China embarked on a highly visible effort of addressing the twin problems of air pollution and climate change when President Xi Jinping announced in November 2014 that the country would reach peak carbon emissions by 2030. One key focus has been on how to control the use of...

Two thousand seventeen promises to be another eventful year for the global political economy. The world’s four largest economies—the European Union, United States, China, and Japan—all face a troubled mix of economic challenges and political uncertainty. Taking them...

The term “impact investing” was first coined in 2007 at a gathering hosted by the Rockefeller Foundation, and it refers to investments into companies, organizations, or funds with the intention of generating social or environmental impact alongside a financial return....

For most of the post–World War II period, the United States stood as the world’s largest energy consumer, as befitted its being the largest economy and largest oil importer, in spite of being a leading oil producer, due its prodigious and profligate oil consumption....

This is why the adoption of a new UN Security Council resolution that closes an important sanctions loophole and imposes closer scrutiny of North Korea’s diplomatic activities sends a strong, if late, message of unity and international resolve. But what comes next? There...

President-elect Donald Trump’s foreign policy team is taking shape, with the choice of ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson for secretary of state and retired Gen. James Mattis for secretary of defense. The selection of Tillerson and Mattis—both well-respected...

Early in his tenure, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan made increasing female participation in the Japanese workforce an essential element of his efforts to revive the Japanese economy. Drawing on research led by Kathy Matsui of Goldman Sachs,

Some people worry that a Trump presidency means an end to large social, environmental, and international development programs, but does it mean an end to progress in these fields? Republican administrations often let private, voluntary action take the lead over public...

There is a critical difference between being a candidate and being a president-elect. The senior officials of foreign governments know enough about American politics to discount much of what is said during a campaign. That tolerance declines sharply once a candidate is...

Today marks the 15th anniversary of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The 5th, in 2006, had a celebratory feel. Although foreign companies still faced market-access challenges, trade and investment with China was expanding rapidly, and the...

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, in his last trip abroad as secretary, is highlighting the importance of the growing U.S.-India security relationship. Built over multiple administrations in both Washington and Delhi, it has started to blossom in the past three years. As...

Despite months of anti-American rhetoric and threats from Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to undermine the alliance, cooperation between the United States and the Philippines remains surprisingly strong. The defense relationship has borne the brunt of the fallout, which...