Global Issues

ANNOTATED CONTENTS
PREFACE
CONTRIBUTORS
CONFLICT, SECURITY, AND TERRORISM
1. Chemical and Biological Weapons
Are chemical weapons worse than other weapons of war?
Are biological weapons a serious threat to the United States?
Can the world rid itself of chemical and biological weapons?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Complacency?
Notes
Bibliography
2. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Is a two-state solution still possible?
Is the United States indispensable to an agreement between Israel and Palestinian authorities?
Are the settlements the biggest obstacle to an agreement?
Background
Early Clashes
Partition Fails
Short Wars
Early Peace Process
Uprisings
Current Situation
Outlook: Looming Questions
Notes
Bibliography
3. Iraq War: 10 Years Later
Did the mission succeed?
Did the war boost Iran's regional and global power?
Did the war weaken the U.S. economy?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Sectarian Strife
Notes
Bibliography
4. Improving Cybersecurity
Are doomsday cyberwar scenarios exaggerated?
Should the U.S. government impose cybersecurity standards on the private sector?
Should the United States regulate the Internet?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Managing Intrusions
Notes
Bibliography
5. Assessing the Threat from al Qaeda
Is al Qaeda weaker since Osama bin Laden was killed?
Does al Qaeda remain a threat to the West?
Can the United States do more to stem al Qaeda's spread?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Improving Governance
Notes
Bibliography
6. Unrest in the Arab World
Has the Arab Spring stalled?
Do Islamic groups pose a threat to political reform in the Arab world?
Can a stable political solution be found in Syria?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Unfinished Spring
Notes
Bibliography
7. Transnational Crime
Is the danger posed by transnational crime exaggerated?
Does the failure to stop drug trafficking suggest that fighting other transnational crime also will fail?
Should the illegal activities of banks and corporations be classified as transnational crimes?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Grim Future
Notes
Bibliography
8. Resurgent Russia
Is Russia trying to recreate the Soviet bloc?
Is Russia helping to bring peace to the Middle East?
Should the United States take a tougher stance with Russia?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Continuing Tensions
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
9. U.S. Trade Policy
Will expanding free trade create jobs for Americans?
Can U.S. firms compete with state-owned companies?
Does expanding free trade help promote human rights and democracy?
Background
Regional Pacts
Current Situation
Outlook: Change in China
Notes
Bibliography
10. Millennium Development Goals
Will the goals be successful?
Were the goals unfair to some countries?
Is the progress achieved under the goals sustainable?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Future Planning
Notes
Bibliography
Voices From Abroad
11. Booming Africa
Can African economies diversify away from natural resource production?
Can Africa provide enough jobs for its fast-growing population?
Is Africa about to undergo an East Asia-style boom?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Chinese Challenges
Notes
Bibliography
Voices From Abroad
12. U.S. Global Engagement
Should the U.S. military intervene in Ukraine?
If the U.S. reduces its global involvement, will China and Russia step in?
Is the post-Cold War vision of the U.S. as the "indispensable nation" still valid?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Catious Posture
Notes
Bibliography
RELIGIOUS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
13. Free Speech at Risk
Has technology made speech freer?
Should religious sensibility be allowed to limit free expression?
Should the United States promote free speech abroad?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Shame, Not Laws?
Notes
Bibliography
14. Islamic Sectarianism
Is the Sunni-Shiite split primarily about theology?
Are concerns about sectarian conflict overblown?
Is Sunni-Shiite reconciliation possible in the near future?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Historical Process
Notes
Bibliography
Voices From Abroad
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
15. Climate Change
Are catastrophic climate change impacts inevitable?
Is climate engineering a good idea?
Should the United States adopt a carbon tax?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Adapting and Leading
Notes
Bibliography
16. Global Hunger
Are developed countries' aid policies making hunger worse?
Is climate change making hunger worse?
Are genetically modified crops needed to end hunger?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Solvable Problem
Notes
Bibliography