WPR Articles Monday, July 27, 2015 - Friday, July 31, 2015

Stock Market Crash Could Derail China’s Financial Reforms for Years

By: Iain Mills | Briefing

Even before China’s stock market collapse, there were signs that aggressive market support was damaging longer-term policy. The crash will have a major impact on financial market reform, as the core premise of the Chinese economy—that the government is always in control—has been rocked to the core.

U.S. Energy Cooperation With Central America Bears Fruit

By: The Editors | Trend Lines

Last week, officials from the United States and Central America met in El Salvador to discuss energy cooperation. In an email interview, Alexis Arthur, an energy policy associate at the Institute of the Americas, discussed U.S. energy cooperation with Central America.

To Boost Trade With Africa, U.S. Should Focus on Governance

By: Alexander Benard | Briefing

The U.S. has lagged behind rivals, notably China, when it comes to commercial engagement with Africa. But meaningful progress will require Washington to go beyond rhetoric and help to enhance governance frameworks that currently prevent U.S. companies from competing effectively in many African countries.

As Talks Progress, Optimism Grows for Elusive Cyprus Peace

By: Maria Savel | Trend Lines

The third round of renewed peace talks in ethnically divided Cyprus was held this week. For the first time since the early 2000s, there seems to be real optimism that the one of the longest-running conflicts in the world could finally be resolved. But is the general public committed to reunification?

Australia Seeks Balancing Act in Asian Trade Diplomacy

By: Stephen Grenville | Briefing

Last month, Australia signed a free trade agreement with China amid ongoing negotiations over two larger trade deals, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Australia is trying to be even-handed in its Asian trade treaties, with politics, as much as economics, involved.

More A Managed ‘Frozen Conflict’ Could Be Syria’s Best Hope By: Richard Gowan | Column Peace in Syria still seems sadly remote. Yet it is possible the country could stumble into something like a partially frozen conflict. This could create the conditions for an increase in humanitarian aid and, in a best-case scenario, a drive to restart political dialogue and economic activity. Depleted Capital: The State of European Social Democracy By: Patrick Diamond | Feature Over the past decade, social democratic parties across Western Europe have been in retreat, with many commentators insisting they are destined to wane as a political force. This article considers the factors behind social democracy’s slide, with an eye toward some possible ways to stem the left’s demise. Iran Deal Debate Highlights Think Tanks’ Role in U.S. Policy By: Ellen Laipson | Trend Lines Washington is in full gear for an intense 60-day debate over the Iran nuclear deal, and one important feature is the contributions made by diverse civil society organizations. Think tanks in particular are playing a prominent role, whether to amplify, endorse or critique the Obama administration’s position. Nonproliferation Progress Still Possible Despite Obstacles By: Richard Weitz | Column Last week, I discussed why the Iran nuclear deal offers limited lessons for making progress on other regional nonproliferation issues. This week, I thought it would be valuable to assess the obstacles and opportunities that exist for making further global nonproliferation and arms control progress. Investigation Could End Impunity for Brazil’s Elite Police Unit By: Christopher Looft | Briefing The investigation of an elite police unit in Brazil for its alleged role in the disappearance of a Rio de Janeiro man may represent an opportunity to restore the public’s trust in the rule of law and, perhaps, repair the reputation of a controversial program to pacify favelas. Italy Tries to Make Up for Lost Time in Africa By: The Editors | Trend Lines Earlier this month, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was in Kenya to discuss trade ties and pledge support for counterterrorism operations in East Africa. In an email interview, Mattia Toaldo, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, discussed Italy’s outreach to Africa. Kabuki Theater of Iran Deal Debate Comes With Costs By: Michael A. Cohen | Column Over the next few weeks, as Congress prepares to vote on the Iran nuclear deal, the American people are going to be bombarded with arguments both for and against it. But here are the two dirty little secrets about the deal: Congress isn’t going to stop it, and no one in Washington really wants to. Rivals and Power-Sharing Tensions Hamstring Afghanistan’s Ghani By: Colin Cookman | Briefing Dealing with the Taliban insurgency is not the only domestic challenge facing President Ashraf Ghani. The unresolved tensions between the country’s formal and informal political systems mean that there is little consensus over the rules of power sharing, which only adds to continued instability. Turkey Joins Fight Against Islamic State, but Targets Kurds By: Frida Ghitis | Column When Turkey announced it would join the war against the so-called Islamic State, it seemed like a major turning point in the fight against the radical Islamist group. But Ankara’s actions strongly suggest the new policy has more to do with pushing back against Kurdish groups than against IS. It’s Time to Begin Thinking About the Principles of Cyberwar By: Steven Metz | Column Military strategists have long studied the “principles of war.” Yet while these principles apply to conventional warfighting, today the U.S. military is grappling with a new form of conflict: cyberwar. Instead of applying the traditional principles to cyberwar, it’s time to develop new principles.