Topic: China

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6 factors that will determine concessions from Iran

Can war with Iran can be avoided? In recent talks with the West in Baghdad, Iran showed some greater flexibility about its nuclear program. But Iran has a history of trickery in the nuclear arena. Whether Tehran will cooperates with Western demands depends on the following six factors.
3 ways the US can start an economic 'reset' with Russia

After Russian President Vladimir Putin canceled his trip to Camp David for the G8 Summit this weekend, tensions between Russia and the US are running high. The United States must design a new relationship with this often difficult leader and his country. Washington needs a new reset that includes these three key components:
College rankings: Which countries have the best education systems?

A new higher education ranking focuses on evaluating quality by countries as a whole, rather than specific academic institutions. Here are some of the findings:
Briefing
Five things to know about Freedom House's latest global rankings

A look at the 2012 Freedom House ranking of 197 countries according to their relative freedom.
6 famous dissidents in China

The surprising escape of a blind legal activist from house arrest is buoying China's embattled dissident community, even as the government cracks down on those who helped him.

All Content

Escaped dissident ruffles US-China relations ahead of Clinton visit

The US rushes a top diplomat to Beijing to work out tensions over dissident Chen Guangcheng and a possible US arms sale to Taiwan.
China's Bo Xilai affair: where the case stands

Much about the stunning fall of politician Bo Xilai remains unknown. But the case has fueled Internet rumors and roiled the political waters in China.
Focus
Will Bo Xilai affair open the 'black box' of China's leadership?

Just how politician Bo Xilai's stunning fall from grace might modify the mysterious manner in which power is shared and wielded in Beijing is still hard to discern.
Honor in the Dust

The historical lessons of Gregg Jones's exhaustively researched book about the US's campaign in the Philippines deserve to be remembered.
Maldives, hailed as democracy poster child, turns to Islamist fundamentalism

The tropical Maldives, recently held up as a victory for democracy, has taken a nosedive, says its ousted president. He is now looking for international help.
New coal giant Mozambique faces rising public anger

Mozambique is one of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies, but its Department of Mineral Resources in Tete province still only has 15 employees, reflecting its struggle to manage resources properly.
Starbucks gets 18 percent boost from global customers

Starbucks increased its net income by 18 percent in its fiscal second quarter as more customers visited Starbucks cafes in most parts of the world.
Blind Chinese legal activist escapes house arrest (+video)

Chen Guangcheng's dramatic escape and his allegations of police beatings, detailed in his dramatic YouTube video plea to PM Wen Jiabao, pose a new challenge of China's leaders in a critical year.
Why Voice of America is losing to voice of communist China – at home and abroad

With funding and program cuts, Washington is crippling the truth-telling Voice of America broadcasts in China. Meanwhile, Beijing is aggressively expanding its media campaign to spread untruths – broadcasting from American soil. America can't afford to let the VOA go silent.
House cybersecurity vote sets up Senate showdown, Obama threatens veto

Ignoring a White House veto threat, the House on Thursday approved the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, which would encourage companies and the federal government to share information collected on the Internet to help prevent electronic attacks.
Stock market fallout from Spain downgrade? Quiet.

Stock market reaction muted in Germany, France, Britain, and US. First estimate of US GDP in first quarter could sway stock market sentiment.
House passes cyber security bill over Obama's objections

The president has threatened to veto the bill, which is designed to empower the private sector to fight electronic attacks. The White House prefers a Senate alternative that vests that power in the Department of Homeland Security.
The Reformed Broker
Asia holds the key to Apple's huge earnings

Apple's huge earnings were  shock to many of us in the West, but when the company's rabid following in Asian countries is taken into account, it's not so surprising.
Keep Calm
Good Reads: On America's limits, Middle Eastern feminism, Indian authors

Some of the best long-form journalism this week deals with America's foreign policy limitations, sexual politics in the Middle East, African stereotypes, and an Indian publishing boom.
Most of China's Communist Party princelings aren't like Bo Xilai

The Bo Xilai saga of power, wealth, corruption, and murder has brought the issue of China’s princelings (offspring of Communist Party’s leaders) to the top of international discourse on China. But Bo's privileged rise is not the norm for the contemporary Communist Party.
Leaning on US, Philippines boldly pushes back on China in sea dispute

The Philippines, a normally quiet claimant in South China Sea disputes, is mounting unusually bold resistance against China as it edges in on Manila’s maritime interests.
Why new North Korea missiles are fakes

The new North Korea missiles - carried on the biggest mobile launchers ever seen - are fakes, say arms control experts. The KN-08 missiles, displayed during a parade, raised false concerns that North Korea may be getting closer to building intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Biden calls out 'shallow and dangerous, back to the future' Romney foreign policy

President Barack Obama will gladly stack accomplishments such as killing terror mastermind Osama bin Laden against Romney's rhetoric, Biden said in remarks prepared for delivery at an overtly partisan campaign event on Thursday.
Taiwan set for Chinese invasion - of investors

Taiwan's economy is poised grow significantly this year as the island relaxes barriers to investment from its old rival, mainland China.
Briefing
Five reasons to care about the Sudan - South Sudan conflict

Fighting between South Sudan and its rival, Sudan, could restart a 20-year civil war that claimed the lives of millions. It could also affect the price Americans pay for car fuel, China’s ability to keep its economy growing, and the stability of the region. Here’s a few reasons to pay attention to the fighting in Sudan.
Chapter & Verse
"The Little Red Guard": inside a Chinese family

Wenguang Huang's memoir about his childhood in Mao's China tells a universal story of the bonds of love – and the pangs of regret – which can shape a family.
The Race for What's Left

It's not just oil and gas, warns Michael T. Klare in this first-rate wake-up call. Planet Earth is now in danger of running out of just about everything.
Innocence abroad for Wal-Mart, Apple, and all Americans

A federal probe of alleged bribery in Mexico by Wal-Mart, along with Apple's lax workplace standards in China, indicate a need for Americans to take their ethical standards with them when operating overseas.
Horizons
Apple earnings still going strong post-Jobs

Apple earnings report had some impressive sales numbers: a 94 percent profit increase over last year, and huge profits on iPad and iPhone sales. A lot of the growth is coming from Asian markets, and Apple earnings are expected to expand there in months to come.
Why is North Korea threatening to conduct a nuclear test? (+video)

First, to make up for the embarrassment of the failed missile; second, the regime's past nuclear tests didn't go very well.