Global Challenges
Can the Ebola Crisis Force a Change in Economic Growth Metrics?
If ever we wanted a reminder of how global capitalism has got things wrong, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa serves the purpose well. Our assumption that economic growth is essential is not only a feature of markets and politics,...
Promises of High-Level Talks on Korean Reunification
Disasters and political scandals dominated South Korean politics in 2014. And hopes for progress on North–South relations on the Korean peninsula were left unfulfilled. Disasters and political scandals dominated South Korean politics in 2014. And hopes for progress on North–South...
How Accurate was Western Media’s Coverage of the Hong Kong Protests?
For the West, democracy is not only a core value but also represents the best possible form of government for all nations. This notion determined how the Western media perceived, interpreted and covered events in the 2014 Hong Kong protest....
Kazakhstan: Measuring the Northern Aral’s Comeback
The water level continues to rise in the Northern Aral Sea thanks to the Kokaral Dam and 13-kilometer dike at the southern edge of the recovering lake. As the northern part of the Aral Sea, once the world’s fourth-largest lake,...
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. The UN needs a new strategy to address human rights...
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...
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...
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. While nothing excuses the terrorist killings in...
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...
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...
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...
Conspiracy Theories and the Price of Oil
The oil price drop that has dominated the headlines in recent weeks has been framed almost exclusively in terms of oil market economics, with most media outlets blaming Saudi Arabia, through its OPEC Trojan horse, for driving down the price,...
China’s Coast Guard – Smooth Sailing or Rough Seas for its Neighbors?
The establishment of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in 2013 created a huge stir. Neighbouring countries may see the CCG as a major instrument for China to reconfigure maritime power structure in the region. The establishment of the China Coast...
Russia, Juncker’s Investment Scheme and Greece
Russia's woes have not been sufficient to spur a change in behavior from Putin. His press conference today was strident, blaming the US and EU for undermining Russia. He blames foreign influences driving down the rouble. The EU will impose...
Data Show an Alarming Drop in Highly Skilled Immigrants to the U.S.
The United States has always been known as a nation of immigrants and a top destination for scientists and other highly skilled professionals. That ability to attract the world’s most educated and innovative people to its shores has often been...
