Winter 2005 Vol 29:1

John R. Bolton and Ashton Carter

Interviews with Under Secretary of State John R. Bolton and Dr. Ashton Carter 

The Fletcher Forum's Anthony Keats and Annelena Lobb talk with Under Secretary of State John R. Bolton and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy Dr. Ashton Carter about the role of preemption in U.S. national security strategy.

Lyle Goldstein

China in the New Central Asia: The Fen (RMB) is Mightier Than the Sword

Lyle Goldstein Reviews the changes seen in Central Asia following the September 11 attacks and the various methods China has used to advance its two core interests in the region: sovereignty and accelerated economic development.

Patrick Schena

Banks, Distressed Loans, and the Development of Chinese Markets for Asset-Backed Securities

Patrick Schena describes the way in which the informational role of banks can be harnessed to better develop China's securities markets and help avert—or at least soften the landing of—any future financial crisis.

Richard Cronin

The North Korean Nuclear Threat and the U.S.-Japan Alliance: Perceived Interests, Approaches, and Prospects 

Richard Cronin evaluates North Korea's burgeoning nuclear defense program as a cause of increased diplomatic and military cooperation between Japan and the United States.

Richard Klein and Thomas F. McLarty, III

A Latin American Opportunity in World Energy Woes

The two authors argue that Latin American oil producers could play a key role in stabilizing world markets—and save ailing Latin American economies in the process.

Leonardo Vivas and Juan Pablo Lupi

(Mis)Understanding Chávez and Venezuela in Times of Revolution 

The authors analyze the popularity of Venezuela's current president, and find that traditional Latin American political models are insufficient to explain his success.

Steven R. Shapiro

The Role of the Courts in the War Against Terrorism

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) president Steven Shapiro discusses how U.S. high courts, in a break from tradition, recently have ruled against the executive branch to assert their powers during wartime.

William B. Wood

Post-Conflict Intervention Revisited: Relief, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reform

William Wood questions the assumptions that have traditionally underpinned reconstruction missions in post-conflict areas. In light of the global war on terror, will security concerns force the United States to change its approach?

Brian Gill

Aiding the Rule of Law Abroad: The Kyrgyz Republic as a Case Study

Brian Gill examines the possibilities for Kyrgyzstan to promote democracy in Central Asia by enhancing its rule of law.

Justin Desautels-Stein

Rites and Rights in Afghanistan: The Hazara and the 2004 Constitution

Justin Desautels-Stein asks whether Afghanistan's new constitution is strong enough to bind together a nation rife with long-standing ethnic and religious antagonisms.

Isobel Coleman

Defending Microcredit

Despite growing criticism, Isobel Coleman stands by microcredit programs. She argues that microcredit is still one of the best methods of alleviating global poverty, and that it brings important collateral benefits such as women's empowerment.

Thomas R. Pickering

Diplomacy: The Future 

Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering addressed The Fletcher School in September 2004 on the challenges diplomats face in today's complex and multilateral world. He suggests changes to the UN, the Department of State, and an enhanced role for public diplomacy.

Editor's Note 

Table of Contents | Winter 2005 Vol 29:1