Global Challenges
Palestine’s exploitation of its refugees and use of children as human shields are among the most shameful practices in the Israel-Palestine conflict. ++ The international community has for years sustained these abuses: the …More
Analysts and scholars warn that the problems that the US faces in Afghanistan - continued insurgencies, opium production, a US army demoralized and drained of resources given the wars against Iraq and Afghanistan - will compromise …More
The war in Gaza is evidence that the current governance paradigm has failed the Palestinian people. ++ It is bizarre that a two-state solution continues to be advocated; “instead, we should look to a three-state approach, where Gaza …More
Last week’s UN climate conference at Poznan made it clearer than ever that 2009 will be a crucial year in sealing the fate of the planet. ++ The participants showed an egoism and lack of generosity which is particularly …More
To achieve low carbon emissions and green growth, an “eco- efficient, information technology-based approach” is needed. ++ The US believes that a 7% increase in broadband services will “reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.45m …More
No solution is in sight at the COP 14 talks. ++ “The line of division runs between the developed countries and the developing ones.” ++ Saudi-Arabia wants no reduction of oil consumption, while Pacific islands are in threat of …More
Van Jones: It’s time to bailout the American people, the planet and the economy. We need to create millions of new jobs that can’t be outsourced, wean the country off its dependence on foreign oil, take bold steps to address the climate crisis and make America an innovation leader again. …More
Energy independence would be a disaster for America. ++ Not buying oil from despotic regimes will not topple them. ++ If Obama moves towards real energy independence it would mean “$20 per gallon and true depression.” ++ Off-shore …More
Energy independence, a US policy from Nixon to Obama, “is not so much a mistake as it is a muddled concept and a red herring.” ++ Security is the reason for energy independence, yet bans on oil from Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, as with Iran, …More
Julia Galaski: The internationalization of surveillance is susceptible to abuse and cyberterrorism. A means of assessing the possible side effects of transatlantic data exchange is urgently needed. …More
A few months after the Mumbai terrorist attacks and in a climate of growing suspicion that Pakistani groups are responsible, India is still uncertain of how to respond. ++ The ramifications of the military option could stretch from a negative shift …More
Israel, America’s protegée, assigns positive value to the policy of the war on terror. ++ Israeli FM Livni has said the country is “part of the free world and fights extremism and terrorism […] you’re with us …More
Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and South Africa all voluntarily gave up nuclear stockpiles. ++ Pakistan should do the same. ++ The US should offer the Pakistani government the $100bn it has asked for over a 10 year period, along …More
Obama has given early signals that his policy towards Iran will not mark a breakaway from Bush. ++ The “carrot-and-stick” approach is likely to create international consensus for military action should Iran refuse to back down. …More
Julian Bertmann: The world’s nuclear heavyweights have a duty to lead the way in global nuclear disarmament. The Janus-faced behavior of the US, UK and France has paved the way for nuclear weaponry in other countries. …More
This week marks 30 years since China put into place measures to increase economic and political freedoms. ++ The latter have not been realized. ++ On the contrary, China’s judicial system in the years since has been “corrupt and …More
Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and South Africa all voluntarily gave up nuclear stockpiles. ++ Pakistan should do the same. ++ The US should offer the Pakistani government the $100bn it has asked for over a 10 year period, along …More
Interview with Amb. Zulfacar: One hundred thousand young Afghans with a high school diploma will not have a place at university in 2010. This is both a humanitarian catastrophe and a threat to security. The Afghan ambassador to Germany H. E. Maliha Zulfacar, speaks about the wishes, hopes and fears of the men and women of her country. …More
Germany is getting ready for a year rich in elections at every level, concluding with the September legislative duel between Chancellor Merkel and FM Steinmeier. ++ A recent survey places Merkel in the lead; however, the financial …More
Originating in the US, the economic recession has gradually affected all economies. ++ International responses vary from smooth European behavior, where the Bundesbank still plays a key role in shaping the ECB policies, to an aggressive …More
One of the conditions of Germany’s rescue package stating that salaries of top management ought to be limited to €500,000 a year found itself at the origin of several critiques. ++ Contested is the fact that “one cannot give the banks the …More
Julia Galaski: The internationalization of surveillance is susceptible to abuse and cyberterrorism. A means of assessing the possible side effects of transatlantic data exchange is urgently needed. …More
Having used the Internet with great success during his campaign, Obama has announced plans to build up the US’ Internet infrastructure to boost the economy. ++ The US only ranks 15th in the world in access to high-speed Internet. …More
Bankruptcy is the right path for Detroit car companies. ++ Under “Chapter 11” proceedings they will be able to continue and restructure production. ++ This will not undermine trust in American cars -the company executives of GM and …More
|
