In The News

China Winning Resources and Loyalties of Africa

FT Correspondents February 28, 2006
In the early 15th century, well before Europeans set foot on the continent, Chinese traders and explorers landed along the coast of Africa. Centuries later, China and Africa continue to renew these ancient ties. Since 2000, China-Africa trade has quadrupled in volume, signaling a mutually-beneficial relationship. The continent offers China both a market for its goods and vast supplies of untapped...

Time for Russia to Join the WTO?

Bruce Stokes February 24, 2006
With immense oil revenues and growing foreign investment, Russia is positioning itself to join the WTO. However, Russia’s membership largely depends on the US, and Congress granting Russia permanent trading partner status later this year could clarify Russia’s chances for WTO membership. But many US companies and interests still have concerns about Russia’s readiness for WTO privileges. The...

Enlightened Independence

Arundhati Ghose February 15, 2006
On February 4, 27 out of 35 governing members of the IAEA expressed discontent over Iran’s emerging nuclear program. Rather than immediately referring Iran to the UN Security Council, however, the members passed a resolution that the author calls a “reporting procedure.” The work to contain Iran will be continued under the auspices of the IAEA, with no call for direct action from the Security...

Keeping North Korea from the Brink – Part I

Peter Beck February 14, 2006
Countries throughout the north Pacific recognize the grave danger of the North Korean nuclear program, but lack a coherent strategy for restraining it. This two-part series examines the specific concerns for US and China in containing the program – as well as proposals for a long-term resolution. Peter Beck, an analyst with the International Crisis Group in Seoul, notes that US economic...

Boom Town

Adam Nicolson February 13, 2006
The future of the modern world is being raised, literally, from the sandy depths of the waters surrounding the city of Dubai. A developer’s paradise, this fastest-growing city in the world is open to all with a checkbook and an imagination. Dubai, centered between the rising powers of the East and the traditional powers of the West, is man-made, from its sky-high towers and luxury ski resorts in...

Saudi Prince Slams Iran’s Nuclear Program

February 10, 2006
The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Prince Turki Faisal, denounced Iran’s nuclear program, but also criticized US policies on nuclear weaponry as inconsistent. Although he agreed that Iran’s uranium enrichment program is heightening tension throughout the Middle East, he noted that Iranian citizens support their government’s efforts in part because the US operates from a double standard...

Economists Price the Ravages of Climate Change

Scheherazade Daneshkhu February 8, 2006
The emerging discipline of environmental economics struggles to persuade people to set aside concrete short-term economic advantages to act against the long-term problem of global environmental change. No individual country can solve the problem on its own, and some economists fear that this means the problem could go unsolved - why should nations risk competitive edge today for a problem with...