Category: Global Challenges

The Southeast Asia IS Threat Looms Large


Terrorism is not a new phenomenon in Southeast Asia, but goes as far back as the era of anti-colonial struggle. It gathered pace after September 11 with a series of attacks perpetrated mostly by the Al-Qaeda linked organisation Jemaah Islamiyah. Terrorism continues to pose a threat to Southeast Asian societies, as demonstrated by the recent attacks in Jakarta and the southern Philippines by groups inspired by the so-called Islamic State (IS).

The threat from IS to Southeast Asia takes three forms.

World Bank and IMF Team Up on Issue of Carbon Pricing


The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have teamed up to address the issue of climate change. Their latest plan involves using economic leverage in harmony with the technical assistance of private organizations to effect changes that the United Nations simply cannot achieve on its own.

Nations around the world have begun to sign the Paris agreement on climate change. The Paris agreement was an initiative led by the United Nations by which the nations of the world are supposed to reduce their respective emissions of greenhouse gases.

The U.S.’s Role in Asia Could Be ‘Trumped’


In the capitals of America’s Asian allies, two phenomena are combining to intensify already uneasy relations with Washington. The first is China’s continued assertiveness in the South China Sea. Beijing’s militarisation of these contested territories — transforming rocks and reefs into artificial islands with runways and radars — has driven already close US allies more tightly into the American embrace.

Credit Agency Criticism Continues in the Wake of China’s Downgrade


In March, the leading credit agencies cut their outlook for China’s sovereign credit rating from stable to negative. If the decision was warranted, it may also be time to reassess the current ratings of most advanced economies and accelerate global ratings reforms.

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgrade followed a similar measure earlier in March by Moody’s, another major ratings agency. S&P did maintain the rating AA-, adding that China’s reform agenda is on track, though likely to proceed more slowly than expected.

OECD Schedules Meeting to Discuss “Joint Action” Regarding Panama Papers


The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced last week that it will assemble tax officials from its various member nations to discuss ways that governments can learn and improve policies in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal.

The OECD nations will attempt to find ways to share information and analyze the data flowing from the Panama Papers investigation to tighten up their own tax laws and to prevent the type of sheltering that is alleged to have occurred in Panama.

Terrorists Play the (Corporate) Shell Game


The Panama Papers have exposed the largest financial crime scandal of our lifetimes. However, what has been uncovered by the Panama Papers is much more dangerous than simply greed and corruption.

For those of you who have been hiding under a rock, the Panama Papers are over 11 million documents leaked from Mossack Fonseca, one of the largest law firms in the world specializing in offshore accounts and incorporation of shell companies.

Is China the Missing INF Treaty Ingredient?


Russia’s apparent and recent violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty suggests it may be time for Russia and the United States to make the Treaty multilateral — and, most importantly, include China.

Along with the Bad, Maybe Some Good will come from the Panama Papers


In every crisis, there lies an opportunity. In addition, that applies even to a crisis as large and potentially scandalous as that revealed by the so-called Panama Papers.  Over the coming days and weeks, the financial behaviour of many rich, powerful and influential individuals will come under the microscope. There will be accusations of hypocrisy – and much embarrassment.

However, some of those influential individuals have the opportunity to grasp the nettle and push for more transparency in the world’s dark financial corners.

World Bank: Creating 100,000 Jobs for Displaced Syrian Refugees in Jordan


The conflict in the Middle East has displaced millions, cost the world economy billions, and taken thousands of lives. While most of the solutions to these problems suggested in the media tend to focus on military action, the World Bank is taking steps to deal with the aftermath of these conflicts.

Interest Groups Press OECD about Corporate Settlements in Corruption Cases


The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is preparing to meet in Paris on Wednesday, and anti-corruption groups have taken the opportunity to raise their concerns.