In The News

Developing Countries Worse Off Than Once Thought – Part II

Devesh Kapur February 13, 2008
High growth rates in an emerging economy can mask persistent and devastating poverty. A major goal for global institutions like the World Bank is reducing poverty by extending technological and financial assistance to developing nations. But targeted programs that flounder due to corruption or lack of local support, as well as those that cannot be replicated to serve a broader population, are not...

Less Toxic Relations Between Japan and China

David Pilling February 8, 2008
Any incident can trigger old animosities between China and Japan, wartime opponents early in the previous century. The latest incident is 10 Japanese people falling ill after eating pesticide-tainted gyoza, or dumplings, made in China. Despite such controversies, both Japanese and Chinese leaders have made “huge strides” in improving relations during recent months, writes David Pilling for the...

Three Young Men Try Waterboarding and Tell the Tale

Yochi J. Dreazen February 5, 2008
Debate by US government officials over specific techniques of torture has stirred youthful curiosity. One technique in particular is under scrutiny: forcibly holding an interview subject in place and bringing him or her close to drowning, otherwise known as waterboarding. Policymakers and researchers debate whether the technique is simply inhumane or, when used on terrorist suspects, could...

A New Day for a Divided Peninsula

Shim Jae Hoon January 16, 2008
Since taking control of North Korea, Kim Jong Il has isolated his nation, devastated its economy and pursued a nuclear-weapons program that has alarmed the world. In attempting to dissuade the Kim regime from its self-destructive ways, South Korea opted for what became known as a “sunshine policy,” promoting engagement, patience and ample aid. But South Koreans grew weary of shoveling billions at...

An Empowered Middle East – Part II

Humphrey Hawksley January 14, 2008
The Middle East has great economic potential, with rich resources, a young population and a location central to three continents. But the regional quest for enhanced prosperity requires stability, trust and security. Subsiding violence in Iraq contributes to regional security, largely because of extra troops inserted by the US in recent months and a coordinated pragmatic approach from US...

Redder Than the Real Thing

Ian Williams January 7, 2008
To secure Chinese favor, the United States has devalued Taiwan’s quest for democracy. America’s official stance is pro-China, despite the inequality and injustice propagated by the Chinese government, says the author. Ironically, the superior form of governance is the form practiced by Taiwan, and that is the European-style social democracy, which America should appreciate more, logically...

The End of Globalization?

Gabor Steingart December 12, 2007
Doubts expressed out loud can spur major movements. Such doubts about globalization are emerging in the US presidential campaign, as candidates question whether free trade is a source of the nation’s wealth or economic woes. Since World War II, US presidents supported a philosophy of free trade for spreading wealth and other benefits. “America's enormous trade deficit – and that in a country...