World Today, The

The recent violence in Uzbekistan has resulted in greater instantaneous bloodshed since it achieved independence. Here, Nixey addresses the multitude of questions surrounding the event, particularly the source of it in terms of the political situation of the nation.

Iran

Prodigal President

The Iranian parliament's decision to encourage the production of nuclear fuel for electricity generation is a direct challenge to the negotiations with Britain, France, and Germany, over Tehran's nuclear programme. Here, Ansari expounds how the complex international crisis is a force in the month's presidential election, which sees the return of Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who is a major political figure.

G8 Summit

Generating the Gleneagles Effect

The Gleneagles G8 summit has the objectives of political leadership in overcoming bureaucratic blockages, collective management by Europe, North America, and Japan, and reconciling the domestic and international pressures created by advancing globalization. Here, Bayne opines that there may be less value in dramatic new initiatives, soon neglected, and more in political encouragement to existing projects, which bear fruit later. And that what is more important is that the leaders reach decisi...

G8 And Africa

Good Bad and Ugly

Peel discusses the reason why skepticism or indifference could be the dominant mood among many Africans toward Tony Blair, rather than gratitude. The reasons for it say much about the continued failings of western policy towards the continent and show how the G8 needs to take some crucial but relatively straightforward remedial measures before thinking about the much more sophisticated plans on its agenda. Details are presented.

Syria

Winds of Change or Dust in the Wind?

Syrian troops have ended their presence in Lebanon in what must be one of the most rapid policy reversals in the Middle East. Here, Alaf examines whether the talk of domestic reform at the Ba'ath party conference could satisfy the clamor from Washington for regime change. Moreover, if significant reform does not materialize, Syrians will inevitably conclude that the winds of change are mere flecks of dust in the wind that are unlikely to stand for much longer.

Books: War-Torn Territories

Bush the Builder

Von Hippel reviews International Governance of War-Torn Territories: Rule and Reconstruction by Richard Caplan.

G8 And Russia

Precarious Respectability

Lo expounds the reason why Russia's presence in the G8 is one of those historical accidents that defy conventional logic. Among other things, it is the least deserving member of the group, if judged by any objective standard, along with a number of outsider nations having far stronger claims for inclusion. Its economic weakness and limited political influence implies the small contribution it has to offer on non-security issues.

Iran And The Us

Washington Calling

For the first time since the Iranian revolution of 1979, the US Congress, in tandem with Pres George Bush, plans to openly spend government funds in Iran to promote democratic ideals. However, the Iranian government considers it as interference in Iran's domestic affairs. Here, Vatanka examines whether limited US funding have a greater impact than open confrontation on the political alignment of the Islamic Republic.

Petroleum, Poverty And Security

Not by Oil Alone

Oil wealth has always been regarded as a prime asset in development. But there is evidence that, unless used in particular ways, its contribution to national wealth may be seriously overstated. Here, Myers expounds how petroluem can be both advantegous and disadvantageous to a given oil-rich country.

Japan

Reinventing Japan

Information disclosure, judicial activism, and citizen's organizations are shocking the traditional ways of doing things in Japan. Kingston expounds how cozy relationships between gangsters, big business and government are changing as the country fights to recover its economic drive.