This article was first published by UCLA Today Online.
By Judy Lin
But just what is a rogue state and what should — and realistically can — be done about them? The Burkle Center for International Relations of the UCLA International Institute will address this important issue on March 11 at a conference, "Foreign Policy Toward Rogue States: Engage, Isolate or Strike?" International policy-makers and academics from UCLA and across the nation will gather at the James West Alumni Center for a day of panel discussions.
U.S. foreign policy toward "rogue states" dominates the headlines, from sanctions against Burma to participation in international six-party talks to thrash out a response to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
Two former presidential candidates will take part: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will deliver the keynote address. Burkle Center Senior Fellow Gen. Wesley Clark (ret.) will participate in discussions and offer closing remarks, along with Burkle Center Director Kal Raustiala, professor of law.
Clark briefly addressed the challenge of rogue states in a Feb. 11 "conversation" with students and faculty at the School of Public Affairs.
"The very categorization of rogue state needs more refinement. Calling Iraq a rogue state because it refused to let weapons inspectors back in, and Iran because they seemed to be flirting with a nuclear weapon — that's not quite a fair way of categorizing states," Clark said. If that's the label we give to countries that go beyond the bounds of international law, he added, then "some people say the United States is a rogue state."
The Burkle Center conference will seek consensus not only on definitions but on solutions, from protecting human rights to responding to genocide.
Albert Carnesale, UCLA chancellor emeritus and an expert on national security, will lead the panel, "Lessons Learned From Former Rogues: U.S. Foreign Policy towards Libya, China and South Africa." Los Angeles Times foreign correspondent Maggie Farley will lead the discussion "Deliberating Over an Approach: Engage, Isolate or Strike — What Works When?"
History Professor Stan Wolpert will lead a panel about the challenges of Iran, North Korea and Pakistan, and Doyle McManus, L.A. Times Washington bureau chief, will lead discussion of "Prescriptions for the Next Administration."
Registration for the conference is $25; $8 for students, including graduate, business and law students. Find more information at the Web site or e-mail Deanna Nash at dnash@support.ucla.edu.