In The News

Putin’s Anti-Globalization Strategy

George Schöpflin July 11, 2006
Russia is active in the global market, but President Vladimir Putin’s governance does not embrace all aspects of globalization. While not resurrecting the Sovietisms of yesterday’s Kremlin, Putin places no faith in the western political mandates of globalization that advocate for the power of the individual consumer over the control of the state. Putin endorses a strong central state, control...

The Problem Is: Iran Does Pose a Threat in Every Way Iraq Did Not

Jonathan Freedland May 4, 2006
After pursuing false threats in Iraq, the US and UK may have trouble convincing other countries to sanction or attack Iran. Regularly threatening Israel and boasting about every nuclear breakthrough, Iran’s president certainly does not hesitate in helping the US and UK make a case that the nation is a menace. Yet leaders in the world’s fourth largest oil producer insist that the nuclear research...

Summit Rhetoric Soars While Economy Sinks

Jeffrey E. Garten November 3, 2005
As the fourth annual Summit of the Americas get under way in Mar Del Plata, a pressing question lingers in the background: Are regional meetings truly worth the trouble? According to Jeffrey E. Garten, Juan Trippe professor in the practice of international trade and finance at The Yale School of Management, world leaders' efforts would be better spent at home, developing and implementing...

Africa's Time Has Come…

Larry Elliot September 28, 2005
This year's G-8 Summit saw unprecedented cooperation on development issues, but the progress made at Gleneagles was abruptly disrupted by the London bombings on July 7. After the attacks, Western leaders quickly lost interest in plans for debt relief and improved aid flows, turning their attention towards coping with terrorism and election campaigns. G-8 plans were submitted to a special...

Africa Needs Fair Trade, Not Charity

Mary Robinson August 23, 2005
Since the July G-8 summit and Live 8 concerts, the topic of African development has received unusual public attention. While the conversations have focused primarily on aid and debt relief, according to Mary Robinson, one topic has received inadequate treatment in international policy circles: free trade. Recalling her travels to cotton producer Mali and sugar producer Mozambique, Robinson...

Dodging the Curse of Diamonds and Gold

Desha Girod August 11, 2005
As the G-8 unveiled an ambitious plan to lift Africa from the mire of debt and double foreign aid, a debate concerning the efficacy of aid has re-emerged. Many critics contend that additional aid money will merely benefit the corrupt leaders of a troubled continent, rather than support the reforms those nations sorely need. Desha Girod counters that, in certain circumstances, aid can be highly...

Africa After the Music Stops

Susan E. Rice August 2, 2005
From the Live 8 concerts to the lofty agenda of the G-8 summit, the world's wealthiest nations have been charged with the daunting task of combating African poverty. On the surface, writes Brookings scholar Susan E. Rice, the Gleneagles Summit accomplished more than many expected. Member nations pledged to double African aid, provide debt relief for certain countries, and address the...