In The News

Refugees in the MENA Region: What Geopolitical Consequences?

Barah Mikail August 7, 2013
Economic chaos, corruption and outright conflict in North Africa and the Middle East have triggered a new wave of refugees – some of whom travel and seek shelter as far away as Australia. More than 1.5 million may have fled just Syria, with another 2.5 million Syrians thought to be displaced inside the country. Failure to address the latest refugee crisis could present serious long-term security...

Iran’s Mounting Malaise

Jamsheed K. Choksy August 6, 2013
Iranians – frustrated by a flailing economy, compounded by rigid policies of a theocratic government and sanctions from the West that target the country’s nuclear program – expect reforms from President Hassan Rouhani. Iran confronts challenges that, if left unaddressed, will bring severe consequences at home and abroad, warns Jamsheed K. Choksy, professor of Iranian Studies at Indiana University...

The Detroit Syndrome

Sanjeev Sanyal July 25, 2013
Emerging economies are urbanizing at a brisk pace, and mid-level cities should take note of the lessons from the bankruptcy filing of what was once the fifth largest in the United States, suggests Sanjeev Sanyal, global strategist for Deutsche Bank. The internet and other technologies have spurred growth of urban centers, rather than diminished it as analysts once predicted. The young gravitate...

Why China Loves to Build Copycat Towns

Ruth Morris July 8, 2013
Theme parks referencing other lands and time periods can inspire dreams of travel or satisfy the wanderlust in others who can’t afford to make the voyages. As countries develop and the middle class expands, tourism promoters strive to provide an array of destinations close to home. The United States in the 20th century gave visitors a taste of history with theme parks like Epcot in Florida or the...

World Cup Benefits Outsiders, Say Brazil Protesters

James Montague July 4, 2013
Brazil has many soccer fans, but protesters are questioning the conventional wisdom that massive sporting events deliver widespread benefits for host nations. Instead, the ongoing Confederations Cup has set the stage for protests on Brazil’s cost of living, the poor quality of education and high transport costs. “The initial spark for the protests was a rise in bus fares in Sao Paulo,” reports...

Biggest Protests in 20 years Sweep Brazil

Todd Benson, Asher Levine July 3, 2013
"The people have awakened" is one slogan of the massive demonstrations underway in Brazil. About 200,000 demonstrators marched through the streets of Brazil's biggest cities, organized mostly through social media campaigns. Corruption, poor public services, rising prices and lackluster growth during the past two years are among the widespread complaints. While billions are spent on...

Mexico Eyes China as New Tequila Market

Wenqian Zhu June 26, 2013
A new challenge awaits Mexican tequila producers who want to export their product: studying the spirits, culture and customs of the Chinese upper middle class. China had long restricted imports of foreign liquors with more than 2 grams of methanol per liter, such as tequila, citing harmful health effects, but has since reversed that stance. During a visit to Mexico, Chinese President Xi Jinping...