As Xi Jinping, the man widely touted to be China’s next President, embarks on a trip to the U.S., Beijing’s desire for political stability remains paramount. The past year has seen numerous crackdowns on dissent and arrests of …
Human rights
Must-Reads from Around the World
As Another Tibetan Monk Self-Immolates, China Declares “War” on Tibetan Protesters
The flames of discontent show no sign of fading. On Feb. 8, another Tibetan monk lit himself on fire to protest Chinese rule, this time in the heavily ethnic Tibetan province of Qinghai, or the northern swathe of a region …
Must-Reads from Around the World
Paradise Lost – Minivan News, an independent news source for the Maldives, has the latest on riots by supporters of former president Mohamed Nasheed, who resigned Tuesday in what increasingly looks like a military coup. The …
Must-Reads from Around the World: Feb. 8, 2012
Iowa Beckons – Communist Party mouthpiece China Daily muses the impact of Vice-President Xi Jinping’s U.S. visit next week. While its news story quotes experts saying it “will help China-U.S. ties fly clear of U.S. election year …
Must Reads from Around the World: Feb. 7, 2012
Syrian Situation – Global Post reports on Syrian Christians’ reluctance to join the uprising against President Bashar Assad. “Syria’s Christians, a fellow minority, believe they need the ruling Assad regime for protection,” …
Must Reads from Around the World: Feb. 6, 2012
“The conditions of the Soviet Union and the Stalinist regime are back in Ukraine.”
Merkel Seeks China’s Backing on Iran, Gets Hints of Help on Debt Crisis
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fifth official visit to China, a three-day trip that started Thursday, saw her seeking help from the emerging economic superpower on the European debt crisis, reining in Iran’s nuclear …
Must Reads from Around the World: Feb. 2, 2012
Taliban Update – The New York Times follows up on findings in a NATO report, “State of the Taliban 2012” – based on 27,000 interrogations of 4,000 insurgents in Afghanistan – showing resilient fighters “convinced that they …
Must Reads from Around the World: Feb. 1, 2012
Found Wanting – Foreign Policy has exclusive details from a leaked report on the failed Arab League monitoring mission in Syria – and it’s grim reading for the organization. “Regrettably, some observers thought that their visit …
Meet the Assads: A Look at the Syrian Strongman’s Family
As the conflict in Syria reaches a critical phase, TIME looks at some of the regime’s key figures.
Egyptians Mark First Anniversary of Their Revolution
One year after protesters massed in Tahrir Square, tens of thousands mark their revolution’s anniversary