worldpolicy.org

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every month, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at the aftermath of the recent military coup in Honduras, and what it portends for politics in both Honduras and Central America more generally.

Click on the first slide below to scroll through the presentation.

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants: Elizabeth Allen, Max Currier, Emily Marzulli, and Josh Sanburn.

Editor’s Note:

In the week following the publication of this piece, we witnessed a lively debate unfold in the comments section of the blog concerning the precise nature of the constitutional referendum that Manuel Zelaya sought to put before the Honduran people. As Rosemary A. Joyce points out, correctly, the referendum itself made no mention of altering Honduras’s constitution with regard to presidential term limits. Kevin Casas-Zamora, meanwhile, concurred, but noted that with regard to the interpretation of Zelaya’s intent, observers should distinguish between the letter of the referendum and its spirit. For those readers interested in pursuing these debates further, see our reading suggestions below.

Further Reading:

Cassel, Doug. “Honduras: Coup d’Etat in Constitutional Clothing?” American Society of International Law, July 29, 2009.

Rosemary A. Joyce and Russell Sheptak. “Honduras Coup 2009.”

Thale, Geoff. “Behind the Honduran Coup,” Foreign Policy in Focus, July 1, 2009.

Vickers, George, “The Sham Elections in Honduras,” Foreign Policy, November 25, 2009.

“Honduras elects Porfirio Lobo as new president,” The Guardian, November 30, 2009.

“Q&A: Crisis in Honduras,” BBC News, November 30, 2009.

“The Careful U.S. Diplomacy on Honduras,” Council on Foreign Relations, July 9, 2009.

“Honduras Crisis: The Truth Told by the Honduran People to the World.”

“U.S. has bungled Honduran crisis,” Los Angeles Times editorial, December 1, 2009.

“Constitutional Crisis in Honduras: An Expert Q&A by Dr. Jennifer McCoy, Director, Americas Program,” The Carter Center, July 13, 2009.

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at China’s approach to the financial crisis and whether its recovery is sustainable.

Click here for best viewing.

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants: Max Currier, Mary Kate Nevin, and Josh Sanburn.

Further reading:

News
Decline in Chinese trade slowing. BBC; October 14, 2009.
In recession, China solidifies its lead in global trade. The New York Times; October 13, 2009.
IMF: China to lead Asian recovery. Xinhua; October 1, 2009
China, Inc. looks homeward as U.S. shoppers turn frugal. The Wall Street Journal; September 30, 2009
China shifts gears to move beyond stimulus. The Wall Street Journal; September 25, 2009
Asia rebounding quickly, regional bank says. The New York Times; September 21, 2009
China sees initial results in boosting domestic consumption. Xinhua; May 21, 2009

Analysis and commentary
Stephen Dunaway: Why China may stumble. Council on Foreign Relations Expert Brief; October 13, 2009.
China’s roaring economy: Bull in a China shop. The Economist; October 10, 2009
The long climb: A special report on the world economy. The Economist; October 3, 2009. (See especially ‘The hamster wheel’ and ‘A fine balance.’)
The one-year anniversary of the Lehman Brothers collapse. PRI’s The World: Global Economy podcast; September 14, 2009.
Emerging Asian economies: On the rebound. The Economist; August 13, 2009
Rebalancing the world economy: China: The spend is nigh. The Economist; July 30, 2009.
Can China save the world? TIME; August 10, 2009.
Andy Xie: China counts down to next bubble burst. Caijing; August 5, 2009.
China: What world recession? Salon; May 1, 2009
Why China’s state-owned companies are making a comeback. TIME; April 29, 2009.
China tackles economic crisis with fiscal stimulus, consumption plans. China Business Review; March 1, 2009.

More resources
Portal: Global Financial Crisis. Xinhua.
China economic stimulus program. Wikipedia.
World Economic Outlook: Sustaining the Recovery. International Monetary Fund, October 2009.
China’s stimulus package: A six-month report card. The Economist, July 2009.
China and the global financial crisis: Implications for the United States. Congressional Research Service Report, August 2009.
Roach, Stephen S. Stephen Roach on The Next Asia: Opportunities and Challenges for a New Globalization. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2009.

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at whether or not the widespread allegations of voting fraud during the recent presidential election in Afghanistan will undermine Afghan central governance.

(For best viewing, click on the permalink)

Written and formatted by editorial assistants Max Currier and Josh Sanburn.

Further reading:

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal (U.S. Army), “COMISAF’s Initial Assessment,” August 30, 2009.

Bob Woodward, “McChrystal: More Forces or ‘Mission Failure’,” The Washington Post, September 21, 2009.

Michael Daxner, “Afghanistan: Graveyard of Good Intent,” World Policy Journal, Summer 2009.

Lt. Gen. David W. Barno, Dr. Marvin Weinbaum, Lisa Curtis, David Isby, “Afghanistan after Elections: Implications and Strategies for Moving Forward,” The Heritage Foundation, August 27, 2009.

Dexter Filkins and Carlotta Gall, “Fake Afghan Poll Sites Favored Karzai, Officials Assert,”The New York Times, September 6, 2009.

The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan

The Editors, “Fending Off Failure in Afghanistan,” The New York Times (Room for Debate blog), September 21, 2009.

Karen DeYoung, “U.S., Allies Vow Support for Karzai,” The Washington Post, September 28, 2009.

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at Israel’s continued building of settlements in the West Bank.

(For best viewing, click on the permalink)

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants: Max Currier, Mary Kate Nevin, and Josh Sanburn

Further reading:

“The Big Question: What are Israeli settlements, and why are they coming under pressure?” The Independent

“Netanyahu risks U.S. anger by building settlements” The New York Times, September 9, 2009.

“Resolve of West Bank settlers may have limits” The New York Times, September 14, 2009.

Economist Debates: Honest broker

John Zogby, James Zogby, and Amjad Atallah, “American Perceptions of an Arab-Israeli Peace” Event at the New America Foundation, May 18, 2009.

David Makovsky, “No Expansion vs. Freeze: Obama’s Dilemma over Israeli Settlements” The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, PolicyWatch #1564, August 7, 2009.

Dr. Meachem Klein, “A New Approach to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” Remarks at the Foundation for Middle East Peace, April 1, 2009.

Saeb Erakat, “The New Israeli Government, Palestinian Reconciliation, and Prospects for Peace after the Gaza War” Remarks at the Brookings Institution, March 31, 2009.

Paul Salem, “Fatah Congress Strengthens Abu Mazen and Rejuvenates the Movement” Web Commentary, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, August 17, 2009.

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at the effect of a possible oil speculation ban on the global market.

(for best viewing, click on the permalink)

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants, Samuel Breidbart and Rhonda Shafei

Further reading:

Stop Oil Speculation Now

We Must Address Oil-Market Volatility, The Wall Street Journal

Oil: Speculating on Higher Prices, CNNMoney.com

FT Alphaville

Rewarding Bad Actors, The New York Times

The Role Of Market Speculation In Rising Oil And Gas Prices: A Need To Put The Cop Back On The Beat, U.S. Congress

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION weighs the possibility of a new war between Lebanon and Israel.

(for best viewing, click on the permalink)

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants, Samuel Breidbart and Rhonda Shafei

Further reading:

The End of March 14?, The Huffington Post

Fears Arise of New Lebanon-Israel Conflict Amid Escalating War of Words, The Daily Star of Lebanon

Israeli PM warns: Lebanon to be held responsible for attacks from within, Tayyar

The Angry Arab News Service

Middle East Monitor

President Barack Hussein Obama and The Middle East: The Peace Process, Iran, Iraq and Reasonable Expectations  (pg. 73-100), Jordan Journal of International Affairs

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at AFRICOM and Obama’s policy towards Africa.

(for best viewing, click on the permalink)

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants, Samuel Breidbart and Rhonda Shafei

Further reading:

Straight Talk: Revealing the Real U.S.-Africa Policy, Foreign Policy in Focus

Seven Questions: Gen. William “Kip” Ward, Foreign Policy

Transcript: Yates Discusses Lessons Learned at U.S. Africa Command, U.S. AFRICOM Public Affairs

African Security Research Project

The Battle for Africa’s Hearts and Minds, World Policy Journal

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority.

(for best viewing, click on the permalink)

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants, Samuel Breidbart and Rhonda Shafei

Further reading:

Tamil Camps, The New York Times

U.S. Concerned over Sri Lankan Camps, Associated Press

Sri Lanka Arrests Tamil Rebel Operative in Colombo, Bloomberg

War’s End Hasn’t Stilled the World’s Young Tamil Voices, Time Magazine

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at Bolivia’s potential role as a global supplier of lithium.

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants, Samuel Breidbart and Rhonda Shafei

Further reading:

For All the Lithium in Bolivia, News and Observer

In Bolivia, Untapped Bounty Meets Nationalism, The New York Times

For Lithium Car Batteries, Bolivia Is in the Driver’s Seat, Time

Bolivia’s Native Peoples Poised to Win New Rights, McClatchy

THE BIG QUESTION is a new multimedia project on the World Policy Blog. Every week, our editorial team will investigate a pressing global question, provide context and analysis, and feature answers from internationally renowned experts. Today, THE BIG QUESTION looks at Azerbaijan’s role in a renewed Great Game between Russia and the West.

Formatted and written by our editorial assistants, Samuel Breidbart and Rhonda Shafei

Further reading:

The Caucasian Energy Circle, Post Global

Russia, Azerbaijan Achieve Gas Breakthrough, Radio Free Europe

Does Gazprom Deal Mean No Azerbaijani Gas for Nabucco?, Payvand Iran News

Oil Pipelines are the New “Great Game”: Pepe Escobar, The Huffington Post

Current Geostrategy in the South Caucasus, EurasiaNet

Pictures from Thomas Goltz’ Oil Odyssey