In The News

Foreign Affairs: How Xi Jinping Views the World

Kevin Rudd May 31, 2018
Chinese President Xi Jinping is prominent among world leaders because of the size and continued growth of the Chinese economy as well as the nation’s military presence, role in development, and regional interests. Writing for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd describes Xi’s interests as seven concentric circles: His primary goal is keeping the Chinese Communist Party in power for the long term, making...

NewsChina: Stopping the Pollution Pipeline

May 30, 2018
Pollution, destroying quality of life for many communities in China, is the source of numerous public complaints. In response, China has started environmental inspections nationwide and cracks down on violators. After two rounds of inspections since 2016, about 29,000 companies were fined with more than 1,500 people charged. Inspection results are included in job-performance reviews, and more...

Washington Post: Cruel US Immigration Policies

Paul Waldman May 30, 2018
The US since its founding flourished with the help of immigrants fleeing persecution, poverty and conflict. Supporters of US President Donald Trump view the vulnerable newcomers as competitors for jobs and a threat to a way of life. The administration aims to tighten border controls and deter immigration with harsh rhetoric and policies – including separating parents from children. “The cruelty...

BBC: Italy Political Crisis Hits Stock Markets

May 29, 2018
Italy is in political upheaval three months after the election and protracted negotiations between Five Star and League, two parties combined that won 50 percent of the vote. President Sergio Mattarella “vetoed their choice of a eurosceptic economy minister, and appointed former International Monetary Fund official Carlo Cottarelli as interim prime minister with the task of trying to form a...

The Guardian: Imprisoned, Threatened, Silenced: Human Rights Workers in Asia

Andrew Gilmour May 29, 2018
Human rights and civil society representatives across the Asian continent face increased repression and government scrutiny in recent months. As UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour observes for the Guardian, “advocates the world over are increasingly threatened, attacked and silenced. The message is clear. No one is immune and many advocates across the region will be...

BBC: Why Humans Need Stories

David Robson May 28, 2018
Stories provide lessons for people to understand one another and their world. Some stories are region-specific, and the most popular tales can fascinate audiences around the world over the course of centuries – whether the cave paintings in France from 30,000 years ago or the Epic of Gilgamesh engraved on tablets 4,000 years ago in Babylonia. Scholars offer theories on why some themes – escapism...

Time: False Promises of Protectionism

Dambisa Moyo May 24, 2018
Critics of globalization insist its policies benefit only a few. Yet “full globalization” may not have been given a fair chance as governments embrace weak models. International economist and author Dambisa Moyo points to three consequences of isolationist trends: First, businesses pursue local models, and relevance of global financial centers will decline, with reduced access to global capital...