In The News

A Thaw in South Asia? – Part I

Michael Krepon December 23, 2004
India and Pakistan's feud over the disputed region of Kashmir may at last be subsiding, says nuclear proliferation expert Michael Krepon. The issue has long been a dangerous sticking point between the two nuclear powers. Yet after a year-long cease fire along the Line of Control, both Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf seem willing to compromise on...

Bush Needs Decisive Change of Course

Fred Bergsten December 14, 2004
As US account deficits deepen and global oil prices escalate, President George W. Bush will face some serious challenges in his second term. According to economist Frank Bergsten, neither the US nor world economies can afford an extension of Washington's economic and energy policy status quo. A combination of strong domestic fiscal action - deficit reduction to enhance savings - and...

Latin America's family remittances -- heading south?

Andres Oppenheimer December 10, 2004
Every year, more than $30 billion in family remittances flows from the United States to Latin America. This money encourages economic growth, and many countries actually get more in remittances than from foreign investment. In addition, this money goes to those who need it most, helping to lift people out of poverty. However, a recent Columbia University study warns these countries against...

The EU Loses its Rag

December 8, 2004
Ten years ago, trade negotiators set a deadline to end global quotas on textile exports. But with less than a month before the agreed-upon expiration date, the EU is growing increasingly worried about China's likely dominance of the international textile trade. Yet considering the EU's hopes to install its former trade commissioner as head of the World Trade Organization, efforts to...

The Green Beast Is Out of Control

Miranda Devine December 2, 2004
The clout of environmental groups in influencing the decisions of multinational corporations may be greater than is appropriate. US-based animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), through widespread "greenmail" campaigning, has managed to change the policies of Abercrombie and Fitch, among other clothing companies, to the detriment of the Australian wool...

No Fair Trade Without Free Trade

Herbert Oberhaensli November 29, 2004
Those critical of globalization often see neo-liberal business interests as one rapacious, profit-hungry monolith, eating away at the pockets of starved workers and consumers. Such conceptualizations perhaps oversimplify the complexity of the global economic landscape. According to Herbert Oberhaensli, head of economics and international relations at Nestlé, free trade does more good than harm....

Worldwide Effects of Sinking Dollar

David R. Francis November 22, 2004
As the value of the US dollar continues its dive, observers worldwide continue to debate the consequences. The gaping US trade deficit is seen as the culprit for the devaluation, which has sped up markedly since President Bush's re-election. Most recently, concerned G20 officials called for the United States to rein in its federal deficit. As Chinese citizens, fearing a revaluation of...