In The News

Seeking Business, Cuomo Heads to Cuba With a New York Trade Delegation

Susanne Craig April 23, 2015
The announcement of plans to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism unleashed a flood of business interest. US Congress must approve lifting the full trade embargo, and business leaders could apply pressure to politicians who have long benefited from the divisions. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wasted no time, leading a 26-hour trip to Cuba with business leaders from JetBlue...

Spain Criticizes Greece on Russia

Andrew Rettman April 21, 2015
Struggling to repay its debt and asking for new terms, Greece is desperate for relief. In April, Spanish Prime Minister José Manuel García-Margallo criticized the decision of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, during a visit to Moscow, to denounce the sanctions and counter-sanctions between the EU and Russia. Greece is also on the defensive after a British newspaper suggested that Tspiras may...

President Obama Rebuilds Latin American Policy

Jim Wyss and Mimi Whitefield April 17, 2015
US President Barack Obama used the seventh Summit of the Americas to mend ties with neighbors to the south. He met with Cuban President Raúl Castro on reestablishing diplomatic ties, reports Jim Wyss and Mimi Whitefield for the Miami Herald. Shortly after the summit, the Obama administration announced dropping Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. The two nations broke off ties in...

South Africa: Xenophobia in South Africa - a Lack of Visionary Leadership

Ozias Tungwarara April 17, 2015
Xenophobia thrives in South Africa as is the case with much of the world. Citizens, especially those experiencing hard times, blame less fortunate foreigners, often from neighboring states, for poverty, crowded conditions, and crime. “In 2000 a major scenario exercise: ‘Southern Africa in 2020’ painted a grim picture of the southern Africa region in two decades, suggesting that only a new...

European Union Divided Over Greek Bailout

Chris Miller April 16, 2015
Fervent democracy at the national level is hampering monetary policymaking for the broader European Union in bringing quick end to the Greek debt crisis, explains Chris Miller, a Yale doctoral candidate and research associate at the Hoover Institution. Greek voters resent austerity measures imposed by the rest of Europe led by Germany, yet polls show that two thirds prefer staying in the eurozone...

Russia’s Turbulence Could Drive Sustainable Development

Anastasia Okorochkova April 14, 2015
Falling oil prices and western sanctions have led to hard economic times for Russians. But lingering economic crisis can also allow a country new opportunity to regroup and reform, innovating and transforming the economy. Paradoxically, the long-running crisis could drive Russia to end its reliance on export of fossil fuels and embrace sustainability. “To do so, Russia must mobilize its...

Have US Sanctions Against Venezuela Helped Maduro?

José R. Cárdenas April 13, 2015
The United States implemented human rights sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials in March. Initially, Latin Americans criticized this move because aggressive moves from Washington could allow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to rally his waning supporters. Although Maduro did seize another presidential victory, polls show that Maduro’s popularity has not improved as predicted. Unlike Hugo...