IGCC Newsletters

The IGCC newsletter, circulated internationally among research institutions, businesses, and government agencies, provided opinion on current issues and reports on ongoing research from 1983 through the end of the 1999 academic year. It first appeared online in 1994.

Past IGCC newsletters are available in pdf format. Clicking the title link below will open the file in a new window.

IGCC's Enews is available monthly to anyone interested in staying up to date on IGCC's people, research projects, and events.

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Issue: Spring 1999
Title: Storm Warnings
Published by: IGCC
Pages: 16
Year of Publication: 1999

Abstract: Featured in this issue of the IGCC Newsletter, "Science's Role in Climate Change Policy" by Richard C. J. Sommerville highlights the current debate over what U.S. policy on the greenhouse effect and climate change. It's easy to be confused by all the learned authorities who argue strongly with one another. However, without such authorities environmental policy decisions can never be well informed. Good science can often provide the needed foundation to undergird good policy.

In the recurring segment Viewpoints, international cooperation on climate change is discussed by Charles Kennel and Lisa Shaffer in "International Climate Change Assessment" and by Jayant Sathaye in "International Climate Change Amelioration." Kennel and Shaffer take the position that successful climate control assessment requires international cooperation in the form of data sharing mechanisms between nations, while Sathaye contends that the promotion of global environmental efforts should involve the transfer of resources and technologies from developed nations to developing nations.

Issue: Fall 1998
Title: The New China?
Published by: IGCC
Pages: 16
Year of Publication: 1998

Abstract: Robert A. Scalapino, Director Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, is the author of this edition's feature article, "The India-Pakistan Nuclear Tests and East Asian Responses". Although the nuclear testing in India and Pakistan were of no great surprise, the responses regionally and globally deserve attention. This article examines the consequences for India and Pakistan within Asia, as well as the international reaction. It concludes with a consideration of the security concerns for both nuclear and non-nuclear states.

The Viewpoints segment concerns United States policy in China. "U.S.-China Policy: The Big Picture" by Barry Naughton argues that although there are weaknesses in the existing policy, overall it should be considered a success. Naughton attributes this to the policy's contribution to political liberalization, economic reform, and constructive international policies. Dali L. Yang also addresses reform in China in "Does Constitutional Supervision Have a Real Future in China?" but looks specifically at the National People's Congress (NPC) and the issue of constitutional supervision.

Also included are updates on the NEACD conference and the IGCC Wired for Peace: Virtual Dialogue in Northeast Asia technology workshop.

Abstract: "Why We Need the IMF" by Stephan Haggard is the feature article in this issue of the IGCC Newsletter. Discussing the role of the IMF in addressing the Asian economic crisis and similar situations, Haggard argues for greater emphasis on the work of the IMF and maintaining its standards.

This issue's Viewpoints considers two potential solutions to water scarcity issues between Israel and Palestine. Nader Al Khateeb makes the case for wastewater reuse which would protect not just local, but regional groundwater resources, thus serving the interests of Israel and Palestine. In the second article, Nir Becker and Naomi Zaitouni offer a market-based approach giving Israel the option of importing cheap food rather than expensive water.

Abstract: Featured in this edition of the IGCC Newsletter, Richard Sklar's "From Bullets to Ballots in Liberia" examines the rise of democracy in Liberia. After seven years of civil war, Liberia has conducted a national election testing the method of electoral competition for resolving violent domestic conflicts. This article considers Liberia's political history up to the elections, the steps taken to ensure fair results, and challenges to Liberia's stability in the future.

The recurring segment Viewpoints looks at the opposite of democratization in "From Ballots to Bullets." David Rappaport and Leonard Weinberg's "Elections and Violence" questions the accuracy of the statement that "ballots are substitutes for bullets." The authors consider when this would be so and why. They find that the opposite is true, that ballots often lead to bullets. This relationship between democracies, elections, and violence is further examined in Martha Crenshaw's "Democratic Interventions," which specifically addresses effective third-party intervention of democracies in cases of ethnic violence. Also in this edition: an examination of the theorized phenomenon of post-Westphalian transition and updates on NEACD information sharing.

Abstract: IR/PS Dean Richard Feinberg authors this edition's feature article, "Practice Informed by Theory: A View from the Summit." The recent summit in Miami demonstrated that "summitry" in the Americas is a valuable mechanism for promoting convergence on fundamental principles, gaining multilateral support for U.S. policies, stabilizing Latin American democracy, and advancing free trade. This article discusses the accomplishments of the Miami summit in particular and the potential for success of "summitry" in general.

This issue's Viewpoints considers the part theory plays in the decision making of policymakers. In "Expert Communities," Miles Kahler argues that theory is used by policymakers merely as a check on implicit assumptions, which can lead to disastrous policies. However, "Strategic Choices," by Randolph M. Siverson argues that policymakers do use theory in virtually every decision they make, but questions their understanding of that theory and internal contradictions that may exist.

Also in this edition: Ronnie Lipschutz discusses the decline of the nation-state structure in "After Authority," and Steven Spiegel raises the adoption of American led market competition in "Healthy Competition."

Abstract: Authoring this month's feature article, "General Principles of International Interaction," is Robert A. Scalapino, Director Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. In his article, Scalapino details the ideal set of general principles for governing relations between states in the current global system with attention to preventing the obsolescence of the nation-state.

Viewpoints contains analysis by Jor-shan Choi that finds that nuclear power cannot be a major energy source in the world's energy economy unless problems such as the lingering radioactive waste disposal problem are resolved and international fears of nuclear weapons proliferation are mitigated. Atsuyuki Suzuki, in contrast, hypothesizes that the most effective way to allay international fears of nuclear weapons proliferation by either nations or terrorists is to enact an international safeguard system to manage spent nuclear fuel and post-reprocessing separated plutonium, which can be used in weapons manufacture. Contributions from Kent Calder on Asian energy security and updates on Susan Shirk's NEACD V are also present.

Abstract: This edition of the IGCC Newsletter features "Redefining Security in the Middle East" by Mary Morris, Director of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. The end of the Cold War has brought not only the end of confrontation between superpowers, but also the resurgence of nationalism, ethnic separatism, and exclusionary politics. This article examines the changes that have taken place in the Middle East as a result and the role each will play in redefining the region's security interests. This work is relevant to understanding terrorism: its roots, how to combat it, its impact, and response.

Viewpoints provides two different perspectives on the Jordanian-Israeli-Palestinian triangle. Jumana Abu Zayyad, speaking from a Palestinian perspective, finds the three countries to be unequal partners in the peace process. From the Jordanian point of view, Fayez Al-Zuraiqat explores the idea that each country must look beyond government-to-government relations if the full potential of the triangle is to become a reality. This work is relevant to understanding terrorism: its roots, how to combat it, its impact, and response. Also in this edition: Valery I. Kouzmin on "Defining the Middle East," Bruce Larkin on "China's Nuclear Testing Options," and NEACD updates.

Abstract: Richard Rosecrance is the author of this edition's feature article, "Stuffing the Genie Back In." Centered around the need for international cooperation to prevent nuclear proliferation, Rosecrance's article covers proliferation in East Asia as well as the Middle East.

Contributions from UCLA's Gerald Steinberg and Yair Evron of Tel-Aviv University on the future of Israeli nuclear policy round off the IGCC Newsletter with reports on the third round of Susan Shirk's NEACD and International Spread and Management of Conflict conference.

Abstract: Feature to this edition of the IGCC Newsletter, "Joint Development: A Prospect for Settlement of the Diaoyudao [Senkaku] Dispute" by Ji Guoxing reviews the Diaoyudao (Senkaku) dispute between China and Japan. One of the most controversial issues over Northeast Asian waters, the Diaoyudao dispute involves two dimensions: sovereignty over the Diaoyudao islands and relevant maritime jurisdictional rights and interests in the East China Sea.

In this edition's installment of Viewpoints "Nationalist Secession vs. Colonial Aggression" forms the basis for examining civil war in the Caucasus Andranik Migranyan contends the ethnic conflicts in the Caucasus that have reached the stage of military confrontation are a direct result of the disintegration of the Soviet Union and are connected with attempts to transform the Soviet system into a democratic state. To this, Sergei Arutiunov argues there are no right sides in ethnic conflicts--at least today, nobody is right and everybody is wrong. But if we look at the present situation in more detail, we can compare it to World War I.

Abstract: Featuring the piece by former IGCC Director Herbert York, "Beyond CTBT and NPT," the fall 1994 edition of the IGCC Newsletter contains a series of articles about ethnic conflict in Europe. Containing the views of Vesna Pesic and Gyorgy Csepeli, the sister articles debate the root of ethnic conflict and social insecurities.

Also in this edition, Gordon MacDonald discusses trade, CBMs, and compliance monitoring in international trade agreements and details on the second round of Susan Shirk's NEACD are provided.

Abstract: Featured in this edition of the IGCC Newsletter, Ambassador Linton Forestall Brooks's "Negotiating with an Adversary" is based upon arms control as a political process. Without the right political conditions, no negotiation can succeed. Even given such conditions, negotiations take time and skill. This article reviews the U.S. experience with START I to see what lessons can be drawn for other complex negotiations between parties who don't fully trust each other.

In Viewpoints, "Middle East Arms Control and Regional Security" is the topic of discussion with Jordanian and Israeli views on the Middle East arms reduction process revealed by Abdullah Toukan and Shai Feldman, respectively. Other contributions include the LA Times article, "America Sits Out at its Own Risk" by Susan Shirk and updates on the NEACD.

Abstract: The Fall 1993 edition of the IGCC Newsletter features two articles debating the future of the CTBT in the post-Cold War world. Former LANL associate director John C. Hopkins presents the case for abandoning the CTBT on national security grounds while former U.S. NPT negotiator George Bunn contends the value of CTBT abrogation is outweighed by nonproliferation benefits.

Contributing authors include UCLA's Steven L. Spiegel on Diplomacy between the PLO and Israel, UCSD's David A. Lake on US leadership and foreign policy, and IGCC Director John Gerard Ruggie on the inception of IR/PS Professor Susan Shirk's North East Asian Cooperation Dialogue (NEACD).

The Spring 1993 edition of the IGCC Newsletter features "IGCC and Council on Foreign Relations Sponsor Colloquium on East Asia Policy." Covering the fields of environmental, trade and security policy, the conference spanned a series of regional issues.

Other pieces such as reporting on the "Workshop on Arms Control and Security in the Middle East" and "Who's Who—and Why—in Eastern Europe Today" round off this edition.

Abstract: This issue's feature by James Clay Moltz, "A New Perspective on the Russian Far East," examines the nature of the Russian Far East and research collaboration with post Soviet Russia. The fall of the Soviet hard-line coup in August 1991 and the end of Communist party rule as well as mutual reductions in strategic forces between the United States and the former Soviet Union have definitively ended the Cold War and opened new possibilities for East-West cooperation and dialogue.

Abstract: Feature to this edition of the IGCC Newsletter, the article "Future International Space Policy" examines the international dimensions of future space exploration. Authored by James Clay Moltz, the article is based on the outcomes of the Future International Space Policy conference sponsored by the IGCC, LLNL, CalSpace, and LANL.

This edition additionally includes analysis on "Conflict Management in the Middle East" and research by Philip Tetlock on psychology in foreign policy.

Abstract: The feature article of this edition of the IGCC Newsletter, entitled "New Beginnings," outlines the future development of the IGCC as seen by Director John Gerard Ruggie. The sudden end of the Cold War requires drastic restructuring of IGCC policy studies, research, campus programs and public outreach. A vision of change where IGCC can build upon its financial and human resources to develop its influence beyond the UC system, "New Beginnings" represents a mission statement for the IGCC's future.

Also contributing to this newsletter, G. Allen Greb reports on the results of IGCC Teaching Seminars in Moscow and Eleanor Hodges writes on the UC Peace Studies program in Japan. Highlights of the IGCC sponsored visits by Soviet Ambassador Andrei Kozyrev and former Secretary of Defense and President of the World Bank Robert S. McNamara round off the newsletter.

Abstract: This edition of the IGCC Newsletter pertains to defense policy and arms control measures in a post-Cold War world. Featuring an article by Professor Alan Sweedler on CFE and potential follow-ups in Europe, this edition also contains news on IGCC programs concerning transition in defense economics and the future of nuclear arms control. Contributing authors include IGCC Director John Ruggie and former LLNL Director Michael May.