China’s Mounting Public Discontent
Will a Chinese “culture of excess” ultimately undermine a seemingly unshakable economic success story?
Nick Ottens
Nick Ottens is a public affairs officer for the Dutch Animal Coalition and a board member for Liberal Green, the sustainability network of the Dutch liberal party VVD. He is a former political risk consultant and a former research manager for XPRIZE, where he designed prize competitions to incentivize breakthrough innovation in agriculture, food and health care. He has also worked as a journalist in Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York for EUobserver, NRC, Trouw, World Politics Review and Wynia’s Week, among others.
US Arming Persian Gulf States
Fearful of Iranian aggression in the region, the United States are preparing another round of Middle East arms sales.
Defense Spending Remains Difficult to Cut
For all Robert Gates’ efforts, Congress is still reluctant to reduce military spending.
Turkey’s New Place in the Middle East
Turkey may be more Islamic, but it is able to position itself as a regional arbiter because of it.
The Pragmatist
Obama’s greatest mistake is to be flexible when he shouldn’t but stand on principle when he can’t afford to.
Rethinking American Commitment to Taiwan
America has to reevaluate its relationship with Taiwan as China rises militarily.
John Boehner in the Spotlight
Democrats try to cast John Boehner as the face of the “same old” Republican Party.
Constitutional Reform Poll Divides Turkey
Turkey’s referendum on constitutional reform is bound to be interpreted as a test for Prime Minister Erdoğan’s conservative government.
Anti-Islamism as Impediment to Growth
Are Denmark’s strict immigration policies to blame for its recent lack of economic growth?
Clinton: World Needs US Leadership
“The United States can, must, and will lead in this new century,” according to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Does NATO Need a Crisis?
Can the alliance transform itself into an international police force or should it await the next chance to be useful?
The State of Our Union is Tense
In his first state of the union address, European Commission President José Barroso disappointed parliamentarians but did display vision.
UN Offers North Korea $290 Million in Aid
The UN extend a lifeline to Pyongyang that may end up prolonging its destructive regime.
Lieberman Blocks Settlement Moratorium
Israel’s foreign minister insists that the moratorium on settlement construction be lifted.
Talking of Peace in the Middle East
Former British prime minister Tony Blair appeared on ABC’s This Week to talk about bringing the Israelis and Palestinians together.