The World Today US Presidency and the Middle East: Historic Opportunity After eight years of misguided Middle East policy from President George Bush’s administration, an enlightened strategy to tackle the region’s plight is overdue. This must include an approach that will bring change to an area consumed by conflict and division and filled with disdain toward the United States. Although the massive economic crisis facing America is and should be President-elect Barack Obama’s first priority, he must not hesitate to confront the simmering conflicts in the Middle East that cannot be relegated to the back burner without severely undermining the strategic interest and security of the US.
The World Today International Economic Crisis: Rough Road to Reform There are only rare opportunities to reform international financial arrangements, the Washington meeting was the first inclusive one for half a century. After this preparatory skirmish, the difficulties are very clear and now the objectives need to be more clearly defined.
The World Today Africa and the Economic Crisis: Fearing Isolation Only one African country – South Africa – was invited to the Washington summit in response to the global economic crisis. The continent fears being left out, just as it is growing economically and adjusting its position in world trade. What impact will the crisis have on Africa?
The World Today Financial Crisis and Ageing: And Now For Ageing The White House will soon echo with the sounds of a younger generation. But the new president and many other world leaders will be forced to wrestle with the issue of ageing populations once immediate financial issues are dealt with. Out of work city traders will not be the only ones worrying about funding a long retirement in these difficult times.
The World Today Democracy in Iraq: Praise the Leader How is a country rated in the democracy stakes? Freely-cast votes are one crucial sign, in the case of Iraq official language may be another. Iraqis have voted several times since the end of Saddam Hussein’s regime and provincial elections are on course for January 31. But have the ingrained habits of dictatorship really been erased?
The World Today Militant Islam and the West: Blood Brothers While scholars, journalists and policy-makers in Europe and America invariably describe Al Qaeda as a foreign, exotic threat that is difficult to understand, militants who identify with it routinely view their enemies in the most familiar of terms.
The World Today United States Presidency and Europe: Over to You, Europe The race is on to ensure that relations between the United States and its European allies are set on the right track from the outset of Barack Obama’s presidency. Although they may not like it, the main responsibility for ensuring that the transatlantic relationship does not stumble into a series of disappointed expectations in its first critical year lies more in European capitals than in Washington.
