Commentary / World Oct 27, 2020

Biotech future of promise and peril looms larger and closer

Emerging technology poses new and novel questions. Unfortunately, the time to answer them is growing short.

Commentary / World Oct 20, 2020

It’s hard to make predictions, especially about the future — but it’s not impossible

Given that virtually every decision is to some degree a prediction, it is remarkable just how bad we as a species are at it.

Commentary / World Oct 13, 2020

In Putin’s pain, there is an opportunity

Putin is taking great pleasure in the convulsions that have seized the U.S. body politic, yet the satisfaction must be fleeting as his attention focuses elsewhere.

Commentary / World Oct 6, 2020

An appalling debate is only the latest blow to the U.S. image in the world

Last week’s U.S. presidential debate was engrossing — as is a car crash or a tawdry reality TV show. The rudeness and incoherence left most viewers aghast.

Commentary / World Sep 29, 2020

Batteries are key to a greener and more electric future

The race to improve battery technology is proceeding on several fronts, the most visible of which is that for electric vehicles.

Commentary / World Sep 22, 2020

International law under assault — from unexpected directions

Disturbing of late has been the growing disregard for international law among governments that have been pillars of the world’s legal order such as the U.S. and the U.K.

Commentary / World Sep 15, 2020

'Vaccine nationalism': Seductive and dangerous

Medecins Sans Frontieres warns that the global scramble to hoard vaccines by rich countries will feed a dangerous trend of "vaccine nationalism."

Commentary / World Sep 8, 2020

Straight talk about Taiwan and ‘strategic ambiguity’

A lack of clarity dissuades China from seeking reunification through force by leaving open the possibility of a U.S. response and dissuades Taiwan from reckless actions.

Commentary Sep 1, 2020

‘Debt trap' diplomacy is a card China seldom plays in Belt and Road initiative

It’s taken as a given that the Belt and Road initiative (BRI), China’s effort to close the world’s multitrillion-dollar infrastructure gap, is an attempt to extend Beijing’s influence throughout the world by means fair and foul. One of the most incendiary charges is that ...