Why No U.S. President Will Bomb Iran
Iran announced it has begun enriching its uranium stockpile only a day after Western leaders called for stronger measures to curb Iran's nuclear program. Henri Barkey and Uri Dadush explain why a U.S. military response to Iran’s nuclear ambitions is infeasible. Robert Kagan suggests that the best way for the United States to discourage Iran's nuclear program is for President Obama to help the Iranian people achieve a new form of government.
- More on Iran:
- The Iranian Nuclear Riddle after June 12 [op-ed]
- Engagement with Iran: An Assessment of Options [interview]
China and the United States—A Difficult Year Ahead
There are growing fears that disagreements over a number of hot-button issues could sour relations between Washington and Beijing and prevent cooperation. Douglas Paal analyzes the severity of disputes ranging from U.S. arms sales to Taiwan to President Obama’s upcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama, and offers insight into the likelihood of continued cooperation.
- More on China-U.S. Relations:
- The Real Lessons from the Google-China Spat [op-ed]
- China-U.S.: Google Is Just the Beginning [op-ed]
- China, US Likely to Drift Apart This Year [op-ed]
Yemen's Grave and Growing Challenges
While growing Islamic extremism in Yemen is alarming, in the longer term it is the country’s domestic challenges that threaten to bring Yemen to its knees. Christopher Boucek outlined those challenges, and ways the United States can help, at a briefing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
- Yemen Resources:
- Yemen on the Brink [q&a]
- Yemen: Avoiding a Downward Spiral [paper]
Ukraine’s Presidential Election—The End of the Orange Revolution
With most of the ballots counted, Viktor Yanukovich will likely be the winner of the presidential election in Ukraine. Mark Medish explains that Ukraine is a more mature democracy for having gone through the Orange “boom and bust.”
- Ukraine Resources:
- The Difficulty of Being Ukraine [op-ed]
- Challenges and Priorities of Ukraine's Domestic and Foreign Policy [event]
Global Economic Growth in 2010
The U.S. economy exceeded expectations by finishing out 2009 with its largest quarterly growth rate in six years. Uri Dadush, writing in the International Economic Bulletin, outlines the factors that will lead to better-than-expected global growth in 2010 while cautioning that stimulus measures should not be withdrawn too soon.
- More on the Economy:
- The World Economy in 2010 [event]
