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581. U.S. Energy Security and Oil Revenue Transparency

Publication Date:
05-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Wilson Center
Abstract:
A diverse set of panelists addressed the challenges and opportunities presented by the growing importance of energy security as a central element of the U.S. foreign policy debate. The first panel featured speakers from the non-profit, private and financial sectors discussing the links between U.S. energy security and oil revenue transparency. All panelists focused on how a lack of transparency in energy transactions can contribute to both national instability in oil-rich nations and energy insecurity in oil-importing countries. Revenue transparency was seen by all as a critical first step in combating corruption. Panelists also noted the importance of conceiving of transparency in the broadest terms, to encompass budget transparency, contract transparency, reserves transparency, and transparency of concessions.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Energy Policy, International Political Economy, and Oil
Political Geography:
United States

582. China's March on the 21st Century

Author:
Kurt M. Campbell and Willow Darsie
Publication Date:
05-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Aspen Institute
Abstract:
After a protracted period of uncertainty concerning the nature of the foreign policy challenges that are likely to confront the nation over the course of first half of the 21st century, twin challenges are now coming into sharper relief. For the next generation or more, Americans will be confronted by two overriding (and possibly overwhelming) challenges in the conduct of American foreign policy: how to more effectively wage a long, twilight struggle against violent Islamic fundamentalists, and at the same time cope with the almost certain rise to great power status of China.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, Development, Economics, and International Political Economy
Political Geography:
United States, China, America, and Asia

583. Toward an Angola Strategy

Author:
Vincent A. Mai, Frank G. Wisner, William L. Nash, and ArthurMark Rubin
Publication Date:
05-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Council on Foreign Relations
Abstract:
Outside the continent's crisis areas, few African countries are more important to U.S. interests than Angola. The second-largest oil producer in Africa, Angola's success or failure in transitioning from nearly thirty years of war toward peace and democracy has implications for the stability of the U.S. oil supply as well as the stability of central and southern Africa. Consequently, the United States has an interest in helping Angola address its numerous and significant national challenges.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Peace Studies
Political Geography:
Africa, United States, and Angola

584. U.S.-China Relations

Author:
Dennis C. Blair, Carla A. Hills, and Frank Sampson Jannuzi
Publication Date:
04-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Council on Foreign Relations
Abstract:
President Richard M. Nixon reached out to the People's Republic of China thirty-five years ago to advance U.S. strategic interests by balancing the Soviet Union and reinforcing the split between two former communist allies. Nixon and his national security adviser, Henry Kissinger, briefed the Chinese on Soviet forces arrayed against China and also discussed the Vietnam War and Taiwan. Nixon and Kissinger sought to change the global U.S. stance from confrontation to détente and to extricate the United States from the Vietnam War. Their mission shifted the globe's geopolitical landscape.
Topic:
International Relations and Foreign Policy
Political Geography:
United States, China, Asia, and Vietnam

585. Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki on Iraq, the US and Prospects for Peace

Author:
Nermeen Shaikh
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Asia Society
Abstract:
Manouchehr Mottaki is the Foreign Minister of Iran. In this interview with Nermeen Shaikh, he argues that the US must propose a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq, while maintaining that an immediate withdrawal might "create problems". Foreign Minister Mottaki rules out the possibility of any kind of military confrontation between Iran and the US, saying the latter cannot afford to undertake another conflict in the region.
Topic:
Foreign Policy and War
Political Geography:
United States, Iraq, Iran, and Middle East

586. Leslie Gelb on American Foreign Policy

Author:
Nermeen Shaikh
Publication Date:
06-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Asia Society
Abstract:
Leslie Gelb is currently President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. He was previously a correspondent and editor at the New York Times. In this extensive interview with Nermeen Shaikh at Asia Society, covering Iraq, Iran, the rise of China, and the new constraints on US power, Dr Gelb explains why he was initially in favor of a three-state partition of Iraq, and his advocacy now of a decentralized, federal state structure. He elaborates on his subsequent work with Senator Joe Biden on a plan for Iraq. In responding to a question about Russia, Dr Gelb says that the proposed US missile defense system is "nonsense", and on the issue of Iran's nuclear program, Dr Gelb insists that talks are essential and that the military option cannot be ruled out.
Topic:
Foreign Policy
Political Geography:
Russia, United States, China, Iraq, New York, Iran, Middle East, North Korea, and Latin America

587. Ambassador Sadegh Kharazi on US-Iran Relations and Iraq

Author:
Nermeen Shaikh
Publication Date:
06-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Asia Society
Abstract:
Ambassador Sadegh Kharazi has served twice as Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister. He was Iran's ambassador to the UN from 1989 to 1995, and to France from 2002 to 2005. Ambassador Kharazi has also worked as senior assistant to Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, as well as to President Mohammad Khatami, who served from 1997-2005 as Iran's reformist leader (his successor is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad). In addition Ambassador Kharazi has served as chairman of the OIC Summit in Iran.
Topic:
Foreign Policy
Political Geography:
United States, Iraq, Iran, and Middle East

588. Ariel Cohen on Iraq, Oil, and US Foreign Policy

Author:
Nermeen Shaikh
Publication Date:
06-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Asia Society
Abstract:
Ariel Cohen is Senior Research Fellow in Russian and Eurasian Studies and International Energy Security at the Sarah and Douglas Allison Center of the Davis Institute for International Studies at the Heritage Foundation. He is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, and the Association for the Study of Nationalities. Dr Cohen spoke to Nermeen Shaikh on April 22nd in Almaty, Kazakhstan, at the Eurasian Media Forum. In the interview, Dr Cohen speaks about the war in Iraq, the privatization of oil and gas development, Eurasian regional politics, and the role of the US in the area.
Topic:
Foreign Policy
Political Geography:
Russia, United States, Iraq, Central Asia, Eurasia, Middle East, Kazakhstan, and London

589. Bernard Schwartz Fellow Pramit Pal Chaudhuri on US-India Relations

Author:
Nermeen Shaikh
Publication Date:
05-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Asia Society
Abstract:
Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, a Bernard Schwartz Fellow at Asia Society, is the Foreign Editor of The Hindustan Times and a leading figure in Indian policymaking circles. He was previously an editorial writer for The Telegraph and The Statesman of Calcutta. [http://www.asiasociety.org/about/schwartz.html] Pramit has written widely on India's foreign and international economic policies. He is a regular talking head on Asian television and radio stations. In this interview, he discusses the future of US-India relations.
Topic:
International Relations and Foreign Policy
Political Geography:
United States, India, Asia, and Calcutta

590. Slipping into Obscurity? Crisis and Reform at the IMF

Author:
Bessma Momani and Eric Helleiner
Publication Date:
02-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Abstract:
Top policymakers worry today that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) risks 'slipping into obscurity'. What explains the IMF's declining influence? Two significant developments have been the declining demand for IMF loans from middle-income borrowers, and the emergence of a more critical view towards the institution from US policymakers in recent years. In this new political context, a range of reform proposals has been put forward by Fund management, key shareholders, and the concerned policy community with the goal of restoring and preserving the IMF's significance. Advocates of change have focused particular attention on the need for process-oriented reforms that would change the nature of IMF governance as a means of restoring its legitimacy among many member governments. Also prominent have been more outcome-oriented reforms that propose various changes in IMF activities and performance. Are-invigorated IMF is unlikely to emerge from the current situation without the implementation of governance-related reforms.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Economics, Emerging Markets, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
United States