In The News

Rise of a Deadly TB Reveals a Global System in Crisis

Lawrence K. Altman March 20, 2007
A new form of tuberculosis so resistant to antibiotics that doctors label it as “incurable” has emerged in South Africa – and could also be present in China, Russia and India. “The recipe for spreading the disease is the same throughout the world: inappropriate use of antibiotics,” writes physician Lawrence Altman for “The New York Times.” Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics when the drugs...

Child Labor: The Cause Can Also be a Cure

Susan Ariel Aaronson March 13, 2007
Pressure of globalization has led to child trafficking and forced labor. Similar global pressure from public opinion can also put an end to the practice. Five years ago, reports emerged about small groups of children being trafficked and forced to pick cacao beans – the main ingredient for chocolate – in West African plantations. Outraged US officials, industry groups and activists organized the...

Future of the World Court in Balance

Nick Grono March 7, 2007
A treaty among 104 countries formed the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate atrocities of international concern that go uninvestigated by national court systems. Most of the world agrees that such atrocities, labeled by the US as genocide, have occurred in the impoverished Darfur region of western Sudan since 2003. After rebel activity in the region, the Sudanese government and...

Africa and the Winds of Globalization

Okechukwu Emeh March 1, 2007
Africa is often described as a victim of globalization. However, analyst Okechukwu Emeh argues that the continent’s developing states can join together to make the process work in their favor. On the theory that a rising tide lifts all boats, incorporating African industries into global markets can improve everyone’s level of wealth. Imports of gadgets, modes of organization and “neo-liberal...

On a Dilemma in the Horn

February 27, 2007
Ethiopia's quality-of-life indicators have improved in recent years, but poverty remains at crushing levels. Meles Zenawi's government has become increasingly intolerant of opposition, arresting dissidents, closing newspapers and websites. Human-rights advocates in the EU and US, including some in the US Congress, pressure their governments to cut aid to the regime. The US Pentagon,...

Help Not Wanted

Moisés Naím February 15, 2007
China is stepping up in delivering foreign aid to impoverished African nations, but that is not good news for all Africans. “It is development assistance that is nondemocratic in origin and nontransparent in practice, and its effect is typically to stifle real progress while hurting ordinary citizens,” charges Moisés Naím, editor of “Foreign Policy” magazine. Some donors distribute billions, with...

America in Africa: Addressing a Mix of Islam and Oil

Ricardo Rene Laremont February 6, 2007
Amidst the lingering turbulence in the Middle East, US policymakers look to Africa as an alternative source of petroleum. Washington has launched military training operations in a number of African nations in an effort to combat Islamic terrorism and secure oil supplies. While there is no doubt that such military investments are necessary in the post-9/11 world, Ricardo Rene Laremont expresses...