  |
|
October 29, 2009 |
This Time, Ban the Test
The treaty calling for a global ban on nuclear tests was rejected by the U.S. Senate ten years ago. Jessica T. Mathews explains in the International Herald Tribune that ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty will enhance U.S. national security. | MORE>
|
More on the CTBT ...
|
|
|
|
Also in this issue...
|
Secretary of State George Shultz on U.S. Policy
Former Secretary of State George Shultz discussed global disarmament, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the question of America's decline, and the future direction of American foreign policy. Secretary Shultz also took questions from an audience that included Tom Friedman, Fred Hiatt, and David Brooks. | MORE>
|
|
 A recent report by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee suggested that the majority of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan are economically motivated. In an overview of who the Taliban are, Gilles Dorronsoro explains that such a view is misguided: “The fighters are basically farmers. Most of them are very young. They know what they stand for, and they view the foreigners as a threat to their families and their values.”
 The Obama administration is reportedly examining a military strategy in Afghanistan that would increase troop levels to protect top population centers. Gilles Dorronsoro explains in the Guardian how former US marine and foreign service officer Matthew P. Hoh’s letter of resignation raises a number of important questions about the value of a continued American combat presence in Afghanistan.
Related Publication:
The Afghanistan Problem [op-ed]
The spread of democracy in the world is largely stagnant and a growing number of governments exhibit hostility toward international democracy aid. Thomas Carothers explains that USAID—the largest source of democratic assistance—requires deep-reaching reforms if the Obama administration hopes to adequately address challenges to democracy around the world.
Turkey's ruling party aims to transform the country from a regional power into a global one. Henri Barkey and Morton Abramowitz explore in Foreign Affairs whether its ambitions will be thwarted by Turkey's Islamist past and the culturally conservative inclinations of its core constituents.
|
 After almost a week–long delay, the Iranian government has begun consulting with the IAEA over its draft plan to export some of its low-enriched uranium for processing. Mark Medish suggests in the New York Times that the most realistic endgame scenario to best serve the chief interests of all players is one in which Iran maintains the ability to produce a nuclear weapon but refrains from testing one.
 On October 25, IAEA inspectors began their investigation of the processing facility in Qom. James Acton and Nima Gerami explain that Iran's month-long delay in inspections has important implications for the IAEA's ability to properly understand the nature of the previously undeclared enrichment site.
 Nearly 20 years after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia still struggles to find its role on the international stage. Dmitri Trenin suggests in Foreign Affairs that by embracing a soft power foreign policy fueled by a new focus on economic, intellectual, and social renewal, Russia can emerge as a serious and indispensable global actor.
 Both Russian and NATO leaders have called for a new bilateral relationship, but with divergent visions of what such a relationship would look like. Dmitri Trenin explains that it is time for Russia and the West to begin the long and potentially rocky process of developing a security community in Europe that would include both NATO members and nonmembers.
|
|
Follow Carnegie
 RSS - a convenient way to keep updated on the Carnegie content that interests you. Learn more. Twitter - provides brief headlines of our recent content, delivered to your computer or phone. Sign up. Facebook - allows you to connect with friends and colleagues to share Carnegie content. Get started.
|
|
%%nameemail%% is currently subscribed to the Carnegie eNews newsletter, a biweekly update of the Endowment's recent reports, publication, and events. Subscribe or unsubscribe from any of Carnegie's newsletters, www.carnegieendowment.org/signup.
Visit the eNews archive.
|
|
|
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1779 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036-2103
Phone: 202.483.7600 | Fax: 202.483.1840 | Email: webmaster@carnegieendowment.org
|
|
Legitimacy in Afghanistan