Volume 1, Spring 2004
Ballistic Missile Defense: Ramifications for U.S.-Sino Security
Abraham Denmark, University of Denver, Graduate School of International Studies
The United States' planned deployment of a Ballistic Missile Defense system has added a new dimension to U.S.-Sino security issues. While a great deal of literature has been written about the intricacies of this potential conflict between two nuclear powers, a serious obstacle has so far gone unappreciated. The United States is understandably unclear about its future plans and capabilities regarding a future Ballistic Missile Defense system. An unfortunate consequence of this obfuscation is that Beijing is forced to build up its nuclear capabilities based on a worst-case understanding of American objectives and capabilities. By acknowledging this dilemma, the United States can act to stave off a harsh Chinese response and defuse a potential international crisis before it begins.
Resolving the Nuclear Deadlock with Iran
Jordan Tama, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University
Since the revelation of secret Iranian nuclear facilities in August 2002, inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have uncovered an Iranian nuclear program that is substantially larger and more advanced than most analysts previously believed. Inducing Iran to abandon permanently all uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing activities is critical and requires a multifaceted approach, including both sticks and carrots. The United States should continue to wield the stick of potential UN Security Council sanctions on Iran, while offering Iran economic and security-related carrots in exchange for an Iranian agreement to end verifiably all activities that could contribute to the development of nuclear weapons. The economic incentives should include Security Council assurances for the provision to Iran of nuclear fuel for peaceful energy production, the unfreezing of Iranian assets in the United States, and the easing of U.S. sanctions on Iran. The United States should also offer to engage Iran, Israel, and other Middle East countries in serious discussions on the formation of a process that could lead to a regional peace agreement and, ultimately, a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction.
Resolving the Transatlantic Crisis
Bradley L. Bowman, Yale Center for International and Area Studies, Yale University
International terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) represent a threat that can only be defeated through a strong and unified transatlantic relationship. Consequently, continued tensions between the United States and much of Europe jeopardize the successful outcome of the war on terrorism and WMD. If the United States and Europe are to end the current transatlantic rift and unite in common purpose to promote a more secure and prosperous world, four steps must be taken. First, the U.S. and Europe must first understand and reconcile their different historical experiences and lessons regarding war and the use of force. Second, the United States and Europe must recognize their shared strategic interests, Third, the United States and Europe must avoid promoting counterproductive and largely inaccurate stereotypes regarding European use of force and American unilateralism. Finally, the United States must base its foreign policy on an appreciation of the power of ideas, the costs of war, and the limits of military power.
Revisiting the Debate: Evaluating the Causes of Refugee Migration
Tiffany Howard, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan
With each successive war, drought, famine or political uprising individuals are motivated by the threat of physical danger to leave their families, their homes, and in many cases their country. The paper will: 1) establish that socio-economic factors have a direct influence on individuals decisions to leave their country of origin and become refugees, and 2) establish a more accurate model of the relationship between violence and refugee flows than suggested in previous statistical studies.
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Spring 2004 Panel Editors:
Jeremy Long
International Politics and Security
Japan focus
IT industry
Bennett Goldberg
Economics, Security and Conflict
Japan focus
Tourism industry
Justin Graf
International and Domestic Politics
China focus
Congressional consulting
Amanda Hayes
International Economics
Japan
Litigation consulting, accounting
Olivia Knight
International Politics
China
Regional economic development
Aparna Krishnan
International Economics and Environmental Policy
Latin America
Tanya Lloyd
International Politics
Southeast Asia
World Bank, Indonesia
Michael McMorrow
Economics and Political Economy
Japan
Congress, government, education
Thomas Mead
International Economics, quantitative analysis
Latin America
Engineering, geology
Kate Morrison
Politics, Security
Latin America
Emily Seto
International Politics
Latin America and Africa
Advertising and pharmaceuticals
Sarah Soakai
International Environmental Policy
Southeast Asia
Development research, development issues
