In The News

Transcript of Flattening World Challenges Imagination

April 13, 2007
The following is a transcript of Nayan Chanda's interview with Thomas Friedman, author of “The World Is Flat” and foreign-affairs columnist of “The New York Times,” conducted on March 30, 2007. Friedman talks about the latest edition of his bestselling book, provides advice on which categories of jobs can best be protected from outsourcing, and proposes an exit strategy from Iraq for the US...

Flattening World Challenges Imagination

April 13, 2007
Thomas L. Friedman, foreign-affairs columnist of “The New York Times,” whose “The World Is Flat” has become an international bestseller, says the process of flattening is intensifying. With multiplying distributive tools of innovation and collaboration, whatever can be done will be done, Friedman explains in this interview with YaleGlobal Editor Nayan Chanda on March 30, 2007. The question is who...

Global Growth Can Be Sustained, Says IMF

Larry Elliott April 12, 2007
General trends such as protectionism and aging populations pose more risk to the global economy than the problems of any specific nation, according to the biannual report on the state of the global economy from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Recent stock-market jitters and the slowing US housing market are unlikely to dampen global economic growth, the IMF report notes. The US slowdown...

In Washington: Gutsy New House Speaker

M.J. Rosenberg April 12, 2007
Floundering with its own Middle East policy, the Bush administration targets criticism on Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives and third highest ranking public official in the US, for her visit to Syria. Critics suggest that she interfered with presidential authority by meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. In Syria, Pelosi reiterated US support for negotiations with Israel...

China and the US: To Hedge or Engage

David Shambaugh April 11, 2007
Despite extensive cooperation between China and the US, both countries remain suspicious of each other’s intent. The result has been, from the US side, a policy of hedging all the while engaging with China. This arms-length approach may not be good for either country’s interest or the interest of stability in Asia. David Shambaugh and Karl Inderfurth, China and South Asia analysts, respectively,...

Saudi Balancing Act

Karen Elliot House April 11, 2007
Saudi Arabia, which holds the world’s largest reserves of oil, must confront some complicated challenges: civil war in neighboring Iraq; resentment for a leading ally, the US; discontent among Saudi youth who cannot find jobs; widespread corruption; and rising religious extremism. King Abdullah, in his post for 18 months, is undertaking what are new steps for the kingdom, with “active and open...

Even as Africa Hungers, Policy Slows Delivery of US Food Aid

Celia W. Dugger April 10, 2007
Intervention, even with the best intentions, can cause unforeseen tragic consequences. Thousands of people starve in Zambia, caught in a web of international health groups that supply drugs for AIDS, improving health yet increasing the pangs of hunger; weather patterns that deliver drought; local politicians who don’t want to release large food supplies; and wealthy nations in the West that...