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Douglas Alexander, The Independent | March 12, 2010 Much progress has been made in the last decade in the area of international development, yet right now the developed world needs to re-affirm and strengthen its commitment to the Millenium Development Goals. ++ With enough effort, millions of people can be lifted out of poverty. ++ "The proportion of the world’s population living in poverty has fallen ...More

Sara Schonhardt, Asia Times | March 12, 2010 Indonesia is trying to determine whether to increase diplomatic engagement with the US in the run up to Pres. Obama’s visit on March 20. ++ The Asian country could be a good partner for the US as it has proved its commitment to both democracy and counter-terrorism measures in recent years. ++ US and China are both competing for access to ...More

Morris Goldstein | Institute for International Economics | March 2010 The financial crisis demonstrated that economic difficulties arise as a result of misguided financial as well as monetary policies. With the crisis a recent memory, the chances are good for tackling the root of the problem and reforming the old system, since both spheres are interconnected and hence need to be reformed in concert. For one, the formation of ...More

Nigel Purvis and Andrew Stevenson | German Marshall Fund | March 2010 Following the Copenhagen Accord, there is a danger that Europe and the United States will fall back upon old strategies in international climate politics and hope to see matters through with new patience. But the debacle at Copenhagen clearly showed that the European vision of a strong, top-down international regime for climate governance has failed to garner ...More

Daniel S. Hamilton et. al | Center for Transatlantic Relations | March 2010 The United States and Europe urgently need to reconsider their relationship. There is room for redefining and improving the nature of relations across the Atlantic. Both the United States and Europe should make use of existing opportunities to recast the transatlantic partnership. Action on the following ten topics would greatly strengthen transatlantic ...More

G. Klossa & J-F. Jamet | March 11, 2010 What used to be inconceivable, is today desirable and even essential. ++ As mentioned by the President of the EU, a European economic government should be the centre of all the EU efforts and attention for three reasons. ++ First, the crisis revealed the lack of coordination among national member states' economies; second, the failed Lisbon ...More

Christopher Dickey, Newsweek | March 11, 2010 Oil, far from the blessing it was expected to be, has failed to lift Iraq out of war and economic stagnation. ++ As demonstrated by high levels of corruption in many oil-exporting nations, overreliance on oil for economic growth can be problematic. ++ Iran also feels threatened by its neighbor's oil-production, which could have a destabilizing effect on Iraqi ...More

Roger Cohen, The New York Times | March 10, 2010 The Obama presidency has left many in Europe disappointed. ++ The post-Bush euphoria has slowly given way to the sobering reality that Europe is not high on Obama’s list of priorities. ++ “The great struggles of the Cold War, which bound Europe and the United States, did not mark Obama, whose intellect and priorities were shaped by ...More

Helen Clark, The Hindu | March 10, 2010 Empowering women in Asia is not only a requirement for basic human rights but also an economic asset in recovery form the global recession. ++ It remains the best way to lower the illiteracy, malnutrition and child mortality rates in the long term. ++ A first report reveals that failing to do so costs Asia "roughly the equivalent to the GDP of Viet Nam" per ...More

V. Rühe, K. Naumann, F. Elbe & U. Weisser | March 9, 2010 The time has finally come to invite Russia to join NATO. ++ “Trans-Atlantic security needs have changed fundamentally in the last two decades. The East-West confrontation has ended, and Moscow now shares many interests with NATO.” ++ In this context, the inclusion of Russia in the organization would mark the “logical consummation” of a ...More