In The News

Wave Goodbye to the Invisible Hand

Steven Pearlstein August 4, 2008
An economic era centered around globalization could be fading away, argues columnist Steven Pearlstein for the Washington Post. Developing nations will continue benefiting from trade agreements, albeit without the frenetic fast growth, while developed nations will see fewer cost savings based on low wages in far-off lands. “It is not the protectionists of the AFL-CIO or CNN who are primarily to...

Shipping Costs Start to Crimp Globalization

Larry Rohter August 4, 2008
Manufacturers increasingly sought a competitive edge by subcontracting out work for all manner of parts, from batteries to textiles, to countries with the lowest wages. But that strategy was viable only with low energy costs. Companies trying to keep costs low will move more operations closer to markets to reduce fuel costs, especially for bulky or perishable items like food. “Globe-spanning...

Revisiting the “Axis of Evil” – Part II

Scott Snyder July 31, 2008
North Korea was a thorn in the side of the US long before President George Bush labeled the nation as a member of an “axis of evil,” along with Iraq and Iran, in his January 2002 State of the Union address. This three-part series analyzes the US approach to Iran and North Korea, and in the second article, Asia analyst Scott Snyder reviews the history of North Korea’s antics and crises since 1992...

Fuel Subsidies for Some Make Oil More Expensive for All

Keith Bradsher July 28, 2008
Governments try to help out their citizens by subsidizing fuel. But such subsidies also encourage growth in the oil markets and remove incentives to conserve. “The oil company BP, known for thorough statistical analysis of energy markets, estimates that countries with subsidies accounted for 96 percent of the world's increase in oil use last year – growth that has helped drive prices to...

Indian Poise

July 24, 2008
India’s coalition government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh survived a crucial vote of confidence – and that paves the way for final approval of a US-India civil nuclear energy pact. The deal – which still requires approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and US Congress – has raised some concerns, both domestic and among neighbors, about India’s...

Parallel Universe

Nayan Chanda July 22, 2008
At the Tallberg Forum in late June, it became apparent that politicians and scientists are often on different wavelengths. Scientists accept with much certainty that the Arctic ice sheet is melting and that temperatures are rising. Others worry about the increasing amounts of fossil fuels being emitted into the atmosphere. Scientists recognize that the current situation will lead to droughts,...

McCain, Obama and Hot Air

Bjorn Lomborg July 17, 2008
Both John McCain and Barack Obama have focused their climate-change policies on efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The controversial Bjorn Lomborg, however, argues that reducing carbon emissions will cause great harm to the world economy while doing little to stop global warming. Instead, Lomborg proposes increasing investments in alternative energy until carbon emissions can be replaced, and...