In The News

Putin's Russia: Too Weak to Stop Ukraine Joining Europe, But Will Try

Charles Crawford December 2, 2013
Ukraine finds itself in the middle of an old cultural battleground between Russia and Europe, explains Charles Crawford for the Telegraph. “Ukraine had no independent existence as a state until the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991,” he explains. “In 2004 the ‘Orange Revolution’ saw the first big Ukrainian convulsion over this question after huge popular protests against clumsily rigged...

African Art on the Move

Susan Froetschel November 7, 2013
Visitors to Africa have long been intrigued by the continent's art, eager to introduce the work to global markets. Stone sculpture was revived in Zimbabwe, the former British colony known as Southern Rhodesia, in the 1960s after a British art adviser, Frank McEwen, became director of the national museum. He hosted workshops for museum staff and visitors and relied on his network to display...

Art and the Asianization of Canada

November 6, 2013
Near half of Canada’s permanent resident immigrants are from China, Philippines, India and Pakistan, and more than half of the nation's international students are from China, India and Korea. The newcomers influence economics, politics, culture, and increasingly Canada’s art scene, reports the Asian Century Institute. Toronto’s East Gallery reflects the Asianization of Canada’s economy, and...

Emerging Challenges: What's In Store for the New Global Powers

Erich Follath October 23, 2013
The emerging economies are on track to be more influential and work as a united front against the West, notes Erich Follath for Spiegel Online: “For the first time in 150 years, the combined output of the developing world's three leading economies – Brazil, China and India – is about equal to the combined GDP of the longstanding industrial powers of the North[,] Canada, France, Germany,...

Cambodians Refuse to Accept Rigged Elections

Elizabeth Becker October 15, 2013
Cambodians are connected to the world through trade, investment, tourism, cultural events, social media and dual citizenship. The connections influence how the citizens deal with their long-running authoritarian regime. With a per capita income less than $1000, many Cambodians refuse to support the government of Hun Sen, who has been in office for 28 years. The prime minister no longer convinces...

Why Is Prosperous China So Anxious?

Orville Schell September 5, 2013
China, like other countries, seeks economic success and global respect. The country has accomplished so much in a few short decades – massively expanding the economy, reducing poverty and developing impressive infrastructure. Yet Chinese leaders exude anxiety, suggests author and long-time China observer Orville Schell. Fearing public discontent and unrest, the Chinese Communist Party resists...

Gay Laws and the Company Russia Keeps

Tim Marshall August 15, 2013
Russia claims to uphold national values with a vague law that outlaws promotion of homosexuality among children. The stance is attracting global attention, with boycotts on Russian vodka and worries about the safety of athletes and audience members attending the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. “This values-led argument is very useful to those who want to cloak the repression of others by saying...