July/August 2012

Editor's Introduction
James S. Denton
If you’re looking for observations and analysis that give dimension, texture, and light to the unfolding developments in revolutionary Syria and Bahrain—and, for that matter, in the larger Middle East—you’ve come to the right place. ... Read More

Of Thee I Sigh: Baby Boomers Bust

P. J. O'Rourke
P. J. O'Rourke laments that the baby boomers have betrayed America’s legacy of boldness and achievement by replacing hopeful thinking with wishful thinking, bold ideas with benign idealism, and the belief that we can make things better with make-believe.

The Case for Aiding Syria’s Rebels

Michael J. Totten

Syria’s tyrant Bashar al-Assad is in the middle of a life-or-death struggle. He might be overthrown. He should be.

China’s Leadership Crisis

Gordon G. Chang
China’s big news this year was supposed to be a calm transition of power. Instead, dueling party leaders and rumblings of dissent have deeply shaken the People’s Republic.

Sectarianism’s Unlearned Lessons

David Rieff
The unintended consequences of the West’s “civilizing missions” to liberate peoples have historically reinforced and inflamed sectarian divides rather than bridged them.

Bahrain’s Escalating Crisis

Elizabeth Dickinson
Tensions continue to rise in Bahrain between the ruling Sunni family and majority Shia anti-government protesters—and a peaceful resolution is increasingly unlikely.

China’s ‘Organ Donation’ Nightmare

Ethan Gutmann
China's Bo Xilai scandal has captured the world's attention since February—overshadowing even darker news: the apparent involvement of Chinese leaders in years of organ harvesting from political prisoners.

Sudan on the Brink

Armin Rosen
Sudan’s ruling party has survived war, internal division, and financial ruin. But it could soon face all of those again—along with student protests spurred by Arab Spring victories.

Inside Italy’s Downward Spiral

Stefano Casertano
As the haze of Silvio Berlusconi’s long tenure begins to clear, it’s obvious that Italy will pay dearly for years of undervaluing private companies’ role in the national economy.

China and India Today

Mohan Malik
The delicate and increasingly tense China-India rivalry is reflected in the countries’ military preparations, alliances, and diplomatic maneuvering with neighbors and world powers alike.

Syria’s Clashing Communities

Charles Glass
Given Syria’s widespread poverty and illiteracy, life and politics there are often determined by deeply rooted and divisive religious, sectarian, and ethnic allegiances—and the fear they inspire.

Wartime and Domestic Rights

Robert P. Saldin
Despite the achievements of Mary Dudziak’s prior work, her latest book, which discusses US civil liberties in wartime, fails in its argument that foreign conflict gravely threatens domestic rights.

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