In The News

Mideast Money Pinch

Yasmine El-Rashidi May 5, 2006
Middle East investors and shoppers are bypassing travel, education or health care in the US for friendlier opportunities in Asia and Europe. In March, the US rejected acquisition of operations for six US ports based on security concerns, but even before that, Saudi tourism to the US was down 75 percent in 2004 from 1999. Obtaining US visas has become more complicated for Arabs since 9/11, with...

The Pope Considers a Life-Saving New Policy

May 2, 2006
For more than 25 years, AIDS has killed millions around the globe. The leading cause for AIDS transmission is unprotected sex, but the influential Catholic Church has refused to allow condoms under any circumstances, including preventing the spread of disease. In response to the AIDS crisis, the Catholic Church could edge toward a somewhat more lenient stance on condom use. Despite church...

Africa Emerges as a Strategic Battleground

Frederick Kempe April 28, 2006
Africa suffers from a series of humanitarian crises, but the continent also offers tremendous opportunity. Oddly enough, it’s the US general in charge of the Europe Command and NATO who insists that the US must pay more attention on Africa. The Bush administration, distracted with war in Iraq, faces three urgent issues in Africa – Islamic terrorism, energy security and growing Chinese influence...

Chinese Turn to Civic Power as a New Tool

Howard W. French April 19, 2006
It’s human nature to complain. As China encounters more social problems – land seizures, accidental AIDS transmissions, pollution and corruption – citizens expect some legal recourse. Disgruntled citizens turn to the media, community groups and even public protests to point out social problems. Nongovernmental organizations – more than 280,000 registered in all – have taken a lead in giving...

Globalization’s New Left

Nathan Gardels April 6, 2006
Policies meant to promote globalization – cutting public budgets, deregulating markets and liberalizing trade – have created new wealth, especially in Asia. Beneath the veneer of the growing global middleclass, however, is another story – that of the billion people worldwide who have been disenfranchised as their countries make the “structural adjustments” necessary to compete globally. In...

Dying Swan Dance

Boris Khukov April 5, 2006
As a threat, bird flu elicits different reactions. When a German cat died from the flu, panic spread throughout Europe until scientists explained that a cat spreading the virus to humans was an unlikely scenario. Russians have also been wary about the flu, despite periodic government reassurances, with some conspiracy theorists describing the virus as a “leak from a bioweapons factory” or a...

Big Water Companies Quit Poor Countries

John Vidal March 22, 2006
Multinational water companies are fleeing risks in developing nations that desperately need the services, reports the UN second world water development report. The report was released today with the close of the World Water Forum, which aims to raise awareness on water issues and influence policy at the global level. Companies complain about not making profits in the poor countries and...