In The News

Abuse Crisis Strains Vatican’s Ancient Ways of Management

Rachel Donadio April 13, 2010
The Vatican is confronting a global sexual abuse crisis that is playing out in the worldwide court of public opinion with a management structure that dates to the 16th century. Pope Benedict does not seem to have administrative gifts and neither do his aides. They are running a global church like it's a small community. The departments don't speak with one another and the whole...

Kyrgyzstan Turmoil Puts US Base and Afghan War in Balance

Dilip Hiro April 12, 2010
Landlocked, lacking resources that typically attract notice of distant powers, the Kyrgyz Republic holds a strategic position. Not far from war-torn Afghanistan, where Al Qaeda hatched plans for the 9/11 attacks, Kyrgyzstan remains a nation of interest. Russia gave the go-ahead to former Soviet republics to assist in the US-led effort against Islamic extremism, explains author Dilip Hiro, but...

Race for Resources: Deciding the Arctic’s Future Behind Closed Doors

Christoph Seidler April 7, 2010
As the Arctic changes dramatically, Canada, Russia, Denmark, Norway, and the United States met last month to discuss and plan its future. Melting ice has created new border disputes along with opportunities for mineral extraction, the latter exacerbating tensions as countries stake rival claims. Still, all five agree on one thing: no guarantees of expansive environmental protection for the region...

Adieu, Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna?

Alex David Rogers March 17, 2010
The Atlantic blue fin tuna risks extinction thanks to overfishing and poor global governance, according ocean expert Alex David Rogers. To add insult to injury, recent proposals to ban all international trade in the fish are being rejected by Japan, the largest consumer. Japan’s decision could significantly undermine the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and deal a...

Japan Objects to Proposed Bluefin Ban

Yuka Hayashi March 9, 2010
The global body that sets policy for endangered species is facing a challenge from Japan over a proposal to limit the number of bluefin tuna that can be traded. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is alarmed by declining bluefin stocks and will consider a proposal to ban the export of the fish. But Japan consumes about three-quarters of the world's bluefin...

New Thai Immigration Rules Come Under Fire

Patrick Barta March 3, 2010
In Thailand, tensions are mounting as the state has introduced a more rigorous registration process for foreigners that includes proving one's home country. Around half of the country's 1.5 million migrant laborers have refused to come forward to register, which human rights activists reason is due to Thailand's history of immigrant abuse and a fear of retribution. On the other...

Is There a Chinese Model?

David Shambaugh March 2, 2010
China's extraordinary growth in recent years has led many to wonder if a model can be erected based on this development. In China, though, scholars disagree whether a “Chinese model” of growth exists sufficient to export to other developing countries. According to David Shambaugh, director of George Washington University's China Policy Program, one must isolate four key elements of any...