July/August 2011

Editor's Introduction
James S. Denton
There’s something for everyone in this issue of World Affairs—something new, something old, and something déjà vu all over again.Three close observers of dictatorship, revolution, and democracy offer contributions that clarify both the promise and the sobering challenges of the Arab Spring. Michael Zantovsky presents an exemplary exercise in compare and contrast as he considers the ways in which the revolutionary turbulence driving the Arab Spring does—and does not—resemble the profound global sea change brought about by the 1989 revolutions in Europe. It’s more complicated, but it seems that the similarities of the respective revolutions suggest hope, whereas the differences do not. ... Read More

Compromised: Henry Kissinger’s China Syndrome

Gordon G. Chang

In his latest book, the aging statesman can't help but ignore Beijing's brutal domestic policies, to the detriment of his other insights.

Bin Laden’s Demise: Death of a Salesman

Jacob Heilbrunn

The threat of terrorism may never go away, but America continues to best its greatest terrorist adversaries.

Learning Curve: American Culture and the Muslim World

Peter Skerry

Ten years after 9/11, hearts and minds still matter just as much on the home front as on the battlefield.

The R2P Doctrine

Joshua Muravchik

Joshua Muravchik reviews the history and flaws of the latest school of American interventionism.

Continental Divide: Immigration and the New European Right

John Rosenthal

Right-wing politics in Europe aren't as reactionary as they've been made out to be.

Iggy Pops: The Michael Ignatieff Experiment

Jordan Michael Smith

The celebrity intellectual decamped from Harvard to join Canada’s political fray in what was supposed to be a sure rise to the top. What went wrong?

WikiHistory: Did the Leaks Inspire the Arab Spring?

Judy Bachrach

WikiLeaks might be controversial in the West, but it had a powerful effect on Mideast countries where news and information have been systematically repressed for decades.

1989 and 2011: Compare and Contrast

Michael Zantovsky

A comparison of the two great revolutions of our era illuminates the promise and sobering challenges ahead for the Arab Spring.

The Police State Playbook: An Introduction

Jim Sciutto

Dictators tend to be pretty unoriginal – maybe because they all use the same playbook.

Japan’s Meltdown: Creative Destruction at Work?

Emily Parker

Will crisis help Japan get out of its longstanding slump?

Persons of Interest: Britain Learns from Ex-Islamists

Michael Weiss

Two former extremists prove just how much the UK learns from its reformed enemies (and why the US should do the same).

In the May/June Issue

Bacevich, Diehl, Hayden, Perle, Rieff, Wolfowitz, and others debate the lessons of Iraq. Juan de Onis on Latin America’s divide, Riviera on China’s pollution, and Michael Zantovsky on “Iron Curtain.” Plus Scottish independence, and more...

Get World Affairs in your Inbox:

Privacy Policy

Regions In Depth

News, Research & Government Speak

Africa
Asia Pacific
Europe & Central Asia
Middle East
North America
South America
South Asia

Popular on Facebook