America created violent political Islam inadvertently as part of its Cold War strategy, says Mahmood Mamdani – I was in New York City on 9/11. In the weeks that followed, newspapers reported that the Koran had become one of the biggest-selling books in American bookshops. Astonishingly, Americans seemed to think that reading the Koran might…
Despite apparent new openings to end the Arab-Israeli conflict, the basic political problems remain unchanged. Robert Malley spells out what a realistic plan should look like – The Middle East appears to be witnessing a rare moment of consensus. With the death of Yasser Arafat, the Palestine leader, the re-election of George Bush, and Israeli…
Corinne Maier created a sensation last summer with Bonjour Paresse, a handbook for idlers. Here she fantasizes about leaving corporate life for good – That day I had a dream: I would never work again. At the beginning it was simply a dream. It was just before the alarm went off, at around 7 am….
“There can be no development without the sustainable management of our resources in an environment that is democratic, respects human rights and is committed to the welfare of citizens. A country that endeavours to follow this path can hope for peace. More than simply protecting the existing environment, the Green Belt Movement’s strategy secures and…
Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 employees on 9/11. Thanks to foresighted disaster planning, customer loyalty and a determination to honour the dead, it has risen from the ashes, says Howard Lutnick Before September 11, 2001, Cantor Fitzgerald was the largest wholesale financial service company in the world. With 2,200 employees worldwide and almost 1,000 in New…
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva came to power promising an economic and social revolution for Brazil. Here, he speaks of the vision that has redefined his country’s place in the world Change. I started my inaugural speech with this word when I assumed the presidency of the republic. I was not trying to be rhetorical….
Quantum mechanics has already brought us the transistor and the laser. But, says Seth Lloyd, quantum computing will bring further advances, like truly secure cryptography We are in the midst of a technological revolution. Because of the rapid advance in sensitivity and accuracy of manufacturing techniques, the technologies that we can construct are pushing up…
Roberto Lavagna has taken a tough stance with the private holders of Argentina’s defaulted bonds and with the IMF. Here, he argues for new principles for debt work-outs The international financial system needs new concepts and instruments to deal with recurring sovereign debt crises, like the one Argentina has suffered. The security and development of…
Teach For America asks top graduates for two years of teaching in tough schools. Wendy Kopp believes they become life-long advocates for social justice Educated in the public schools of El Paso, Texas, Aurora Lora experienced first-hand the dramatic disparities that exist in American schools. The daughter of a Mexican immigrant, Aurora encountered the reality…
The mind is as much a part of the physical world as the body, argues Christof Koch. And we might eventually be able to read each other’s thoughts To different people, consciousness is different things. To some it is the sense of self, of being a particular person with a unique history. To others it…
