue how vast the initiative is are wrong because they underestimate the extensiveness of the US economy. ++ However, the true impact of the expansion of public spending lies in …More
Immigration remains an open problem in the US and is now on the campaign agendas. ++ Obama still supports the three pillars of extensive reform: tougher enforcement, expanded legal immigration and a path to citizenship to illegal immigrants who are …More
Due to the financial crisis, the attack on the US embassy in Yemen, and the latest tropical storms, the tone of the US presidential campaign has become nervous and angst-ridden. ++ Even if people who consider the economy to be the most …More
We are witnessing the worst economic conditions since the banking shutdown of 1932. ++ After rescuing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and reluctantly doing so with AIG, the Fed declined to bail out Lehman Brothers or Merrill Lynch; the Fed had to draw …More
Given the interdependence between the economic growth of China and the world, it is necessary to integrate China into the global economy system. ++ One option is the US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), which brings US and Chinese …More
McCain’s campaign is turning everything into a cultural wedge issue - including energy policy. ++ Republicans who favor the exploitation of more and more oil ignore the need for an energy policy that diminishes the US dependence on this …More
This time, the declaration of a new world order does not depend on the next US president. ++ Now, it is the new economies that are shaping geopolitics, not the US. ++ Moreover, the complex matrix of various actors hinders global …More
The unipolar moment after the Cold War passed as quickly as it emerged. ++ The new US president will suddenly see some decisions also being made in Beijing, Moscow, and Europe. ++ A league of democracies would be nonsense in the current …More
David Neil Lebhar: While the race between Obama and McCain is too close to call, US voters and the world must realize that the two candidates’ foreign policy positions are not especially different. Furthermore, due to economic instability, domestic concerns, and a shifting geo-political balance, the next president will have to react to international issues through re-defined multilateralism. …More
Both presidential candidates honorably chose to put politics aside on the anniversary of 9/11, but there are various open questions on security. ++ One of these questions asks how willing can the US be to attack Pakistan if its …More
A war very close to home should get more attention in the US: the one in Mexico. ++ Even if Americans soldiers are not among the casualties, US money and arms fuel this dispute. ++ Mexican President Calderón’s efforts to fight the drug syndicates …More
A McCain victory could have consequences that reach far beyond party politics. ++ Enormous numbers of young voters support Obama, a generation that could easily become cynical should this seemingly obvious election go sour. ++ Likewise, African …More
In order to achieve at least one of its foreign policy goals, the Bush administration insisted on the international approval of the nuclear deal with India. ++ The world can sell nuclear fuel to India; however, the action was ill-conceived. …More
Meredith L. Nicoll: McCain’s ‘fighting words’ might superficially translate to a hawkish, us-against-them foreign policy declaration. However, specific strategies for foreign policy were almost entirely absent from McCain’s speech. How should the international community take it? …More
McCain’s vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, is accused of lacking experience in security and foreign policy issues. ++ She is contrasted to Obama’s running mate, Joseph Biden, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. ++ …More
Mark Brzezinski & Lanny A. Breuer: The US government abuses the law and ignores human rights in the name of security; this shapes the American image abroad and undermines strategic US objectives. American credibility as a standard setter in human rights suffered a major setback. It will take time to repair this damage. …More
In many ways the US has always been ahead of Europe in creating tough environmental protection policies and is less lenient in its standards. ++ As for climate change, the US has fallen far behind. ++ However, it is unfair to accuse the …More
Mr. Zadari is expected to win the presidential election in Pakistan. ++ He portrays himself as a pro-Western candidate, but he is merely a caricature of the country’s immoral Westernized elite. ++ Therefore, he serves as a …More
There is no quick fix for Pakistan. ++ Policies need to put the Pakistani people ahead of public figures, and institutions ahead of simplistic solutions. ++ The economy needs to be stabilized and an international plan to improve infrastructure, …More
“Politics is the art of communicating intimacy to a crowd” and Obama’s latest speech proved that he is very good at it. ++ However, commentators do not ask if he can win, but if he should win and question the US readiness …More
If Obama is elected, a VP Joe Biden will likely mean positive developments for troubled US-Iran relations. ++ Biden’s experiences with Iranian diplomacy legitimize Obama’s call for direct contact with Tehran. ++ However, Biden’s …More
From the Editorial Team: In his nomination speech, the Democratic presidential candidate reiterates his commitment to direct diplomacy with Iran and his hawkish position on Pakistan. What do you make of Barack Obama’s security policy positions? …More
After nearly eight years of Bush’s haphazard and ill-advised actions and his contempt for the Arab-Israeli peace process, for most Arabs change cannot come soon enough. ++ Senator Joe Biden is known for his foreign policy experience, …More
Obama comes from the most ideological and, therefore, most dangerous part of the Democratic party. ++ He supports policies that will aggravate many international problems. ++ Despite all this, he should be president because the probable hiatus of …More
Musharraf’s resignation as president allows the country to move toward full democracy and this process should not be seen as a threat in Washington. ++ With Musharraf’s exit the “war against terror will in fact be pursued with much more vigor and …More
In the discussion of US-Russian relations, one element has been overlooked: the shift in the nuclear balance. ++ After the cold war both powers agreed to reduce their tactical nuclear arsenal, but Russia started from a much higher level and still has 10 …More
Musharraf’s resignation ends an exquisite relationship between him and the Bush administration. ++ The latter created the myth that Musharraf had “joined the free world in fighting the terrorists” after 9/11. ++ The truth is, Musharraf neither supported the …More
Russia’s use of force in the Caucasus is fully legitimized by its right to self-defense and international law. ++ The US has to acknowledge that brutality against a civilian population is not justified simply because the Georgian …More
There are voices among US officials that Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki became overconfident about his government’s ability to handle the security situation in Iraq without the US troops and that he wants to portray himself as the national …More
The war in Iraq eroded not only US strength but also its moral authority and sense of purpose. ++ Iraq strains the US army to such a extent that it is not left with forces sufficient to stabilize Afghanistan. ++ Moreover, critics of the US administration emphazise …More
The Pakistani government finally decided to impeach President Musharraf. ++ The US declared the impeachment “an internal matter” of Pakistan, which demonstrates that Musharraf has lost the support of the US, his biggest advocate in the past. ++ But …More
After 1945, the US was clearly the world’s leader but it took its supremacy for granted and became complacent. ++ Since then, the US has become dependent on foreign oil and relied on debt to finance its economy. ++ American …More
Amid the general Bush-bashing, we should not forget the achievements of G.W. Bush’s foreign policy: Iraq isn’t a failure, but turns out to be a genuine success as three free elections since 2003 prove. ++ Furthermore, one must recognize that the Bush …More
Joseph S. Nye: If the US wants to remain powerful, strong ties to the world’s emerging powers are crucial. Improved relations between the US and India could provide the basis for China’s international integration. …More
There are signs that, due to lack of resources and interest, the US is not able to “micromanage the hemisphere” anymore and regional powers such as for instance Brazil are emerging and filling the power vacuum. ++ …More
valentine anatolevich akishkin: The economic downturn and the rise of new centers of power will lead to a shift in US foreign policy doctrine, allowing the country to readjust itself to new world challenges by employing more agreeable and less costly means. …More
There are two rumors regarding the US elections: the first one says that if a candidate travels abroad he becomes inaccessible to “ordinary” Americans. ++ Considering the positive image which Americans have of Europeans, this assumption seems to …More
Richard Wales: The presidential election campaigns are shaped by corporate interests. Barack Obama is part of the same institutionalized political elite as Bush. The promised change can only be achieved by a new generation. …More
Obama’s popularity last
Thursday showed the desire for a responsible global power and the unwavering belief that the US should be that power. ++ But the charisma of the presidential candidate should not blur our view of the other Obama: the …More
David Francis: Obama’s popularity should not be interpreted as a shift in German policy towards the United States. Many officials I spoke with while reporting from Berlin earlier this year said Germany will continue to act in its own interests no matter who is in the White House. …More
Matthias Stephan Fifka: Even if Obama enjoys much more sympathy abroad and is being received like a rock star by the public, his foreign policy would not differ essentially from McCain’s. The biggest discrepancy between the candidates are the expectations of the Europeans, who are likely to be disillusioned with Obama as president. …More
Rüdiger Lentz: Obama’s speech at the Victory Column in Berlin, impressive as it was, contained more empty slogans than substance. This was not the radical change he promised during his primary campaign. His charisma might not be enough to win the elections. …More
The German magazine Der Spiegel featured articles about Barack Obama with such satiric headlines as “The Messiah Factor” or “Germany Meets the Superstar.” ++ These examples show that Europeans are far less excited about Obama than Americans, even …More
India just had its first vote of confidence because the government’s communist allies withdrew their support over the civilian nuclear deal, arguing that the pact made India a pawn of the US. ++ Prime Minister Singh’s Congress …More
Video interviews at Obama rally in Berlin: The majority of Germans support Barack Obama for the US presidency, not because they believe he will radically change US policy, but because he is expected to return it to the familiar pre-Bush trajectory. …More
An anonymous Iraqi official assumes that Maliki thinks Obama will win the presidential election and is taking preemptive steps in order to collect chits that he can later call in. ++ President Bush wisely ignored Maliki’s demand for US troops to …More
Obama has achieved astonishing levels of popularity abroad. ++ Foreigners, however, had better temper their excitement. ++ A “skilled tactician,” Obama tends to shrewdly adapt his discourse to his audience and since, if elected, he would in any case …More
Over the last few weeks, Obama has confused both Arabs and Israelis with his notes on Palestinian suffering and the status of Jerusalem. ++ But contrary to McCain, Obama shows basic respect for the Palestinians and admits that the …More
J Street, which emerged as a counterweight to AIPAC, released a new poll indicating that US Jews’ views about the Middle East are considerably more dovish than frequently acknowledged. ++ Large majorities of US Jews favor diplomacy with Iran …More
Anne Applebaum: Obama’s visit to Europe signifies a change in America’s political culture – it shows American voters are aware of the damage the current administration has done to America’s image and are not indifferent to how their country is perceived abroad. …More
A study by the Pew Foundation recently
confirmed that the USA
has been suffering from an image problem for years, and this all over the
world. Even in Japan, Argentina, Germany
or Great Britain, all countries
with a traditionally …More
Barack Obama Speech: “I will give our military a new mission on my first day in office: ending this war. (…) Let me be clear: We must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in. We can safely redeploy our combat brigades at a pace that would remove them in 16 months.” …More
Obama highlights the differences between McCain and him on Iraq. ++ He still intends to redeploy the combat brigades in such a way that they could be removed from Iraq in 16 months: “That would be the summer of 2010 - two years from now.” ++ After …More
Despite warnings of their imminent collapse, with the help of US government, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be able to survive and stock market panic can be avoided. ++ Since the two companies have $5.3 trillion in …More
Bush’s “cowboy diplomacy” is changing the way the world addresses climate change. ++ The new G8 document reflects the approach of the White House since 2002. ++ For the first time, the G8 acknowledged that progress will depend on …More
Uncertainty in an emerging “new world order” has brought with it new approaches to the provision of multilateral responses. One concept gaining attention in the US is a ‘league of democracies’, an institutionalized body of …More
Since the Cold War, US foreign policy has struggled to find a “main enemy,” thereby defining its focus. ++ Global politics, however, have returned to a status quo, in which a broad range of problems, with long-term resilience …More
At current consumption rates, the US will spend over $10 trillion on oil imports over the next 10 years. ++ This will constitute the largest transfer of wealth in human history. ++ The only alternative is homegrown energy. ++ Between …More
Bush’s departure will not facilitate addressing global problems. ++ The complex issues of peace in the Middle East and nuclear proliferation will continue to dominate the diplomatic debate. ++ In addition, American and European …More
The resurgence of the Taliban and al Qaeda demonstrates that the war in Iraq is dangerously diverting attention from the “war of necessity” in Afghanistan. ++ Rather than inflexibly planning to stay on or leave Iraq, candidates …More
Conventional wisdom which treated President Medvedev as a mere continuation of Putin is oversimplified. ++ We are witnessing one of the most promising periods in Russian history. ++ The new Russian government with two centers of power …More
Few will mourn the end of the Bush Administration, yet many fail to realize that his legacy has long-term implications. ++ Beside operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, Bush has managed to shift the path of America’s foreign policy. …More
Thomas Carothers: The US needs to recover the international legitimacy it has lost and continue promoting democracy. Yet an exclusive and excluding League of Democracies would be an ineffective tool. Indeed, too many democratic governments are unwilling to follow the US and challenge national sovereignty in the name of democracy. …More
Many parallels can be drawn between Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter at the time of 1976 presidential election. ++ Then, as now, war and economic stagnation created fertile ground for leaders who promise a fresh start and a change in how …More
Sino-American ties are likely to be the most important component of international relations for the next several decades. ++ The question is whether China’s re-emergence can be managed without a conflict. ++ Powerful voices …More
Peter H. Schuck: Americans’ belief in the value of diversity is complicated by a recent study. Is law the answer? Perhaps, but only to a limited extent. The US government must find ways to encourage interaction and exchange, thereby generating social capital, rather than mandating forced diversity. …More
Markus Kaim: Climate change is causing a growth of possibilities for the use of the Arctic. Canada’s Arctic policy, dominated by claims to sovereignty and territory, conflicts with that of its direct competitors in the region (Denmark, Canada, USA, Russia, and Norway) and is at odds with German and European efforts to support multilateralism and uphold international legislation. …More
Obama enjoys astonishing and unprecedented support in Europe. ++ The anti-Americanism fueled by Bush may have subsided, but this international popularity is not necessarily beneficial for a candidate who primarily needs to …More
John McCain intends to subsidize domestic drilling and cut taxes to “free” the US of its dependence on foreign oil. ++ However, the basic rules of microeconomics doom this popular yet cynical energy policy to failure. ++ American …More
Nouriel Roubini: The Financial Times recently interviewed economist Nouriel Roubini regarding the current US housing market problem and the potential for an extended US recession. Roubini addresses the outlook of the US economy, mortgages, potential policy action—The Frank-Dodd bill, Fed policy, and the outlook of financial markets. …More
Gao Xiqing, the president of China’s sovereign wealth fund expressed his frustration concerning the political opposition his fund sometimes faces when it attempts to invest in the West. ++ From the economic point of view, this is …More
Obama should readjust his Iraq strategy like many other former opponents of the war did. ++ US will be remembered as much for how it got out of Iraq as for how it got in. ++ A precipitous withdrawal may give Iranians the chance to dominate Iraq. …More
For most Europeans, including the British journalist who said that he will “be remembered as a blithering idiot,” Bush’s legacy is the Iraq war. ++ On Bush’s last visit to the UK, however, Brown emphasized the president’s accomplishments and …More
Across the globe, voices from the government and media are predicting the waning position of the US as the only remaining superpower. ++ This is a trend that will probably pass with the next US elections. ++ In matters of hard, soft, …More
Iraq’s disparate ethnic groups are united in their opposition to the latest American political and military intentions for the country. ++ According to Bush’s plan, occupation of Iraq could be indefinite. ++ The president should leave the …More
Heath Kern Gibson graduated from Denison University and received a master’s in public administration from Harvard. She is the director of digital media in the public affairs office of the State Department in Washington, where she is …More
Thomas Speckmann: Examining the foreign policy of US presidents since Kennedy reveals that Germany is generally better off with the conservatives and that German military involvement will always be expected, regardless of who is elected. …More
Sonja Davidovic: Through the changes in the global power structure resulting from the breakdown of the Soviet Union, the USA inevitably assumed the role of a “Global Leader”. This shifted position within the international community provided the American theorists of foreign policy with new tasks. It has become imperative to define the positioning of the USA in the modified global political landscape and to find a suitable strategic orientation of the activities in the field of foreign policy. …More
On Thursday, the US Supreme Court ruled that detainees held at Guantanamo Bay have the right to challenge their detentions in a federal court. ++ This marks the third time the court has made clear that the president has no authority to trash the …More
On both sides of the Atlantic, politicians are certain that a new US President will mean big change on a broad range of issues, from climate change to Iraq. ++ In gearing up for a more “enlightened” era of transatlantic relations, …More
Perhaps by electing Obama as president, pro-American reformers in the Middle East will no longer feel so alienated. ++ According to expat experiences in Egypt, locals are hoping for an Obama victory because of his ethnicity and …More
From the Editorial Team: President Bush’s last official visit to Germany has sparked a vivid debate about the legacy of his presidency and the image of the US abroad. Will Europe forget about Bush soon after the elections and consider the US once again as a partner and friend? Or will the next president have to fight with America’s tainted image for years to come? …More
Official US presidential candidates have been selected but voters now face the difficult task of distinguishing between “the politics of winning”, which shore up popularity, and “the politics of governing”, which focus on ability. ++ Obama’s lack …More
Hillary Clinton has admitted defeat, as for Obama, the battle has only just begun. ++ This year’s US Presidential campaign rotates on an axis between character and experience. ++ McCain offers the American people know-how, while …More
C. Deblock & M. Rioux: Canadians want to develop closer economic ties with Europe in order to reduce their dependence on the United States. However this new “European” policy is motivated by the wrong reasons and political and structural differences could prove insurmountable. …More
The “League of Democracies” has existed as a concept discussed by American political experts for years now. This spring, the idea transferred from the domain of relevant professional journals to that of the US presidential election …More
Rüdiger Lentz: In US presidential elections, Europeans tend to overwhelmingly support the Democratic candidate. Yet, Europe misplaced its bets in both 2000 and 2004. The qualities that Europeans value in a US president are not the same ones that matter to Americans. Europe should tone down its expectations, and come to terms with the possibility of another GOP presidency. …More
US cooperation with Syria - “not based on shared values, but shared interests” - should replace the policy of non-engagement to support Israel, isolate Iran, and ameliorate the situation in Iraq. ++ Waiving economic sanctions against …More
Obama’s nomination as the democratic presidential candidate initiated enthusiasm abroad. ++ Many nations feel Obama as president “could help to reduce anti-US sentiment and even turn it around.” ++ In Europe Obama has strong …More
The question of whether al Qaeda is engaged in a “leaderless” Jihad or one that is “alive and well” - a fundamental issue when determining US counter-terrorism policy - provides for heated discussions in the US. ++ Al Qaeda is in …More
Striking differences between McCain and Obama on issues such as Iraq, the economy, global warming, energy, and the international standing of the US, mean the real debate can now begin. ++ Clinton should rally behind Obama and he should …More
The personality of the US election winner will fundamentally shape transatlantic relations, but the fact remains that today the priorities of the EU and US differ more than ever before. ++ In the multipolar world that has succeeded …More
In order to win the presidency Obama must quickly readjust his strategy. ++ The long and fierce battle between the two democratic candidates has alienated supporters from both sides. ++ In the May 20 Kentucky primary, 2/3 of Clinton supporters …More
Obama has claimed the Democratic nomination, but Clinton will remain an important figure over the next months. ++ Clinton “did well among working-class whites, older voters and women” so her eventual endorsement of Obama will be crucial. ++ …More
The US dollar was for a long time the leading global currency against which all other foreign currencies were measured. The downside of this is that as a result, the USA has accumulated a huge trade deficit. In 2006, foreign …More
Daryl Kimball: The next US president must take action towards nuclear disarmament in three distinct areas. He or she must pursue reductions in US and Russian nuclear arsenals, work towards ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and reassess and reduce the role of nuclear weapons. …More
The US position vis-a-vis Iran and North Korea has been weakened in the past several years, not out of a reluctance to engage in talks, or because of the emptiness of threats of using force, but because of a failure to formulate a …More
The growing popularity of John McCain’s League of Democracies among US voters of both parties should raise concern. ++ In a post-American world peace and prosperity especially require Chinese and Russian cooperation. ++ …More
The Qatari-brokered power sharing agreement between Lebanon’s feuding political factions puts into perspective the new Middle East power equation, in which the US is no longer a dominant factor and the rules are now being written by …More
The foreign policy discussion between McCain and Obama has helped portray the former as uncompromising and the latter as visionary. ++ Since US strategy in Iraq has required diplomats to negotiate with Shiite militiamen, Sunni …More
Europeans’ support for Obama based solely on his Democratic credentials ignores his resistance to free trade which is something on which Europe depends. ++ “His ‘Invest in America’ policy can hardly be topped as protectionist mindset, and his …More
While every candidate seems to agree that “America’s current public diplomacy efforts are badly flawed,” each conceives a different solution to the problem. ++ The warnings which are currently circulating in academic and policy …More
Peter H. Schuck: As in de Tocqueville’s time, American culture, politics, and economics stand apart from the rest of the world. Examining American institutions, public policies and cultural patterns would help the world understand America’s exceptionalism compared to other liberal democracies. …More
In foreign policy, both Republicans and Democrats favor negotiation. ++ Yet McCain realizes “where diplomacy is appropriate, and where more fortitude is required” and this creates a distinction. ++ There are real downsides to the unconditional …More
Oil prices keep setting records and many believe global oil production will soon peak. ++ American dependence on oil and the habit of driving large, gas-guzzling cars and living in suburbs without public transportation access will develop into a …More
Foreign direct investment by sovereign wealth funds from oil-producing and Pacific Rim nations has many Americans worried about the impact on financial markets. ++ However, the lack of transparency poses a greater problem for the country of …More
The campaigning for the US Presidential Election has gotten ugly on Middle East foreign policy. ++ In his speech to the Israeli Knesset, President Bush accused Obama of appeasing with Hamas. ++ It is “hard to remember any president …More
Obama advocates leading open and direct negotiations with everyone, from Iran to Cuba. ++ His opposition to the Iraq war, his rational stance on Iran, and his “understanding of US imperialism” suggest he will reshape American …More
The National Nuclear Security Administration announced the US had reduced its nuclear warheads stockpile. ++ Yet the US continues to upgrade its nuclear arsenal which is the world’s largest. ++ Since the US has not ratified the …More
The current problems of the US financial sector are often compared to those of Japan in the 1990s. ++ While there are many similarities, there are significant structural differences that suggest that a different remedy is required in …More
John C. Hulsman and A. Wess Mitchell: Coppola’s film offers lessons in diplomacy that we can’t refuse. Rather than the liberal institutionalist and neoconservative policies of the last two decades, the next US administration should adopt a flexible realist approach to deal with the challenges of a multipolar world. …More
John McCain’s recent neoconservative foreign policy proposals are of questionable merit. ++ Reorganizing the G8 to the exclusion of Russia and China, will effectively render the organization irrelevant. ++ A League of …More
The end of the unipolar world is approaching. The unipolar world emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union when the bipolar era of the cold war came to an end. Yet just after one decade and a half of US supremacy, the international system is …More
Mc Cain aspires to redefining the US’s global role by creating a US-led “League of Democracies.” ++ Besides antagonizing Russia and China and ignoring the significance of their cooperation on environmental and nuclear issues, …More
While Obama upholds transformation, Mc Cain’s intentions suggest a great deal of continuity based on American power considerations. ++ Obama emphasizes negotiation and the use of the US “potential for attraction instead of its …More
Internationalist economic policy is no longer perceived to be in the interest of the working population in the US. ++ A new internationalism that mitigates adverse effects – inequality and insecurity – is required to …More
Dan Henninger: Despite the recent Clinton victory in Pennsylvania, Obama is likely to be the Democrats’ nominee, opines Wall Street Journal columnist Dan Henninger. …More
Although the US’s economic and political difficulties have rarely been so acute, all of the candidates for president are selling simple answers that don’t exist. ++ Neither McCain’s version of military victory in Iraq nor …More
A recent poll showed that 70% of Iraqis believe US should leave because they are fuelling tensions. ++ Americans believe US should stay to curb sectarian violence and promote democracy. ++ Even Petraeus recognizes the solution is …More
Obama and Clinton may agree on many issues, but they champion two very different approaches towards US foreign policy in the Middle East. ++ Obama opposes the notion of a “clash of civilizations” and supports engaging moderates and democrats in the Muslim world. ++ Clinton would follow a path similar to that of the Bush administration and focus on defending US allies and deterring Iran.
European obstructionism of US proposals at the NATO summit exposes the EU’s division, weakness, and indecisiveness. ++ Energy dependency means that Russia has a de facto veto over EU security. ++ Suggesting the EU could mediate …More
The growing strength of other states, the challenges to US foreign, energy, and economic policy, and globalization, which has diluted state control, have all contributed to ending the era of American dominance. ++ The new distribution …More
The threats to US supremacy tend to be overstated. ++ China and Russia won’t achieve global domination while the post war arrangement goes on. ++ Yet to contain the progress of autocracy, protect and promote liberalism, and maintain its …More
US’s coercive tools - military might and economic leverage - have severely diminished due to failure in Iraq, expensive oil, and the rise of new industrial giants. ++ The next president needs to acknowledge the ineffectiveness of …More
Since they help increase productivity and develop economic potential, efficient services are fundamental to modern economies. ++ Because the service sector is expanding rapidly and contributing to sustainable growth, liberalization could …More
The IMF might have prevented the US crisis if it had detected mortgage market vulnerability sooner. ++ Since IMF governance is organized according to the “money for influence” model - most influential members have most leverage - US policies and …More
The current financial crisis demands strong governmental actions, particularly in the US. ++ The US’s financial problems can be explained through the debt crisis, credit crunch, and housing bubble which lead to a consumer binge. ++ The government …More
Benjamin Lucas Schoo: McCain is the only true free trader among the remaining presidential candidates. The economic policy positions of Clinton and Obama are similar. Unlike McCain, both Democratic candidates support ending the Bush tax cuts. …More
Anatol Lieven: McCain’s promise to listen more to America’s allies in Europe needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Senator McCain is in fact a neo-conservative as can be seen from his policies on Iraq, Russia, NATO, and democracy building. …More
While Jim Webb would have many weaknesses on the campaign trail, he could be a great vice president to Obama. ++ Senator Webb’s military experience outstrips that of any other likely democratic VP candidate, his authenticity gains him respect, and he could …More
Partisan polarization over foreign policy is stronger than ever before. ++ A Democratic, rather European, vision of diplomacy is opposed to a Republican celebration of American exceptionalism and forceful great-power politics. ++ …More
Obama’s speech on race spoke to Europe and provided insights into the imperfections of US democracy. ++ Obama succeeded in addressing the problems of his nation, something which is rarely accomplished
in Europe. ++ The …More
The decline of America’s image in Europe is less a matter of hostility than disillusionment. ++ Reinvigorating the transatlantic relationship requires a more flexible, multilateral US, and Europe
to take more responsibility in the face of common …More
Iran and the US are not doomed to remain eternal enemies. ++ The two countries share profound strategic interests such as stabilizing Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; preventing the spread of Russian influence; and ensuring that Middle Eastern oil …More
Between the recession and the Iraq war, isolationism is growing in America. ++ American anger at Europe’s inability to defend itself furthers the isolationist impulse, with conservatives and liberals converging on the issue. ++ Despite …More
Julianne Smith: If elected, Obama will attempt to reestablish a strong partnership with Europe. He should come closer to his European partners on issues such as climate change and international law, but will expect greater cooperation and support for US policies in the Middle East and Afghanistan. …More
As nuclear weapons’ materials increase on black market, US needs to modernize forensics tools in preparation for a potential attack. ++ International collaboration and a shared
database are essential. ++ A group of independent experts …More
Nothing opposes Yeltsin’s and Putin’s terms in office more strikingly than their interpretation and understanding. ++ The West’s demonization of Putin is in stark contrast with high levels of consent and popularity at home. ++ The West should not …More
As a reserve currency, the US dollar’s value was only sustainable while the economy was growing. ++ As many economists expect a recession, the Fed is moving aggressively to pump more liquidity into the US banking system. ++ This and increasing …More
Dominik Bertram: This paper is looking at the new role the European Union has to play on a global level, by applying Joseph Nye’s Model of a “three dimensional chessboard”, and the “TIT FOR TAT” strategy, put forward by Robert Axeldrod. …More
It is wrong to think that China has supplanted America in driving the global economy - the US still contributes 5 times more to the world’s GDP than China. ++ Banks around the world are learning that the US has lived beyond its means and debt may not be repaid. ++ Though a US tax cut may help, it won’t be enough to prevent recession. ++ The extent of the damage may not be known until 2009.
Parag Khanna: The new world order won’t include American hegemony. “Second world” nations will be the geopolitical battlefield, as the US fights for a balance with China and the EU. …More
Manuel David Weitnauer: The United States must adapt its policy to the new political circumstances brought about by the National Assembly elections on February 18, 2008. This translates into reducing backup for Musharraf, altering the form of military aid, and strengthening civil society. …More
Charles Kupchan and Ray Takeyh: Rather than continuing to pursue strategies which isolate and attempt to contain Iran, the US needs to follow the lead of its Arab Allies, practice diplomacy, and encourage regional integration. …More
It is a misunderstanding of Al Qaeda’s nature and aims that leads to the fear it could implement an Islamic state in Iraq if the US troops were to leave. ++ Al Qaeda is a non-territorial global entity that antagonizes the West, disrupts existing conflicts but cannot coordinate enough key local actors so as to rule a state. ++ In Iraq, it is the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds who play the central role.
The assertion that a Democratic president will have to repair the damage done to the country’s reputation overseas underrates the complexity of feelings towards America. ++ Anti-Americanism is less the result of policies than natural tension with …More
The US economy is facing a post-bubble recession rather than a cyclical downturn. ++ As homebuilders and consumers - a sector representing 78% of GDP, are being hit the hardest, the Fed’s monetary easing policies which favor …More | 
