In The News

Everybody Wants One Now

December 12, 2006
English-language television news channels have been cropping up all over the globe, in places as diverse as China, Russia, the Middle East and, surprisingly enough, in France. Many of these stations are at least partly government-owned, and some viewers question their ability to avoid becoming a mouthpiece for certain policies. Proponents counter that these broadcasts will cover areas neglected...

Washington’s Iraq Dilemma: Why Engaging Iran Is a Good Idea

George Perkovich December 12, 2006
Many states throughout the Middle East have authoritarian leaders, disgruntled citizens, troubled economies – and governments as tenuous as houses made of cards. The report from the Iraq Study Group warns that the war in Iraq could widen into a regional conflict and encourages US policymakers to change tactics by initiating direct engagement with Iran and Syria to gain their cooperation in...

“Fair Trade” Lifts the Wrong Boats

Rick Newman December 12, 2006
Subsidies, tariffs and other forms of protectionism shield weak competitors – sometimes ending their ability to ever compete again in the global markets. The US auto and textile markets serve as examples. Three decades ago, US auto firms had protections in place, bashing competitors in Japan, but Japanese auto firms thrive and present efficient, desirable models. The textile industry, with its...

Slumping Dollar Has Nasty Surprise in Store for Lebanese Consumers

Michael Bluhm December 11, 2006
Even as Lebanon tries to avoid falling into civil war, the country’s fortunes are further imperiled by the falling US dollar. The dollar plays a prominent role in Lebanon’s economy: It is universally accepted alongside the Lebanese pound, and bank machines routinely dispense money in both pounds and dollars. Now, a weaker dollar means that Lebanese consumers can expect to pay more for goods...

China Eases Limits on Foreign Media for 2008 Olympics

Mei Fong December 11, 2006
China will temporarily lift restrictions on foreign journalists, allowing them to scrutinize the Olympic Games as well as the Chinese economy, politics and society – but only through October 2008. Foreign journalists will no longer have to request or wait for formal invitations from Chinese groups before conducting interviews or writing articles. However, domestic journalists will still confront...

“Fair Trade” Foolishness

Robert Samuelson December 8, 2006
US politicians may oppose new trade agreements with nations like Peru and Colombia, but other nations will fill the void. The US could punish its own exporters by rejecting such trade agreements. The basis for such rejection is not so much traditional protectionism, suggests columnist Robert Samuelson, but rather an obstructionism and alarm at the notion of any trade at all. US citizens worry...

Capitalism: One Size Does Not Suit All

Pranab Bardhan December 7, 2006
Uncertainty abounds over the Anglo-American economic model that has held sway ever since Adam Smith. Excessive debt, growing inequality, increasing costs for health care and retirement as well as large prison populations in the US and UK have raised doubts about its viability. Many nations have sought to adapt capitalism for their specific cultures and needs. Scandinavian and Japanese models...