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Matthew Slaughter, Dartmouth College | November 20, 2008 A bailout for the Big Three automotive companies could damage US engagement in the global economy. ++ Foreign investment and job insourcing would take a major hit, costing jobs and devaluing the dollar. ++ By expanding protectionist policies around the globe, the bailout would hinder US multinational businesses, including the Big Three auto-makers. ++ To keep ...More

Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times | November 20, 2008 Western oriented, business friendly, and governed by smart, young people, Georgia is a country on the rise. ++ NATO should not be her final resting place, though. ++ Georgia doesn’t meet NATO requirements for full control of its territory and a closer look reveals its media is like Russia’s: state run and laden with propaganda. ++ ...More

Emile Hokayem, The National | November 20, 2008 President-elect Obama has repeatedly stated that he is willing to open talks with Tehran. ++ Obama will continue to contain Iran through multilateral mechanisms as well as greater coordination with Arab allies, should Tehran decide to reject US overtures. ++ There are three options in dealing with Iran. ++ Obama could limit Iran’s engagement to issues of ...More

Carolin Emcke, Die Zeit (in German) | November 20, 2008 In view of the economic crisis that has rocked the international community, the G8 has lost its right to exist. ++ Emerging nations like India took part in the G20 summit, discussing new finance regulation structures. ++ G8 nations have to understand that in a world where the US economy is highly dependent on the Chinese market, the circle of key players has ...More

Simon Jenkins, The Guardian | November 20, 2008 The lessons, as well as the history of Iraq, have been ignored and are now being repeated in Afghanistan. ++ The US and the UK have only succeeded to “reduce what should be one of the world's richest countries to shambles.” ++ If there is one lesson from Iraq it is that “foreign expeditions undertaken in a spirit of jingoist revenge, with a ...More

David B. Rivkin Jr. & Lee A. Casey | November 19, 2008 The hijacking of a Saudi-owned oil tanker is unprecedented but only part of the recent, dramatic rise in piracy. ++ Capturing pirates in not a major problem, but due process makes dealing with captive pirates more complex than in the 1700s. ++ Universal jurisdiction should be applied in this case, allowing any state to try and punish pirates. ++ States should ...More

Henry Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury | November 19, 2008 By passing an economic rescue package, Congress intended to stabilize the banking system by “purchasing illiquid mortgages and mortgage-related securities.” ++ Rising unemployment, falling house prices and European economies in crisis have averted the desired outcome. ++ However, the next administration will have less trouble dealing with challenges ...More

Tariq Ali, Asia Times | November 19, 2008 Afghanistan has been at war for almost 30 years. ++ The possibility of US exit strategies hovers on the horizon but winning the war would require carpet-bombing of southern Afghanistan. ++ Many Afghans hostile to the Taliban still support the resistance. ++ The British ambassador to Kabul considers the war lost. ++ General Petraeus will not be able to work ...More

Editorial, The Economist | November 19, 2008 The largely unknown British oil industry was one of the largest in the world, but is now running dry. ++ The drilling platforms off the shore of Scotland gave Prime Minister Thatcher a one-time economic boost that funded her economic policies. ++ The possibility of an independent, oil-financed Scotland has not made oil popular in the UK. ++ Production has ...More

J. Pisani-Ferry, A. Sapir & J. v. Weizsäcker, Bruegel | November 18, 2008 To answer the G20’s calls for budgetary stimulus, Europe needs a three-part recovery program. ++ EU member states must pledge to equally share the burden of recovery. ++ Because many countries will exceed EU deficit limits, budgetary boosts need to be accompanied by an agreement to strengthen the EU’s fiscal framework. ++ Member states should make a ...More