Courtesy: Flickr/ccqatar
3 May 2012

Qatar: Geopolitical Cosmopolitanism

Over the last few years Qatar has actively participated in world affairs by holding the Presidency of multilateral organizations, hosting international institutions and investing significantly in foreign markets. What does Qatar hope to achieve from its rising profile and its growing role in international affairs?

Myanmar Sanctions Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Htoo Tay Zar
1 May 2012

Sanctions on Myanmar: Have they worked?

The West is quick to claim that their sanctions against Myanmar have forced the government to implement political and economic reforms in the country. However, such bans do not usually achieve their stated purpose of forcing regimes to change their behavior.

01_CoverMJ12_190_1 Courtesy: Foreign Affairs
1 May 2012

Europe After the Crisis; How to Sustain a Common Currency

As Europe emerges from economic crisis, a larger challenge remains: finally turning the eurozone into an optimal currency area, with economies similar enough to sustain a single monetary policy. Getting there will be difficult and expensive, but the future of European integration hangs in the balance.

U.S.-Afghanistan agreement: A welcome start Courtesy: U.S. Department of Defense
27 April 2012

U.S.-Afghanistan agreement: A welcome start

An important take-away from the preliminary pact reached by Kabul and Washington is that unlike the 1990s, the Americans are not just packing their bags and leaving. This is good news in terms of regional stability, and the upcoming NATO summit may answer some questions this draft agreement raises.