Topic: Robert Zoellick

Ben Carson cancels at Johns Hopkins: the perils of commencement speakers (+video)

Dr. Ben Carson had been scheduled to be the speaker at the diploma ceremonies for two Johns Hopkins schools, but comments he made about gay marriage brought complaints from students.

Mitt Romney speaks like a neocon, but is he one?

In his response to the anti-US violence in the Muslim world, and in comments on the Mideast and China, Mitt Romney sounds like a neocon. But some analysts say his policies would be more centrist.

Decoder Wire Bipartisan powers, activate! Can Congress's debt avengers be superheroes?

Once again, Washington's bipartisan, blue-ribbon, out-of-power elite gathers to urge Congress to break the gridlock and do the right thing on the nation's looming financial Armageddon.

Opinion: Spanish bailout, Greek elections make June a make-or-break month in debt crisis

Europe's debt crisis, magnified by the Spanish bank bailout and Greek elections, puts Europe at a crossroads: move to real fiscal union, which populations don't want, or break apart. There's a way to avoid this awful choice. Build up Europe and build it down at the same time.

Jim Yong Kim selected as new World Bank president

Jim Yong Kim, currently the president of Dartmouth College, beat out two other candidates to take over the World Bank, beginning this summer.

Who is Jim Yong Kim, nominee for World Bank president?

The selection of Jim Yong Kim took many by surprise since he is not well known in Washington circles and wasn’t an expected candidate for the World Bank position.

The Circle Bastiat Hillary Clinton's new job: At the world bank?

Hillary Clinton has announced that she is interested in a job at the World Bank, opening up when Robert Zoellick retires. 

European Central Bank offers lifeline to ailing eurozone lenders

European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet offered European banks emergency short-term loans. Speculation is rising over a plan by EU leaders to recapitalize banks.

European debt crisis: Seven basics you need to know

Will this crisis ever be over?! The nations of the eurozone seem to be fighting endless battles to address fears about government finances. The worry is that unsustainable national debt loads will result in default, a financial panic, or a costly repair effort that puts a squeeze on the economy in Europe and beyond. Here's a backgrounder on the problem, its consequences, and possible ways forward.

As Dow tumbles, how much is politics to blame?

Dysfunctional politics, both in Washington and in Europe, is spooking markets worldwide. While perhaps not as dangerous as the economic dysfunction of 2008, it is still a concern.

Stocks plunge on fears of a 'full-blown recession'

Stocks fell sharply on a variety of factors – from a pessimistic Federal Reserve to reports that Europe might be headed for a recession. But falling stocks don't guarantee a recession is coming.

G20 ministers pledge cooperation in crisis

G20 meeting ends with pledge, but no clear indication of how far the G20 nations would go in the event of another financial crisis.

G-20 discusses how to help Mideast and North Africa

G-20, a group of financial leaders from 20 of the world's biggest economies, meets in Washington to discuss challenges facing the global economy. The G-20 talks are focusing on how to prevent imbalances in trade and government debt.

Africa's 'Iron Lady' revitalizes Liberia

UPDATE: On Oct. 7, the Nobel Prize committee announced that Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was one of three women to win the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the role of women in society. In April, the Monitor profiled President Johnson-Sirleaf – who faces voters in Oct. 11 national elections – and her record of erasing her Liberia's crushing debt after years of civil war.

Rising world food prices may soon hit Africa hard, but could be a future boon

The World Bank warned Tuesday that global food prices are reaching 'dangerous' levels. Africa is bracing for short-term trouble, but sustained high prices could spark agribusiness investment across the continent.

Ivory Coast opposition wants President Gbagbo ousted by force

Ivory Coast opposition leader and internationally recognized President-elect Alassane Ouattara urged international bodies to force Laurent Gbagbo from the presidency.

Do we really want China to be a responsible stakeholder in global affairs?

The West needs to be careful what it wishes for. Western capitals want China to be more responsible and active, but they don’t like it when Beijing is more assertive. China wants respect, but not responsibility.

Putin on the prowl to save world's endangered tigers

Representatives of 13 countries are meeting in Russia to outline plans to double the wild tiger population, currently as low as 3,200.

In a 'rebalanced' world economy, a diminished US role?

American consumers can no longer borrow madly to buy so many goods from abroad. Shoppers in emerging nations must be the next engine of growth, some argue.

G-8 leaders pressured to honor aid pledges

The global recession has helped reduce aid from wealth nations – even as it pushes millions more into poverty.

Economic slump provides tinder for global conflicts

With more people pushed into poverty, the probability of armed rebellions increases around the world.

US and European paths to recovery diverge

Ahead of the G-20 economic summit, a divide grows over the balance of regulation and stimulus.

GDP's sharp drop spotlights global recession

Meanwhile, Citigroup gets help from Uncle Sam.

From crisis, a more unified Europe?

The recession is exacerbating splits within Europe, but its severity may change that.

World Bank president: Eastern Europe must not fail (Latvia just did)