In The News

Bridge to Somewhere

Jose W. Fernandez November 20, 2013
The US now aims to apply aid for international development in strategic ways. As the global middle class expands, most growth takes place in Brazil, China, India, North Africa and other emerging economies, with 85 percent of growth anticipated in the Asia Pacific region alone, reports Jose Fernandez for Foreign Affairs. He anticipates countries to become more competitive on expanding “ports,...

China Increases Aid to Philippines

Barbara Demick November 19, 2013
Global leadership is the ability to overlook small differences in the face of catastrophe and display generosity, along with the power of example and rapid response. China was subjected to sharp criticism at home and abroad, after initially offering $100,000 in aid to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan, reports Barbara Demick for the Los Angeles Times. China has since increased aid to $1.64...

Typhoon Haiyan and the Geopolitics of Disaster Relief

Rory Medcalf November 12, 2013
Powerful Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, leaving perhaps 10,000 dead and a path of devastation. Like it or not, post-typhoon disaster relief for the Philippines involves both good-faith compassion and strategic calculations in an ongoing battle for influence, explains Rory Medcalf writing for the Interpreter, published by the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Australia. Australia...

India Steps Up Military Aid to Myanmar to Offset China’s Might

Rajat Pandit November 4, 2013
India is providing a range of military aid to Myanmar, including aircraft, weapons, software, communications and surveillance equipment, and training. The goal is to counterbalance years of aid – and resource investment – by China. Myanmar will also host a base for an Indian training team, and some members of its special forces will attend counterinsurgency military programs in India, reports...

Japan's Shinzo Abe Hails Africa as “Growth Center”

June 4, 2013
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe views Africa as a “growth centre over the next couple of decades” and advised immediate investment at a conference on African development in Japan, co-hosted with the African Union, the World Bank and the United Nations, reports BBC News. The prime minister stressed the need for industrialization in Africa, moving beyond the export of natural resources. Japan...

IMF Signals Push to Scrap Energy Subsidies

Robin Harding March 29, 2013
The globe could solve many fiscal woes by ending nearly $2 trillion in fuel subsidies, the International Monetary Fund claims. “The fund’s call suggests higher fuel prices could become a central condition of IMF help in the future, with subsidies proving a sticking point in its talks with countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and Ukraine,” reports Robin Harding for the Financial Times. The IMF lists...

Africa Told to View China as Competitor

William Wallis March 21, 2013
Nations are competitors, regardless of size, location or wealth. Lamido Sanusi, Nigeria’s central bank governor, offered that reminder to fellow Africans about China and its potential to flood the continent with low-cost goods and overwhelm a struggling manufacturing industry. “Trade between China and Africa was worth more than $200bn in 2012, 20 times what it was in 2000 when Beijing committed...