In The News

Is America Losing At Globalization?

Daniel Gross September 4, 2008
Countries compete, and in the modern era, economics, education and innovation matter no less than military might. With a strong education program and many life-changing inventions, the US mastered globalization throughout the 20th century. But complacency set in, respect for science and education fell, and the growth that comes from innovation has waned. Other countries have caught up and even...

Internet Traffic Begins to Bypass the US

John Markoff September 4, 2008
The internet, invented by US scientists, has no central point of control. More users are emerging beyond US borders and shaping the system: The US has less than 5 percent of the world’s population, but is responsible for about 25 percent of all internet traffic while Asia represents about 40 percent of all internet traffic. As a result, more internet data flow outside the US, explains John...

America and the World Into a New Era – Part II

Shada Islam September 4, 2008
One of the goals of the Treaty on European Union, signed in 1992, was for the continent “to assert its identity on the international scene, in particular through the implementation of a common foreign and security policy including the eventual framing of a common defence policy, which might in time lead to a common defence.” At the time, many anticipated Europe to continue a strong and enduring...

China Cannot Back Russia in Georgia Crisis: Analysts

September 3, 2008
For international and domestic affairs, China firmly holds to the principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China’s insistence that Tibet and Taiwan are part of China parallels Georgian insistence that South Ossetia and Abkhazia belong to Georgia. But the Chinese government has not stepped forward to rally behind Georgia and the West in criticizing Russia, reports the news...

Don't Go There

Elizabeth Becker September 3, 2008
In an increasingly crowded world, travelers find it more difficult to find remote and natural settings. “Thanks to globalization and cheap transportation, there aren't many places where you can travel today to avoid the masses of adventure or relaxation-seekers who seem to alight at every conceivable site,” writes Elizabeth Becker for the Washington Post. The industrial nature of modern...

The Hypocrisy Audit

Moisés Naím September 2, 2008
In a fast-changing and complicated world with countless connections, double standards are inevitable. But the countries on the losing side of such standards take quick note and protest loudly. The excuse that the world is messy and different situations call for different reactions is quickly adopted by other nations, while orderly international standards fall by the wayside. “Not all double...

How the Georgia Conflict Impacts US-Russian Relations

Thomas R. Pickering September 2, 2008
Two provinces hoping to break away from Georgia and Russia’s subsequent attack and occupation has raised concerns in the US about Russian motivations for expansion. For US-Russian relations, the conflict will distract from all other issues, including joint efforts to stem nuclear proliferation, cooperation on Iran and trade. As with most other issues, the US is divided on how to best handle the...