In The News

The Middle East's New Map

Mark Perry January 2, 2007
Humans are fond of categories, and the Middle East has long been subject to such analysis: nations that align with one power or another, nations with wealth or without, nations that function and those that don’t. But boundaries designated by people are not so distinct, argues analyst Mark Perry. Arbitrary lines that created nations of the Middle East in 1919 did not put an end to sectarian...

Globalization: Latin America Improves, Brazil Worsens

Joachim Bamrud December 28, 2006
Panama is the most globalized country of Latin America, and Brazil is the least, according to the 2006 Latin American Globalization Index from “Latin Business Chronicle.” Member nations of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement lead the list of most globalized nations in Latin America, with all except the Dominican Republic improving scores. The index ranks countries on...

5.5M Britons “Opt to Live Abroad”

Dominic Casciani December 26, 2006
If not for immigration, the UK would experience a drop in population, considering about 10 percent of British citizens choose to live abroad. Both young and retired Brits try living overseas, and most are professionals. "Britain is truly at the crossroads of the global movement of people," said Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah, a co-author of the report for the Institute of Public Policy...

The Challenge of Global Health

Laurie Garrett December 20, 2006
Wealthy nations and their citizens donate billions in cash to end AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and some other high-profile problems in the developing world. But with uncoordinated programs, lacking in sustainability and long-term planning, the fast flow of cash could make problems worse, not better, argues health analyst and author Laurie Garrett. Studies have shown that focusing on high-profile...

Everybody Wants One Now

December 12, 2006
English-language television news channels have been cropping up all over the globe, in places as diverse as China, Russia, the Middle East and, surprisingly enough, in France. Many of these stations are at least partly government-owned, and some viewers question their ability to avoid becoming a mouthpiece for certain policies. Proponents counter that these broadcasts will cover areas neglected...

“Fair Trade” Lifts the Wrong Boats

Rick Newman December 12, 2006
Subsidies, tariffs and other forms of protectionism shield weak competitors – sometimes ending their ability to ever compete again in the global markets. The US auto and textile markets serve as examples. Three decades ago, US auto firms had protections in place, bashing competitors in Japan, but Japanese auto firms thrive and present efficient, desirable models. The textile industry, with its...

“Fair Trade” Foolishness

Robert Samuelson December 8, 2006
US politicians may oppose new trade agreements with nations like Peru and Colombia, but other nations will fill the void. The US could punish its own exporters by rejecting such trade agreements. The basis for such rejection is not so much traditional protectionism, suggests columnist Robert Samuelson, but rather an obstructionism and alarm at the notion of any trade at all. US citizens worry...