In The News

EU Powers to Recognize Kosovan Statehood

Mark Tran February 18, 2008
After declaring its independence, Kosovo did not have to wait long for supporters and opponents to step forward. Britain, France and Germany announced they would recognize the new state, and US President George Bush expressed unofficial enthusiasm. But states with troublesome separatist movements of their own, like Spain and Cyprus, are less enthusiastic. Both Serbia and Kosovo would like to join...

Will Ballots Win Over Bullets in Pakistan?

Paula R. Newberg February 15, 2008
The world holds low expectations for fair elections in Pakistan. Tightening military rule and removing civil liberties in recent years have not restored stability in the terrorism-plagued country that is also a nuclear power. After a turbulent 2007 – including bitter conflict between courts and the current president and assassination of a leading candidate, Benazir Bhutto – uncertainty prevails...

Developing Countries Worse Off Than Once Thought – Part I

Branko Milanovic February 11, 2008
Reducing poverty has long been a goal for leaders, both national and international. Undertaking the task requires an understanding of the nature of poverty and its specific locations as well as programs that target economic and cultural causes, suggests this two-part series. The first article in the series, by economist Branko Milanovic, explains how detailed reports on prices throughout the...

Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat

Elisabeth Rosenthal February 8, 2008
Studies suggest that, when all costs are considered, biofuels cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels, according to The New York Times. As the US and other nations search for energy alternatives to fossil fuels, special interests in must-win states for the presidential election have promoted biofuel products. Besides adding to greenhouse gas emissions, development of biofuels...

Less Toxic Relations Between Japan and China

David Pilling February 8, 2008
Any incident can trigger old animosities between China and Japan, wartime opponents early in the previous century. The latest incident is 10 Japanese people falling ill after eating pesticide-tainted gyoza, or dumplings, made in China. Despite such controversies, both Japanese and Chinese leaders have made “huge strides” in improving relations during recent months, writes David Pilling for the...

Decoupling Demystified

Nayan Chanda February 8, 2008
Reality always trumps theory. Nayan Chanda points out that this was seen when aftershocks from the American stockmarket meltdown put to rest the theory of ‘decoupling’. The stockmarket jitters that ran from Tokyo to Shanghai to Mumbai shows that Asian growth is very much linked, further proving that in a globalized world, you can run, but cannot hide. – YaleGlobal

The Climate May Be Right for a Warming Bill

February 6, 2008
The American public supports government action on climate change – but balks at any steps that will increase costs or change a comfortable way of life. This ambivalence has stalled legislation in US Congress. In the US, environmental legislation is often tied to other issues. For example, one bill with a chance of passage is America’s Climate Security Act. With the US is suffering an economic...