In The News

The Diplomat: Australia Keeps TPP Alive

Anthony Fensom February 13, 2017
Leaders of Japan and the United States, the leading economies that had negotiated the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, announced plans to pursue stronger bilateral ties. “Importantly, the joint statement also allowed for Japan to continue pursuing the TPP, even after [Donald] Trump’s January 23 decision to withdraw,” reports Anthony Fensom for the Diplomat, adding that Japan has invested more...

Wired: The AI Threat – End of the Middle Class

Cade Metz February 12, 2017
Researchers of artificial intelligence recognize their work is capable of disrupting the global economy. Automation and computers have already supplanted many jobs that will never return. “In the US, the number of manufacturing jobs peaked in 1979 and has steadily decreased ever since,” explains Cade Metz for Wired. “At the same time, manufacturing has steadily increased, with the US now...

Times of India: Soothing Balm

Nayan Chanda February 11, 2017
The Trump administration has shown a pattern on foreign policy – blunt statements that upend long-held policies followed by members of his cabinet and other representatives hurrying to backtrack and reassure global partners. Before entering office, Donald Trump mentioned that the One-China policy might be a bargaining chip, annoying China, before walking that back. Analysts expect China to test...

Bloomberg: Trump Drops Taiwan Gambit, a Relief for China’s Xi and Asia

February 11, 2017
Shortly after being elected US president, Donald Trump toyed with the idea of discarding the longstanding One China policy, a move that would destabilize the Asia Pacific region. “Three weeks into his presidency, the threat to upend U.S. policy on Taiwan – a breakaway province in China’s eyes – is off the table,” reports Bloomberg News. “The White House said Trump agreed in a phone call Thursday...

Project Syndicate: ASEAN and the Rohingya Crisis

Syed Munir Khasru February 10, 2017
Muslim Rohingya communities lack citizen rights in Myanmar and are under military attack as well. “The United Nations considers the stateless Rohingya to be among the world’s most persecuted minorities,” writes Syed Munir Khasru for Project Syndicate. “Now, other countries in an otherwise stable region are becoming embroiled in the crisis; indeed, countries such as Bangladesh, Thailand, and...

Quartz: Critiquing Child Marriage Policies

Neha Thirani Bagri February 10, 2017
Regulating longstanding cultural traditions to protect individuals can ignite political backlash. Sheikh Hasina, prime minister of Bangladesh, strives to be a champion of women’s empowerment, but proposed legislation that would allow marriage for underage girls who become pregnant is under fire. “Critics say the bill would weaken the existing law and send the message to parents that child...

Brookings Institution: Global Identity for City Visibility

Greg Clark February 9, 2017
In an age when many nations are leaning toward isolationism, some cities are bucking the trend and becoming centers of global business, research, and higher education. Stockholm, San Diego and Barcelona in particular are three cities that exemplify successfully creating a “global identity,” notes Greg Clark for the Brookings Institution. By diversifying their economy, these cities have avoided...