Hope in Nepal?

My Kingdom for Some Peace

After a month of daring demonstrations, Nepalese protesters, with the help of Maoist rebels, have brought King Gyanendra to his knees. Since just last week, Gyanendra has already abdicated much of his authority, agreeing to restore parliament, which has not met in four years. And the insurgents, who have been fighting a savage resistance for a decade, have declared a unilateral ceasefire, offering Nepal its first opportunity for peace and serious political reform in a long while. In his Foreign Affairs article last fall, "Nepal at the Precipice," Human Rights Watch's Brad Adams explained how Nepal might be saved from the grip of both the Maoists and the royal army. In a new postcript, he explains why the latest developments are only a first step in the right direction.