In The News

Cambodians Refuse to Accept Rigged Elections

Elizabeth Becker October 15, 2013
Cambodians are connected to the world through trade, investment, tourism, cultural events, social media and dual citizenship. The connections influence how the citizens deal with their long-running authoritarian regime. With a per capita income less than $1000, many Cambodians refuse to support the government of Hun Sen, who has been in office for 28 years. The prime minister no longer convinces...

Bad Policies Caused the Lampedusa Tragedy

Hans-Jürgen Schlamp October 10, 2013
A boat carrying 500 refugees sank just within sight of the Italian island of Lampedusa. More than 250 died and more are missing. The refugees from Somalia, Eritrea and other hopeless states took off from African coast just 160 kilometers away. Europe has failed to offer a political solution to the refugee crisis. More than 200,000 refugees have landed in Lampedusa since 1999 with up to 20,000...

China Intensifies Internet Crackdown

Jamil Anderlini September 16, 2013
The hopes of political reform raised after the Chinese Communist Party elected Xi Jinping last year have been dashed amidst an intensifying crackdown on the internet. An article in an influential party journal described online criticism of the party and government as “defamation.” At the same time an influential internet personality, Charles Xue , who boasted 12 million followers on China’s...

South Korea: New Beacon for Refugees

Steven Borowiec September 12, 2013
Countries that attract refugees tend to be prosperous and demonstrate respect for human rights. Such nations process refugee applications with care, determining that newcomers are not spies or troublemakers. South Korea stands out as a beacon for refugees. The country borders dysfunctional and impoverished North Korea, with its repressive regime, and is the first among East Asian nations to...

Syria Strike Would Put Peace Further Out of Reach

Patrick M. Regan September 6, 2013
Research suggests that foreign intervention makes conflicts last longer: “A significant amount of research, including my own, demonstrates that military interventions from outside states lengthen and make bloodier civil wars,” writes Patrick Regan, political scientist and peace advocate. “The data include roughly 1,000 interventions into 100 civil wars over the last 60 years, with research...

Why Is Prosperous China So Anxious?

Orville Schell September 5, 2013
China, like other countries, seeks economic success and global respect. The country has accomplished so much in a few short decades – massively expanding the economy, reducing poverty and developing impressive infrastructure. Yet Chinese leaders exude anxiety, suggests author and long-time China observer Orville Schell. Fearing public discontent and unrest, the Chinese Communist Party resists...

Communities Should Continue to Benefit From Mobile Revolution

Sifiso Dabengwa September 2, 2013
Mobile-phone operators are between a rock and a hard place, juggling protections for customers who seek free communications while satisfying demands from controlling governments, explains Sifiso Dabengwa, CEO of MTN, a multinational telecommunications firm based in South Africa. “On the one hand mobile connectivity is touted as the lifeblood of socio-economic development in the underdeveloped...