World Politics Review: Top Stories

Adoring Germans Set Impossibly High Expectations for Obama Speech

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:03:00 GMT

BERLIN -- The dust having settled now following Barack Obama's history-making, if not perhaps history-defining, speech here, German media today all seem to conclude the same thing: Was that it? After days of newspaper coverage and speculation about what Obama might say, Germans got their answer yesterday: A well-received, though general, address on the past, the present and the importance of unity moving into the future. The speech lasted 28 minutes. Some in attendance could be heard saying, "A little short."

Afghanistan is Not Iraq: Reasons to Be Wary of Another Surge

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:41:00 GMT

After a brazen Taliban attack killed nine U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan July 13, Sens. McCain and Obama seemed to begin competing over who would more rapidly surge U.S. military forces there. Sen. Obama's trip to Afghanistan and Iraq has further focused attention on the vast disparity in U.S. resources going to the two wars. Americans should welcome the recognition by both candidates that Afghanistan is central to U.S. and international security. But we should remain wary of an Iraq-style surge to Afghanistan.

The Capture of Radovan Karadzic: Dr. Dragan Dabic No More

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:25:00 GMT

Radovan Karadzic has been arrested after eluding justice for 12 years. Karadzic's famous self-regard prevented him from accepting the cautious obscurity most would think appropriate for Europe's most wanted man. Instead, he transformed himself into mystic healer called "Dr. Dragan Dabic." Now his cover is blown, and he faces five charges of committing crimes against humanity; three of violating the laws or customs of war; and one of grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of war.

Strategy for the Next American President: An Interview with Ivo Daalder and Bruce Jentleson

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:37:00 GMT

Today, the Center for a New American Security releases a report, "Strategic Leadership: Framework for a 21st Century National Security Strategy," that sketches the broad outlines of a recommended U.S. national security strategy for the next president of the United States. World Politics Review asked two of the report's 10 authors -- Ivo Daalder and Bruce Jentleson -- to answer questions via e-mail about the report, which is aimed at charting "a new direction for America's global role."

Obama Abroad: Israelis Watching, Listening Closely

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:07:00 GMT

Sen. Barack Obama's whirlwind tour of the Middle East and Europe, as everyone knows, has its primary intended audience in the United States. The trip amounts to a high-mileage campaign swing aimed at impressing voters at home. In Israel, however, a local audience without the right to vote in America is paying close attention. And the conclusion that Israelis and their leaders reach about this would-be U.S. commander-in-chief could shape their decision about what to do in the coming months regarding Iran.

The ICC's Bashir Indictment: Law Against Peace

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:56:00 GMT

On July 14, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court presented evidence purporting to show that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir committed the crime of genocide. That massacres have been perpetrated by the Sudanese regime, that a strategy of terror has been employed -- these are proven facts. It is mere speculation, however, to assert that the regime attempted to exterminate the peoples of Darfur. Defining genocide down in this way only serves to make the possibility of peace more remote.

Preah Vihear Dominates Pre-Election as Cambodia Seeks UNSC Resolution

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 GMT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodian authorities have called for a special U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at resolving a border dispute with Thailand as a wave of nationalism sweeps the country ahead of national elections on Sunday. Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Cambodia's ambassador in New York had sought the request and the Security Council was expected to meet Thursday, as a troop build-up around a 900-year-old temple in this country's remote northwest continues.

Gazprom and Russia's Energy Imperialism

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:16:00 GMT

An ogre of a giant looms to the east of Europe, occasionally in the shape of a country, other times in the shape of a company, the two often indistinguishable. Russia and Gazprom are poised to devour the whole of Europe and its Asian neighbors. OAO Gazprom's influence has been often underestimated and ignored. By far the largest supplier of natural gas in the world, the company currently provides over a quarter of Europe's natural gas, and is aggressively looking to greatly increase this share.

Kenya Swept Up in Obama Mania as U.S. Election Approaches

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:13:00 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Since Sen. Barack Obama early last month secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. president, Obama fever, already widespread, has become an epidemic in this country where the senator's father was born. Even Kenya's Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has hopped on the Obama bandwagon. He claims he is a cousin of the senator. Rightly or wrongly, many Kenyans see in Obama's presidential bid a great hope for the troubled country.

Rights & Wrongs: New U.N. Rights Chief, China, Cambodia, and More

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:42:00 GMT

In this week's Rights & Wrongs: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reportedly is set to name a South African judge as the new High Commissioner for Human rights; human rights groups continue to criticize China on the eve of the Beijing Olympics; Spain proposes extending some "human" rights to primates; and corrupt officials and business interests in Cambodia are behind a spate of illegal land grabs. Rights & Wrongs covers the world's human rights-related news and appears in World Politics Review every week.