CFR.org - Working Papers

Entrepreneurship in Postconflict Zones

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:12:33 -0400

Though investment in entrepreneurs is not a silver bullet for development, economic growth and job creation stimulated by small and medium-sized enterprises can foster stability and help curb conflict in fragile states. Comprehensive programs that help SMEs increase their access to finance, markets, networks, and skills should be offered as part of a package of services to best leverage the efforts now under way to promote entrepreneurship.

Ensuring the Safety and Integrity of the World’s Drug, Vaccine, and Medicines Supply

Laurie Garrett — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:02:00 -0400

CFR Senior Fellow for Global Health Laurie Garrett discusses the rising vulnerabilities to the world's medicine and drug supply as a result of the increasingly globalized supply chain, and presents six steps the G8 and G20 states should take to combat the growing problem of counterfeit and substandard medicines and ensure the reliability of the world's drug and vaccine supply.

April 2012 South Korean Parliamentary Elections: Surprise Results and Implications

Woo Jung-yeop — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:08:41 -0400

Woo Jung-yeop of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies analyzes the results of the April 11 Republic of Korea national assembly elections, explaining their implications for the December South Korean presidential elections and the country's future policy direction.

Beating the Resource Curse: Global Governance Strategies for Democracy and Economic Development

Terra Lawson-Remer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:48:30 -0400

CFR Fellow Terra Lawson-Remer of the Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy initiative proposes four steps for capital-exporting countries, international financial institutions, and private-sector companies to follow to foster democracy and sustainable development in emerging economies with significant natural resource endowments.

A Strategy for the U.S.-Japan Alliance

Sheila A. Smith — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:33:21 -0400

CFR Senior Fellow Sheila A. Smith argues that the time has come for Japan and the United States to set priorities for military missions, formalize mechanisms for crisis management coordination, and work toward a long-term basing strategy that consolidates U.S. and Japanese facilities.

The New Global Health Agenda

Oren Ahoobim, Daniel Altman, Laurie Garrett, Vicky Hausman, and Yanzhong Huang — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:23:24 -0400

Most countries in the world have moved toward provision of systems of universal health coverage, enhancing affordability and access to medical care. Even as the U.S. Supreme Court debates legal standards for Americans, this report finds that risk-pooling is essential for affordable access to medical care in poor and emerging-market countries.

Armed Clash in the South China Sea

Bonnie S. Glaser — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:21:46 -0400

Bonnie Glaser of the Center for Strategic and International Studies discusses the significant risk of conflict in the South China Sea and how the United States can prevent becoming involved in an armed clash.

Incentives for Life: Cash-on-Delivery Aid for Tobacco Control in Developing Countries

Thomas Bollyky, and Amanda Glassman — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:49:41 -0400

CFR Senior Fellow Thomas J. Bollyky and the Center for Global Development's director of global health policy Amanda Glassman propose using an innovative incentive mechanism, Cash-on-Delivery (COD) Aid, to improve tobacco control in developing countries.

Beyond the Volcker Rule: A Better Approach to Financial Reform

Benn Steil — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:49:59 -0400

CFR Director of International Economics Benn Steil argues that the "Volcker rule" ban on bank proprietary trading won't prevent financial crises, and that the troubled effort to implement it should be abandoned in favor of controls on bank leverage.

Encouraging U.S. Infrastructure Investment

Scott Thomasson — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:58:23 -0400

At a time when the country's infrastructure needs are more pressing than ever, Scott Thomasson offers pragmatic solutions for working around current congressional gridlock and unlocking modest yet critical infrastructure investment.

The April 2012 South Korean National Assembly Elections: A Window to South Korea’s Political Future

Ma Sang-yoon — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:49:48 -0400

Ma Sang-yoon of the Catholic University of Korea discusses the April 11 Republic of Korea national assembly elections, explains their relationship to the December South Korean presidential elections, and highlights issues relevant to the future of U.S.-ROK relations.

Salvaging Governance Reform in Afghanistan

Stephen Biddle — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:20:00 -0400

CFR Senior Fellow Stephen Biddle considers ways to adapt governance ambitions in Afghanistan to the constraints of diminishing time and resources.

SAVE Supporting Document: Creating a Partner

Rony Berger, and Philip Zimbardo — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:57:26 -0400

This paper focuses on identifying the nature and characteristics of members of two groups of former extremists: former Palestinian and Israeli militants and former U.S. gang members. By exploring the underlying processes that led these two groups to turn away from violent extremism, the authors aim to decipher the "psychological code" of former extremists in order to help develop effective antiradicalization programs.

SAVE Supporting Document: Becoming a Former

Jared Cohen, and Brendan Ballou — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:57:42 -0400

The authors summarize the findings of the Summit Against Violent Extremism and find that the reasons individuals have for joining and leaving violent groups cut across geographies and ideologies.

2012 Nuclear Security Summit and South Korean Nuclear Interests

Fred McGoldrick — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:46:52 -0400

In addition to hosting a successful 2012 Nuclear Security Summit, South Korea is pursuing several nuclear-related national interests not directly associated with the conference, says Fred McGoldrick, partner in international consulting firm Bengelsdorf, McGoldrick, and Associates, LLC.

After Manufacturing

Roland Stephen — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:57:41 -0400

North Carolina, which was struck harder by the loss of manufacturing than another other state, offers a realistic guide for communities across the United States with how best to adapt to this new era of growing international competition.

Addressing the Risk of a Cuban Oil Spill

Captain Melissa Bert, USCG, and Blake Clayton — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:38:08 -0500

The authors analyze the prospect of oil drilling off the coast of Cuba and suggest precautions the United States should take to defend against a potential oil spill emanating from Cuba.

The Global Human Rights Regime

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:00:01 -0500

A broad-sweeping look at international efforts to protect and promote human rights. This is part of the Global Governance Monitor, an interactive feature tracking multilateral approaches to several global challenges.

From Aid to Development Partnership

Scott A. Snyder, and Seukhoon Paul Choi — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:43:25 -0500

This Working Paper analyzes U.S.-ROK cooperation in international development, presenting how the two countries should establish a new system of partnerships between aid recipients and donors and enhance donor coordination.

A Strategy to Advance the Arctic Economy

Captain Melissa Bert, USCG — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:24:59 -0500

Unlike its Arctic neighbors, the United States is failing to take full advantage of the tremendous economic potential of the Arctic region. Captain Melissa Bert argues for U.S. ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention; international polar shipping standards; and an aircraft, icebreaker, and shore-based infrastructure acquisition program funded by Arctic oil and gas lease proceeds.

Fostering Greater Chinese Investment in the United States

David M. Marchick — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:18:28 -0500

David Marchick calls for new U.S. government efforts to increase the small share of Chinese direct investment in the United States, including combating perceived prejudices, removing policy impediments, and encouraging U.S. businesses to partner with their Chinese counterparts.

Managing Oil Market Disruption in a Confrontation with Iran

Robert McNally — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:53:33 -0500

U.S. and EU moves to sanction Iran's oil exports have prompted worries about a disruption of global oil markets. A new CFR energy brief by expert Robert McNally outlines scenarios where rising tensions could affect the price of oil and potential policy responses.

The Global Finance Regime

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:19:48 -0500

A broad-sweeping look at international efforts to regulate the global financial system. This is part of the Global Governance Monitor, an interactive feature tracking multilateral approaches to several global challenges.

The Global Regime for Armed Conflict

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:44 -0500

A broad-sweeping look at international efforts to prevent armed conflict. This is part of the Global Governance Monitor, an interactive feature tracking multilateral approaches to several global challenges.

Quarterly Update: The Economic Recovery in Historical Context

Paul Swartz, and Neil Bouhan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:38 -0500

Examines data including GDP, household debt, and industrial production to show the weakness of the current recovery compared to previous post-war rebounds.

Faster, Safer, and Smarter: A Modern Visa System for the United States

Edward Alden, and Liam Schwartz — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:00:56 -0500

Edward Alden and Liam Schwartz recommend a visa screening system that will benefit U.S. security and the economy by focusing scrutiny on high-risk travelers and speeding approval for low-risk ones.

Quarterly Update: The Economic Downturn in Historical Context

Paul Swartz, and Neil Bouhan — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:51:47 -0500

Economic Downturn: Compares economic indicators from the latest recession to past downturns, both post-war and pre-war, to demonstrate the recent recession is worse than other post-war recessions.

Leadership Transition in North Korea

Ken Gause — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:37:39 -0500

CNA senior research analyst Ken Gause discusses power politics and the leadership transition in North Korea.

Busan High-Level Forum: From Dead Aid to Better Development?

Hyuk-sang Sohn — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:43:49 -0500

Development specialist Sohn Hyuk-sang analyzes the Busan-High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, arguing a new future for poverty reduction.

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets

Neil Bouhan, and Paul Swartz — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:14:02 -0500

This chart book shows the growth in foreign ownership of U.S. assets over time.