The U.S. today rejected Russian proposals for new European security architecture, dismissing the notion of regional spheres of influence. But a senior adviser to President Obama insisted that the administration remains committed both to promoting democracy and engaging the Kremlin.…

Further to this post, Ahmed Rashid examines the issues behind A Deal with the Taliban.

Other interesting weekend reading, courtesy of Global Europe, includes: An Israeli attack on Iran? Don’t hold your breath  by Michael Young, …

Arab democracy advocates are growing impatient with the Obama administration’s perceived lack of commitment to promoting political reform in the Middle East.

The tentative reforms and opening of political space that accompanied the Bush administration’s Freedom Agenda proved short-lived after …

News of secret talks with Taliban leaders broke today as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced a new international trust fund to finance the reintegration of its fighters into Afghan society – and politics. The decision came at today’s international …

Democracy and civil society groups are demanding urgent action to address the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The rebel Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the DRC army, the FARDC (Forces Armées …

Indian citizens and community groups are developing an innovative approach to combating corruption:

Imagine that you are an old lady from a poor household in a town in the outskirts of Chennai city, India. All you have wanted desperately …

As political leaders gather for the 60-nation Afghanistan summit in London, there is heavy speculation that the meeting will produce a proposal to reach an accord with the Taliban.

“There seems to be an emerging consensus that when all is …

Zimbabwe’s faltering recovery confirms that democratization is a sine qua non for genuine economic development, the country’s finance minister said today.

South African premier Jakob Zuma should convene a summit of the Southern African Development Community to end the current …

Hopes that China’s economic growth would somehow transmute into benign and constructive partnerships with the democratic West appear more wishful by the day. 

“As China is emerging on the global stage with unprecedented power and influence,” says David Shambaugh…

Hugo Chavez’s latest assault on Venezuela’s independent media and propaganda and intimidation in the run-up to Sri Lanka’s presidential election feature in the latest media round-up from the Center for International Media Assistance.

CIMA, an initiative of the National …