In The News

Globalization and Crime

John J. Metzler March 15, 2010
A new report from the UN concludes that the same forces that make globalization so appealing, such as unfettered travel and communications, are also providing a huge boost to narcotics traffickers, who take advantage of porous borders to ply their trade. This is particularly true in the European Union, where people can move freely within the EU's member states. In addition, drug traffickers...

Will Japan Emerge from its Shell? – Part I

Edward J. Lincoln February 3, 2010
For the world’s second largest economy, Japan takes a decidedly backseat approach to involvement in global affairs. While there are no rules to force global intercourse, Japan-specialist Edward J. Lincoln believes that as a key beneficiary and user of global public goods, Japan should become more involved. But the hurdles preventing greater interchange between the world and the Japanese are many...

Where the Wild Things Were

Steven Sanderson December 2, 2009
With the run up to the Copenhagen Climate Summit, cap-and-trade and lowering emissions have somewhat overshadowed discussions about the loss of biodiversity. But Wildlife Conservation Society President Steven Sanderson shows how they are all linked. Indeed, regions of high biodiversity, like rainforests, not only support endangered species, but also function as a carbon sink – vast, natural...

Swine Flu Fears Hit Saudi Religious Tourism

September 30, 2009
Mecca, the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed and city to which many Muslims make a pilgrimage as a tenet of Islam, is gripped with fear about the swine flu. Hotel occupancy rates have fallen 33 to 55 percent compared to last year. And the prime period of Hajj, when the majority of pilgrims convene in Mecca, is still two months away. While Saudi Arabia generally doesn’t attract as many tourists...

Developing Responsibility

Nayan Chanda August 7, 2009
The two-pronged solution to climate change proposed by the G-8 at the summit in L’Aquila has left much to be desired. First, it calls for an 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050. While the proposed reduction seems encouraging at first glance, the reality is that it lacks a concrete plan to get to the target. Second, the G-8 agrees on a two-degree warming target for the planet. Yet, if...

Germany Joins EU in Tying Car Fees to Emissions

February 4, 2009
In Germany, described as the EU’s “most car-obsessed nation” in this Spiegel Online article, the government will reduce taxes on small cars and charge a penalty of €2 for every gram of carbon emitted per kilometer over a 120-gram limit. The tax plan may encourage consumers to choose small, fuel-efficient vehicles. “With carmakers Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche leading the way, a large percentage...

"No Country, No Matter How Powerful…Can Control the Forces of Globalization on Its Own"

Kofi A. Annan January 27, 2009
Economic crisis will leave no part of the globe untouched, yet it also offers widespread opportunity for citizens to assess priorities. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urges nations to select priorities that reshape and improve the world for the common good: "For the roots of this crisis go beyond an abject failure of financial governance and neglect of warnings of the risks being run...