Council of Councils
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International efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But experts say countries aren’t doing enough to limit dangerous global warming.
Explainers
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Abu Sayyaf Group (Philippines, Islamist separatists)
A profile of the terrorist organization based in the southern Philippines.
Nourishing Afghanistan’s Agricultural Sector
International actors are redoubling efforts to restore Afghanistan’s agriculture sector and weaken the massive opium trade that helps fund the Taliban. But competing strategies and corruption could stall reforms.
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (aka Tamil Tigers) (Sri Lanka, separatists)
A profile of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist terrorist group that seeks an independent state in areas in Sri Lanka inhabited by ethnic Tamils.
The Sri Lankan Conflict
Sri Lanka’s government has scored a string of wins in its long-standing civil war with Tamil militants. But it faces the challenge of integrating its Tamil minority.
China’s Internal Migrants
China’s rapid economic development has been fueled in large part by a massive migration of rural workers to cities and industrial zones. Young, poorly educated, and highly mobile, these workers continue to face discrimination due to their rural origins and transitory status.
Troubles Plague UN Human Rights Council
The United Nations was responsible for establishing universal human rights standards, but its image in recent years has been tarnished by the record of its main body charged with safeguarding rights.
Vatican-Israel Relations
Relations between the Vatican and Israel are a complex combination of diplomacy mixed with interfaith discussion.
Winning the Information War in Afghanistan and Pakistan
President Obama has made "strategic communications" an essential part of his move to boost the military and nation-building effort in Afghanistan. But experts say countering Taliban messaging will take technology, speed, and demonstrated success in providing security.
Stabilizing Pakistan: Boosting its Private Sector
Amid a growing insurgency and escalating economic troubles in Pakistan, U.S. President Barack Obama said the United States must "help Pakistan help Pakistanis." Experts say strengthening the country’s private sector and boosting trade opportunities could underpin security.
Leading Africa
With South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya all hobbled by varying degrees of instability and infighting, experts fear Africa lacks leadership for continent-wide security and economic initiatives.
India’s Electoral Politics
As the world’s largest democracy goes to the polls, this Backgrounder looks at the laws, major players, and issues, including economic reform, caste, and religion, that have shaped India’s politics.
The Fine Print on Defense Spending
As the Obama administration finalizes its first defense budget, analysts say near-term growth will be followed by lean spending amid the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
Twenty Agendas at G-20
A short summary of each of the G-20 member’s objectives for the April summit in London.
The Group of 20
A profile of the Group of 20 major and emerging world economies.
Iran and the Future of Afghanistan
U.S. and Western military officials are calling on Iran to help stabilize Afghanistan, but historic tensions and allegations of arming militants raise doubts about Tehran’s intent.