In The News

Development Vs. Free Trade

Bernard K. Gordon July 20, 2006
The meeting this week in Geneva may be the last chance to complete the Doha Development Round of talks launched by the World Trade Organization in 2001. While many observers anticipate that the round could be rescued, the stalemate highlights the structural weaknesses of a trade organization taking on a development agenda. The aim of the WTO is to lower trade barriers in the pursuit of expanding...

Heartland Farmers Visit West Africa

Laura Rusu July 18, 2006
A group of US farmers traveled to the West African country of Mali to witness the struggles of farmers that contend with drought, poverty and unfair competition from the world’s wealthiest countries. US farmers and relief agency Oxfam America took the trip to coincide with the latest session of Doha talks – and plan to continue speaking out against unfair policies in developed nations that reward...

Africa Beyond Aid and Bono

Ferial Haffajee July 15, 2006
Africa is vast and diverse, making it meaningless to talk about an “African dilemma” or an “African solution.” The continent has had both successes and failures of governance and reform during the past year, and Mail & Guardian Editor Ferial Haffajee notes that humanitarian aid will be necessary for the foreseeable future in areas of crisis. However, African countries cannot develop stable...

North Korea's Neighbors Keep Friendly Tone

Evan Ramstad July 8, 2006
The world is alarmed by the test launch of seven missiles by North Korea, yet South Korea and China decline to issue a tough response. Instead South Korea reaffirms its “sunshine” policy and China reasserts its “friendly” relations with its neighbor to the east. In the United Nations, meanwhile, China and Russia were the only two states on the Security Council to oppose a Japan-sponsored...

Controlling Carrots and Sticks

Michael M. Phillips July 5, 2006
By creating the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in 2002, the Bush administration attempted to reshape how the US distributes foreign aid. The MCC allocates aid based on more than a dozen criteria, such as control of corruption and civil liberties. Thus far, the MCC has not had any qualms about denying or suspending aid to countries that do not meet its guidelines. This strict adherence...

Controlling Carrots and Sticks

Michael M. Phillips July 5, 2006
By creating the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in 2002, the Bush administration attempted to reshape how the US distributes foreign aid. The MCC allocates aid based on more than a dozen criteria, such as control of corruption and civil liberties. Thus far, the MCC has not had any qualms about denying or suspending aid to countries that do not meet its guidelines. This strict adherence...

Push for New Tactics as War on Malaria Falters

Celia W. Dugger June 30, 2006
Malaria should be easy to control. Mosquito nets, insecticides and even medicine are inexpensive – and yet funds have tended to go toward consultants and research rather than treatment. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of children die from malaria, more than any other disease – a statistic that attracts yet more funds from major donors along with new scrutiny. In the US, Bush administration...