Project Syndicate - the Smartest Op-Ed Articles from the World's Thought Leaders

World Affairs
A Dangerous Game of Chicken
Yoon Young-kwan

World Affairs
A Dangerous Game of Chicken

Yoon Young-kwan AUG 14, 2017 2

Yoon Young-kwan fears that Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un's war of words could morph quickly into all-out conflict.
Nicholas Kamm/Getty Images
The war between US President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un over the latter’s nuclear program has so far been fought only in words. But each turn of the rhetorical screw deepens the risk that, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, “jaw-jaw” could turn into “war-war.” READ MORE
Economics
A Regulatory Race to the Bottom?
Alissa Amico

Economics
A Regulatory Race to the Bottom?

Alissa Amico AUG 14, 2017 1

Alissa Amico warns that institutional investors lose out when state-owned enterprises get preferential treatment.
Ian Timberlake/Getty Images
The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority wants to relax listing conditions for state-owned issuers wishing to qualify for the London Stock Exchange Premium Listing Segment. But by offering valuable SOEs like Saudi Aramco preferential treatment, the FCA is putting institutional investors at serious risk. READ MORE
World Affairs
The Crown Prince’s New Clothes
John Andrews

World Affairs
The Crown Prince’s New Clothes

John Andrews AUG 14, 2017 0

John Andrews wonders if Saudi Arabia's newly established heir to the throne has bitten off more than he can chew.
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Eventually, the contretemps between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, and the Maldives will end. But it remains to be seen if it will end well for its chief instigator, Saudi Arabia's newly established crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. READ MORE
World Affairs
Can South Korea Save the Day?
Katharine H.S. Moon

World Affairs
Can South Korea Save the Day?

Katharine H.S. Moon AUG 14, 2017 1

Katharine H.S. Moon hopes that Moon Jae-in’s administration will serve as a peacemaker in the US-North Korea conflict.
Kim Won Jin/AFP/Getty Images
As Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump's war of words escalates, Independence Day celebrations are unfolding across the Korean Peninsula. The occasion underscores not just the shared history between North and South Korea, but also the South’s unique qualifications to bring about a peaceful resolution to the current military standoff. READ MORE
Politics
China’s “Double-Freeze” Con
Minxin Pei

Politics
China’s “Double-Freeze” Con

Minxin Pei AUG 13, 2017 9

Minxin Pei shows why a Chinese and Russian proposal for ending the North Korea crisis would not work.
Kim Won-jin/AFP/Getty Images
As the unprecedented exchange of white-hot rhetoric between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump has escalated, China has proposed a “double freeze,” in which North Korea would freeze its nuclear activities in exchange for the United States and South Korea freezing joint military exercises. But that solution has two critical flaws. READ MORE