In The News

The Global Trading System – What Went Wrong: CFR

Edward Alden May 29, 2019
The turn of this century saw promising and exceptional development in the global trading system with the World Trade Organization and many other multilateral trade agreements. But during the last decade, the loss of jobs due to automation and outsourced labor has led to nationalist, anti-globalization backlash and protectionist measures in many countries, including Europe and the United States....

Global Military Spending Booming: The Economist

May 27, 2019
Global military spending, now at US$1.8 trillion, is set to keep rising as superpowers like the United States and China upgrade their arsenals to respond to geopolitical tensions. The US budget expands, reaching 36 percent of the worldwide military expenditure in 2018. While China’s spending does not approach the exorbitant US numbers, it has risen rapidly under Xi Jinping, especially for the...

Blocking Hate Sites Makes Them Stronger? Time

Alex Krasodomski-Jones May 22, 2019
Mass killers who attack places of worship or schools often seek attention and announce plans on online. Anonymous internet message boards like 8chan include users who reinforce the extremism and incite hatred. After attacks, community leaders urge monitoring, censorship or site closure. That may draw more users to other provocative platforms. “Blocking access to these platforms would validate...

The New Space Race: Foreign Policy

Lara Seligman May 20, 2019
The rollout of Space Force as a separate branch of the US armed services has marked a renewed push for space dominance. Since then, Pentagon officials have been working toward the congressionally mandated deadline of 2022 to build an all-American rocket, powered by American-made engines. Current US rockets rely on Russian-manufactured RD-180 engines to send satellites into space, a remnant of the...

US Blacklists Huawei: Reuters

Sijia Jiang and Michael Martina May 16, 2019
The US president signed an executive order US firms from using telecommunications equipment made by firms deemed to pose a national security threat and placed Huawei and 70 affiliates on an exports blacklist. The moves could disrupt Huawei’s march toward 5G technology and “likely ban the firm from acquiring U.S. components and technology without government approval,” reports Reuters. The firm...

The Far Right and Women’s Rights: Independent

Maya Oppenheim May 15, 2019
Voters select candidates for many reasons including economic and security issues. Women make up the majority of registered voters in many nations, yet large numbers support candidates who display misogynistic streaks. Far-right candidates are gaining traction. “From the parliamentary gains of far-right populist parties in Europe to those authoritarian demagogues that have gained power at the...

Fold or Double Down in Trade Talks? New York Times

Chris Buckley and Steven Lee Myers May 13, 2019
Trade talks between China and the United States have abruptly been put on pause as Chinese President Xi Jinping backed away from previously agreed upon terms that would reform laws constraining US businesses in China. US President Donald Trump and trade representative Robert Lighthizer responded by insisting on their demands, stalemating negotiations that otherwise might have been concluded....