In The News

The Economics of Solar Power

Peter Lorenz June 26, 2008
The sun offers plenty of free energy for just about everyone on the planet. As oil prices rise, economists suggest that solar power, even unsubsidized, can pay for itself within a few years in the sunniest markets that already pay high prices for electricity. Unfortunately, because the world relied almost exclusively on fossil fuels in recent decades, the solar-power industry is in its infancy:...

Japan Poised to Be the Global Green Leader

Nathan Gardels June 26, 2008
Japan is not waiting for other counties to reduce carbon emissions or reliance on fossil fuels – and that firm commitment on environmental protection positions the country to take the lead at the G-8 summit in July. Japan has moved in many directions, developing many technologies to conserve energy. For instance, Japan’s companies design and manufacture the world’s most popular hybrid cars, and...

India’s Search for a Foreign Policy

Harsh V. Pant June 26, 2008
India remains deadlocked over a US-India civilian nuclear-energy pact. Delay dims prospects for final approval by either nation and reflects the Indian government’s general inability to establish a grand strategy for itself, with foreign-policy goals that set a direction for the country, argues Harsh V. Pant. In too many areas – Chinese border disputes, Maoists and other terrorists gaining...

In the Internet Age, a New Cultural Revolution: Chinese Fans Follow American TV Online – for Free

Laura Sydell June 25, 2008
The Chinese government does not allow US television shows on Chinese television networks. But that has not slowed their popularity and could even add to their allure. China has more people online than any other country, and citizens with internet access can download translated shows, available soon after the original broadcast. Volunteer translators provide Chinese subtitles including extra...

Obama Goes Soft on Free Trade

John Nichols June 24, 2008
American workers blame much of their recent economic hardships on free-trade agreements, focusing their enmity on the North American Free Trade Agreement in particular. Barack Obama has sought to harness this enmity in the past, criticizing NAFTA in an effort to court working-class voters during the primary battle with Hillary Clinton. Now that he has secured the Democratic presidential...

On the Campaign Trail

June 24, 2008
Whatever the result of November’s election, most observers expect the next US president to be more science-friendly than George W. Bush. Both Barack Obama and John McCain are expected to repeal Bush’s curbs on stem-cell research and step up the fight against climate change. Of course, the two men differ on some details of science-related issues. The most important test of the candidates is not a...

Waiting For Obama: The First Global Election

Derek Shearer June 23, 2008
With the George W. Bush presidency coming to a close, global observers anticipate greater international engagement from the US. Students in countries like Syria, Peru and Bolivia are particularly amazed that the US voters might possibly select minority Barack Obama, whose father was an immigrant and whose name is not traditionally European, explains Derek Shearer, a former ambassador to Finland...