The Ants and the Grasshoppers
Strategic ambiguity from great powers compels middle powers to seize the initiative.
Asia
OPEC Fails to Compromise on Production Rate
Saudi Arabia fails to convince other oil exporting nations to boost output.
Saleh’s Injury, a Wake-Up Call for the West
The Yemeni president’s near death experience should push the United States to change its policy in the small Arabian country.
Merkel Finds Growing Partner in India
The German chancellor came to India with a “look east” policy, recognizing the tremendous potential of the South Asian giant.
Iranian President Under Fire from Within
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is beset by economic problems and mounting conservative opposition.
Israel is Being Set Up
An aid flotilla bound for Gaza this summer is designed to provoke Israel.
China, Vietnam Clash in South China Sea
Vietnam accuses China of exacerbating tensions that stem from their ongoing maritime border disputes in Southeast Asia.
Jordanian King Pessimistic About Peace Process
The greatest threat to peace in the Middle East is the status quo, said Jordan’s King Abdullah on ABC’s This Week.
Are Israel’s 1967 Borders Still Viable?
President Obama suggested that a Palestinian state should be created roughly within the 1967 armistice lines, but is this realistic?
An Expanded Gulf Cooperation Council
Nervous about their futures, Gulf Arab rulers look to Jordan and Morocco to boost Sunni power in the Middle East.
Violence Hits Israel’s Borders
Clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian demonstrators result in twelve dead and a two-state solution still far off.
The West Still Needs Pakistan
As long as American forces are fighting in Afghanistan, Pakistan has to be part of the formula.
Singh Boosts Financial Support for Afghanistan
While American forces will start withdrawing from Afghanistan, India insists that it is “not like the United States.”
Shia Militias Making a Comeback in Iraq
April has been the deadliest month for American forces since November 2009, but it’s unclear why sectarian violence flared up.
South Korea’s Conservatives Losing Popularity
South Korea’s president, Lee Myung-bak, is losing support as concerns about inequality rise.