Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The developed world is eager to grab a slice of someone else's growth if they can't generate any of their own, with potentially negative repercussions for their relations with the developing world.
The prospects that the United States will find a solution for the fiscal cliff’s impending tax increases and spending cuts seem promising.
The head of the U.N.'s nuclear agency says he is close to signing an agreement with Iran which would allow inspectors to asses Iran's nuclear activities.
As concerns rise over a potential exit by Greece and a possible bailout for Spain, the eurozone remains in a very difficult predicament, with few good options for moving forward.
After extensive negotiations, Europe has agreed to a new bailout package for Greece, but the deal comes with new, strict conditions.
Despite delays, the Greek rescue package will almost certainly be approved in the coming days. Whether or not the deal will prove to be sustainable is a much more difficult question.
The chilling of the Arab Spring, Iran's nuclear program, Iraq after the U.S withdrawal, and the continuing European financial crisis are just some of the key issues facing the international community in 2012.
Like European leaders in their summit the week before, the G20 failed to put forward concrete steps that will resolve the European debt crisis and stabilize global financial markets.
The recent nuclear disaster in Japan has many people re-thinking the risks and benefits of nuclear energy. Germany took a bold stance two weeks ago when it pledged to shut down its nuclear reactors by 2022.
The enormous expansion of credit in Ireland and the sheer size of its building boom, which was accompanied by a very large loss of competitiveness, are at the center of the country's crisis today.