In The News

Africa Emerges as a Strategic Battleground

Frederick Kempe April 28, 2006
Africa suffers from a series of humanitarian crises, but the continent also offers tremendous opportunity. Oddly enough, it’s the US general in charge of the Europe Command and NATO who insists that the US must pay more attention on Africa. The Bush administration, distracted with war in Iraq, faces three urgent issues in Africa – Islamic terrorism, energy security and growing Chinese influence...

The World: Set Ways; Vive La Dolce Vita

Roger Cohen April 25, 2006
With the accelerating convergence of ideas and commodities, the world has more jobs available. Yet, many Europeans prefer job security to risky endeavors and resist the process of globalization. Pundits expected recent elections to decide the direction for Europe, but voters are polarized. Close results in the Italian election could undermine the credibility of Italy’s next political leadership,...

Kazakhstan Entertains Grand Economic Development Plan

Melvut Katik April 17, 2006
Oil-rich Kazakhstan has a goal to become a major global economic force. Its strategy to drive growth depends on regional cooperation, particularly with Russia and to a certain degree China. Another major goal for Kazakhstan is accession to the WTO. Kazakhstan already possesses immense oil and gas resources, and global financial experts are bullish on the nation, with one analyst noting that the...

Amid Tension with US, China Faces Protectionist Surge at Home

Kathy Chen April 11, 2006
The US and Europe are not alone with citizens demanding protection of jobs, industry and a way of life. Protectionism is emerging in China, too, with various interest groups expressing wariness about increased foreign buy-outs of Chinese companies. US investments in China have increased dramatically since 1980, when only 23 firms represented $120 million in investment, whereas in 2005, 49,000...

Managing Globalization: In Asia, How to Manage the Boom?

Daniel Altman April 10, 2006
Southeast Asian nations have grown fat with international trade – but are they growing too fat? As the region approaches another period of rapid expansion, fears abound that the region’s economy could grow out of control. Demand for Southeast Asian products runs high, and an overheating economy could bring inflation and currency problems, overpowering government attempts at fiscal and monetary...

Businesses Make a Push for High-Skilled Foreign Workers

June Kronholz April 7, 2006
In the immigration bill currently taking up the US Senate's attention, the fate of millions of low-skilled illegal immigrant workers dominates the discourse. The proposal would allow immigrants who arrived in the US before April 2001 to pursue a bureaucratic, but specific 11-year road to citizenship. Immigrants who arrived after the date would have limited options. The US Congress remains...

Climate Change Sparks Scrap for Arctic Resources

Philip Bethge April 7, 2006
A bewildering dispute between Canada and Denmark over the ownership of Hans Island, a configuration of barren rock, could be the beginning of many struggles over territory within the Arctic Circle. Scientists warn of profound environmental changes to come with global warming - melting icecaps, rising floodwaters, species extinction and damage to traditional cultures. The massive Arctic ice sheet...