In The News

Brexit Is a Cultural Revolution: Atlantic

Yascha Mounk October 27, 2019
Boris Johnson’s Brexit withdrawal agreement, similar to one proposed by former Prime Minister Theresa May, won approval in the House of Commons. Members of parliament who feared Britain would lose influence with May’s plan have higher expectations for a similar plan proposed by Boris Johnson. “The next weeks still hold a lot of uncertainty; from new elections to a no-deal Brexit, all options...

Educate Afghan Youth to Ensure Peace: NYT

Roya Mahboob October 20, 2019
International aid for Afghanistan funds programs that strengthen democracy, while improving health and education systems. The young country, with a median population of 25 and a population of 35 million, struggles with poverty, extremism, political divisions and large numbers of children going uneducated. The World Bank estimated the per capita income at $560. “Human rights groups continue to...

China at 70: Dawn

October 2, 2019
The People’s Republic of China is celebrating its 70th birthday. The nation emerged during an “era of ideological zeal, when the socialist and capitalist blocs were locked in a global battle for influence,” explains an editorial in Pakistan’s Dawn, and its growth miracle started in earnest once Deng Xiaoping opened up the economy and loosened communist ideology. Today, President Xi Jinping has...

Stateless People in Asia: DW

Rodion Ebbighausen September 27, 2019
Governments block citizenship for people whose families have lived in regions for multiple generations. India published a National Register of Citizens listing 31 million people in Assam province; those not on the list are considered migrants. “Any applicant unable to prove that they lived in the state before the March 24, 1971 deadline was considered to have ‘doubtful’ status,” reports Rodion...

Destinations for Migrants: OECD

September 19, 2019
Migration was up 2 percent for OECD countries in 2018, with 5.3 million new permanent migrants. European OECD nations combined receive the most permanent migrants; the United States is the top destination followed by Germany. Asylum seekers have declined, and most are from Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Venezuela. Countries continue to adjust migration procedures, with caps and ceilings, preference...

Out of Style: All Animals

Karen E. Lange September 15, 2019
Fur no longer symbolizes glamour or high fashion, but cruelty and ignorance. Still, more than 100 million wolves, minks, foxes and other wild animals are killed for their skins each year – with more than 80 percent confined to cages on factory farms. The industry touts animal welfare guidelines, but biologists insist raising wild animals in small cages is never humane. China, the United States,...

Armed Conflict Possible in Europe? Spiegel

Dirk Kurbjuweit September 6, 2019
The rise of antagonistic nationalism triggered World War II – and a wake of destruction with more than 60 million dead worldwide. Fears emerge that another wave of nationalism, with disregard for minorities and democratic institutions and emphasis on competition, could put an end to 75 relatively peaceful years. Writing for Spiegel Online, Dirk Kurbjuweit summarizes the events leading to the...