A Dark Day for the USA

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Graham Allison
Graham Allison

Graham Allison

By Graham Allison

Yesterday was a dark day for the United States.  When Richard Lugar lost the Republican primary election, not only did Indiana lose its senator of 38 years, but the nation was deprived of one of its greatest champions of bipartisan leadership on issues of war and peace.

Orwell wisely observed that we sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. But we are also able to enjoy the benefits of peace and civilization because far-sighted leaders take actions that prevent acts of terrible violence that would otherwise make our lives poor, nasty, brutish, and short. A prime example would be terrorists exploding a nuclear bomb in one of our cities. Continue reading >

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In Yemen, Democracy Is America’s Second Choice

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Power & Policy

By Francisco Martin-Rayo

Though Yemen’s internal politics have changed dramatically since January 2011, U.S. strategy there has remained single-mindedly focused on eradicating al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Democracy promotion, and the hopes of millions of Yemenis who supported the revolution, do not appear to be among the Obama Administration’s concerns in the country. Continue reading >

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Blame China, not the U.S., for the Plight of Chen Guangcheng

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Nicholas Burns

Nicholas Burns

By Nicholas Burns

The dramatic events in Beijing surrounding the brave Chinese dissident, Chen Guangcheng, are confounding and hard to fathom at such a great distance and without all the facts.   That has not stopped critics who should know better from rushing to blame the Obama Administration for having mishandled negotiations with the Chinese authorities over his fate. Continue reading >

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Rising Sun in the New West

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Power & Policy

Richard Rosecrance

Richard Rosecrance

By Richard Rosecrance

Considering the rise of China, will Japan join a new West? The answer is likely to be “Yes.”

In the past Japan was a leader in charting new strategic choices for the world. In the late 19th century, Japan emerged from the Industrial Revolution and elected a military course, attacking China and then Russia. Later she expanded geographically into Manchuria and China, and took on the United States of America as well in World War II. In both cases other powers followed in her wake. Continue reading >

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Apple and its Chinese Supplier’s Labor Practices in Spotlight

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Power & Policy
Ben W. Heineman, Jr.

Ben W. Heineman, Jr.

By Ben W. Heineman Jr.

Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

(This article first appeared on TheAtlantic.com)

Once again, Apple is on the front pages because of problems with its suppliers in China. But hard questions still exist about whether the new indictment will make any difference.

The headlines shout that one of Apple’s main suppliers is “Vowing Reforms in China Plants.” This pledge from Foxconn, the huge Chinese electronic supplier, came after the Fair Labor Association (FLA), an independent monitor, issued a report confirming widespread violations of Chinese labor laws and other labor standards at three factories that make iPhones, iPads and other devices. Under pressure from recurring supplier problems, Apple had been forced to hire FLA earlier this year. Continue reading >

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Why Europe Still Matters

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Nicholas Burns

Nicholas Burns

By Nicholas Burns

(This is an excerpt from my latest Boston Globe column on Friday, March 30. See that piece for a longer assessment of these challenges.)

At a recent conference in Brussels sponsored by the German Marshall Fund, I heard from countless European officials how simplistic, shallow, and plain wrong the pundits are in forecasting the declining importance of Europe for Americans. Europe still matters greatly to the United States, these officials say, and we should be skeptical about predictions of its imminent demise. Continue reading >

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Americans can help protect Tibetan rights

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Power & Policy

Andrea Strimling Yodsampa

By Andrea Strimling Yodsampa

Research Fellow, International Security Program, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School

In a dramatic contrast to the festivities welcoming the Chinese New Year, Tibetans in Boston and across the globe have refused to celebrate Losar. Tibetans are in mourning – not only for the loss of their homeland and the threat to their culture under the Chinese Communist regime, but for the 25 monks, nuns, and lay people who have set themselves on fire over the past year. Continue reading >

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Russia and Putin Redux: Prospects for Change

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Power & Policy
Simon Saradzhyan

Simon Saradzhyan

Nabi Abdullaev

By Simon Saradzhyan  and Nabi Abdullaev           

(Updated Monday, March 5, 2012)

There was little doubt that Vladimir Putin would be elected president of Russia on Sunday and return to the Kremlin for a third term. The Central Elections Committee announced on Monday that Putin won more than 60 percent of the vote and avoided a second round. But there is also little doubt that the legitimacy of his presidency will be contested during his third term, given the scale of recent protests against his return and strong criticism of the Sunday vote, which some of the opposition leaders and independent observers condemned as unfair and fraudulent. Continue reading >

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Scholars reflect on Afghan Koran burnings, rioting

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Power & Policy

Several Harvard Kennedy School scholars who have worked in Afghanistan were asked to comment on how the United States should respond to the accidental burning of Korans by the U.S. military, and the subsequent deadly rioting in the country. Here are their responses:

Aisha Ahmad

Aisha Ahmad, International Security Program research fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School. Ahmad, a doctoral candidate at McGill University, studies political Islamic movements, and has done field work in Afghanistan and Pakistan..

(Note: this comment appeared first on the Los Angeles Times World Now)

Afghans are very religious people, and the desecration of the Holy Koran is an extraordinary offense to Muslims. However, these riots are symbolic of a much larger discontent with the international presence in Afghanistan. Continue reading >

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What happens the day after an attack on Iran?

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Power & Policy

Ehud Eiran

By Ehud Eiran

Former Associate and Research Fellow, International Security Program, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

With the war drums beating, I reviewed for Foreign Affairs.com on Feb. 24  some aspects of the discussion in Israel about the “day after” a possible attack in Iran. I highlighted the gap between the rather frank and detailed discussion of the military aspects, and the limited conversation about the broader political ramifications.These ramifications include, among other things, the internal effects in Iran and possible crisis with the United States. Continue reading >

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