Finding the Right Grand Strategy in South Asia
Following the trilateral summit between Presidents Karzai, Zadari and Obama, Carnegie launched its latest report on Afghanistan by hosting its ambassador to the United States, Said T. Jawad, Senator Joseph Lieberman, and a panel of regional experts on the challenges facing the international community. Jawad rejected the possibility of negotiating with the Taliban at this stage, while Lieberman called for an overhaul of the U.S. military command structure in the region.
Russian Foreign Minister:
How to Reset the Relationship
Recent signals of goodwill between the United States and Russia must be translated into tangible achievements to undo the damage of the last twenty years, according to Sergey Lavrov, foreign minister of the Russian Federation. Missile defense, NATO expansion, and the previous administration’s vocal disagreements with Russia over the August 2008 Georgia conflict must be addressed as the relationship moves forward.
Swedish Foreign Minister on EU Priorities
According to Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Sweden’s top priorities for its European Union presidency include signing a global climate agreement at Copenhagen, managing the political ramifications of the once-in-a-generation economic crisis, and building the infrastructure needed to reflect the EU’s growing global clout.
Taming Terror
The majority of detainees at Guantanamo Bay are likely to be repatriated to their home countries because there is not enough evidence to prosecute them in the United States. Christopher Boucek explained on 60 Minutes that comprehensive rehabilitation programs like the one developed in Saudi Arabia are necessary to help reintegrate former prisoners back into society.
Coordinating Recovery Efforts
During the April G20 meeting, the United States, China, and the EU sidestepped reaching a consensus on the root causes of the economic crisis. Michael Pettis warns in a new policy brief that until the major powers can agree on why the crisis started they will not be able to effectively coordinate policies to promote recovery, and the world economy will likely get worse before it gets better.
Global Economic Recovery
Depends on IMF
The United States, EU, and Japan have each pledged to commit $100 billion to the IMF to help the most vulnerable countries cope with the economic crisis. Uri Dadush explains that following through on this promise will not only help hasten economic recovery, but also bolster U.S. leadership in a world economy on which it is increasingly reliant.
Lessons from the Roxana Saberi Case
U.S.-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi was freed after four months in Iranian custody on charges of spying for the United States. Karim Sadjadpour explains in the New York Times and on NPR that the hard-liners responsible for Saberi's detention want Washington to believe that engaging Tehran’s leadership is an exercise in futility.
Grading Progress on Nuclear Disarmament
Delegates are meeting in New York to prepare for the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Sharon Squassoni assesses the progress of the declared nuclear-weapon states on the "13 Practical Steps" toward nuclear disarmament.
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