Carnegie Moscow Center
On February 11, Iran will mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution with a resilient opposition movement, its population divided, and the threat of international sanctions.
While there has been an increase in heated rhetoric over sensitive issues between Beijing and Washington, both governments are trying to prevent emotions from getting out of control, aware that the United States and China must work together to resolve a multitude of transnational challenges.
The conference in London failed to suggest viable solutions to the real problems facing Afghanistan, including President Karzai’s lack of credibility, the prevalence of local corruption, and the fragmentation of power into the hands of armed local militias.
The global economic crisis emphasized Russia’s need to modernize or face marginalization. The current brand of conservative modernization, however, is unlikely to succeed, leading to a showdown between true modernizers and conservatives.
Rather than focus on preserving its status as a great power, Russia’s foreign policy should aim toward comprehensive modernization. Cooperation with Europe will be crucial to achieving that goal.
Republican Scott Brown's victory in the United States is an event of both national and international significance. The Democrats have lost the qualified majority needed to pass bills and ratify international agreements without holdups.
Haiti can become a model for how the global community can help prevent future natural disasters from becoming megadisasters by providing Port-au-Prince with essential infrastructure and early-warning technologies and regional and international disaster response training.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's proposed European security treaty has its flaws, but it is a first step toward an important conversation that must take place if a viable and undivided Euro-Atlantic security space is to be created.
Although Putin has the coercive power of the state firmly in hand, Medvedev plays an important role in the governance of Russia, and his appeal to a younger, generally liberal demographic is key to the Kremlin’s goal of conservative modernization.
In his long-awaited address, President Obama presented a series of objectives but no clear strategy. His plan will likely leave Afghanistan looking worse than it does now.