Highly distinguished contributors from both East and West examine the complicated and multi-faceted process of NATO and EU enlargement in the context of the changed global situation since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
The whole world is closely paying attention to what the US is doing in Afghanistan, because this is the first experience of a war on terrorism. When the military presence will end is difficult to say. But whatever happens, if we cannot demonstrate to other countries that we are able to finish what we started, than the other countries will think that the US is lacking in diligence and resolve.
If the U.S. succeeds in getting Ukraine to face up to the proliferation threat that its nuclear capabilities still pose, then we might be on the road to restoring the U.S.-Ukrainian bilateral relationship. And if Russia proves to be a good partner in this effort, then it might open up important possibilities for the future. In particular, if this works, then maybe it will work on North Korea.
Muslim states are calling upon the West to support madrasa reform through financial aid. The recipe is to add contemporary subjects alongside the religious sciences in madrasa curriculum. But Madrasas will survive these reform efforts, just as they survived Western education during colonial rule; they derive influence from deep-rooted socioeconomic conditions that have proved resistant to change.