World Watch

Dreams of a New Atlantic-Pacific Passage Edward Tenner 06/19/2013

Nicaragua’s legislature has approved a plan for a canal to rival Panama’s. But with challenges including financial viability and seismic stability, the canal may be more valuable as a radiant future than as a reality.

The ECB Delays at Europe’s Peril Desmond Lachman 06/13/2013

Without bold action from the European Central Bank, it is difficult to see how the European periphery can avoid sinking ever deeper into economic recession in the months ahead.

Benghazi Matters Ambassador Richard S. Williamson 06/11/2013

The Benghazi attack raises fundamental questions on how to keep America safe and whether to trust the administration. We need a substantive debate on how to protect America against the growing threat of Islamic extremists.

China and the Cyber Challenge Lara Crouch 06/06/2013

Cyber issues will likely determine the tenor of U.S.-China ties over the coming months, and how the United States addresses these problems will be a harbinger of its overall approach to the challenge China poses.

Putin’s Petro State Approaching Empty Leon Aron 06/05/2013

Russia faces two challenges that will affect its preeminence as an energy supplier and its ability to wield oil and gas as geostrategic tools. At stake are the stability of the regime — and perhaps even its survival.

Hindsight Isn’t 20/20 Thomas Chiapelas 05/22/2013

Many lessons should be drawn from the U.S. experience in Iraq. Unfortunately, we’re not learning what we should.

Time for an Independent Kurdistan Jay Hallen 05/10/2013

An independent Kurdistan is now more feasible than ever. The United States should seize this historic opportunity to support a strong ally in the Middle East – and one of the world’s most prominent stateless peoples.

Syria’s Air Defenses: Formidable or Not? Gary Schmitt 05/07/2013

It seems doubtful that Pentagon planners truly believe that Syria’s air defenses are a significant hurdle to intervening in that country’s civil war.

Venezuelans Resist an Illegitimate and Violent Regime Roger Noriega 05/01/2013

A majority of Venezuelans voted for change and now has no choice but to resist a regime that can hold on to power only with violence.

10 Lessons from Cyprus Desmond Lachman 04/25/2013

Here are the likely lessons future historians will draw from Cyprus’s sorry experience in the euro.