The U.S. and the international community face great challenges in the 21st century—globalization offers more freedom and prosperity, but also new threats to our security. The Foreign Policy Studies scholars and research help policymakers and the public address these crucial issues.
Stephen Cohen observes that Pakistan's President Musharraf has received mixed reviews as a general from his peers and has shown little talent as a politician. His one strength until Chief Justice Choudray defied him, asserts Cohen, was that his opponents were even less inspiring. Cohen argues that speculation over Musharraf stepping down in the coming months does not signal the end of the failed "Musharraf system" and warns that the country "may not have the internal resources to manage its own rescue."
With President George W. Bush's surge strategy fully implemented, several major offensives are now underway to root out insurgents and improve security conditions. Michael O'Hanlon and Edward Joseph conclude that the only hope for stabilizing Iraq may be a soft partition into Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni regions. Carlos Pascual and Larry Diamond argue that U.S. policy on Iraq will fail to achieve a lasting political settlement until it addresses both diplomatic and military strategy together to realize any chance for sustainable peace.
Leaders of Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan's ruling AK Party have suggested that an incursion into Iraq to strike terrorist camps of the Kurdish Workers party (PKK) is possible before Turkey's July 22 general elections. Visiting Fellow, and Director of Turkey 2007, Mark Parris notes that while "Turkey has a genuine terrorism problem" the ruling party and its generals understand the political risks of crossing the border into Iraq at this time. Just such a military action against the PKK in Iraq would have significant consequences in the AK Party's ability to maintain a parliamentary majority, influence its ability to elect the next president, and perhaps affect the future of Turkey's Constitution.
Recent events in the United Kingdom are a reminder that terrorism remains a real and immediate threat. But in the face of this threat, overreaction is as much of a danger as complacency. Since 9/11, American efforts in homeland security have helped prevent further terrorist attacks in the U.S. Gaps in homeland security still remain, but the U.S. needs to focus on the long-term and avoid sudden policy reversals in response to dramatic events abroad. In an Opportunity 08 paper, Jeremy Shapiro argues that our next president should develop a long-term strategy for homeland security grounded in concepts of sufficiency, prioritization, and measured effectiveness.
President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have offered their support to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, after he dissolved the coalition government with Hamas. The Hamas takeover of Gaza threatens a two-state split between Gaza and the West Bank, where Abbas's Fatah party remains dominant. Brookings scholars examine the range of different issues in the Middle East.
On June 28, Brookings hosted a discussion with the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies (CNAPS) visiting fellows who have completed their academic year at Brookings. They discussed their views of U.S. foreign policy and current relations between their countries and the U.S.
Brookings, SAIS, and the Korea Economic Institute will host a discussion of Charles L. "Jack" Pritchard?s new book, including a conversation on North Korea and the six-party talks (7/17/07).
On July 5, Brookings and The Johns Hopkins Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will hold a forum presenting an alternative plan for stabilizing Iraq.
On June 29, the Opportunity 08 project at the Brookings Institution, in conjunction with Brookings 21st Century Defense Initiative, will examine the state of the United States military today and the challenges it faces for the future.
On June 28, Brookings will host a discussion with the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies (CNAPS) visiting fellows who are completing their academic year at Brookings.
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