Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Press Releases

The power of legitimacy in dealing with Iran

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Talks last week between Iran and world powers in Geneva—and the first public, bilateral negotiations between the United States and Iran in 30 years—yielded unexpected progress. Iran has been forced onto the defensive by its loss of legitimacy, exacerbated by the gains President Obama made by demonstrating resolve to negotiate a peaceful accommodation with the Islamic Republic.

Afghan warlords-turned-governors offer viable governance

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Afghanistan’s weak central government and limited resources make the informal networks employed by local warlords a viable option for governance. The country’s former warlords, made powerful governors by President Hamid Karzai, use both formal and informal powers to achieve security objectives and deliver development in their provinces.

Obama was right to scrap the missile shield in Europe

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Critics of President Obama’s move to reconfigure the proposed missile shield in Europe have accused the administration of kowtowing to Russia in the naïve hope of increased pressure from Moscow on Iran. Kimberly Misher contends that the president’s decision was the right one based on technical, financial, political, and security considerations.

WTO reform is needed today

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The languishing Doha Round of global trade talks elicits questions about the limitations of the World Trade Organization, just as economic crisis and burgeoning protectionist pressures demonstrate the urgency of strengthening trade rules.

Safeguards non-compliance is an NPT violation

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The international community’s inability to respond quickly and effectively to safeguards violations is the principal weakness of the nonproliferation regime today. At the upcoming Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May 2010, member states should address this problem by recognizing that safeguards non-compliance constitutes a violation of the NPT.

Security and economic challenges could overwhelm Yemen government

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

A confluence of looming challenges—economic ruin, an emerging water shortage, violent extremism, and a growing secessionist movement—threaten to overwhelm the Yemeni government, provide a breeding ground for terrorists, and destabilize the region.

Stalemate: Democratic progress in Arab world blocked by power imbalance

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The imbalance of power in Arab countries allows regimes to stay in control virtually unchallenged by non-violent opposition groups. Without a break in the stalemate between the key players—ruling establishments, moderate Islamist movements, and secular parties—democratization is impossible.

MENA economist joins Carnegie Middle East Center

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Lahcen Achy, a noted economist on the Middle East and North Africa, has joined the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Lebanon. His work will focus on socioeconomic issues and development policies in the region, with a particular emphasis on labor markets and regional integration.

President Ma Meets William Stanton, New Director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

President Ma Ying-jeou welcomed William Stanton as the new Director of the Taipei office of the American Institute in Taiwan. Both sides expressed optimism about the future of East Asian relations with the United States.

Deepening division in Palestine threatens diplomatic progress

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The widening division between Fatah and Hamas threatens any chance for a diplomatic breakthrough on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Neither Palestinian faction is moving closer to reconciliation with or capitulation to the other side.

Taiya Smith joins the Carnegie Endowment, will lead project on barriers to green investment

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Taiya Smith, former deputy chief of staff and lead negotiator for the U.S.–China Strategic Economic Dialogue for Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, has joined the Carnegie Endowment.

Job creation should lead post-crisis agenda

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

There is no single solution to the effects of the financial crisis on middle-income countries, but, introducing fundamental labor markets reforms to create high-paying jobs will be the key to restarting economic growth.

Alejandro Foxley Joins the Carnegie Endowment

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Alejandro Foxley, formerly Foreign Minister, and earlier, Finance Minister of Chile, has joined the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace as a member of the Endowment’s International Economics Program.

Afghan Insurgency Could be Fully National Within Two Years

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

To prevent losing control of Afghanistan, the International Coalition must shift resources to reverse the Taliban’s progress in the North, while reinforcing the Kabul region.

Electoral and constitutional reforms needed to resolve Kuwait’s political paralysis

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Kuwait must enact further electoral and constitutional reform to break the country’s political paralysis. Continued gridlock could lead the emir to override the constitution and dissolve the parliament, dealing a major setback to democracy in Kuwait and the region.

Environmental Security Must Be Top Priority in Arctic

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The accelerating pace of climate change, increasing competition over resources, and new territorial claims demand that greater attention be paid to the Arctic.

Claremont McKenna College Appoints China Specialist

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Claremont McKenna College announces the appointment of Minxin Pei as the Tom and Margot Pritzker ’72 Professor of Government and Roberts Fellow, and the director of the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies.

Indonesia will ratify nuclear test ban immediately following U.S. ratification

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Indonesia announced that it would ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty immediately after the United States does.

Peace process cannot move forward without Palestinian unity government

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Efforts to move the Israeli–Palestinian peace process forward will fail if the U.S. continues to marginalize or ignore Hamas. A national unity government—which would require a slower approach to the peace process and depends on difficult concessions—is the only promising solution.

Arab Countries Should Coordinate Response to Economic Crisis

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The reaction of Arab countries to the economic crisis has been patchy, uneven, and deficient. An urgent and coordinated response should not compromise important long-term goals like increased transparency and stability.

Richard Giordano to Chair Carnegie Endowment Board; Stephen R. Lewis, Jr. becomes Vice Chair

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Jessica Mathews, president of the Carnegie Endowment, announced that Richard Giordano, former chairman of the board, BG Group plc, would succeed James C. Gaither as its chairman. Stephen R. Lewis, president emeritus and professor of economics at Carleton College replaces Greg Craig as vice chairman.

Grading Progress on 13 Steps Toward Disarmament

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

All NPT states agreed in 2000 to lay out a practical path toward nuclear disarmament—the 13 Steps. Are these still the right steps? How far have we come?

No Quick Recovery Without Consensus on Crisis Causes

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

By failing to recognize the global implications of domestic recovery efforts, U.S. policy makers are risking increased trade friction and a longer downturn. The United States should coordinate better with China and the EU to keep trade open while the global economy adjusts to significantly reduced U.S. demand.

Arab Economists: Integrate Sovereign Wealth Funds into Global Financial System

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Western leaders, seeking desperately needed capital for their economies, have put aside many of their concerns over Arab sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). But the Arab world is questioning the wisdom of building its financial future on the shaky foundations of Western economies.

Sandra Polaski Appointed U.S. Department of Labor’s Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Sandra Polaski, director of the Carnegie Endowment’s Trade, Equity, and Development Program, has been sworn in as deputy undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB).