Scientific and technological progress will not, on their own, lead to improvements in the political realm. The economy cannot be effective if the political system is insufficiently free.
As economic crisis and burgeoning protectionist pressures demonstrate the urgency of strengthening trade rules, questions arise about the limitations of the World Trade Organization. The WTO needs to be reformed to be effective and remain relevant.
The financial crisis underscored the importance of the World Trade Organization in warding off protectionism, but as the WTO is increasingly bypassed in trade reform, questions arise about its role in world trade.
If the Yemeni central government cannot fully control its territory, violent extremists will have a space to regroup and launch new attacks. Yemen's problems potentially threaten the region and the international community.
The IMF is perceived to neither adequately reflect the needs of developing countries nor their rising weight in today’s globalized economy, sparking discussion on the need for comprehensive reform.
As the twentieth anniversary of the independence of the Central Asia states approaches, the international community's track record in Central Asia is mixed at best. The adoption of new strategies offers Western institutions a chance to achieve some measurable successes in the region.
The Algerian government’s response to the global economic crisis is an emergency package months overdue and unlikely to stimulate economic growth. Restrictions on foreign investment, imports and a complete ban on consumer credit will do little to support an already fragile Algerian economy.
Supported by solid import demand in Asia, worldwide stimulus measures, and a mild consumption recovery, global exports are rising from very low levels. However, questions about sustained growth in consumer demand still threaten the recovery.
As violence in the North Caucasus surges, Kremlin policies and its loyal, but brutal, local leaders have played a critical role in causing the situation.
Fears about Asia’s rise warrant a more balanced and critical look. China and India's international standing should not be overstated because both face serious economic and social constraints that will limit their growth.























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