With only a little more than three weeks left to find a running mate before the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) announces its presidential-vice-presidential ticket, former Taipei mayor and KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) last week began his presidential campaign by proposing a four-point plan on foreign relations which apparently will become part of his campaign platform.

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By Lin Chih-Chen 林致真
The most common reaction to the term "third society" is one of confusion. "Does Taiwan even have a first, let alone a second society?" is a question that many would ask.

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By Chen Shih-min 陳世民
Former French president Jacques Chirac left office on May 17. His successor, Nicolas Sarkozy, may be the most US-friendly French president since the creation of the Fifth Republic.

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By Shen Chieh 沈潔
Despite what it calls its "peaceful rise," China is an abnormal country. The US Department of Defense has said that the Chinese military's development of long-range missiles, submarines and fighter jets exceed its national security needs.

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Developing countries need an annual investment of US$30 billion per year to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector alone
By Katherine Sierra
Two years ago, the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, promised to advance a clean development agenda and mobilize financial support for greener growth in the key emerging market economies. This year's meeting, in Heiligendamm, Germany, must deliver on that promise.

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By Ron Fournier
US voters are torn between competing cravings as they prepare to choose a new president next year: Change or experience? They are demanding something new, but there is comfort in the tried and true.

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By Richard Weitz
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has launched a comprehensive program to restructure its defense industry, which has shrunk dramatically since the Soviet era. This process has achieved some progress, but fundamental structural problems persist that lead Russia to export large quantities of advanced weapons to conflict-prone regions, placing the Kremlin at odds with Europe, the US and other countries.

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