Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India has underscored Moscow's willingness to continue its nuclear cooperation with New Delhi, while strengthening Indo-Russian defense ties. Mr Putin's unprecedented visit to the center of India's nuclear weaponization program -- Bhabha Atomic Research Center - was perceived "like a blessing from the top for Indo-Russian nuclear ties." The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding expanding cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy. Details were not forthcoming, but The Hindu quoted sources saying the memorandum "is a Russian commitment to contribute to India's growing nuclear energy requirements."
A recently announced U.S. arms deal with Taiwan immediately prompted an angry response from Beijing, which warned that there would be "serious consequences" if the deal is approved.
The book's six case studies investigate the role of transnational civil society in the global anti-corruption movement, nuclear arms control, dam-building and sustainability, democracy movements, landmines, and human rights.
Last week a commission headed by Republican Rep. Christopher Cox of California released a report sharply critical of the conduct of U.S. policy toward Russia. On the eve of an election and a new administration, the report does the country a service in sparking a debate on Russia policy.
The financial crash of August 1998 delivered a shock to the Russian elite that it so well needed. Russia's problem was never too much "shock therapy," but on the contrary that the reformers were unfortunately too feeble so that they failed to impose both the necessary shock and undertake sufficiently radical reforms.
Pakistan reportedly has begun full-scale production of the Shaheen I, a 600 km-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile, successfully tested in April 1999. On September 21, the Pakistani daily The News quoted an unnamed government official saying, "mass production of Shaheen, which can hit Indian strategic points like Mumbai [formerly known as Bombay] and others with 100% accuracy, has started.
The difficulties facing U.S.’ leadership in nonproliferation efforts are due in large part to the fierce partisan divide that characterizes recent American politics. However, the historical record and declared positions of President Bush indicate that he may be willing and able to implement sweeping arms reductions and advance arms control measures more effectively than the Clinton administration.
<span class="gray">A year and a half after hysterical congressional and media charges of nuclear espionage, Dr. Wen Ho Lee will go home a free man. For over a year, stories in The New York Times and the investigation of the congressional committee chaired by Rep. Christopher Cox claimed that Dr. Lee had seriously compromised US national security. Both pummeled the Administration for failing to take the allegations seriously and make arrests. Both relied heavily on the now discredited testimony of former Energy Department intelligence official Notra Trulock. The New York Times on Monday says many now believe Trulock "improperly focused the investigation…on Dr. Lee…out of a racist view that Dr. Lee was more inclined to spy for China because of his ancestry." </span>
<span class="gray">I<font class="gray">ndia's Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee arrives in Washington on September 13, amidst international fears that South Asia remains a nuclear tinderbox. According to the outgoing Indian Chief of Army Staff, "the chances of war are much more than they were …five years ago." <br> </font></span>
Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee reaffirmed that "subject to its supreme national interests" India "will continue its voluntary moratorium until the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) comes into effect." The joint statement with President Clinton also reiterated that the Indian government would "continue efforts" to create a national consensus on the CTBT, in order to bring the discussions "to a successful conclusion." India also stated its commitment "not to block entry into force of the Treaty." The statement echoed the Prime Minister's assertion in a speech to a joint session of Congress on September 14, that India did not wish to "unravel" Washington's non-proliferation efforts. Mr. Vajpayee has attempted to shift Washington's focus on dangers emanating from South Asia, from non-proliferation to terrorism.
Much attention has been given to Japan's need to restructure its economy and its bureaucracy, but little critical analysis has addressed the necessary role of immigration policy in Japan's reform process. A series of economic, demographic, and political factors are converging to require that Japan adopt a more open policy toward immigration if it is to ensure its place as a global leader.
Sea-based national missile defense systems have become the most discussed and least understood of all proposed missile defense projects. Proponents assert that Aegis destroyers and cruisers can quickly and inexpensively provide a highly effective defense.