In The News

Helping Those Devoured by the Dragon

Andreas Lorenz September 5, 2006
China’s economic boom has improved the lives of millions in its most prosperous cities, often at the expense of the environment, public health, and worker’s rights. A growing number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) help those left behind. Among their diverse causes, the groups fight for better working conditions, environmental protection, and an improved legal system. While even...

Van Gogh From the Sweatshop

Martin Paetsch August 29, 2006
A cottage industry of artists making cheap knockoffs of famous paintings transformed a Chinese village into an art factory. Estimates suggest that the suburb of Shenzhen’s community of 10,000 workers produce about 5 million works of art each year. The finished works head off to retailers around the world, from Wal-Mart to galleries. The studios even accept custom orders: Art buyers can request...

Japan's History Problem

G. John Ikenberry August 28, 2006
By not admitting errors during World War II, Japan remains isolated, with closest neighbors – China and South Korea – suspicious of its goals. With annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, the prime minister defiantly resists any remorse about Japan’s aggression more than sixty years ago. Ironically, Japan has won respect throughout the world for its constitution that emphasizes peace and...

Muslim Myopia

Irshad Manji August 25, 2006
Islamic scholar Irshad Manji does not dispute the claims laid out by mainstream British Muslims last week that the blunders in Iraq and Lebanon provide fuel for extremism. However, she also calls upon Muslim representatives in the West to be accountable for any of their own contributions to violence. Muslim-on-Muslim violence is endemic throughout the world, with Muslims responsible for as many...

In Europe, Universities Struggle to Compete and Adapt

Nicole Itano August 18, 2006
Publicly funded European universities can no longer compete with top schools in the US, yet angry students oppose proposals for reform. Increasing unemployment makes entry-level jobs for college graduates scarce. Because of limited funds available for university development, some nations implement fees to improve programs. However, most European students expect free tuition and resent the fees....

Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop: How Inevitable Is an Islamist Future?

Cameron Brown August 15, 2006
Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, observers have anticipated the next big Islamist takeover. Analyzing attempts at power grabs and current trends, Cameron Brown concludes that, in fact, democracy is proving the most effective way for Islamist groups to take control of state apparatus. For now, Islamist parties are the major opposition party in many states throughout the Middle East, and Brown...

Europe's Muslims: Economic Worries Top Concerns About Identity

August 11, 2006
Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the UK share worries about growing Islamic extremism, even though European Muslims as a whole tend to favor moderate Islam, according to a spring 2006 poll on immigration and identity, conducted by the Pew Research Foundation. The results follow a year that included bombings in London and Madrid and the riots sparked by Danish cartoons, but were released before...