In The News

Indonesia's Canberra Embassy Shut After Scare

Michelle Nichols June 1, 2005
The Wednesday morning discovery of an envelope containing white powder left many nerves rattled in the Indonesian embassy in Australia. The toxin belongs to the same related to the bacteria that cause anthrax: "It is not an innocent white powder," said Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Authorities believe that the incident was likely a response to the recent conviction of an...

‘Developing Countries Should Have a Bigger Say in the World Bank and IMF’

May 20, 2005
In a recent interview with YaleGlobal editor Nayan Chanda, Kemal Dervis, former Minister of Economic Affairs in Turkey and author of the book A Better Globalization, talks about reforming the United Nations Security Council and the role of international financial institutions. Excerpts of the interview follow.

Hacker Hunters

Brian Grow May 20, 2005
Computer technology and the interconnectivity of cyberspace have opened multiple avenues for global networking, while producing the underside of this phenomenon: a new wave of organized cybercrime. Criminals the world over are exploiting the ties of the internet to steal identities, forge documents, launder money, and sell stolen goods. As BusinessWeek reports, US and other governmental...

Can China Be Contained?

Jeffrey E. Garten May 19, 2005
In the last three days, the United States government has added new pressures to the Chinese government: The US Department of Treasury demanded a revaluation of the renminbi, and the Commerce Department moved to restrain textile imports from China. One of the defining features of globalization today is the complex way in which countries are economically intertwined, as well as the political...

Nuclear Regime in Peril

Joseph Cirincione May 17, 2005
The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has proven to be among the most successful security pacts in history. For 35 years, it has forestalled the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and with only one defector: North Korea. Yet as the world meets to review the treaty at the United Nations this month, discord among members is hindering the development of an effective plan. Of key importance...

Virtual Secretary Puts New Face on Pakistan

Mitra Kalita May 10, 2005
While offshore call centers have become more commonplace, one US company has pushed this booming business to a new level: The Resource Group employs a "virtual receptionist." Though stationed in Pakistan, she receives phone calls, welcomes guests (via front desk flat screen), and places lunch orders for the Washington office. Proud company managers boast, "We're able to...

Death by a Thousand Cuts

Immanuel Wallerstein May 9, 2005
The United States has long been the major power influencing Latin American politics and business, encouraging currency ties, controlling natural resources, and at times even helping to depose governments it no longer supports. But recently several small "cuts," as Imanuel Wallerstein writes, have undermined US control in the region. One example is the ouster of Ecuadorian President...