In The News

Spiegel Online: Netherlands Dispute Gives Turkey Perfect Election Fodder

Maximilian Popp March 13, 2017
Politicians find it useful to stir up nationalism and anger inside their own country and outside prior to elections. “Turkish voters are slated to cast ballots on April 16 on the introduction of a presidential system that would transfer virtually all power in the country to the president,” explains Maximilian Popp. “But Erdogan has had a tough time persuading voters of the need for these reforms...

The Guardian: “We Are International, We Are Everywhere” - Women Unite in Global Strike

Alexandra Topping and Molly Redden March 9, 2017
Women in more than 50 nations celebrated International Women’s Day by donning red or black, going on strike from work or school, donating to programs that support women’s issues, meeting for discussions about women’s issues, or patronizing businesses owned by women. “From Thailand to Poland, the United States to Australia, the first International Women’s Strike will see action on both the...

Yonhap News: South Korea Mulls Projects to Help North Koreans Access Outside Information

March 2, 2017
South Korea is ranked the world’s 11th largest economy while its neighbor to the north, isolated and poor, does not rank among the top 100. The free flow of information and news contributes to economic growth and development, and South Korea is making plans for a foundation to improve human rights in North Korea and push projects that help North Koreans access outside information. But activists...

Spiegel: Germany Prepares for Coming Tax Battle

Christian Reiermann February 15, 2017
The United States and the United Kingdom – intent on attracting foreign investment and jobs – may “begin stretching, undermining or completely redefining the internationally established tax framework,” reports Christian Reiermann for Spiegel Online. Finance ministers of the world’s 20 largest economies meet in March, and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble wants to lead a fight against tax...

Times of India: Soothing Balm

Nayan Chanda February 11, 2017
The Trump administration has shown a pattern on foreign policy – blunt statements that upend long-held policies followed by members of his cabinet and other representatives hurrying to backtrack and reassure global partners. Before entering office, Donald Trump mentioned that the One-China policy might be a bargaining chip, annoying China, before walking that back. Analysts expect China to test...

Bloomberg: Trump Drops Taiwan Gambit, a Relief for China’s Xi and Asia

February 11, 2017
Shortly after being elected US president, Donald Trump toyed with the idea of discarding the longstanding One China policy, a move that would destabilize the Asia Pacific region. “Three weeks into his presidency, the threat to upend U.S. policy on Taiwan – a breakaway province in China’s eyes – is off the table,” reports Bloomberg News. “The White House said Trump agreed in a phone call Thursday...

Forbes: China Treads Its Way to Global Governance

Shaheli Das February 9, 2017
China is ready to set the terms for global governance as US political leaders show less inclination to support global institutions. “Beijing advocates that the country follows international rules, but these rules were formulated about half a century ago with little participation of China and that global governance norms must be modified with changing times,” explains Shaheli Das for Forbes. “...