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Post #1 (July 19, 2016) ---       IFIs and [Un]Sustainable Goals

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Post #1 (July 19, 2016) ---       IFIs and [Un]Sustainable Goals

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http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/07/19/its-time-for-development-banks-to-start-listening-maina-kiai/

With the UN’s sustainable goals project in place, it’ll take more than the global powers to render it successful. Civil groups and individual actors must take the initiative to implement change, but facing backlash from governmental opposition brings difficulty and danger to activists, so the IFIs must defend their developmental role.

IFIs are pivotal in encouraging global development. These institutions are not only responsible for funding infrastructural development in poor countries, but are responsible for enabling environments of active community participation. They should be less concerned with global leaders’ agendas, as they should objectively establish plans based on individual country needs.

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Post #2 (August 8, 2017) --- Imminent Boom in Central Asia

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Post #2 (August 8, 2017) --- Imminent Boom in Central Asia

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https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/central-asia/2017-08-08/central-asias-encouraging-development

Central Asian nations like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Georgia have seen recent economic growth, as they have opened friendly trade links between one another, despite past conflict in the immediate Post-Soviet era. Improvements in their access to the internet and quality education have provided these nations with greater global connectivity and economic opportunities.

These countries are not discussed much on the global level, and that’s in part due to their Soviet inclusion. But, because of practical political decisions and a commitment to education, these countries have recently benefitted from investing in their citizens, and liberalizing transnational trade markets.

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Post #3 (September 6, 2017) --- Lack of Global Commitment

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Post #3 (September 6, 2017) --- Lack of Global Commitment

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http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/09/06/report-u-s-ranks-near-bottom-in-commitment-to-global-development-foreign-aid-diplomacy/

The U.S. places 23rd of the 27 richest countries regarding commitment to global development. The index ranks countries considering foreign aid, finance, the environment, trade, technology, and security policies. The Scandinavian nations place the highest, as the Center for Global Development has seen the U.S. lose commitment since Trump took office.

Despite donating the most money globally, the U.S. has rather ineffective policies for global development. Since Trump’s inauguration, he has focused solely on improving domestic enterprise, as his supporters reject notions of providing “globalist” support. This helps explain the low ranking and it’s exemplified in the data.

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Post #4 (September 18, 2017) ---   US Foreign Aid Hinderances

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Post #4 (September 18, 2017) ---   US Foreign Aid Hinderances

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https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2017/09/doing-good-well?zid=301&ah=e8eb01e57f7c9b43a3c864613973b57f

Rex Tillerson recently proposed a plan to reform foreign aid policy and slash aid budgets, intending to closely align USAID and the State Department. However, USAID does not hold much respect on the global level, as they account for only 58% America’s aid flow. Without a more flexible plan, America’s aid programs will remain inefficient.

This article describes the bureaucratic obstacles that impede America’s foreign aid distribution. The outdated legal framework of our aid programs do not allow for countries to use aid in sectors of their best interest. Rather, congress influences where to allocate funds in aid-receiving countries, hindering their process of development.

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Post #5 (October 5, 2017) ---  Perks of a UN Security Council Seat

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Post #5 (October 5, 2017) ---  Perks of a UN Security Council Seat

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http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/05/un-security-council-members-are-more-likely-to-receive-world-bank-loans-united-states-mexico/

Members on the UN Security Council are more likely to receive loans from the World Bank than countries without a permanent seat. Data shows the correlation between UNSC membership and the amount of loans a nation receives. Nations consistently receive more funding while possessing a seat on the UNSC.

The U.S. and other prominent donors are able to influence where the World Bank loans go, so in a sense development is in the hands of “core” countries. This pertains to Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory, as “core” countries possess all the power and influence, while the “periphery” struggles.

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Post #10 (October 31, 2017) --- Iran's Human Capital Investment

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Post #10 (October 31, 2017) --- Iran's Human Capital Investment

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https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/iran/2017-10-31/electronic-republic

Iran is faced with technological sanctions, as increased hacking has led to the elimination of Iranian apps. The Iranian people are the ultimate sufferers because they cannot use apps for food, taxis, or games. Iran has recently shifted to become a knowledge-based economy, and looks to excel in cybernetics, but sanctions continue to limit their ability to do so.

Iran has the right idea when it comes to development. They are looking to invest in its people, as becoming a knowledge-based economy will improve its human capital. Though the world is wary of Iranian hackers, this will result in a positive trend for the Iranian population.

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Post #8 (October 4, 2017) --- Don't Fund Syria's Reconstruction

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Post #8 (October 4, 2017) --- Don't Fund Syria's Reconstruction

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https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/syria/2017-10-04/dont-fund-syrias-reconstruction

Bashar al-Assad remains in power in Syria, despite the concerted efforts of the West to push for his removal. The narrative now focuses on rebuilding the existing government, but many are critical of the regime’s legitimacy. Not funding the reconstruction of Syria seems to be in our best interest, as it would save hundreds of billions.

With consistent political turmoil in the MIddle East, investing in the Syrian government would be irresponsible. There are questions to the legitimacy of the Assad regime, which means there would be questions as to where our money was actually going if we fund the Syrian reconstruction.

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Post #6 (October 6, 2017) --- Trump's "Globalists"

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Post #6 (October 6, 2017) --- Trump's "Globalists"

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http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/06/three-cheers-for-globalism/

Trump has consistently denounced the “globalists,” a group that is said to consist of Islamists, bankers, social justice warriors, Hollywood stars, and members of the Democratic elite. If Trump is against a “global” governance of the world, he is effectively endorsing nationalism.

Trump’s “globalist” term is not literally the meaning of globalism. However, the term calls upon individuals and groups who seek to level the playing field for other countries, eliminate borders, and move jobs out of the U.S. In this world of finite resources, distributing resources to every poor corner of the earth is irrational, so the U.S. should focus on domestic growth.

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Post #7 (November 17, 2017) ---Chinese Trade Expansion

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Post #7 (November 17, 2017) ---Chinese Trade Expansion

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https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/east-asia/2017-11-17/one-belt-one-roads-governance-deficit-problem

China’s OBOR initiative would effectively establish a trade network into Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. They plan to implement a land-based trade route through Eurasia, and a maritime route through many ports in which they will maintain. Success for the initiative would make China a serious global power.

This plan is reasonable and emphasizes the effect of globalisation on the world. China has the opportunity to bolster peripheral countries’ economies with a commercial presence within their borders. Further, they plan to connect these points of commerce with one another, establishing a strong trade network in the eastern hemisphere, which would benefit the world.

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Post #9 (November 28, 2017) --- China’s Excellence in Quantum Technology

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Post #9 (November 28, 2017) --- China’s Excellence in Quantum Technology

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http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/11/28/the-quantum-gap-with-china/

China has recently been focused on excelling in quantum technologies. The ability to develop better sensors and code breaking will provide advantages when it comes to cyber warfare and military radar technology. Unless the U.S. can keep up, and advance with China in this field, then the pricey F-35 program will have tragically become obsolete.

Americans is not at the forefront of everything cutting edge in the world. China has proven that with their ability to excel in the development of quantum mechanics, they are able to compete with the highest global powers in terms of military technology.