Iraq Could Help Stabilize the Middle East
In the new year, hope springs eternal: while Iraq seems a looming disaster, there is at least the potential that US efforts there could help stabilize the Middle East. The key is to apply lessons learned in the reconstruction of Japan. All eyes are on Iraq’s upcoming...
In the Ukraine, Democracy Promotion Done Right
Promoting democracy in authoritarian regimes is now a central goal of US foreign policy. Yet Iraq, the test case, is not going well. Which is not a reason to abandon hope – democracy can be nurtured in even the most difficult places. First in Georgia, and now the...
Mexico Falls Down
In this year’s FDI Confidence Index, published by A.T. Kearney, Mexico’s ranking plummeted from the third most attractive destination for foreign direct investment – just behind the US and China – to 22nd place. Considering Mexico’s vibrant democracy and membership in...
Can Indonesia Bounce Back?
Of the Asian crisis economies, Indonesia has suffered the longest and rebounded most slowly. Last month’s free and peaceful elections firmly established the country – the world’s largest majority-Muslim state – as a functioning democracy. But can it bounce back to its...
Microsoft’s kimchi problem
Microsoft's success in the U.S. market is uncanny and ongoing. But in countries on opposite sides of the world, things sometimes go wrong for the wizards of Redmond. Brazilian authorities have announced plans to convert five federal government ministries from Windows...
Holding China Together: a Review
In their new book Holding China Together (Cambridge, 2004), Barry Naughton and Dali Yang assemble a formidable team of specialists to peer into the black box of Chinese politics. Herewith a review and the implications for China’s future. “Municipal officials in...
Forecasting the United States Election
The American Political Science Association, meeting in Chicago, assembled six of the world’s top scholars in the field of electoral studies to forecast the US presidential election. Their verdict? Bush, probably. The Panelists: Helmut Norpoth (SUNY Stony Brook) Brad...
Equatorial Guinea’s Unhealthy Attractions
Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, has just been arrested on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial where? “The United States has not posted an ambassador to Equatorial Guinea since...
Venezuela’s Sea of Unhappiness
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has survived a recall referendum and may well serve out the remainder of his term. Global oil prices dropped a bit on the prospect of stability. So all’s well in Venezuela? “Venezuela…is heading in the same direction, toward the same...
Maintaining Singapore’s Miracle
In a single generation, Singapore has leapt from dire poverty to become one of the richest countries on earth. This month Singapore has a new prime minister – only the third in its history. Can the miracle continue? 1 / Very Low / 0 – 10 percent 2 / Low / 10 – 25...