In The News

Capital Warfare

Heidi Crebo-Rediker March 29, 2007
If American policymakers hope to exercise influence in international affairs, they must recognize that US control wanes as more economic power spreads around the globe. The US can prepare accordingly by recognizing its own deficiencies – high debt, protectionist tendencies and overdependence on foreign oil – and instituting reform. States that are a prime source, destination and market for...

Confident Turkey Looks East, Not West

Simon Tisdall March 29, 2007
Tossing insults back and forth is not the typical protocol for future working partners. Officially, Turkey remains a candidate for EU membership. Yet analysts ponder the likelihood for accession, after the EU did not invite the potential partner to the 50th anniversary celebration of the signing of the Treaty of Rome and after a columnist summed up Turkish sentiment by writing that the EU has “...

Prime Minister Abe’s New Clothes

Alexis Dudden March 28, 2007
If the history of the world is the world’s court of justice, as 18th century historian Friedrich von Schiller suggested, then attempts to bury or deny unpleasant episodes can only fail. Since 1993, Japanese leaders have agreed to the Kono Statement, admitting that its military had forced women to serve as sexual slaves before and during World War II. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, in his post just...

The Truth About Talibanistan

Aryn Baker March 27, 2007
The tribal region of Pakistan, just over the border of Afghanistan, is increasingly becoming a sanctuary for Taliban and other extremists – a mini-state beyond the control of governments that straddle it on either side. Tough, young extremists take control of villages that lack any means of defense. Meanwhile, the US and NATO troops stationed in neighboring Afghanistan lack authority to enter...

Why “Fair Trade” Could Backfire for the US

David Dapice March 26, 2007
As manufacturing jobs continue to slip away from the US, Democrats in control of US Congress could be tempted to apply protectionist measures. But any regulations that attempt to restrict trade could backfire and chase more skilled jobs abroad. Economist David Dapice describes US economic problems – unbalanced budgets, a negative savings rate – as “home grown,” and the solutions require sacrifice...

History 1980-2000 Has Disappeared Into the Ether. Sorry

Ben Macintyre March 23, 2007
Computers, CDs, digital files and scanning have allowed vast amounts of information to be collected. But digital information can vanish with a keystroke, warns Ben Macintyre, columnist with “The Times” of London. Too many administrators and researchers take digital storage for granted and do not understand that CDs, electronic tapes and other storage modes have limited life spans. Part of the...

Global Warming Can't Buy Happiness

Bill McKibben March 23, 2007
In a draft report for the United Nations, the US admits that its carbon emissions will continue to rise over the next decade, not drop. In sum, the US and others find it difficult to sacrifice – and blithely contribute to crisis by expending energy in wasteful ways. “For the last century, our society's basic drive has been toward more — toward a bigger national economy, toward more stuff for...