WPR Articles Nov. 17, 2014 - Nov. 21, 2014 Railway Dispute Shows Weaknesses of China-Mexico Economic Ties By: The Editors | Trend Lines Mexico’s recent decision to cancel a high-speed rail contract with China is the latest example of the unsettled relationship between two of the largest emerging economies. In an email interview, Matt Ferchen of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy discussed China’s ties with Mexico. Hagel Launches New U.S. Defense Initiatives to Address Old Problems By: Richard Weitz | Column U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recently announced a pair of important initiatives, one to restore the Defense Department’s troubled nuclear enterprise to health and another to spur innovation within the department. The two initiatives are necessary, but achieving both goals will be difficult. Japan’s Abe Risks Elections to Seek Mandate on Economic Policies By: J. Berkshire Miller | Briefing Having returned political stability to Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called snap elections for next month as a verdict on his already implemented economic policies, dubbed “Abenomics,” and to secure a mandate to continue applying his strategies to expand the economy. For Iran Nuclear Deal, Convincing Friends Is the Hard Part By: Judah Grunstein | Trend Lines U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s last-minute tour of European capitals in the run-up to the Nov. 24 deadline for reaching a nuclear deal with Iran is about getting U.S. allies on the same page as much as it is about getting Iran to agree to a final deal. After U.S.-China Climate Deal, India Feels the Heat on Growing Emissions By: Saurav Jha | Briefing The United States and China surprised other G-20 members when they announced a new agreement last week on curbing greenhouse gas emissions. But the G-20 member who perhaps noted this development more than others is India, currently the world’s fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter. More EU Trade Deal Limits EAC’s Options for Future Trade Policy By: Stephen R. Hurt | Briefing After years of divisive negotiations, the East African Community last month became the latest African region to agree to an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU. The deal has far-reaching consequences for East Africa—not all of them good, as critics contend that it favors the EU. U.N.’s Syria Cease-Fire Plan a Risky Gamble, but Worth It By: Richard Gowan | Column Is the U.N. heading for another diplomatic humiliation in Syria? A proposal for a series of local cease-fires between the government and some rebel groups, beginning in Aleppo, has received some slight encouragement from the Syrian regime and a great deal of criticism from outside observers. Aftershocks: The Political Fallout of Greece’s Economic Crisis By: Dimitri A. Sotiropoulos | Feature This year, the Greek economy may finally return to growth. But while Greece is farther away from the fiscal abyss than it was four years ago, the social cost for middle- and low-income groups has been high, and political conflicts may put recent economic accomplishments at risk. Islamic State Allegiance Could Cost Egypt’s Sinai Jihadis Popular Support By: The Editors | Trend Lines Last week, the Egyptian militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis pledged its loyalty to the so-called Islamic State. In an email interview, Zack Gold, a visiting fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, discussed the implications for Egypt. As New Space Powers Emerge, NASA More Unreliable as Partner By: Eric Sterner | Briefing The landing of the spacecraft Philae on a comet last week highlights the emergence of new space powers around the world. NASA has long promoted the peaceful exploration of space with others, but a series of recent budget-driven cancellations have jeopardized its credibility as a reliable partner. Even After Midterms, Obama Faces Hard Choices on Energy, Climate By: Nikolas Gvosdev | Column After the GOP midterm victories, President Barack Obama faces pressure to fire members of his team. But staffing questions are not the main problem. Rather, the administration has fallen short in its ability to define U.S. strategic priorities and push through the policies needed to implement them. Vietnam’s Modernizing Navy Confronts China’s Sea Power By: The Editors | Trend Lines As China attempts to assert maritime claims against Vietnam, Vietnam in turn has been expanding its navy and courting new allies, like India. In an email interview, Abhijit Singh, a research fellow at India’s Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, discusses the Vietnamese navy's capabilities. How Argentina Became the Newest Drug Trafficking Hub By: Benoît Gomis | Briefing Compared to some of its neighbors, Argentina has been relatively unscathed by the effects of drug trafficking. However, a recent increase in drug-related problems, including cocaine trafficking, has exposed some of Argentina’s key structural weaknesses, underscoring the need for comprehensive reform. Missing From Pena Nieto’s Reforms for Mexico: Corruption By: Frida Ghitis | Column Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s initial dynamism has been stalled by his failure to effectively address the poison of corruption. In the aftermath of the disappearance and apparent murder of 43 students, it is clear there was a gaping hole in his blueprint for change. Understanding the Enemy: Inside the Mind of the Islamic State By: Steven Metz | Column This week, military planners from more than 30 countries are gathered in Florida to plot their approach against the so-called Islamic State. Meanwhile, IS is mulling its strategy as well. Both know that if their strategies are to work, they must first try to get inside the mind of their enemy.