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Russia and Modernization: The United States versus China

To the Kingdom Come – Seeking Energy, Security, and Balance in the Middle East

Increased Taxes Take a Bite out of Innovative Small Business

A Young African’s Choice: AK-47 or a Laptop?

Russian Nuclear Exports: Balancing Nonproliferation with National Interest

Measuring Nuclear Weapon Capacity in India and Pakistan

The No-Party Talks

Russia and Modernization: The United States versus China

Russia and Modernization: The United States versus China

The word “modernization” has become ubiquitous in almost all major government policies and initiatives since the 2009 release of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev’s “Go Russia!” policy manifesto, where he called for the modernization of Russia's economy and society. This has been especially evident in Russian foreign policy, which has been seeking to attract foreign investment in new high tech sectors of the Russian economy in order to further the cause of modernization.

To the Kingdom Come – Seeking Energy, Security, and Balance in the Middle East

To the Kingdom Come – Seeking Energy, Security, and Balance in the Middle East

From this year forward, longtime U.S. ally Saudi Arabia will supply more oil to China than the U.S. In 2010, the Middle East and Saudi Arabia accounted for 18% and 12% of U.S. crude oil imports, respectively. That same year, 46% of China’s crude oil imports originated in the Middle East and 19% came from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While U.S. demand for oil has plateaued, China’s demand is expected to increase rapidly for at least the next two decades.

Increased Taxes Take a Bite out of Innovative Small Business

Increased Taxes Take a Bite out of Innovative Small Business

An internal argument over higher taxes on business has been shepherded to a close by Russia’s prime minister Vladimir Putin in a decision that deals a blow to Russia's innovation-based small businesses. The compromise also represents a setback for President Dmitry Medvedev, who has spearheaded attempts to stimulate small business, in the run-up to parliamentary elections this fall and the presidential election next spring.

Crash Course

Crash Course

Iranian workers were not at the forefront of the country’s recent pro-democracy uprising. With a few notable exceptions, that struggle was spearheaded by students, women, professionals, and other members of the urban middle class. Yet Iran has a rich history of labor activism.

A Young African’s Choice: AK-47 or a Laptop?

A Young African’s Choice: AK-47 or a Laptop?

The good news this month is that South Africa marks the twentieth year of the end of its nuclear weapons program this July. That may have removed a significant threat but elsewhere in the impoverished and war-ravaged continent the increasing quantities of conventional weapons make any observer of African politics nervous. According to some reports, in 2010, Africa imported arms worth nearly one billion dollars from Ukraine alone.

Russian Nuclear Exports: Balancing Nonproliferation with National Interest

Russian Nuclear Exports: Balancing Nonproliferation with National Interest

Russia has chosen to back India’s accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a non-treaty based group seeking to limit the spread of sensitive nuclear technology. While the NSG in name was formed as a near-direct consequence of India’s 1974 so-called “peaceful” nuclear test, Russia and other nuclear powers are now seeking to admit New Delhi into the select group which asserts control over nuclear exports, allowing India a say into the group’s future decisions and moving to erase remaining doubt as to the legitimacy of its nuclear arsenal.

Measuring Nuclear Weapon Capacity in India and Pakistan

Measuring Nuclear Weapon Capacity in India and Pakistan

Terrorist attacks in Mumbai on July 13, 2011 brought back to the forefront the issue of national security in South Asia. The bombings in India’s financial center will likely be connected to groups based in nearby Pakistan, just as previous attacks had been. While proliferation talks these days often circle around North Korea and Iran, the long and deep enmity between India and Pakistan has been considered the world’s greatest nuclear flashpoint for years.

The No-Party Talks

The No-Party Talks

Whether the world is ready to admit it or not, non-proliferation in North Korea has failed. If Pyongyang were ever willing to give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons – a prospect that seems more implausible in hindsight – the moment has surely passed. After cautiously observing events unfold in Libya—and, no doubt, taking into account its own political instability and moribund economy—North Korea has strengthened its resolve to hold on to its nuclear deterrent.

To the Kingdom Come – Seeking Energy, Security, and Balance in the Middle East

18 September 2011

From this year forward, longtime U.S. ally Saudi Arabia will supply more oil to China than the U.S. In 2010, the Middle East and Saudi Arabia accounted for 18% and 12% of U.S. crude oil imports, respectively. That same year, 46% of China’s crude oil imports originated in the Middle East and 19% came from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While U.S. demand for oil has plateaued, China’s demand is expected to increase rapidly for at least the next two decades.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: U.S. Versus China Around the World: September 2011, Latest, Region: Middle East, UncategorizedComments Off

Increased Taxes Take a Bite out of Innovative Small Business

26 August 2011

An internal argument over higher taxes on business has been shepherded to a close by Russia’s prime minister Vladimir Putin in a decision that deals a blow to Russia's innovation-based small businesses. The compromise also represents a setback for President Dmitry Medvedev, who has spearheaded attempts to stimulate small business, in the run-up to parliamentary elections this fall and the presidential election next spring.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: International Labor Issues: August 2011, Latest, Region: Europe RussiaComments Off

Crash Course

09 August 2011

Iranian workers were not at the forefront of the country’s recent pro-democracy uprising. With a few notable exceptions, that struggle was spearheaded by students, women, professionals, and other members of the urban middle class. Yet Iran has a rich history of labor activism.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: International Labor Issues: August 2011, Latest, Region: Middle East, UncategorizedComments Off

A Young African’s Choice: AK-47 or a Laptop?

27 July 2011

The good news this month is that South Africa marks the twentieth year of the end of its nuclear weapons program this July. That may have removed a significant threat but elsewhere in the impoverished and war-ravaged continent the increasing quantities of conventional weapons make any observer of African politics nervous. According to some reports, in 2010, Africa imported arms worth nearly one billion dollars from Ukraine alone.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: Nuclear Non-proliferation: July 2011, Latest, Region: AfricaComments Off

Russian Nuclear Exports: Balancing Nonproliferation with National Interest

21 July 2011

Russia has chosen to back India’s accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a non-treaty based group seeking to limit the spread of sensitive nuclear technology. While the NSG in name was formed as a near-direct consequence of India’s 1974 so-called “peaceful” nuclear test, Russia and other nuclear powers are now seeking to admit New Delhi into the select group which asserts control over nuclear exports, allowing India a say into the group’s future decisions and moving to erase remaining doubt as to the legitimacy of its nuclear arsenal.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: Nuclear Non-proliferation: July 2011, Latest, Region: Europe RussiaComments Off

Measuring Nuclear Weapon Capacity in India and Pakistan

20 July 2011

Terrorist attacks in Mumbai on July 13, 2011 brought back to the forefront the issue of national security in South Asia. The bombings in India’s financial center will likely be connected to groups based in nearby Pakistan, just as previous attacks had been. While proliferation talks these days often circle around North Korea and Iran, the long and deep enmity between India and Pakistan has been considered the world’s greatest nuclear flashpoint for years.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: Nuclear Non-proliferation: July 2011, Latest, Region: South AsiaComments Off

The No-Party Talks

16 July 2011

Whether the world is ready to admit it or not, non-proliferation in North Korea has failed. If Pyongyang were ever willing to give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons – a prospect that seems more implausible in hindsight – the moment has surely passed. After cautiously observing events unfold in Libya—and, no doubt, taking into account its own political instability and moribund economy—North Korea has strengthened its resolve to hold on to its nuclear deterrent.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: Nuclear Non-proliferation: July 2011, Latest, Region: Asia PacificComments Off

Room for Compromise: The Iranian Nuclear Negotiations

12 July 2011

Iran and European Union representatives have engaged in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear enrichment program for the better part of the last decade. Last month, yet another round of talks failed for the same reason previous negotiations fell through: a lack of compromise on both sides.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: Nuclear Non-proliferation: July 2011, Latest, Region: Middle EastComments Off

Explaining China’s Fascination With Jews

27 June 2011

The Chinese admire the Jews for their five thousand years of history, ability to withstand persecution in scattered minority communities, and their work ethic. But most importantly there is a widespread belief that the Jews have cornered the market for making money, and the Chinese want to get their share. Bookstores across China are filled with publications purporting to teach Chinese the cultural habits behind famous Jewish fortunes, or how Jewish child-rearing can produce diligent, money-making young adults.

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Posted in Issue: Religious Movements: June 2011, Latest, Region: Asia Pacific, UncategorizedComments Off

African Mobile Phones Disconnected

27 June 2011

The deadlines for SIM card registration are fast approaching on millions across the continent. Some countries, like Zimbabwe, have already finished the process after extending the cut-off dates a few times in consideration of the colossal task of documenting the identity of owners of mobile phones.

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Posted in Latest, Region: Africa, UncategorizedComments Off

Sufism, Pakistan, and the Battle for the Future of Islam

23 June 2011

The killing of Osama bin Laden last month highlighted the fight that is underway over the direction of Islam in Pakistan and the rest of the Islamic world. Militant Islamists who share views commonly associated with bin Laden, and who represent a small minority of Muslims, are attempting to impose their puritanical version of Islam on the moderate Muslim majority. In Pakistan, this has led to an increase in violence against Sufis.

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Posted in Issue: Religious Movements: June 2011, Latest, Region: South AsiaComments Off

FPD Book Review: How to Run the World

01 February 2011

How to Run the World was released in January 2011 as author Parag Khanna’s sophomore effort. It’s an unambiguously ambitious title for a book about foreign affairs. A number of strangers who have seen me with the tome in hand gave me curious glances and requests like “get back to me once you’ve figured all of that out.”

Read the full story

Posted in FPD Book Review, LatestComments Off

Osama bin Laden is dead. What does this mean? What happens next?

02 May 2011

Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. special forces on May 1st, 2011 in Abottabad, Pakistan.

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Posted in Latest, Opinion, Region: Americas, Region: Middle East, UncategorizedComments Off

Syria’s Wealth in the 21st Century: Corruption Leaves Most on the Outside Looking In

17 May 2011

Over the past five years, there has been a startling trend developing in Syria, and one need not spend more than a few hours in central Damascus to notice it. Syria is a poor country, and has been so for decades. The average Syrian makes about $250 per month. Even relative to other Middle Eastern nations, Syria’s GDP per capita bests only that of Yemen, ranking 116th globally, at less than $2,900.

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Posted in Issue: Wealth in the 21st Century: May 2011, Latest, Region: Middle EastComments Off

Foreign Policy Digest App for iPhone and iPod Touch

22 May 2011

Get the latest updates and newest content from the Digest on your mobile device. Please take a moment to download our latest app for iPhone and iPod Touch.

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Posted in LatestComments Off

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood

15 June 2011

On January 25, 2011, popular demonstrations calling for reform began in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. From January 28 to February 11, hundreds of thousands of Egyptian citizens – determined, resilient and unified – remained in Tahrir, eventually forcing Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak from power. Since then, Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has governed the country ahead of anticipated parliamentary and presidential elections in September and November 2011, respectively.

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Posted in Issue: Religious Movements: June 2011, Latest, Region: Middle EastComments Off

Interview of Ambassador Edward M. Gabriel, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco

21 June 2011

On June 17, 2011, King Mohammed VI of Morocco announced a series of proposed amendments to the country’s constitution. The Moroccan constitutional reforms are significant and unprecedented in the Arab world, as King Mohammed VI is clearly attempting to get in front of the demands for change sweeping the Middle East. Ambassador Edward M. Gabriel – the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco from November 1997 to March 2001 – discussed the constitutional reforms with Foreign Policy Digest.

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Posted in Interviews, Issue: Religious Movements: June 2011, Region: Africa, Region: Middle EastComments Off

Russia and Modernization: The United States versus China

29 September 2011

The word “modernization” has become ubiquitous in almost all major government policies and initiatives since the 2009 release of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev’s “Go Russia!” policy manifesto, where he called for the modernization of Russia's economy and society. This has been especially evident in Russian foreign policy, which has been seeking to attract foreign investment in new high tech sectors of the Russian economy in order to further the cause of modernization.

Read the full story

Posted in Issue: U.S. Versus China Around the World: September 2011, Latest, Region: Europe RussiaComments Off

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