In The News

Banyan: Having it Both Ways

November 11, 2009
China claims it plans to stay in Afghanistan much longer than the United States. While it has no military presence there, it does have a major investment: a copper mine that should bring billions of dollars in profit. But this investment is in some ways possible only because of the security provided by US military forces. China thus benefits from the US military presence to help it expand its...

WTD 2009 – Experts Discuss Role of Tourism in Globalization

Victor Nze October 6, 2009
Many believe globalization undermines cultural diversity through its tendency to homogenize. But this year's World Tourism Day (WTD) celebration included a debate over strategies to partner globalization with diversity through tourism. After all, the panel concluded, diversity can be an economic asset, as different communities serve as resources of “social wealth” that attract increasingly...

US and China to Unveil Joint Plan to 'Take Over' Cleantech Market

Jonathan Watts September 11, 2009
China and the US have finalized a plan to dominate the world market in low carbon technology. While the details will be revealed later, the plan includes investment in wind, solar and carbon capture technology and infrastructure mainly in China. But with any comprehensive plan, the devil is in the details. Patent rights remain an open issue especially as many believe that China simply uses...

Between China and India: Is Tibet the Wedge or Link?

George Yeo September 8, 2009
Ever since the March 14 riots in Tibet, the Autonomous Region has enjoyed increased global scrutiny, though access for foreign observers has been limited. Recently, Singapore’s George Yeo became the first foreign minister to visit Tibet since the riots. A long-time student of Asian history, Minister Yeo explores Tibet’s role in the relations between Asia’s two rising giants China and India in its...

Lessons of Failed States: Rebuilding Sierra Leone and Liberia

Humphrey Hawksley August 20, 2009
As elections are held in Afghanistan, the memory of 9/11 seems to have all but faded. But, as journalist Humphrey Hawksley writes, the lesson of 9/11, that failed states are a breeding ground for malignant forces with a global reach, must not be forgotten. World leaders need to balance placating an electorate uneasy about continuing involvement with finding a long term solution to securing a...

What About the BRICs?

John Frankenstein August 13, 2009
In the current financial crisis, the world has pinned its hopes on Brazil, Russia, India, and China – known as the BRICs – to lift the global economy out of its funk. And while some of these countries may have more positive growth prospects than the developed world, there’s more to economic strength than GDP and stock market indices, according to Professor John Frankenstein. Indeed, on many...

Southeast Asian Nations Risk Dissension by Ignoring Human Rights

Meidyatama Suryodiningrat August 4, 2009
ASEAN’s status as a successful association that fosters regional economic development and trade remains largely unquestioned. But the association has a poor record as a forum of modern democratic states upholding broader objectives such as human rights. In fact, human rights issues involving some of its members could undermine the relevance of the association, writes Indonesian editor Meidyatama...