Global Viewpoint
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Japan risks nuclear disaster for consumer convenience
The crisis at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant must prompt the Japanese to ask themselves whether their appetite for convenience is worth the catastrophic risks of relying on nuclear power stations situated on seismic fault lines.
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Tariq Ramadan: Osama bin Laden is dead, but will West revive ties with Muslims?
Once the rejoicing at Osama bin Laden’s death is over, the West must address the real issue at hand: its relationship with the Muslim world in light of the Arab Spring.
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Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Will Muslim Brotherhood succeed where Osama bin Laden failed?
Osama bin Laden is dead. Al Qaeda may soon follow him to the grave. But the doctrine of jihad – exemplified by the Muslim Brotherhood – lives on.
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How China broke the West's monopoly on modernization
For nearly 300 years, the European Enlightenment was the source of change for mankind. Then came China. In 32 years, it has become the second-largest economy in the world. China's examples shows that Western-style modernism is no longer the only viable route to modernization.
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Gordon Brown: We need greater global cooperation – before it's too late
There's a danger we're already sowing the seeds of the next great financial crisis. We need better global coordination to address the biggest transformation of the world economy in history. In our interdependent world, only concerted action across continents can tackle these challenges.
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Ai Weiwei arrest: Why no one in China is safe from those in power
The Chinese Communist authorities' detainment of well-known artist Ai Weiwei is shocking even to a hardened dissident like me. It once again reveals the essence of the Chinese state for all the world to see: the rule by law for the authorities instead of the rule of law for the people.
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The surprising factors behind Asia's renaissance
With a bright future ahead of it, Asia is increasingly rediscovering its past. To fully understand Asia's rise, we must come to grips with the forces that shaped its history: Western, Islamic, and Buddhist heritage. It's time to consider Asia's lesson on religious and cultural pluralism.
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Micro-lending genius Yunus: Why he was done wrong
The Bangladeshi government's treatment of Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who has lifted millions out of poverty with his micro-lending program, is shameful. And it does nothing to help the poor.
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Libya vs. Bahrain: danger of the West's double standard
The hypocrisy of the West's intervention on behalf of Libyan rebels in the face of its implicit endorsement of the repressive leadership in Yemen and Bahrain is stark. For the sake of Arab freedom and its own interests, the West must take sides against the Saudi-led counter-revolution.
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The international community must intervene – in Japan
Just as the international community had to come together to stem the financial meltdown from contaminating the entire world economy or prevent massacre in Libya, it must now intervene in Japan to prevent radiation from poisoning the planet.
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Bernard-Henri Levy: War in Iraq was detestable. War in Libya was inevitable.
Bernard-Henri Levy, the French author and philosopher, played a key role in convincing French President Nicolas Sarkozy to recognize the Libyan rebels' transitional government and establish the no-fly zone. Here he discusses the mission in Libya and the importance of ousting Qaddafi.
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Ban Ki-Moon: I am willing to take any measures for human rights
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon discusses intervention in Libya, the situation in Yemen and Syria, and the argument between Bahrain and Iran. He reiterates Israel's human rights violations and the importance of the peace process. He speaks finally of his hopes for the Arab region.
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Arab League chief: Goal in Libya is to protect civilians, not regime change
Amr Moussa – departing secretary general of the Arab League and Egyptian presidential candidate – discusses the no-fly zone intervention in Libya and Qaddafi's exit. He also touches on Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria and the future of Egypt's relationship with Israel and the Palestinians.
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The silver lining of Japan’s earthquake
A massive earthquake and tsunami have accomplished what Japan's fiscal policy and central bank could not. Rebuilding a large swath of Japan will stimulate domestic growth and global demand, energy-efficient technologies, while helping to integrate China and Japan.
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Ecuador’s president: US must respect Latin America's own path
Ecuador's president Rafael Correa discusses political and social change in Ecuador, the possibilities for Peru under new leadership, and US arrogance and dominance toward Latin America.
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Upheaval in Qaddafi's Libya isn't just another Arab uprising
Libya's motley modern structure is largely tribal – without centuries of nationalist history or a strong military like Egypt or Tunisia. Libya is an ideologically driven oil state, but Qaddafi's grip has prevented real economic reforms. The tides are turning his brutal hold, but what happens next?
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The real challenge for Internet freedom? US hypocrisy. And there's no app for that.
Secretary Clinton's speech on Internet freedom was full of good news. The US has a more grown-up view of the complexities of Internet freedom and its importance. The bad news was in what Clinton didn't address: the role US foreign policy and US companies play in Internet oppression.
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Brace yourself for the food-price bubble
If the world has a poor harvest this year, food prices will rise to previously unimaginable levels. Food riots will multiply, political unrest will spread, and governments will fall.
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Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood is a democratic partner, not Islamist threat
The West's fearful stereotypes of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood are based on myth and misunderstanding. Today's Muslim Brotherhood rejects violence and must be a full partner in the process of change – and it will be, if a minimally democratic state can be established in Egypt.
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US can blame itself for anger in the Middle East, and start making peace
America's policy in the Middle East – blind interventionist support for regimes on behalf of myopic 'American interests' – fueled the unrest now boiling over across the region. Washington must now learn to work with the moderate opposition groups arising, including Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.
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