In The News

Junior Coalition Partners Seek Pay-Back

Richard McGregor April 21, 2003
Australia and Poland put troops on the ground in the war in Iraq and now await compensation for their efforts. Although Australia must play down its participation for fear of offending Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, benefits are already being recognized: a free-trade deal with the US is on the table, and one of its agriculture officials is already a member of the post-war...

The Perils of Empire

Paul Kennedy April 20, 2003
Historian Paul Kennedy argues that the perception of the United States as the world leader is borne out by its current economic, military and political strength and influence. At this historical juncture, the United States can use its military success in Iraq to push for democratic reforms in Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. The United States also aspires to positively affect the conflict between...

China's School Children Learn to Love English

Richard McGregor April 15, 2003
Many in China are well-aware that the country’s competitiveness in the global economy, today and in the near future, will require a population proficient in English. The government has encountered several logistical impediments in implementing English lessons in its curriculum: lack of qualified teachers, short supply of school materials, etc. Demand for English lessons, however, has given rise...

Iraqis Celebrations Help Justify the War

John Vinocur April 10, 2003
As Iraqis celebrate the toppling of Saddam’s regime, the US led coalition contemplates the fate of post-war Iraq

China’s Workers Risk Limbs in Export Drive

Joseph Kahn April 7, 2003
In recent years, China has become the “world’s factory” for labor-intensive goods. However, the factories producing these goods often lack safe machinery or appropriate oversight. As a result, accidents that result in a lost limb or a life have increased, especially among the migrant laborers who work at these factories. Even though statutory laws are in place governing safety and compensation...

Yale Discusses the Implications of the Iraq War

April 4, 2003
Whether one is for or against the war in Iraq, one cannot underestimate the immense significance of the event to world affairs.. Hosted by the interdisciplinary program in Ethics, Politics and Economics at Yale University, six professors reflected on the war in Iraq, its buildup, and its aftermath. All felt that this would be a watershed event in world order and in the ways in which war is...

Doha Round in Deadlock

April 1, 2003
The latest failure of the WTO's Doha round centered on a predictable culprit – agricultural subsidies. This editorial in the Financial Times argues that the failure of discussions on agricultural protection could not only be the death knell of the Doha round, but, worse still, could provoke member countries to actually increase protectionist barriers. "By removing pressure on WTO...