In The News

We Are Getting Richer, But More Insecure and Cynical About Politicians. What Can Be Done?

Hamish McRae July 8, 2007
On the surface, the British economy is doing well. It is the richest EU country in terms of national net income per head, and has a reputation for attracting global talent. Yet citizens express little trust in their government and report a feeling of insecurity. Worrying economic signs include rising levels of debt and dissatisfaction about public services. Low morale presents a challenge for...

Brilliant Student, Doctor – and Now a Terror Suspect

Ian Herbert July 3, 2007
Physicians worldwide have long shared the motto, “First, do no harm.” Reports suggesting that the suspects in failed car bombings throughout the UK are physicians from the Middle East, Australia and India are unsettling – and make the job of combating terrorism all that more difficult. Analysts have long assumed that soft-power tools, education and economic development, take time, but worked...

The Rising and Falling Power of Hydrocarbon States

Dilip Hiro July 3, 2007
The global economy runs on oil. Unequal distribution of oil throughout the world bestows power on the few states with ample supplies. Venezuela is one example of a nation that uses oil as leverage in foreign affairs: Besides consolidating his popular base at home, President Hugo Chavez has helped debt-ridden countries in that region, openly mocks the US and signed an arms-procurement deal with...

Europe/Plan B – For a Carbon-Free Economy Independent of Arabic Oil, Russian Gas or Chinese Coal

Juraj Mesik July 2, 2007
Demanding more studies on climate change and delaying are easy. Action to reduce dependence on nonrenewable energy sources requires leadership. “Our task is hard – our task is unprecedented – and the time is short…. Speed will count. Lost ground can always be regained – lost time, never. Speed will save lives… speed will save our freedom and our civilization.” The 1942 State of the Union speech...

North Africa Reluctant to Host US Command

Craig Whitlock June 29, 2007
A US delegation recently traveled to Africa in the hopes of finding a country willing to host AFRICOM, but even strong American allies in the region are unwilling make a commitment. African responsibilities and operations are now divided between US military commands based in Europe and Florida – and the Bush administration decided that Africa warrants its own command base. The US delegation...

Legitimacy Contested

Dina Ezzat June 27, 2007
Governments throughout the Middle East are torn apart by factions, categorized as “moderate” or “extremist,” notably in Palestine and Lebanon. Popular public opinion, weary of corruption, poverty and external influences, tends to support parties described as “extremist,” while governments – including the US, Egypt, Jordan and Israel – tend to support traditional parties labeled as “moderate.”...

A New Deal for Globalization

Kenneth F. Scheve June 27, 2007
Globalization – through education, trade and innovation – has delivered immense benefits for the US. But wages have declined, even for workers with college degrees. Only workers with doctorate or professional graduate degrees – less than 4 percent of the work force – experienced earnings growth between 2000 and 2005. Unskilled and low-skilled workers make up the majority of the US labor force....