China Note A Chinese Spy’s Extradition Is a ‘Rare Achievement’ in U.S. Counterespionage Benjamin Wilhelm Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018 For the first time, the U.S. government has successfully extradited a Chinese spy to stand trial on American soil. The extradition of Yanjun Xu from Belgium is a victory for the U.S. campaign against espionage by China and other foreign countries, but it further escalates tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Q&A Can Paraguay’s Dysfunctional Education System Be Reformed? The Editors Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018 The Paraguayan government, led by freshly sworn-in President Mario Abdo Benitez, announced the launch of a national dialogue on education reform last month. In an interview, Andrew Nickson explains why this process probably won’t spur the kinds of changes needed to improve Paraguay’s dysfunctional schools.
Q&A Can ‘Abiymania’ in Ethiopia Withstand the Threat of Ethnic Conflict? The Editors Monday, Oct. 15, 2018 Violence erupted outside the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa last month, as ethnic Oromo nationalists targeted minority groups. The clashes are a setback to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts at reform and reconciliation. In an interview, Terrence Lyons discusses the violence and Abiy’s leadership.
Africa Watch Mnangagwa’s Vision of a Booming Zimbabwe Seems to Be Going Bust Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has touted an ambitious economic agenda, but recent reports of crippling currency shortages, sky-high debt and long fuel lines paint a picture of a country in crisis. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
In Liberia’s ‘Missing Millions’ Scandal, Weah’s Credibility Is on the Line Robbie Corey-Boulet Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 The mystery surrounding $100 million that may or may not have gone missing in Liberia is now the biggest crisis of President George Weah’s first year in office. Conflicting statements have reinforced suspicions that politicians have been caught stealing and are trying to lie their way out of trouble.
Q&A Cuts to Waste Imports in East Asia Put Pressure on World’s Producers The Editors Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 Much of the world’s waste used to wind up in China and Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam. But recently, they have cracked down on imports of waste and recyclables. Derek Kellenberg explains how this may force the world’s major producers to finally reckon with the true social costs of waste.
China Note China’s Case Against Interpol’s Detained Chief Remains Murky Benjamin Wilhelm Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 When Meng Hongwei was elected president of Interpol in 2016, it was hailed in China as a sign of the country’s ability to lead international organizations. But he's now been detained over corruption allegations, a sign that China will stop at nothing to pursue those who fall out of favor with the Communist Party.
Q&A Why South Korea’s Liberal Government Isn’t Taking In Asylum-Seekers The Editors Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 Hundreds of Yemeni asylum-seekers found their way to the South Korean island of Jeju this summer, sparking protests. In an interview, Darcie Draudt discusses the history of refugees and asylum-seekers in South Korea and explains why even a liberal government has difficulty opening its doors to those in need.
Q&A Erdogan’s Visit to Berlin Shows the Transactional Nature of Turkish-German Relations The Editors Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018 Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s state visit to Berlin last month was billed as a sign of rapprochement between Germany and Turkey, but the reality is that the two nations need each other and are willing to work together on a transactional basis. In an interview, Lisel Hintz discusses the backdrop to Erdogan’s visit.
Q&A The Promise and Pitfalls of Hydropower Development Along the Mekong River The Editors Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 A dam collapse in Laos this summer has brought a renewed focus on hydroelectric dams in Southeast Asia. Such projects can generate power and revenue, but they also threaten food security and livelihoods of local communities. In an interview, Diana Suhardiman discusses the dams’ various tradeoffs.
The Fight Over U.S. Bases in Okinawa Hurts Local and National Interests in Japan Elliot Waldman Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018 Residents of Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture, recently elected Denny Tamaki as their eighth governor. Tamaki opposes a contentious plan to relocate part of a U.S. military base on Okinawa’s main island. All signs point toward a deepening standoff over the base, with wider implications for Japan.
Q&A How the ICJ’s Verdict Will Affect Chile and Bolivia’s Century-Old Sea Dispute The Editors Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018 On Oct. 1, the International Court of Justice announced its long-anticipated verdict in a case brought by landlocked Bolivia, which argued that Chile must negotiate over Bolivia’s territorial access to the Pacific Ocean. The ICJ ruled in Chile’s favor. In an interview, Christopher Sabatini discusses the ruling.
