In The News

China Grabs Latin America, Well Ahead of Obama's Outreach

Andrés Cala March 25, 2011
President Barack Obama’s visit to Latin America highlighted China’s expanding role in the continent. China has signed a series of oil deals with Latin American countries even as the US seeks to meet more of its energy needs in Latin America. The biggest challenge for the US might be a proposed “dry canal” across Colombia that would boost China trade for countries along the Atlantic coast and...

Quinoa’s Global Success Creates Quandary at Home

Simon Romero, Sara Shahriari March 23, 2011
In recent years, quinoa, a traditional Andean crop rich in amino acids and other nutritive properties, has become popular in health-food stores of the developed world. Foreign-aid organizations encouraged Bolivian farmers to take advantage of increased demand and grow more of the crop for export. As prices tripled over the past five years, local farmers earn more and fewer Bolivians immigrate....

Westward Ho: Asians March Into Africa – Part II

Loro Horta March 18, 2011
In terms of natural resources, Africa is one of the richest continents, luring explorers, colonists and investors since the 15th century. Emerging economies, foreign-aid agencies, energy and mining corporations continue that quest today. This two-part YaleGlobal series examines the implications of these engagements for sustainability and sovereignty of the African nations. Mozambique, though not...

Westward Ho: Asians March Into Africa – Part I

Johan Lagerkvist March 16, 2011
New trade routes are taking hold, linking Africa’s rich resources with the industrial needs in Asia and South America, and this two-part YaleGlobal series analyzes the emerging economic, political and security partnerships. The 2008 global economic crisis and slow recovery for the US and Europe have only reinforced the South-South partnerships, shifting trade relations and fueling economic growth...

Women's Rights in Afghanistan Lose Steam

Tom A. Peter March 9, 2011
As the world observed International Women's Day, news of the the fate of women in Afghanistan is discouraging. Since the US overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan a decade ago, women in urban communities gained basic human rights, including education, voting and the ability to step out onto public streets. But cultural resistance to equality in Afghanistan remains strong, reports Tom A....

Could ASEAN Drift Apart?

Geoff Wade February 25, 2011
The motto of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.” But the economic powerhouse to the north – China – directs more attention to ASEAN’s mainland members in the Greater Mekong subregion than its maritime members. The subregion comprises of five member states: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand as well as the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and...

Revolutionary Tide Sees New Friends for China

Mei Xinyu February 22, 2011
As Middle East nations are shaken by uprisings, the governments – both those that survive and the emerging powers – will confront a set of new foreign-policy choices. The West’s decades-old alliances with dictators while cheering on democratic movements could make it an unreliable partner for either traditional Arab regimes or newcomers. Many Arab nations will diversify relationships, relying...