In The News

If You See Something, Say Something

Michael E. Mann January 21, 2014
Climate scientists are in 97 percent agreement that rapid climate change is underway and immediate response could stem the effects of warming temperatures and rising seas. The media often suggest the issue remains under debate. “If one is looking for real differences among mainstream scientists, they can be found on two fronts: the precise implications of those higher temperatures, and which...

Americans Want to Turn Away From World’s Problems

Bruce Stokes January 16, 2014
The United States may no longer view itself as the world’s leading advocate for military engagements or multilateral efforts to promote freedom, democracy and human rights, suggests a study by the Pew Research Center. Americans are war weary, and about half of 2000 adults surveyed in the fall 2013 suggest that the country is overextended, writes Bruce Stokes, the center’s director of global...

Why Chinese-Japanese Economic Relations Are Improving

Richard Katz January 9, 2014
Despite heated political and online rhetoric, trade between China and Japan continues to grow. “In short, China has started to delink economics from politics,” no longer encouraging boycotts or protests in a quest for territorial concessions, explains Richard Katz for Foreign Affairs. “Chinese-Japanese economic relations (but not political ties) are set to get better, not worse.” The Chinese...

Japan Minister Follows Abe to War Shrine, Pouring Salt on Wound for China

January 3, 2014
Nations don’t like to be told what to do. But by now, Japanese politicians should understand that visits to the Yasukuni shrine aggravate China and other neighbors that were occupied during World War II. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the internal affairs minister each made separate visits to the shrine in recent days. The last visit by a Japanese prime minister was in 2006. “Beijing and...

Who Should Lead the Global Economy?

Harold James, Domenico Lombardi December 24, 2013
The major economies of the United States, the European Union and China all have potential for global leadership. “The bigger an economy, the greater its systemic importance, and the more leverage its political representatives have in international decision-making,” explain Harold James and Domenico Lombardi, with the Centre for International Governance Innovation. The United States, the eurozone...

There’s No Such Thing as a Global Citizen

Jakub Grygiel December 17, 2013
Global problems like climate change require leaders with vision who move beyond narrow, short-term interests. YaleGlobal is among the many urging global solutions for such global problems. Jakub Grygiel, international relations professor, describes that goal as a “figment of the imagination of the few” to be avoided in practice. He expresses concern about schools of public policy “giving up on...

Pursuing Politics or Perfection?

Nayan Chanda December 11, 2013
The agreement reached in Bali at the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting relied on a draft proposal from India, permitting temporary price supports and famer subsidies until WTO rules are reformed. Critics agree that intentions behind such food guarantees are well-meaning, but India’s program is riddled with inefficiencies, distorting what farmers choose to grow. The Bali agreement is...