CFR.org - Backgrounder

Somalia’s Transitional Government

Stephanie Hanson and Eben Kaplan — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:45:19 -0400

Though international observers had hoped Somalia's transitional federal government would bring stability to the war-torn nation after sixteen years of “failed state” status, by mid-2008 experts said it was fraught by internal divisions.

Foreign Policy and the 2008 Presidential Nominating Campaigns

Toni Johnson — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:26:23 -0400

Through the U.S. presidential nominating process, voters have offered a muddled view on foreign policy issues but they continue to generate heat on the campaign trail.

Foreign Policy Brain Trusts: Obama's Advisers

Joanna Klonsky, Campaign 2008 Staff — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:35:56 -0400

Sen. Barack Obama's foreign policy team includes former State Department veterans and newcomers from academia who seek to reinvigorate U.S. diplomacy.

Foreign Policy Brain Trusts: McCain Advisers

Robert McMahon — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:03:39 -0400

Sen. John McCain's Republican presidential campaign has a group of foreign policy advisers reflecting both realist and neoconservative views of the world.

The African Union

Stephanie Hanson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0400

The African Union succeeded the old Organization for African Unity (OAU) in 2002. Since then, the new institution has struggled to reform governing bodies inherited from the OAU while shouldering challenging new peacekeeping missions.

The Role of the ‘Sons of Iraq’ in Improving Security

Greg Bruno — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:30:22 -0400

Cease-fires that began with Sunni tribes in Anbar province have spread through Iraq, and are credited with reducing violence. Can the calm last?

Nationalism in China

Jayshree Bajoria — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:03:55 -0400

Nationalism in China, surging amid protests over Beijing's rule in Tibet, increasingly fills the role Maoism played before China embraced capitalism.

Energy Bottlenecks in South America

Stephanie Hanson — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:43:51 -0400

South America faces energy shortfalls at the same time that several countries have nationalized energy resources. Experts say a lack of cooperation on energy policy could hinder regional economic growth.

Militant Extremists in the United States

Holly Fletcher — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

A profile of the domestic left-wing and right-wing extremists that operate in the U.S.

al-Qaeda (a.k.a. al-Qaida, al-Qa'ida)

Jayshree Bajoria — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0400

A profile of the international terrorist network that the United States has singled out as the most serious threat to U.S. security.

Mujahadeen-e-Khalq (MEK) (aka People's Mujahedin of Iran or PMOI)

Holly Fletcher — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0400

A profile of the militant Iranian anti-government group.

Access to Justice in China

Jayshree Bajoria — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:28:36 -0400

China has a range of options for its citizens to access justice, but experts say none of them are particularly effective.

Economic Challenges for Climate Change Policy

Toni Johnson — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:57:39 -0400

It is likely a new U.S. president will seek vigorous climate-change policy. Efforts to curb greenhouse gases pose considerable economic pitfalls, as well as opportunities.

U.S.-Vatican Relations

Lionel Beehner and Lee Hudson Teslik — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Experts say not to expect significant changes in U.S.-Vatican relations even after Joseph Ratzinger’s accession as Pope Benedict XVI.

The U.S.-South Korea Alliance

Carin Zissis and Youkyung Lee — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The longstanding U.S.-South Korea alliance, originally established during the early years of the Cold War as a bulwark against the communist expansion in Asia, has undergone a series of transformations in recent years.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Holly Fletcher — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:40:05 -0400

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad is an Iranian-inspired Islamic militant group that aims to derail the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and eliminate Israel from the region.

The Question of Tibet

Jayshree Bajoria — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:18:08 -0400

A primer on the dispute over Tibet’s sovereignty, which has risen to public attention following recent protests in Lhasa and demonstrations surrounding the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Lionel Beehner and Preeti Bhattacharji — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:24:00 -0400

Since its creation in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has risen in regional prominence and prompted Iran to submit a controversial bid to join the group.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade

Holly Fletcher — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade is a secular network of Palestinian militias aligned with Fatah that engages in sporadic violence against Israel.

State Sponsors: Sudan

Preeti Bhattacharji — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Despite its recent willingness to combat terrorism, Sudan is still considered a state sponsor because of its ties to Hamas, the Iraqi insurgency, and violence in Darfur.

Zimbabwe’s Security Sector

Stephanie Hanson — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:39:43 -0400

Zimbabwe’s upcoming presidential election looks more competitive than any in recent history. If President Robert Mugabe should lose, the reaction of the country’s security sector may be decisive.

NAFTA’s Economic Impact

Lee Hudson Teslik — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:41:18 -0400

A look at the basics of the North American Free Trade Agreement, its overall economic impact, and its effect on workers in the United States.

Healthcare Costs and U.S. Competitiveness

Lee Hudson Teslik and Toni Johnson — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:33:28 -0400

Heavy healthcare costs have some U.S. corporations fearing for their future competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Media Censorship in China

Carin Zissis and Preeti Bhattacharji — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Beijing has pursued increasing media regulations under President Hu Jintao. But as a flourishing China expands its international influence, many of its citizens hunger for a free flow of information.

Strained Ties between China and Japan

Lionel Beehner and Preeti Bhattacharji — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Despite their deep economic ties, animosity between China and Japan periodically resurfaces over territorial, historical, and economic disputes.

The East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)

Holly Fletcher — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

A profile of the Muslim separatist group based in the Xinjiang province in northwest China.

Olympic Pressure on China

Carin Zissis and Preeti Bhattacharji — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:11:36 -0400

While Beijing beautification gets underway, critics push China on media and environmental reforms.

FARC, ELN: Colombia’s Left-Wing Guerrillas

Stephanie Hanson — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) are Colombia's two predominant rebel groups. While both have been depleted in recent years, they remain destabilizing forces.

Pakistan’s Constitution

Jayshree Bajoria — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:33:00 -0500

Pakistan’s constitution continues to be the focus of political struggle, with the nation’s prime minister, president, regional governments, and army vying for advantage.

The Caucus System in the U.S. Presidential Nominating Process

Joanna Klonsky, Campaign 2008 Staff — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:31:55 -0500

Party caucuses, which date to the 1800s, have declined in importance but they could be decisive in choosing the 2008 Democratic presidential candidate.