Think Again: 9/11
Juan Cole (FP) Sep/Oct 2006
The attacks on the United States were neither a clash of civilizations nor an unqualified success for al Qaeda. They were, however, a clash of policy that continues to this day. As al Qaeda struggles to strike again, the United States wrestles with a confused war on terror that won't end until Americans are forced to choose between Medicare and missiles.
The Day Nothing much Changed
William J. Dobson (FP) Sep/Oct 2006
We were told the world would never be the same. But did 9/11 actually change the state of global affairs? For all the sound and fury, the world looks much like it did on September 10.
All that glitters is too much gold: the IFC at 50
Bretton Woods Update No. 52 Sep/Oct 2006
Plus: Time to listen to Lesotho, Too much, too soon: IMF conditionality and inflation targeting, Bank anti-corruption framework, Tinkering at the edges of governance reform: IMF quota proposals, and more.
The Sons of the Fathers
Parag Khanna (Foreign Policy) Sep/Oct 2006
In many Middle Eastern countries, economic and political success hinges on succession. But are the men groomed to follow in their fathers’ footsteps as committed to reform as they seem?
Empires with Expiration Dates
Niall Ferguson (Foreign Policy) Sep/Oct 2006
Empires drive history. But the empires of the past 100 years were short lived, none surviving to see the dawn of the new century. Today, there are no empires, at least not officially. But that could soon change if the United States—or even China—embraces its imperial destiny. How can they avoid the fate of those who came before them?
Curing the Debt Addiction
NYT Oct 2, 2006
America's borrow-and-spend ways have juiced the global economy. But the resulting indebtedness makes the country vulnerable to protectionism.
Annual Meetings overview
IMF Survey Oct 2, 2006
Plus: IMFC communique; World Economic Outlook, chapters I, II, IV; Regional Economic Outlooks: Asia, Africa, Latin America; Low-income countries, high oil prices; Annual Meetings seminar program; Per Jacobsson lecture
China Ships The World
David A. Andelman (Forbes) Oct 2, 2006
The hottest destination, the biggest manufacturer. So the world's beating a path to its door.
Korean wins a UN vote
IHT Oct 3, 2006
South Korea's foreign minister, Ban Ki-Moon, cemented his position as the front-runner to succeed U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday, the only one of six candidates to escape a veto in an informal U.N. Security Council ballot.
'If the U.N. Cannot Be Trusted With Money . . .'
Bret Stephens (WSJ) Oct 3, 2006
Few people are better qualified to run the U.N. than Ashraf Ghani.
Optimism and Africa
Nicholas D. Kristof (NYT) Oct 3, 2006
One of the biggest challenges facing Africa today is the need for better governance, meaning both less corruption and better economic policies.
How to Fix the Global Economy
Joseph E. Stiglitz (NYT) Oct 3, 2006
For how long can the global economy endure America's enormous trade deficits or China's growing trade surplus of almost $500 million a day?
Valueless Bargaining Chips
Martin Krause (TCS Daily) Oct 3, 2006
The emerging economies of the G-20 are just as much at fault as the other parties for the collapse of Doha. Martin Krause suggests a way forward for them
Aid: Can It Work?
Nicholas Kristof (NYRB) Oct 5, 2006
The conundrum facing the rich countries is that everywhere in the developing world, and particularly in Africa, you see children dying for want of pennies, while it's equally obvious that aid often doesn't work very well.
Fresh Measures of Growth
By Alvino-Mario Fantini & Hugo Restall (WSJ) Oct 9, 2006
Getting beyond the conventional wisdom on Asian development.
As Price Slips, OPEC Moves Toward Production Cuts
NYT Oct 9, 2006
A consensus began to form among OPEC members over the weekend that the group should cut oil production to help stem recent declines in the price of oil.
Support Freedom in the Arab World
Radwan A. Masmoudi and Amr Hamzawy (WP) Oct 11, 2006
As Arab and Muslim intellectuals and activists concerned about the promotion of democracy in our region, we call on America and its president to reaffirm -- in words and actions -- its commitment to sustained democratic reform in the Arab world.
Doha Compromise Necessary By Springtime, Lamy Tells WTO Members
BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest - Vol. 10, Number 33 Oct 11, 2006
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy told Members on 10 October that they have not yet come forward with the significantly altered negotiating positions necessary to restart the stalled Doha Round trade talks. He said that they would have to do so "between November and springtime" in order to be able to strike an agreement in 2007.
GC: Members Endorse Recommendations On Aid For Trade, SVEs
BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest - Vol. 10, Number 33 Oct 11, 2006
Although the Doha Round negotiations remain at an impasse, WTO Members at the 10 October General Council meeting were able to agree to endorse the course of action set out in July by the Aid for Trade Task Force. Work on aid for trade will proceed separately from the troubled trade talks. Members also agreed on a set of recommendations aimed at making it easier for small and vulnerable economies to implement their WTO obligations.
Defying Gravity in the Emerging Markets
Desmond Lachman (AEI) Oct 13, 2006
The list of recent disturbing political news coming out of the emerging markets is impressive.
The Center Fails
Sebastian Mallaby (WP) Oct 15, 2006
With Mark Warner out of the 2008 Demstakes, the chief anti-Hillary centrist is Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana. This is a depressing commentary on the state of the Democratic Party. Bayh may have cleared his schedule to woo Warner supporters on Thursday. But he has yet to prove himself a real contender -- and he may not be a real centrist, either.
John Lipsky on IMF role
IMF Survey Oct 16, 2006
Plus: Liberia; Middle East outlook; Country briefs: Chile, Iceland; Ukraine reforms; Syria's oil crunch; Measuring sovereign risk; Maastricht inflation criterion; financial sector supervision; IMF bookstore; Nouriel Roubini
Paulson's China Victory
WSJ Oct 16, 2006
It's worth recounting that the trade deficit with China is not a threat to U.S. prosperity.
Wal-Mart Said to Be Acquiring Chain in China
NYT Oct 17, 2006
The company is laying the groundwork to become the biggest foreign chain in China with the purchase of a major retailer, according to people briefed on the deal.
Steeling Jobs
WSJ Oct 17, 2006
How anti-dumping duties are hurting American workers.
Washington Steels Itself for Protectionism
Sebastian Mallaby (WSJ) Oct 17, 2006
Evan Bayh's sellout to a self-serving lobby.
Chicago bulls
Economist Oct 18, 2006
A merger to create the world’s biggest exchange puts the wind up its rivals.
ACP, UK Anxious About EU Demands In EPA Talks
BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest - Vol. 10, Number 34 Oct 18, 2006
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has defended plans for new trade agreements with some of the world's poorest countries, in spite of increasing criticism of the EU's demands from its would-be partners, development campaign groups, and most recently from the UK government.
EU, India Move Towards Bilateral Trade Talks; Deny Threat To Doha
BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest - Vol. 10, Number 34 Oct 18, 2006
The EU and India have agreed to step up efforts towards a "broad-based" bilateral trade and investment pact, aiming to conclude a deal by 2009. The decision was announced at a 13 October EU-India leaders' summit in Helsinki.
Poor Countries Need Relief from the World Bank’s ‘Help’ on Malaria
Roger Bate (AEI) Oct 18, 2006
The World Bank should stick to its core mission of funding health systems and get out of the disease control business.
Why Beijing Resists Currency Flexibility
Desmond Lachman (AEI/FT) Oct 19, 2006
China's stubborn resistance to currency appreciation might have more to do with its political elite's desire not to rock the boat and to remain in power.
The Globalization Index
Paul Laudicina and Moisés Naím and David Bosco (Foreign Policy) Oct 19, 2006
A new report provides a scoreboard on globalization's winners and losers.
China Discovers Protectionism
Oct 23, 2006
. . . and starts to institutionalize it.
A new way to do business with China
IHT Oct 23, 2006
Europe can call for open markets in China and fair treatment for its businesses, but not from behind barriers of its own.
EU ends tariff threat on blank CDs
IHT/Bloomberg Oct 23, 2006
The European Union lifted a threat to impose tariffs on blank compact discs from China and Malaysia, marking the second victory this month for EU buyers of Asian consumer electronics over higher-cost European producers.
The Future of International Trade
AEI Oct 23, 2006
U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and others on the Doha round, the WTO, and the future of free trade.
Global ecosystems 'face collapse'
BBC Oct 24, 2006
Global consumption levels could lead to a large-scale ecosystem collapse by the middle of the century, a report warns.
Time Right for a US-Taiwan FTA?
Claude Barfield (AEI) Oct 24, 2006
With the collapse of the Doha trade negotiations, the United States has vowed to pursue alternatives with willing partners--particularly in the emerging economic powerhouse in East Asia.
A thriving Vietnam prepares to join WTO
IHT/NYT Oct 25, 2006
Nearly four decades ago, South Vietnamese leaders mapped out plans in the presidential palace here in what used to be known as Saigon. When they lost, the palace became the base for the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to impose tight Communist control.
Sanctions Don't Dent North Korea-China Trade
NYT Oct 27, 2006
At an isolated border crossing in Sanhe, China, no one seems to have noticed the recent U.N. sanctions against North Korea.
Africa Over A Barrel
WP Oct 28, 2006
In sub-Saharan Africa, the oil crisis is not a vexing 'cost crunch'; it is an unfolding catastrophe that could set back efforts to reduce poverty and promote economic development for years to come.
Chinese Shadows
WSJ Oct 30, 2006
Beijing takes some protectionist cues from Capitol Hill.
Asia’s Economic Size Needs Fairer Representation
Desmond Lachman (AEI) Oct 30, 2006
The IMF is now desperately seeking to restore its legitimacy with a radically recharged Asia by persuading on the merits of co-operating to address the large global payment imbalances.
U.K. fears disaster in climate change
IHT Oct 31, 2006
Britain warned Monday that failure to act on global warming will have a cataclysmic effect on the global economy.