In The News

Does the UN Still Matter?

Joseph S. Nye July 27, 2007
The United Nations, with 192 member nations, has global authority to take action on problems ranging from climate change and famine to security matters. However, when corruption or problems emerge, such as former Iraq leader Saddam Hussein removing funds from the UN oil-for-food program, designed to protect ordinary Iraqis against international economic sanctions, many nations quickly blame the...

Changes in Innovation Ecology

William A. Wulf July 19, 2007
Innovation flourishes in settings that promote curiosity, respect and vision. Education, research, science, investment and good-government practices contribute to innovation. But societies must also introduce, apply and distribute the best ideas – and the infrastructure in the US that produced so much innovation during the 20th century is now broken, warns William Wulf, president of the National...

We Should Welcome the Dawn of the Migration Age

Ban Ki-moon July 17, 2007
Globalization, like other phenomena, occurs in stages, explains Ban Ki-moon, secretary-general of the United Nations. In the first stage, the flow of capital and goods increased, and, for the most part, developed countries benefited. That stage prompted the age of mobility, with people crossing borders in search a better life and opportunities. Mobility has benefits – for example, remittances,...

Congress Set to Tighten Scrutiny of Foreign Deals

Greg Hitt July 16, 2007
In the wake of the public backlash against the proposal that would have allowed Dubai Ports World, owned by the government of Dubai, to manage some US ports, the US Congress is expected to pass legislation that will tighten scrutiny of such investment deals. The legislation includes an extended 45-day examination period of companies owned by foreign governments and also requires the Committee on...

Global Safeguards for a Global Economy

Harold Meyerson July 12, 2007
Strategies that created mass prosperity in the US and Western Europe – by establishing safety networks and consumer trust – could be applied throughout the world, suggests Washington Post columnist Harold Meyerson. He urges the creation of a global safety agency to review and offer regulations on issues ranging from unsafe food imports to climate change. Meyerson suggests that it is unrealistic...

Come One, Come All

Edward Glaeser July 12, 2007
Globalization has contributed to a decline in manufacturing cities like Detroit, forcing firms to confront foreign competitors. Other cities, like New York, reap benefits from globalization, argues Harvard professor Edward Glaeser. New York City thrives on producing ideas, and globalization spurs innovation. Innovation emerges in communities where people thrive on education, exchanging ideas and...

Canada Heats Up Rhetoric Over Claims to North Pole

Ed Pilkington July 11, 2007
Canada means business when it comes to claiming, protecting and using the Arctic. With climate change gradually melting arctic ice, potentially exposing oil and minerals, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has warned other nations to stay away from the region. Canada is investing in a deepwater port to support eight military ships that will patrol Arctic waters. Canada, Denmark, Russia, the US,...