In The News

Transatlantic Relationship Can Still Be Rescued

Judy Dempsey March 23, 2003
The Cold War created a strong alliance between the United States and Western European nations – the former provided the funds to rebuild the latter after the devastation of World War II, and thereby created a ‘buffer’ of democratic states between the USSR and the Atlantic. Now, that buffer is no longer needed, and European nations such as France are daring to oppose American policies,...

Iraq Rift Could Threaten US-EU, Global Economy

March 19, 2003
A new study out from an American university says that the EU-US rift over military action in Iraq could do great damage to the cause of global free trade. "The US and the Europeans have to collaborate and lead the way, or else there's really no other real incentive for other countries to put things on the table" in global trade talks, said the author of the study. He also warned...

From Mars to Venus Via the Atlantic

Lionel Barber March 16, 2003
Although a US-led war against Iraq has not yet begun, the damage it has produced is already painfully visible. The NATO alliance suffered some of these wounds. The Financial Times' Lionel Barber argues that many leaders of the alliance are either courting the pacifists, or steadfastly asserting power, thus engendering divisions and magnifying differences. However, amidst talk of building a...

EU to Rule the High Seas?

David Hughes March 12, 2003
Why should a Singapore-based business daily express concern over a proposal drafted by the European Commission (EC) on pollution violations in EU waters? David Hughes argues that the new proposal is noteworthy precisely because it does not take geography or nationality into account. Therefore, he posits, "a Singapore flagged ship putting into Rotterdam could be prosecuted for an alleged...

Central Asia: Conference Asks What Lessons Can Region Learn from EU

Breffni O’Rourke March 5, 2003
Can the kind of economic integration that the European Union (EU) now enjoys be applied to Central Asia? The development of a single European market has raised standards of living across Europe, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is looking for ways to develop a similar system for Central Asian states. But with a markedly different history, and given the current...

Does the “Hyper-Power” Have Feet of Clay?

David Dapice March 3, 2003
If you look past its formidable military machine, America is not as powerful as it seems. Tufts University economist David Dapice points out that the current view of the United States as a “hyper-power” fails to take into account the country's many economic vulnerabilities. A country that relies on over $1.3 billion in capital inflow each day to finance its import appetite may not be able...

Deal on Setting Up Single European Patent

Francesco Guerrera March 3, 2003
After thirty years of disagreement, governments of the European Union have reached a deal to set up a single European patent. The new patent will be valid in up to 25 nations by the time the agreement takes effect. The deal has been hailed as a testament to the EU’s ability to put aside the differences of member countries in order to shape a European economy that is more competitive globally. –...