Progressive Thinking for A Global Age
FPC Briefing: Where next for EU-US judicial co-operation?By Andrew Southam.
FPC research associate Andrew Southam explores some of the key issues in US-EU judicial co-operation.
Download FPC Briefing: Where next for EU-US judicial co-operation? (330 kilobyte PDF)
FPC Briefing: Do we need to rethink UK-US extradition arrangements?By Andrew Southam.
New FPC Research Associate Andrew Southam gives us his take on the controversial 2003 UK-US extradition treaty, whether criticism is valid and what can be done to improve the situation.
Download FPC Briefing: Do we need to rethink UK-US extradition (390 kilobyte PDF)
Egypt, Obama, Bush and the 'freedom agenda'By Stephen Minas. Source: ABC.net.ac
On January 25, Egyptians took to Tahrir Square to claim freedom from dictatorship. They were soon followed by former Bush administration officials and conservative commentators, who took to the opinion pages of America's journals of record to claim vindication.
Specifically, vindication for George W Bush's 'freedom agenda' of promoting the spread of democracy. And as the protests in Egypt grew ever larger, and the reign of President Hosni Mubarak looked increasingly doomed, the claims on behalf of the 'freedom agenda' became bolder.
Obama: The first hundred days and a new stance with Latin AmericaBy Thiago de Aragao.
Elected in the crowning of a historical moment, President Barack Obama took many positive steps during his first one hundred days of administration. With a high approval rate (more than 60%), Obama has managed to obtain more than conveying confidence to the American people. He is also trying to change the global feeling towards the United States. The USA and the rest of the world have shown significant signs of recovery from the economic crisis. This has certainly played a crucial role in assuring that Obama's charisma is still an efficient fuel for success in the countries and events to which the president is invited.
Obama and the Middle EastBy Rebecca Simon.
This week Barak Obama will be inaugurated as President. Never before has the ceremony been anticipated with so much enthusiasm, hope and above all, expectation. He is charged with salvaging the US economy, restoring America's global reputation and improving the welfare and health of the nation. That his in-tray will be overflowing with domestic and international expectations is unquestionable. To add to this, recent events in Gaza, and the Middle East's re-emergence as a central international concern means that he will be under pressure to move the peace process to the top of the agenda.
Obama and Iran: A Victory for an Enlightened Foreign Policy?To comment on this article, please visit the FPC Blog: http://foreignpolicycentre.blogspot.com
November 4th 2008 was by all accounts an historic day for the United States of America. Not only had the nation elected their first African-American president but they had done so by a landslide in the popular vote unseen since Democratic nominee Lyndon Johnson's win in 1964.
Obama faces the toughest challenges since FDRBy Adam Hug. Source: Public Servant
http://www.publicservice.co.uk/feature_story.asp?id=10891
To comment on this article, please visit the FPC Blog: http://foreignpolicycentre.blogspot.com
As the celebrations die down, and the ticker tape is cleared away, the political reality of Barak Obama's transition is becoming clearer. Pundits argue with some accuracy that President-elect Obama will enter office with a daunting in-tray, perhaps as tough a set of problems as any new leader has faced since FDR. Two unresolved wars, a financial crisis, an economic slump, an unstable trade deficit and large portions of US debt owned by China and other countries, not exactly top of the US's Christmas list, are just some of the challenges the new administration has to look forward to. However, he faces these challenges with a level of goodwill internationally that has no recent comparison.
Less is MoreBy Alex Bigham, Alex Bigham. Source: The Guardian Comment is Free
The United Nations needs to realise that it can't solve all the world's problems. There are better and more effective agencies to do the tasks of peace building and peace keeping.
A very American tour of dutyBy Jack Thurston, Jack Thurston. Source: The Guardian, Saturday July 24 2004
The Tour de France through the prism of transatlantic rivalry.
The US Heads Home: Will Europe Regret It?By Mark Leonard, Mark Leonard. Source: The Financial Times, 26th June 2004
The assertive policy of George W. Bush was supported by three factions that are now blaming eachother for the mess in Iraq. What went wrong with the 'Bush Revolution' -and is the US on the verge of isolationism again? Contact Mark at markhleonard@aol.com with your comments.
Spain is not Europe's 9-11By Mark Leonard, Mark Leonard.
Four major European countries joined the United States as allies in the Iraq conflict. Now one has been punished in the most brutal fashion, and instead of rallying around the commander in chief as Americans did after 9-11 the Spanish people turned against their leader. As Prime Minister elect Zapatero talks about recalling troops from Iraq, the Bush Administration will be wondering how the tragedy in Madrid will play out with the remaining three. Is this a uniquely Spanish phenomenon – or should they worry about Blair, Berlusconi and Miller too?
'Iraq: one year on'By Andrew Tyrie MP, John Lloyd.
On 11 March 2004 the Foreign Policy Centre brought together John Lloyd and Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie to take part in a seminar on the Iraq War, one year after they had written contrasting pamphlets on the subject. Transcripts are available below.
A transatlantic divorce?By Alain Minc.
Alain Minc is one of France's leading thinkers; he is an historian, economist, social commentator and business guru. In December 2003 he delivered a lecture on the state of transatlantic relations, chaired by Peter Mandelson.
Remarks to the Foreign Policy Centre Event; Transatlantic StormsBy Jeff McAllister, London Bureau Chief for Time.
Jeff McAllister suggests that 'tepid non-unilateralism' is likley to be adopted by the US administrtaion in dealing with the the UN, Middle East and North Korea
Download the article (10 kilobyte PDF)
Has Tony Blair made Britain a pariah state?By Mark Leonard, Mark Leonard. Source: Observer, 30 March 2003
The Prime Minister's attachment to the United States, and his own moral case for war, has damaged Britain's reputation across the world. How can the diplomatic damage be repaired?
Velvet fist in the iron gloveBy Mark Leonard, Mark Leonard. Source: Observer, 16 June 2002
In the latest of his monthly online commentaries for Observer Worldview, Mark Leonard examines the Bush administration's efforts to change the way the United States communicates with foreign publics. This may cut against the grain of American foreign policy, but it offers important lessons for Europe's own efforts to win friends and influence people.
Why America isn't listeningBy Mark Leonard, Mark Leonard. Source: Observer, 10 March 2002
The first in a new series of monthly columns on global issues from one of Britain's leading foreign policy thinkers: Tony Blair is attempting to win international support for an American strategy which he can't control. Its a dangerous strategy, but Europe needs him to succeed.