Putin seems to be putting on quite a display this election year. Magically disappearing/reappearing opponents, exploding Chechen leaders, proclaiming the end of the USSR a great tragedy, massive military exercises and missile tests...

Election-year showmanship, or an honest-to-God itch for the old empire?

This article gives the best explanation of the economic situation between China & the US. And it's not upbeat, but it's not a prophesy either.
Even before this week's figures on China's explosive 9.1 percent growth in 2003, which many commentators thought actually understated the reality, the United Nations' annual economic report had identified ( Read more... )

Don't expect much emphasis on foreign policy from Bush for the next year or so. This is the season of "domestic issues", which so far seems to mean 'handouts targeted at desirable voting blocs'. Iran and North Korea will be back-burnered this year, with the USG providing the requisite tough talk and international bodies / relevant regional ( Read more... )

( Court upholds District of Columbia gun law prohibiting handguns )

Where would you guys say that Russia weighs in today on the scales of global power ( Read more... )

A lot of people are going to be embarrassed when Libya spills its guts.

Results triumph over rhetoric. For now.

And here is what happens in the absence of global institutions:

US warns Israel over unilateral action

The United States has warned Israel against taking any unilateral measures to separate itself from Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza ( Read more... )

I thought we might mix it up and bring another global institution into discussion here.

IMF tells Scotland PM to cut

sayeth Reuters:

"The decision to bar war opponents like France, Russia and Germany from the contracts generated outrage in Europe and triggered new transatlantic tensions ( Read more... )