In The News

On Screen, Tackling Europe's New Reality

Alan Riding January 19, 2005
In Germany, the popularity of a movie about Turks living in Hamburg may signal a new national multiculturalism. Film has played a similar role in other European countries, making ostracized immigrants sympathetic to those who'd ignored or hated them. "Head-On", directed by Fatih Akin, is not the first Turkish-German movie to be made, but it is the first to find such sweeping...

Japan's Laborious Dilemma

David McNeill January 13, 2005
The Japanese approach to immigration has been characterized as xenophobic, at worst, and ambivalent, at best. While a free-trade agreement with the Philippines was celebrated for allowing increased access for overseas caretakers, a subsequent policy restricting entertainment visas may result in a net loss of over 70,000 foreign workers. According to David McNeill, Japan's consistently...

A Reluctant Embrace

Shada Islam December 16, 2004
Following Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh's murder by an alleged Islamic extremist, many European countries are even more nervous about the plan to begin talks with Turkey for EU admission. The country's Islamic religion and alleged undemocratic nature have also inspired opposition in largely secular Europe. Yet Turkey's membership has obvious benefits for the Union, says journalist...

Latin America's family remittances -- heading south?

Andres Oppenheimer December 10, 2004
Every year, more than $30 billion in family remittances flows from the United States to Latin America. This money encourages economic growth, and many countries actually get more in remittances than from foreign investment. In addition, this money goes to those who need it most, helping to lift people out of poverty. However, a recent Columbia University study warns these countries against...

Fox in the Americas

Fred Rosen November 22, 2004
Mexican President Vicente Fox looks to be carving a unique diplomatic role for himself in US-Americas relations. Meeting with Central and South American leaders, Fox is pushing to strengthen Mexican and Latin American ties to bolster bargaining power with the United States. Mexico's position as primary broker, however, may be challenged by the prospect of a South American Community of...

The Plot Thickens: Testing European Tolerance

Shada Islam November 17, 2004
The recent murder of a Dutch filmmaker has provoked anger and fear across the Netherlands. As anti-Muslim violence escalates, some mainstream Dutch politicians have broken from their traditionally tolerant approach, calling for a crackdown on their own Muslim citizens. The problem, however, is both deeper and more widespread. Although European governments have worked hard to extend an olive...

Globalization's Missing Middle

Geoffrey Garrett November 5, 2004
The World Bank classifies each country into one of three groupings: high income, middle income, and low income. The top 25 percent of all countries make up the first category, 30 percent fall into the bottom, and the remaining 45 percent – mostly comprised of Latin America, the former Soviet bloc, Asian tigers, and the Middle East – are "middle income" countries. Political science...