Does the UN Need a New Approach Toward North Korea?
The UN needs a new strategy to address human rights violations in North Korea: a strategy that goes beyond a simplistic dichotomy of good versus bad and right versus wrong.
Category: Global Challenges
What’s Wrong with Europe’s Silicon Valley?
Silicon Valley has become a synonym for innovation and, with its ecosystem of super-moneyed venture capitalists, it is world renowned as a hub for new products and software. Europe meanwhile has struggled to produce the likes of Facebook, Amazon or PayPal, or to garner the levels of investment for its startups. But could that be about to change?
The Threat of International Cyber Hacking
China and the US are entering a new and troubling phase of cybersecurity. The recent crash of North Korea’s internet network reveals just how inexperienced world leaders are in dealing with cyber conflict. It shows how one reckless act in the cyber realm can quickly devolve into a bigger international crisis. The confusion and ambiguity surrounding this sequence of events has left the US and China entangled in a high profile cybersecurity standoff.
ECB Opens Euro Fire Hose and Davos Highlights
The European Central Bank confirmed it would spend 1.1 trillion euros on asset-backed securities to fight deflationary trends throughout the Eurozone, while business leaders and politicians discussed economic trends at Davos.
The ECB announced Thursday that its program would aim at targeting deflation in the Eurozone, causing the euro to fall and European stocks to rise. Many rumors had suggested over 1 trillion euros would be committed to the program before the announcement.
Paris attacks reveal exclusion of French Muslims
While nothing excuses the terrorist killings in Paris, the French state can no longer turn a blind eye to the marginalization of Muslims. The French banlieues are becoming a breeding ground for jihadists.
Should China Expect Confrontational Policies from Washington?
In 2013, the Sino-US relations ended with concern over strategic mistrust. In 2014, bilateral relations were characterized by a sense of optimism. While bilateral trust may endure through the Obama era, challenges will ensue thereafter.
The renewed sense of strategic trust peaked in the U.N. climate talks in Lima, Peru, when President Obama and President Xi Jinping announced the new China-US climate change targets.
Has the Market Expectation Pendulum Swung as Far as it Can?
The investment climate has become more treacherous. Weak wage growth and disinflationary headwinds are making market participants question likelihood of a Fed rate hike around mid-year.
The Swiss National Bank’s jettisoning its prior strategy has thrown many investors off balance and less secure of their footholds. OPEC’s unwillingness to make room for a continued increase in US oil output has unleashed both powerful positive and negative forces.
The Impact of Oil on the US and European Economies
According to experts, the plunge in oil prices renews weaknesses within the already worrying global economy, which could shake up governments that depend largely on oil-based revenue. At the same time, reduced oil prices could provide benefits to consumers, giving individuals more money for other things and lowering corporate costs.
Are There Already Signs of an Impending Oil Crisis?
Low oil prices today may be setting the world up for an oil shortage as early as 2016. Today we have just 2% more crude oil supply than demand and the price of gasoline is under $2.00/gallon in Texas. If oil supply falls too far, we could see gasoline prices doubling within 18 months. For a commodity as critical to our standard of living as oil is, it only takes a small shortage to drive up the price.
Obesity is Weighing Down the World’s Economy
The issue of increasing obesity levels throughout the world is gaining weight as an economic issue. Today, approximately one third of the world’s population is obese or overweight. As a result, the plague of obesity is creating an economic drain that rivals issues such as smoking, and even armed conflicts, according to research conducted by McKinsey consultants.
