In The News

Choices by US Voters Will Influence the World

Bruce Stokes March 17, 2016
The US primary season has slowly winnowed down the field of presidential candidates. “To date, the campaign debate has been dominated by multiple themes that could ultimately impact people outside the United States – trade, immigration and terrorism, to name just a few,” explains Bruce Stokes, director of global economic attitudes at the Pew Research Center. Hillary Clinton, former US secretary...

Australia Climate R&D Spending Cut Bad News for Asia Pacific Region

A. Barrie Pittock March 16, 2016
Climate change caused by burning fossil fuels developed over many years, and finding alternatives to fossil fuels and ways to stem the warming will take time, too. Governments strapped for cash are cutting research and may have to muddle through in dealing with more intense storms, floods, droughts as well as rising seas. Australia’s CEO of the Australian Scientific and Industrial Research...

Quietly, Symbolically, US Control of the Internet Just Ended

Maria Farrell March 16, 2016
Governments and Icann, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, reached an agreement to shift control over the internet from the US government to a global group of stakeholders, explains Maria Farrell, former Icann employee, for the Guardian. The organizers will downplay the shift. “When Icann was founded in 1998, the plan was to keep its anchoring contract with the US National...

Putin Withdrawing Russian Forces from Syria

Max Fisher March 15, 2016
Russia’s president surprised the world by announcing a withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria. Analysts are taking a wait-and-see approach after Russia’s previous announcement that it was tackling extremist groups in Syria and instead aided the Syrian government with attacks on US-backed rebel groups. Russia is expected to withdraw enough troops to pressure the al-Bassad regime into entering a...

Stay Just a Little Bit Longer

Elizabeth Redden March 14, 2016
Studies in science and math contribute to innovations and jobs. As of May 10, the United States will extend the time that international students enrolled in select degree programs in science, technology, engineer and math can remain in the country after graduation. “The new rule addresses a program known as optional practical training, or OPT, which permits international students to work in the U...

Bond Markets Reopen for Emerging Market Borrowers

Elaine Moore March 14, 2016
Emerging economies, including Brazil and Turkey, are returning to the international bond markets to refinance debt as low-cost global credit becomes available. “At the start of the year, emerging markets were gripped by a negative feedback loop as concerns about slowing growth left investors unwilling to lend and lack of lending reinforced concerns about growth,” reports Elaine Moore for...

Corruption Threatens Ukraine's Hard-Earned Freedom

Chris Miller March 14, 2016
The abrupt resignation of Ukraine’s respected minister of economy and trade, his refusal to “serve as a cover-up for covert corruption,” has triggered political crisis and an onslaught of recriminations about inept governance. More resignations may follow, and the crisis comes during a treacherous period as the West and Russia battle for influence over the country of 45 million. “Notably, the...