Independent thinking on international affairs

Welcome to Chatham House's December newsletter containing details of our latest news and events.

You can also view our more detailed printed newsletter which gives further information on forthcoming activities and events at Chatham House.
LATEST NEWS
Mumbai Attack - The Age of Celebrity Terrorism?
Quite apart from the scores murdered and the hundreds injured, what the Mumbai terrorists really wanted was an exaggerated and preferably extreme reaction on the part of governments, the media and public opinion, writes Dr Paul Cornish. This comment piece was featured in The Financial Times, The Telegraph and The Guardian. Read full comment >>


Brzezinski on the Crisis in American World Leadership
Dr Zbigniew Brzezinski, US National Security Advisor from 1977 - 1981, told a Chatham House audience that the US risks getting bogged down militarily and politically in the area between Suez and India. The new US administration must create a new, more inclusive system of global management.Listen to audio >> Read summary >>


Yemen: Threat to Regional Stability
Yemen presents a 'perfect storm' of problems for policy-makers confronting the prospect of state failure in this strategically important Red Sea country. Future instability could expand a lawless zone stretching from northern Kenya, through Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, to Saudi Arabia, writes Ginny Hill in a new Chatham House briefing paper. Read paper >>
ECB President Outlines Changes to European Monetary Policy
Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, told an audience at Chatham House that changes in central bank communication have helped enhance the effectiveness, predictability and credibility of monetary policy and have contributed to lower inflation rates in the Eurozone.Read transcript >>
Should Britain Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan?
In a debate on the future of British military involvement in Afghanistan broadcast by BBC Radio 4, columnist Simon Jenkins argued that Britain should pull troops out of Afghanistan. Other speakers on the panel included Rory Stewart, Ahmed Rashid, and Christopher Alexander. Eddie Mair, BBC Radio 4, chaired the event. Read transcript >> Event on the BBC >>


Europe and Obama, Leadership in Iraq, and Low-Carbon Futures
In this month’s The World Today Chatham House Director, Dr Robin Niblett, writes that Barack Obama’s first job as US President will be to show he can turn around the economic situation at home while keeping Americans safe. Read article >>
Also, read Hussain Abdul-Hussain on Iraq’s autocratic political culture and Bernice Lee on the appeal of low-carbon investment opportunities in the current financial climate. Read issue >>
ALSO:
The Gulf Region: Emerging Power?
The oil boom of the last four years has accelerated growth in financial market activity across the Gulf region. This book, edited by Dr Paola Subbacchi and John Nugee, examines the emerging role of the Gulf as a global financial centre and its role in the world economy and capital markets. Book details >>
Russia and the West: Heading in a New Direction?
The question of how the West should manage its relations with Russia is as pressing as it has ever been. Sir Andrew Wood, Associate Fellow, Chatham House, and former UK Ambassador to Russia, considers the history of the relationship and how the West can improve its current relationship with Russia. Read paper >>
IN THE NEWS:
India's Dilemma
After the Mumbai terror attacks many are hoping that party political differences can be put aside and a consensus forged on tackling terrorism, writes Dr Gareth Price, Head of the Asia Programme. Read article >>
Dangerous Waters: Somali Pirates Off Africa
An upsurge of pirate activity around Somalia poses a serious threat to international shipping, writes Roger Middleton, Consultant Researcher, Africa Programme. As ransoms increase, there is little to deter pirates. Read article >> Read briefing paper >>
FORTHCOMING EVENTS


A selection of forthcoming events are listed below. The full list of forthcoming Chatham House events can be found on our calendar of events.

The green events listed below are for members only. Become a member >>


Barack Obama and the Difficult Task Ahead in the Middle East
Tuesday 2 December 2008 13:30 to 14:30
Abdel Bari Atwan, Editor-in-chief, al-Quds al-Arabi


Toughness as Tactics? Assessing Russia's Approach to International Affairs
Tuesday 2 December 2008 17:30 to 18:30
Dmitri Trenin, Deputy Director, Carnegie Moscow Center and Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment


Hugo Young Memorial Lecture: Globalization and the Crunch: What Lessons for Politics in Europe?
Wednesday 3 December 2008
The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Sixty Years On
Monday 8 December 2008 17:30 to 18:30
Professor Francesca Klug, Professorial Research Fellow, London School of Economics
Chair: Shami Chakrabarti, Director, Liberty
Shifting Fortunes in Financial Markets: The Fall of the West, the Rise of the Gulf - What Next in 2009?
Monday 15 December 2008 17:30 to 18:30
Ahmet Akarli, Goldman Sachs; John Nugée, State Street Global Advisors; Paola Subacchi, Research Director, International Economics, Chatham House
How Can the West Most Effectively Engage with Iran?
Wednesday 17 December 2008 17:30 to 18:30
Sir Richard Dalton, Professor Ali Ansari, and others will launch a major report on the various dynamics of Iran's current international relations. Details >>