Monthly Archives: September 2006

Shinzo Abe’s election as leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) this past week and his imminent installation as Junichiro Koizumi’s successor as prime minister is something Americans should look forward to with mixed feelings. Koizumi was a mold-breaking leader, … Continue reading →

At the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank, taking place this weekend in Singapore, a major row has emerged between the Bank’s president, Paul Wolfowitz, and Hilary Benn, Tony Blair’s minister heading the British Department for International Development. … Continue reading →

From an interview in Spiegel. Full version here: “SPIEGEL: Dr. Brzezinski, President Bush compares the dangers of terrorism with the dangers of the Cold War. He has even spoken repeatedly of a “nation at war” and will only accept “complete … Continue reading →

1. “Terrorism” is the wrong term to describe the problem we face. Terrorism is a tactic used by the weak; we are not fighting the tactic but a group of violent Islamists and insurgents. It makes no sense to lump … Continue reading →

What is it that leaders like Iran’s Ahmedinejad, Hezbollah’s Nasrullah, and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez have in common that vastly increases their local appeal? Anti-Americanism and an aggressive foreign policy are of course components. But what has really allowed them to … Continue reading →