In The News

Business is Blooming

Peter Willems December 8, 2004
A recent United Nations report shows that Afghanistan's poppy production is reaching worrisome new heights. As newly-inaugurated president Hamid Karzai steps into the spotlight, the problems of opium growth continue to increase. The effort to stop the drug trade has been hampered by local infighting, governmental corruption, and an unsuccessful attempt to wean farmers off the profitable, but...

Is America Losing Its Edge?

Adam Segal November 17, 2004
The long-standing pre-eminence of US technology and innovation worldwide may now face a challenge, as the changing face of the global marketplace takes its toll. As US trade and development has expanded overseas, partner nations have taken advantage of this access. Particularly in Asia, nations are making large strides in research and development (R&D) and other scientific technology. Budget...

The Looming Revolution

November 16, 2004
As the expiration of international textile quotas draws near, China emerges as a force to be feared by both rich and poor countries. Many believe that China, if unchecked, will soon have a global monopoly in textiles, forcing countries currently depending on textile exports into economic disaster. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan - China's main competitors - are hedging their bets. Indian...

From Boom to Bloom

November 10, 2004
The lifting of millions of Chinese out of poverty constitutes one of the world’s greatest success stories in economic development. Yet behind the bold headlines touting this miracle remain problems that could undermine China’s success. The central government recently raised interest rates in order to prevent economic growth from overextending the country’s resources. And it has also committed...

India's Pharma Ache

Yogi Aggarwal November 4, 2004
By mastering the process of reverse engineering, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has successfully produced generic drugs at low prices – crucial for providing affordable treatment to those in need. The government's impending adoption of Trips (Trade Related Intellectual Property in Services), a WTO measure, may significantly hamper the industry's success. If the Indian parliament...

Textile Quotas to End, Punishing Carolina Towns

Elizabeth Becker November 2, 2004
With the global textile quota system coming to an end in early 2005, the potential winners and losers of the previous system are becoming apparent. While several big developing countries specializing in the textiles will have the largest shares of the US$495 billion textile trade regime, others – whether industrialized countries like the US or under-developed countries like Cambodia – will see...

Report Sounds Alarm on Pace of Arctic Climate Change

Juliet Eilperin October 31, 2004
One of the key issues separating the candidates in the upcoming US election is environmental policy. John Kerry has pledged to bring the United States back in sync with international initiatives to protect the environment; an arena he claims has been neglected by his opponent. This position may win greater legitimacy, considering the findings of a recent report on Arctic climate change. Compiled...