In The News

A Strange American Election

Nayan Chanda October 10, 2016
The outcome of the US presidential race will influence world policies and markets, and the debates and many news reports command a global audience. Donald Trump, businessman and television celebrity, is running against Hillary Clinton, former US secretary of state and US senator. “Thanks to the unprecedented rise of an ignorant, blowhard reality TV star as one of the contestants, the world’s...

Asians Concerned by Extreme Comments of US Presidential Campaign

Satu Limaye and Robert Sutter October 4, 2016
US presidential candidates are promising new directions on trade relations with Asia. Varying levels of concern have emerged in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, suggests “America’s 2016 Election Debate on Asia Policy and Asian Reactions,” a report prepared by Robert Sutter and Satu Limaye for the East-West Center. The center promotes good relations and understanding between the United States...

Study: Decline of Traditional Media Feeds Polarization

Ricardo Gandour October 3, 2016
Most citizens have access to more community information than ever before, especially online. But the struggle of traditional news outlets, especially the community newspaper with declining budgets and staff members, contributes to fewer informed voters. “[P]eople today are exposed to news mixed with gossip, opinion, hot takes, and branded content, from a variety of sources but often through a...

End of the Road for the Non-Aligned Movement?

Harsh V. Pant September 29, 2016
The Non-Aligned Movement was formed in 1961 by developing nations as a buffer from the tangle of Cold War machinations and legacies of colonialism. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s prime minister at the time, was a co-founder of the movement, and non-alignment has since been an integral part of the nation’s foreign policy. But the outdated concept has become a platform for troubled states. The movement’...

US Presidential Debate Stirs Worries in Asia

September 27, 2016
The outcome of the US presidential election could shift global fortunes, and the first debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump revealed sharp contrasts. “Mr. Trump has drawn attention for challenges to the Asia security and trade architecture that has girded U.S. alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines for decades and more recently acted as a hedge against China’s...

The Growing Gap Between Town and Country

Ronald Brownstein September 26, 2016
The industrialized world is experiencing a growing divide between “diverse global cities” and the rural “places that feel left behind,” according to Ronald Brownstein of the Atlantic. Sadiq Khan, mayor of London and the first Muslim mayor of a major Western city, pointed this out during a visit to Chicago. Alongside Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Khan celebrated immigrants and increased opportunity...

Britain Approves Controversial Chinese-Financed Nuclear-Reactor, With a Catch

Griff Witte September 22, 2016
British Prime Minister Theresa May hesitantly agreed to a nuclear power plant, Britain’s first in decades, financed in part by China with a controlling stake by EDF, a French firm. May, who came to power after the Brexit referendum in June, and others in her staff have expressed concern that a large Chinese investment in British energy could leave Britain vulnerable should geostrategic interests...