In The News

Beijing: A Global Leader With 'China First' Policy

David Shambaugh June 29, 2010
Observers have long hoped for new openness and cooperation from a confident China. They scan every international event, from the majestic Beijing Olympics of summer 2008 to the recent G-20 summit in Toronto, for indications of China’s policy direction. If any clear trend is visible, it is that the world’s second largest economy largely continues with a narrow, fluctuating foreign-policy approach...

Growing Challenges of Energy and Environment – Part II

Olivier Cattaneo June 24, 2010
Reliance on carbon fuels varies wildly among developed and undeveloped countries. Nations that have yet to take action on limiting carbon emissions are not necessarily the globe’s major polluters. This two-part series examines government responses to transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and the second article describes US and European proposals to impose tariffs on nations that...

World Cup: The Symbol of a New Postcolonial World Order

Lyal White June 24, 2010
World order is not static in politics, economics, culture or sport. Lyal White, writing for the Mail & Guardian, analyzes the World Cup match between Portugal and Brazil, pointing out the shift in power between former colonial power and emerging power: “While Brazil is on the rise, Portugal is the latest European basket case teetering on the brink of default…. Today a reversal of colonial...

McChrystal Tests Obama’s Priorities

David Sanger June 23, 2010
Throughout history generals have griped about civilian commanders, as summarized by this New York Times article. But with the internet and instant global communication, such complaints do not remain secret long, exposed to colleagues and enemies alike. Any hint of insubordination or internal divisions adds to war’s complexity, dulling public support in the homeland and afar. Complaints by General...

Kyrgyzstan Falls Apart: Can Democracy Work in Central Asia?

Benjamin Bidder, Matthias Schepp June 22, 2010
Ethnic violence has swept through Kyrgyzstan, and an article in Der Spiegel suggests that the country could follow the path of other former Soviet satellites, abandoning plans for a democratic system of government. “Central Asia faces a dilemma,” write Benjamin Bidder and Matthias Schepp. “Democracy doesn't seem to work there, but the region's autocratic regimes run the risk of...

Growing Challenges of Energy and Environment – Part I

Susan Froetschel June 22, 2010
Emerging economies have joined developed nations in the wild scramble for energy, all taking greater risks in drilling for oil and gas supplies while largely shrugging about effects on climate, the environment or public health. Nations and corporations go to great lengths to explore and drill, but repairs are not so easy, as seen with a broken well gushing oil into the Gulf of Mexico since April...

Attention Whole Foods Shoppers

Robert Paarlberg June 21, 2010
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, more than a billion people, most living in developing countries were undernourished last year. In turn, the UN World Food Program identifies poor agricultural infrastructure as a root cause of hunger. Because of “buy local” campaigns in the West, interest has fallen among international donors to fund modern agriculture in developing nations...