Mar 26Member-onlyChina goes its own way as the world opens up, but a course correction is in the cardsThere is a growing global consensus — including in Canada — that COVID-19 is here to stay, and that we will need to adapt. China is the exception: the country’s official position is that one case of the virus is too many. But China is going to have to change…China6 min read
Mar 13Member-onlyA project in Mississippi equips children with a futurist mindsetTrying to make sense of the future, and preparing for different eventualities, are generally perceived as responsibilities for the grownups. But why should thinking about tomorrow’s big issues be the sole domain of adults? Children of all ages will spend more time in the future than their elders, and benefit…Future3 min read
Feb 28Member-onlyTomorrow’s shopping mall is taking shape todayU.S. shopping malls have been on the decline for many years, victims of a consumer culture that has turned toward strip malls and on-line shopping. Then the pandemic arrived and shoved many malls over the edge. Iconic stores declared bankruptcy one after another — Lord and Taylor, Pier One, Neiman…Shopping6 min read
Feb 24Member-onlyWhat did strategic foresight reveal about Russia’s future a decade ago?Russia’s brazen invasion of the Ukraine has shaken the international order. The vicious attack is jarring, even if we have known for years that this day could come. In 2014, Vladimir Putin wrote that “Kiev is the mother of Russian cities.” Days before the attack he issued ominous statements like…Russia4 min read
Jan 12Member-only2022 Outlook: Asia’s prospectsAs Asia continues to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19, how is the region expected to fare in the new year? Following is an interview I gave to Unravel, a digital platform focused on international politics, economics and technology, and how they influence human life and endeavor. Unravel: As we…Asia2 min read
Dec 31, 2021Member-onlyWorld’s biggest regional trade pact enters into effectRCEP reinforces Asia’s regional integration The center of the global economy continues to shift toward Asia as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is born. The accord becomes effective for two-thirds of its 15 members on 1 January 2022. More than ten years in the making, RCEP is the largest…China4 min read
Dec 27, 2021Member-onlyWomen and girls bear the brunt of deteriorating living conditions in AfghanistanThe Taliban’s capture of Kabul in late August 2021, and subsequent consolidation of rule over Afghanistan, raised serious concern that the gains secured by women and girls over the last twenty years would be lost. Since regaining control of Afghanistan, Taliban representatives have promised to respect women’s rights to work…Afghanistan4 min read
Dec 23, 2021Member-onlySeven risks to Asia’s economic resilience in 2022Across Asia, vaccination rates are rising, e-commerce is soaring, trade has rebounded and supply chain problems are starting to ease, delivering hope for the new year. …Covid 195 min read
Dec 23, 2021Member-onlyHow Canada’s western provinces and federal government should view China’s bid to join the CPTPPThe Canada West Foundation posed the following question to me and some other experts on international trade and Asia: China has formally applied for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Member countries, including Canada, have made clear that China must adhere to the high standards…China2 min read
Dec 22, 2021Member-onlyHelping India’s elderly cross the digital divide as the country agesIndia boasts more than 560 million internet users, making it the second largest online market in the world. Yet there are vast disparities in use, by age, socio-economic status, gender and areas where people reside. The penetration rate for smart phones is about 54%, but only around 5% for those…India5 min read
