MiamiHerald.com: Frida Ghitis

Have Russians moved beyond apathy and cynicism?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:45 EST

The wave of protests against the rule of Vladimir Putin in Russia brings back memories of another winter when Moscow stood poised for change. And it has made me wonder whether at long last, the cynical and apathetic Russians I met back then have been finally replaced by a new generation ready to fight again.

One year after Tahrir Square

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00 EST

Egyptians are sweeping up in Tahrir Square after celebrations marking the first anniversary of the Jan. 25 launch of their revolution. In a few days, on Feb. 11, they will mark another milestone, one year since hundreds of thousands of protestors toppled President Hosni Mubarak, who had held power for almost 30 years.

Mideast talks: Flicker of light amid the gloom

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:01 EST

Sometimes, important news events manage to sneak through under the radar. That has happened many times in the Arab-Israeli conflict, which usually receives far too much media attention, often with damaging consequences.

Can America step back from global crisis in 2012?

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00 EST

Every few years, the world grabs the United States by the lapels and shouts, “Pay attention!” Then, millions of Americans look around and wonder, “How did this happen?” A few years later, attention wavers again, people get distracted, tired of worrying about what goes on in faraway places. And the cycle begins again.

New test for Israel — this one from within

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:18 EST

Over the six decades since its founding, Israelis have faced, and continue to face, countless threats to their country’s survival as the democratic state of the Jewish people. That threat comes from abroad and from neighboring countries that would like to see Israel cease to exist.

N. Korea: Absurd, cruel, tragic and dangerous

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:55 EST

As if the world did not face enough uncertainty at the end of 2011, we received the news on Sunday night that North Korea’s Kim Jong Il died. As is common for the sadly surreal nation, the information came wrapped up in confusing and absurd nondetails, with reports indicating the 69-year-old died of exhaustion on a train.

Can Washington get it right on Egypt?

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:44 EST

Voters in Egypt, the largest, most populous Arab country have just completed the first round of elections since overthrowing their long-time dictator. The results are as demoralizing as they were predictable: Some two-thirds of voters chose members of Islamist parties to represent them in parliament.

Obama’s (and Hillary’s) Pacific Century

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:56 EST

Was that the president of the United States, sailing across the Pacific Ocean, rallying allies — old, new, and potential ones — and declaring this nation will remain a global power for many decades to come?

What the escalation in Syria means for the future

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00 EST

The 8-month-old uprising against the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has escalated enormously in the last few days. Two major changes prove that the unrest in Syria is not going to reach the quick conclusion that Assad — or his friends in Iran — would like to see.