East-West Center in the News

(2011-05-02) "I think it's great news for the whole world, for the United States and particularly for the Americans that lost loved ones during 9/11," said Shabbir Cheema, Ph.D., East West Center.

He also says al Qaeda also replaces leaders quickly sometimes with younger more violent extremists.

"While his death is very good news and it will definitely weaken al Qaeda at the same time it's not the end of al Qaeda," said Cheema.

(2011-05-12) "One might argue that maybe only the budget crisis in the U.S. would have driven this change even in the absence of disaster in Japan, or only the Japan disasters without a budget crisis could do this," Roy said. "But, together, the two create an obvious goal of saving money."

Although Congress may not have direct control over the U.S.-Japan treaty that guides the buildup, all three senators behind the proposal are powerful senior lawmakers with considerable military experience, Roy said.

Also, if Congress doesn't approve of the current base realignment plan, it has the power to "hold funding hostage," Roy said. --Also appears in Navy Times, Marine Corp Times, Army Times, and Air Force Times.