World Today, The

The Right to Choose

In Iraq, the intention is to crack down on insurgents, foreign terrorist elements, and other would-be spoilers of elections planned for early next year. The fate of Falluja, hitherto the stronghold of the resistance, will be the test of a strategy to extend interim Iraqi government control to this and other towns in the center of the country and thereby make their participation in election possible. As Hollis discusses, Pres George W. Bush may draw the conclusion from his re-election that his...

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Iraq

Hearts and Minds

As Benn opines, America seems to be losing the battle for hearts and minds. The invasion of Iraq has been presented by its supporters as a war of liberation, designed to trigger a democratic revolution not only in Iraq itself but throughout the Arab world. From this, it follows that victory cannot be achieved by military means alone and will be impossible unless American can win over at least the bulk of the local population.

American And British Forces In Iraq

Bruising Experience

Analyst has frequently acknowledged the different ways British and American Forces work. However, the recent redeployment of the Black Watch to the American sector has been presented as a routine transfer, but it is not. As Mackinlay discusses, the two armies have seldom operated together in a counter insurgency campaign and no British battalion has ever been under US command in this context of such a significant operation.

National Security In The Second Bush Administration

The Eagle Resurgent

As Bluth discusses, the unexpectedly wide margin by which George W. Bush was re-elected president of the US has given him, in his words, the political capital to continue his radical domestic and foreign political agenda. Furthermore, it turned out that national security was not as central to the election as had been thought, many voters in mid-Western states stressed personal values and morality. But nevertheless, if the Bush administration stands for anything, it is for defending national s...

British Foreign Policy

Broken Bridges

British foreign policy has tried to punch above its weight for the past-century, while balancing between different sets of international allegiances. This long-term high wire act has required prime ministers and foreign secretaries to be highly acrobatic: dashing from capital to capital, promoting summits, UN resolutions, and multilateral compromises. As Wallace opines, it has been very difficult for successive prime ministers to maintain the balance by which they claimed was essential to the...

Energy Beyond Oil

Turning the World Upside Down

Oil makes up around 35 percent of global energy supply, and natural gas another 22 percent. In about three or four decades, after peak in gas production it will be one-half. As Mobb discusses, even if one country did not face the hazards of climate change as a result of fossil fuel use, it should find alternative energy sources to replace oil and gas in the next two decayed.

Nobel Peace Prize

Environment for Peace

When it was announced that this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner was Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan Assistant Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife, the reaction of the mainstream media was bewilderment. As Tarasofsky discusses, the reaction to the prize is understandable in an era where security issues are dominated by concerns over terrorism and warfare in Iraq. However, the links between environment and security have been well known for more than a decade.

Aid Organisations In Afghanistan

Taking Aim at Aid

As Sandford discusses, the predicament of Margaret Hassan as a hostage in Iraq has pointed painfully to the vulnerability of aid workers--no longer automatically regarded as neutral. The dangers are apparent in Afghanistan too, where three UN workers were kidnapped. To make matters worse, western and local forces deliberately mix charitable projects with military missions.

Taiwan And China

Strait Talking

As Chan discusses, if a third world war were to break out, it might be well triggered by a military conflict between China and Taiwan. Beijing has deployed over six hundred miles across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan, however, is determined to defend itself, with the help of the US.

Mozambique

Orderly Change

It is not easy to forget that just twelve years ago, Mozambique was devastated by a civil war that claimed an estimated one million lives, but much has changed in a decade. From being one of the poorest countries on earth, it has joined a rare group of success stories. As Vines discusses, Mozambique's president is about to step down in the second orderly power transition since independence. However, his successor will still need all his business skills to sustain progress.

Uganda

Still the Donors' Darling

Africa watchers are justifiably proud of the success stories on the continent. Ghana has long scored in this category and is frequently visited by western politicians keen to promote economic success and democratic developments. Mozambique has just joined the club as the country to support. Bu there are now questions about Uganda, long the donor's darling but accused by some of back-sliding into dictatorial rule and corruption.