Young Professionals in Foreign Policy - -Global-

Current Financial Crisis : Are Asian economies de-linked or not?

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:09:56 -0800

The current financial crisis has significantly impacted Asia. Not surprisingly, this weekend, its not a G-8 meeting, but a G-20 meeting, including India, China and Brazil.

Before the crisis erupted, India and China were being touted as the new "dream economies." For a while after the magnitude of the crisis started becoming evident, the economies of both countries showed some resilience, prompting commentators in Asia to point out the de-linkage in the global economy. "De-linkage" refers to a strain of thought that argues that the fate of the global economy, especially the Asian economies, is no longer inextricably linked to that of the U.S. economy.

The Slippery Slope of Rational Inaction

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:43:16 -0700

THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF RATIONAL INACTION: Resolution 1540 and the Tragedy of the
Commons

This article explores the challenges of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540 through the prism of the ‘‘tragedy of the commons.’’ Because implementing 1540 requires a significant investment of time and resources, the decision by states not to implement the resolution is a rational inaction for each individual state driven by self interest to maximize private gains. However, this ultimately leads to collective irrationality and the destruction of the public good, i.e., common security, leaving every state worse off.

The Great Illusion: Paul Krugman

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:50:38 -0700

While reading about the recent crisis in South Ossetia, Paul Krugman wondered if the second wave of globalization will share the fate of the first: world war. A world in which the US isn't the only military force, argues Krugman, is a dangerous one. Russia has proven itself willing to use gas as a political weapon, and China, emboldened by Russia's example, might invade Taiwan. These nationalism-powered conflicts threaten the stability of our globalized world.

I'm skeptical.

Ambassadors: Career Diplomats vs. Political Appointees

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:36:06 -0700

Here’s a good article by Barbara Bodine, former US Ambassador to Yemen and director of the Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative at Princeton University. She argues that the next president should stop the practice of filling over 30% of ambassadorships with presidential appointees, those loyal to the party or to campaigns. The positions should instead be filled by career diplomats. I think her article makes some good points but I would also add a few things:

YPFP at Wilton Park, UK

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:40:12 -0700

WILTON PARK, UK—My introduction to London was four hours spent in the Gatwick airport, with a splitting headache, no Starbucks in sight (I was in the wrong terminal for that), and in a pair of shoes that I’ll never wear to travel again. It was 3 AM on my body’s clock, so I sipped on a sub-par latte, wishing desperately I had a British accent and all the sophistication it implies, and prepared myself for the week ahead by browsing the latest Economist. I had intended to read it on the plane, as well as a whole stack of intellectual material, but the screaming infant in front of me had other plans for our seven hours together.

NEXT AMERICA POSTING: Careful What You Wish For

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:20:21 -0700

Check out the debate over Energy Independence at Next America!

Is Energy Independence A Myth or the Right Goal for America to Pursue?

YPFP members should definitely contribute to this fascinating discussion. Here's my response to the commentary from their website:

While energy independence is a powerful rhetorical concept, and energy security is an important strategic objective, neither phrase has very much to do with reality. It is essential for the health of our economy, the welfare of our citizens, the safety of our environment and the independence of our foreign policy that we recognize we are indeed in on the brink of an energy crisis and take appropriate correctives, but most of the solutions being discussed suffer from two flaws:

Three sides of the internet

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:09:16 -0700

The Bold
Serchilo is a new tool that allows a user to navigate several search engines at once and quickly be taken to the final destination. The website works by allowing you to place short commands before your search to tell the engine where to look for what you want. For example, users interested in searching wikipedia will type a "w" before their search terms, and be taken directly to the wikipedia page on that topic. The simple commands don't save you much more time than going to the website itself - Serchilo really shines when it comes to more sophisticated functions. For example, someone wanting to quickly search an exchange rate need only type in "eur-usd 115," and they will get a currency conversion.

Innovative (and plugged-in) non-profits

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:42:18 -0700

As I've written before, our generation of 'digital natives' is also using the internet to change public service. Here are some innovative non-profits I’ve come across recently.

Creative Commons
Operating under the motto of "share, remix, reuse – legally," Creative Commons seeks to further idea sharing and creative thinking by providing an alternative to traditional copyrights. Founded in 2002 while Stanford law professor Lawrence Lessig was arguing Supreme Court case Eldred v. Ashcroft, Creative Commons licenses fall between the private domain (all rights reserved) and the public domain (no rights reserved). By selecting the degree of restriction, creators are able to maintain their rights while inviting derivative works based on their own.

The Associated Press and 'fair use'

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:43:29 -0700

The Associated Press has roiled the blogosphere with a recent attempt to enforce what it deemed as an infringement of copyright laws. Last week the American news organization sent a letter to the Drudge Retort, asking the liberal link hub to remove seven items that contained long quotations from AP articles. After leading bloggers criticized the policy the AP retreated on Saturday calling their action “heavy-handed". They indicated however, that the battle wasn’t over, and that they were going to find a “positive” way to enforce their copyright

YPFP Leadership Recruiting: Public Service Program - Applications Due Friday, June 6

Mon, 26 May 2008 21:00:29 -0700

As YPFP continues to recruit new leaders for all areas of the organization, we would like to make you aware of opportunities to work on the YPFP Public Service Program. The YPFP Public Service Program provides YPFP members with opportunities to contribute to local, national, and international communities in need. We will be seeking:

* Curriculum Coordinator, YPFP in the Classroom
* Outreach Director, YPFP in the Classroom
* Volunteer Recruitment and Development Staff, YPFP in the Classroom
* Staff, Refugee Assistance Program
* Director, Global Partners Program
* Staff, Global Partners Program

Reporting live from my Nokia N810

Wed, 21 May 2008 03:07:47 -0700

Formerly tools of the tech savvy, two new social networking trends are becoming mainstream – and changing how citizens react to crisis situations. Moblogging (short for “mobile” and “blogging”) and microblogging allow for instant updates via cell phone to a web interface. During the recent Kenyan elections and Myanmar cyclone relief efforts, moblogging has been used to provide valuable on-ground information to circumvent autocratic governments.

In the aftermath of the Kenyan elections, the formerly free press was suddenly under the control of the state. Leading Kenyan bloggers (including Kenyan Pundit and White African) gathered and created a mashup, Ushahidi.com, to gather real time reports of major events. Updates included reports of police brutality, bonfires, and peaceful events (such as meetings or candlelight vigils). The blogs then used information to report on the post-election crisis. A good summary of this coverage can be found at Global Voices Online.

Declining Dollar Hurts Remittance Recipients Abroad

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:46:39 -0700

As the value of the dollar continues to decline relative to other currencies, some of those most affected don't even live in the United States. Instead, they are citizens of developing countries who receive remitted dollars from family and friends working abroad. For them, the weakening dollar is particularly crippling because it either converts into less local currency or, for those in countries with pegged currencies, can't keep up with local inflation.

It's a situation roughly similar to American travelers in Europe discovering that it now costs $4.77 for a Big Mac, whereas a year and a half ago the cost was only $3.77. The dollar is no longer going as far as it once did, and the decline is pinching the incomes of remittance recipients -- often the poorest -- and prompting shifts in international migration patterns. Policymakers in developing countries need to act soon to reduce the costs and unpredictability of remittances and ensure that social safety nets cover those who are harmed.

Increasing aid effectiveness: harmonization is the key

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:23:17 -0700

Since the inception of the Marshall Plan post World War II, the United States has been one of the most active and generous aid donors to the developing world. Unfortunately, over the last few decades, our aid and trade policies have become increasingly fragmented and, at times, even contradictory. In order to increase aid effectiveness and best serve the interests of the U.S. and aid recipients, we must work towards harmonizing aid and trade policies towards developing and least developed countries.

The aid debate often centers around two primary approaches: increasing versus decreasing foreign assistance. However, as the recently released HELP Commission report has highlighted, we must also consider national aid harmonization. In order to ensure maximum impact for U.S. taxpayer’s investment, we must look beyond the stale aid budget questions and address harmonizing and rationalizing the U.S. aid system. The U.S. government currently has over 20 different agencies working on various foreign assistance-related issues. The U.S. has already begun streamlining efforts though through the establishment of coordinating bodies such as the “F Process” at the State Department and the HELP Commission; it is imperative these efforts continue to be explored. By finding ways to align these agencies we will be better positioned to effectively implement programs to the neediest countries.

Gas OPEC: How realistic, How threatening?

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:39:16 -0700

In 2006, Gazprom Deputy Chairman Aleksandr Medvedev, threatened the West saying if Russia did not get its way in European negotiations, it would create "an alliance of gas suppliers more influential than OPEC."

When asked about a gas cartel at a recent meeting in Doha, Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez answered “Why not? We’re producers in OPEC and from our view, this is a good idea. We have the opportunity to create a similar organization, and are prepared to do it.”

In August of 2007, Russia and Algeria signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ which called for coordinated gas prices, seen by many as an attempt to set up a cartel. Although some Russian leadership has come out in strong favor of a cartel, the likelihood of one emerging soon is minimal.

A Winding Journey From Seed to Plate

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:10:38 -0700

WASHINGTON, Mar 28 (IPS) - Ballooning food prices around the world are prompting a reevaluation of the underpinnings of aid practices that many analysts consider to be inefficient and, in some cases, counterproductive.

And while many hope rising prices will force changes in the way food aid is administered, it also appears this could further entrench current practices.

At least two key food aid providers, the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), warn their current budgets can't keep up with rising costs. The WFP says it is short more than 500 million dollars and has issued an emergency appeal to donors, noting that the cost of its food purchases has risen 55 percent since June 2007.