Height vs. weight: Will the Chinese economy’s mass translate into global stature? (Part 1)

China is ascendant in global affairs. Riding on the strength of its powerhouse economy, China is making a clear effort to bolster its international presence, economically and in many other areas. Yet now we are seeing Chinese economic growth slowing. Since economic power is the lever for China’s vault onto the global stage, the question then arises, how much will China’s growth slowdown impact its global agenda? Continue Reading

BRICS bank: Not yet fully baked

The new BRICS bank announced this week displays the emerging economies’ desire to move away from Washington-style lending institutions. But between Indian bureaucrats loathe to make decisions and China’s reputation for steamrolling humanitarian and environmental concerns, they may not move very far away after all. This blog reviews some of the challenges the New Development Bank will face. Continue Reading

Five questions: Why the world is watching India’s new PM

Narendra Modi was sworn in as India’s new prime minister on Monday, a little over a week after a landslide victory at the polls. The resounding win gives Modi much greater freedom to implement his agenda than any Indian leader in recent years, says international economics fellow Russell Green. What will Modi’s India look like, and how will it affect the U.S.? Green, who spent four years in India as the U.S. Treasury Department’s first financial attaché to that country, explains. Continue Reading

Crisis in Ukraine has far-reaching implications

Though headlines focus on the latest developments in Ukraine, the crisis has created a ripple effect around the world. The escalating conflict has even impacted events at the Baker Institute: An April 14 program featuring Børge Brende, Norway’s minister of foreign affairs, was postponed when he was asked to return to Oslo for meetings on the unfolding Ukraine-related crisis in Europe. Similarly, Georgiy Mamedov, Russia’s ambassador to Canada, cancelled an April 16 Baker Institute event on policy and politics in Russian-American relations. Continue Reading