Best Events of 2001

From one of our leading experts on foreign policy, a full-scale reinterpretation of America's dealings -- from its earliest days -- with the rest of the world. It is Walter Russell Mead's thesis that the United States, by any standard, has had a more successful foreign policy than any of the other great powers that we have faced -- and faced down. Beginning as an isolated string of settlements at the edge of the known world, this country-in two centuries-drove… more

For some years, American prisoners of war who were enslaved by private Japanese firms during WWII have been pursuing both claims and apologies from the firms that committed inhuman atrocities during the war. In the San Francisco Peace Treaty, John Foster Dulles seemed to trade away the rights of these citizens to pursue these claims -- but recent evidence has emerged that arguably alters the rights of POWs to pursue their claims. Both the U.S. House of Representatives… more

David D. Hale is the Global Chief Economist for the Zurich Financial Services Group and its investment affiliates. In this position, he advises the group's domestic and global fund management operations on the economic outlook and a wide range of public policy issues. He joined the group following its acquisition of Kemper Corporation, where he had served as Chief Economist for many years. Mr. Hale also serves as Chairman of the Board of China Online, L.L.C., … more

Fewer than one in ten American families have fast Internet access, and the slow deployment has badly damaged e-commerce companies. Congress is moving to try to fix the problem, but Jim Glassman believes it may instead establish a monopoly that will only make it worse.

Glassman maintains the broadband crisis has badly damaged the economy, and the only sensible alternative -- even for a fanatic free-market advocate like him -- is to break up the Bells.

Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden is an extraordinary, in-depth account of Osama bin Laden and his global network by CNN?s terrorism analyst, Peter L. Bergen. One of only a handful of western journalists to have met and interviewed bin Laden, Bergen has done an exhaustive job of researching the man and the Jihadist network of al-Qaeda-the prime suspects in the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks of September 11.

Over the… more

The high-tech bubble seems to have burst-or has it? Knowing where you are in the business cycle is crucial. Historical perspective helps, and so does keen analysis. Ruling the Waves offers both.

Debora Spar begins the historical context with pirate tales. Jean Lafitte's domination of the seas and Rupert Murdoch's domination of the British airwaves with BskyB have much in common. Tales of the telegraph and radio help you understand the natural evolution of Microsoft, the trials of the… more

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the debate surrounding National Service has drastically changed. Average Americans are suddenly eager to know what they can do personally to help the war effort, and lawmakers are beginning to provide answers. Senators John McCain and Evan Bayh have introduced legislation to dramatically expand the size and scope of voluntary national service programs such as AmeriCorps to include civil defense.

"Americans did not fight and win World War II… more

This event is the Washington, D.C. book launch of Ted Halstead & Mike Lind's The Radical Center: The Future of American Politics. James Fallows, Chairman of the Board of the New America Foundation, will offer opening remarks.

"A political manifesto worthy of the Information Age."-- SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN

"A provocative, thoughtful, and timely message for the political establishment and the governing class, The Radical Center should be mandatory reading for everyone in office and… more

When was the last time religious, moral, or social considerations triumphed over science? How will the culture war over stem cells and human cloning change the face of American politics? Is the American experiment -- the idea that God and progress would never clash beyond compromise -- on the brink of extinction? Can technology be stopped even if the democratic majority wanted to stop it? Join us for what is sure to be a lively discussion.

Are expanding trade, globalization and corporate responsibility compatible? Do multinational corporations have an economic interest and/or moral obligation to operate in a responsible manner? Should consumers expect multinationals to operate in a responsible manner? Are governments powerless to encourage responsible corporate behaviour, given the competitive nature of the global marketplace?

The OECD recently adopted Guidelines to help multinationals operate in harmony with government policies and societal expectations. 33 governments adhere to these Guidelines. The Netherlands Parliament… more

New America presents Stefan Kornelius for a special short notice event

As Japan's political culture evolves under the premiership of the eccentric but popular Junichiro Koizumi, many questions arise about the net results and sustainability of this new "reform" government. Prime Minister Koizumi has proposed sweeping reforms across the governmental spectrum in Japan, from tax allocations to Japan's military relationship with the United States to the organization of power within the central government itself. Koizumi's handling of the telecommunications industry, in particular, will be telling as to whether he can… more

The collision between a Chinese PLA fighter and an American EP-3 intelligence aircraft is only one in a long list of incidents in which the politics of apology have produced such convulsions of emotion in the countries involved. The challenges in Asia over war-time memories and the assignment and acceptance of guilt for Japanese aggression in Korea and China are increasingly controversial as the Japanese debate versions of history in national textbooks. The sinking of the Ehime Maru… more

Debates about race, immigration politics, and battles about historical and national identity seem to be gaining momentum not only in the United States but also in many countries in the world. Sometimes it is extremely useful to look at similar cultural and identity tension in other contexts to reflect on our own circumstances -- and thus it pleases us to host one of Germany's most dynamic, young thinkers and politicians in this arena.

Cem Oezdemir has been a Member of… more

Most Americans do not realize that they collectively own many of our nation's most valuable resources -- public assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Yet too many common assets are not managed in the public's best interest. It could be called the enclosure of the American commons -- the private appropriation of public forests, minerals, electromagnetic spectrum, government research and information, civic spaces and dozens of other assets owned by the American people. These practices encourage overuse, deprive taxpayers… more

When former antagonists Napster and Bertelsmann made friends a few months back, many assumed that the war between copyright and technology was over; that a workable scheme for protecting Intellectual Property in new media was on the horizon. Not so, argues Brendan Koerner: efforts… more

We hope you can join in a brownbag lunch and informal discussion with New America Foundation Senior Fellow Margaret Talbot, who has just finished a major feature story for The New York Times Magazine on a cult actively working to clone a human in the United States. Margaret will talk about what she has learned in researching and writing the story, and you may be surprised to learn just who is working at the frontiers of human genetics.