In The News

Facing Facebook

Magda El-Ghitany May 7, 2008
Facebook, an online social networking site, encourages young users to share photos, hobbies and cultural opinions. But in Egypt, the social site has emerged with a strong political edge. In April, a 27-year-old Egyptian woman was detained for 16 days after organizing a Facebook protest on rising food prices – and Egyptians expect the government to pursue online monitoring and regulation. But some...

Virus in China Highlights an Old Problem

Nicholas Zamiska May 6, 2008
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common and highly contagious childhood ailment that can be prevented by washing hands often and thoroughly. But people must know about the disease to practice vigilance. Thousands of children in China have contracted the disease, and international health officials raised questions before China’s closed media system reported a government announcement. “Communist...

Myanmar Death Toll Rises to 22,000; Thousands Missing

Rattaphol Onsanit May 6, 2008
A tropical storm surged through the Bay of Bengal and slammed into Myanmar. The death toll exceeds 20,000 and tens of thousands more are missing. The small impoverished nation is ruled by a military junta, and severe damage from flooding, power outages and food shortages will only increase the misery of Myanmar’s people. The international community is torn between wanting to extend assistance to...

Olympic Torch Protests Pose Dilemma for Host Nations

Barbara Demick May 5, 2008
In planning for an unprecedented 20-nation relay for the Olympic torch, China did not expect to create a flashpoint for protest against its violations of human rights and international law. Attempting to stem a public-relations disaster, China expects other governments to limit protests. Large demonstrations in Paris prompted a grassroots effort at boycotting a large French retailer and even...

China Ascendant – Part III

Wenran Jiang April 30, 2008
China is a world power on the rise, with a growing economy, a proud citizen base that cherishes education, and leadership that promises peaceful transitions to democracy. All will be on display with the Beijing Olympics in August. But national aspirations can collide with the expectations generated abroad, explains analyst Wenran Jiang in the final article of a three-part series. Tibet has been...

Baiting the Dragon: German Business Warns of Pushing China too Far

April 29, 2008
Taking a firm stand on human rights can require sacrifice. Like trade itself, boycotts that attempt to influence national behavior are a two-way street: As Europeans ponder boycotting the Beijing Olympics, German business leaders warn that more than 200,000 jobs in that nation depend on Chinese exports. Harsh criticism of China’s policy in Tibet could fuel calls from Chinese citizens to boycott...

China Ascendant – Part II

Pranab Bardhan April 28, 2008
Hosting the Olympics in August is an opportunity for China to display its economic and social success along with its ancient culture to the world. But there’s a fine line between the display of patriotism and nationalism, warns economist Pranab Bardhan in the second article of a YaleGlobal series on China’s rise. The Chinese Communist Party has carefully nurtured – and enforced – homogeneous...