What the World is Reading

The September/October issue of Foreign Affairs carries essays by two more American presidential candidates. The headlines say it all. Republican Rudolph Giuliani8217;s is titled 8216;Towards a realistic peace8217;, and Democrat John Edwards8217; 8216;Reengaging with the world8217;. 8220;We are all members of the 9/11 generation,8221; begins Giuliani who was mayor of New York at that fateful juncture. On India: 8220;US cooperation with India on issues ranging from intelligence to naval patrols and civil nuclear power will serve as a pillar of security and prosperity in South Asia.8221;

Edwards stresses on the need for America to reclaim the moral high ground in its foreign policy and move beyond 8220;the wreckage of Iraq8221;. On India: 8220;I have seen for myself that India is one of the world8217;s richest treasures. With its great history, tremendous people, and rich culture, India has truly overwhelming potential. The United States is fortunate to count India as a partner, and we must cultivate our friendship to advance our common values. India is a country that knows both the positive and the negative aspects of our globalised world. It has achieved remarkable economic growth, benefiting from access to technology and information. Yet the nation also grapples with threats that refuse to respect borders 8212; the AIDS pandemic, extreme poverty, and terrorists, such as those who struck New Delhi late in 2005. The United States and India are natural allies, and the US-Indian strategic partnership will help shape the twenty-first century. We must therefore strengthen our relationship using both national and international tools: reforming the UN so that there is a place for India on the Security Council and working with India to help it achieve a credible and transparent plan to permanently separate its civilian and military nuclear programmes. The United States could then more easily work with India to address its energy needs8212;another step that would deepen the US-Indian friendship.8221;

The Economist August 18-24 contends that the new global financial order is undergoing its harshest test on the pricing and scattering of risk. Another article focuses on the suicide of the mysterious Zhang Shuhong, whose photograph is reportedly impossible to find. He was one of the sub-contractors in China making toys for Mattel. That anonymity of vendors in China8217;s manufacturing hubs has so far been a great strength. It has, for instance, allowed the same contractor to manufacture products for direct competitors. But now with recalls hitting China, things may change: 8220;This whole system might founder on the question of quality control. To distinguish themselves from their dodgier rivals, Chinese contractors will have to become better known. In that sense, the suicide of a faceless figure like Zhang, and the furore it has prompted, might prove the death-knell of all China8217;s anonymous industrialists.8221;

Meanwhile: The September issue of National Geographic has a cover story on 8220;the struggle for the soul of Pakistan8221;. To coincide with the tenth anniversary of her death, Time August 27 explores 8220;how Princess Diana changed Britain8221;. The New Statesman August 20 explains 8220;why aviation is the most bitter and divisive issue in environmental politics today8221; 8212; long flights account for a larger carbon footprint than other activity undertaken by individuals and there is still contention over the way airlines configure their carbon calculators.