July 30, 2013
JapanThe ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won a major victory in the Upper House election on July 21, and gained control of both houses of the Diet together with its coalition partner New Komeito. Th…
March 7, 2008
ChinaChina is dealing with growing signs of social unrest and a budding civil society, but the central government’s power grip leaves little room for democracy.
July 12, 2013
RussiaSharone Tobias and Will Piekos look at the top five stories in Asia this week. 1. Cybersecurity the main focus of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, …
December 23, 2008
IraqIraqi lawmakers approved new ground rules for the U.S. troop presence, including a U.S. withdrawal by 2011. But questions about the accords’ legal longevity remain.
May 16, 2014
Military OperationsEric Schmitt and Brian Knowlton, “U.S. Officials Question Ability of Nigeria to Rescue Hostages,” New York Times, May 15, 2014. Even as terrorist groups throughout the world have engaged in more kid…
September 1, 2009
Sub-Saharan AfricaThe African Union succeeded the old Organization for African Unity (OAU) in 2002. Since then, the new institution has struggled to reform governing bodies inherited from the OAU while shouldering cha…
August 1, 2014
Wars and ConflictWorld War I has provided source material for gripping novels and powerful poetry. It also has provided source material for some great movies. Here are my ten favorites in alphabetical order. A Far…
November 25, 2014
United StatesGopal Ratnam, “Picking Up the Pieces at the Pentagon,” ForeignPolicy.com, November 25, 2014. Although the White House portrayed Hagel’s departure as a usual cabinet change post a midterm election th…
December 19, 2014
Military OperationsDepartment of Defense Press Briefing by Lt. Gen. Terry in the Pentagon Briefing Room, U.S. Department of Defense, December 18, 2014. Q: I was hoping you could clarify how airstrikes are being conduc…
June 24, 2010
International OrganizationsThe G20 meetings in Toronto will be marked by competing agendas on global growth and financial regulations. This Backgrounder looks at the range of policy concerns.