In The News

All Eyes on Africa

J. Peter Pham August 14, 2014
Disturbing news out of Africa, whether about extremist Boko Haram or the outbreak of Ebola, are aberrations for a young continent eager to grow and innovate. Like China and Europe, the United States is ready to court Africa as signaled by the first US-Africa Leaders Summit, explains J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council. “The summit itself underscores the broad...

An Opportunity That India Let Go

Nayan Chanda August 11, 2014
India may have missed a rare opportunity to reform an antiquated program of agriculture subsidies with the support of the World Trade Organization. The newly installed Modi administration also signaled to the global business community that the country may not be ready for serious reform. “By standing alone against all, including its partners in BRICS, the G-20 and G-33, and threatening to scuttle...

An Interview With the US President

August 8, 2014
Multiple powers, including China and the United States, will contribute to ongoing economic development in Africa, suggests US President Barack Obama. Editors with the Economist interviewed Obama just before the US summit with African heads of state and business leaders in Washington, and he offers insights on US relations with emerging economies: ASEAN nations do not want to choose between China...

The World Cannot Afford a Cold War

Nayan Chanda August 4, 2014
Europe and the United States regard Russia as a pariah since the downing of a Malaysian passenger airliner and support of insurgents in eastern Ukraine. A new Cold War could be in the making: “Far from the ideological struggle between two nuclear-armed rivals of the last century, it would represent a battle of political will between a democratic alliance of 28 European countries and the US on one...

Indian Objections Sink WTO Deal

Shawn Donnan and Amy Kazmin August 1, 2014
India has blocked a massive World Trade Organization deal designed to reduce subsidies for agriculture goods, thus boosting trade for the world’s poorest nations. WTO decisions require consensus of all members. The deadlock after years of negotiation risks “plunging the body back into a crisis of credibility,” report Shawn Donnan and Amy Kazmin for the Financial Times. Many trade observers...

In China Meat Scandal, McDonald's Japan Switches to Thai Chicken, No Nuggets in Hong Kong

July 28, 2014
The reputation of any multinational corporation relies on the integrity of its suppliers. Reports of shadiness from one company can reduce business for an industry or nation, and food suppliers are especially susceptible to negative reports. Food giant McDonald’s Corp. suspended sales of chicken nuggets in Hong Kong, and the company’s Japanese arm has halted imports of all chicken products from...

Success of Chinese Reform Is Key to BRICS’ Rise

Pankaj Mishra July 25, 2014
International organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund balk at including Asian representatives in leadership positons. China therefore seeks to lead another global system formed by top developing nations known as BRICS. “It is also understandable why China’s poor and often resentful BRICS cousins are willing to assist its global self-assertion,” writes Pankaj Mishra,...