When Via Meadia first drew up the list of ten trends that would shape the next decade, we coined the term “panopolis” to describe the forces turning the peoples of the world, developed and now developing, too, into a race of urbanites. From the original description: These cities aren’t just bigger than the old ones.  They […]

America’s perenially rising healthcare costs, as Via Meadia has noted many times before, are possibly the single greatest threat to the long-term fiscal health of the country. As the American population ages, rising health costs and the cost burdens associated with programs like Medicare threaten to demolish the budgets of state and federal governments alike.There […]

Over the past few months, China’s business and political leaders have had to deal with all manner of protests. Take a look:– January 19: 1,000 people from Wanggang village protest against their corrupt Communist Party boss in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong. – January 17: 8,000 workers protest uneven wages at Foster Electric Company’s factory in Guangxi Province. – […]

China’s Premier Wen Jiabao returns to his homeland today having concluded an expensive shopping trip across the Middle East. Chinese business leaders, accompanying Mr. Wen, signed (WSJ subscription required) deals with Arab companies worth billions of dollars, but one of the more interesting details of the trip is the Persian Gulf storefront Mr. Wen and […]

President Obama’s decision on Tuesday to reject the Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry “dirty” oil from Canadian tar sands to American refineries, drew the expected response from familiar corners. The vocal green fringe is ecstatic; the Canadians are disappointed; and the entire Republican Party is quietly celebrating  this ready-made political club for use in […]

The Syrian outlook continues to worsen.Latest update: Russia and Iran have been caught with their hands in the Syrian cookie jar. The U.S. Treasury Department recently exposed Iran’s efforts to help Syria evade international sanctions on oil exports, while Russia was caught shipping weapons to Assad. The WSJ reports: American officials investigating the Iranian operation […]

For decades, the booming factories and massive, cheap workforce of East Asia has been both the greatest fear and the greatest envy of the growing ranks of American declinists. What, then, are they to make of a recent article in the FT, which describes manufacturing business moving back across the Pacific to the U.S.? According […]

A quick glance at the headlines of any major financial new publication this week reveals that it has been a tough start to the new year for those reviled bankers. Earnings at the big banks are coming it at consistently disappointing levels, and the employees of many firms are seeing their usually-hefty bonuses cut down […]

South Sudan’s recent independence did not stop the violence that has disrupted greater Sudan for decades. Tribal rivalries, conflict with the North and other provinces, rogue militias, and drought continue to destabilize the new country. The Washington Post reports: Members of a South Sudan tribe that was previously targeted in a massive ethnic assault killed 47 […]

With the military and Muslim Brotherhood hashing out new power sharing agreements, it is now time for Egyptian leaders to address its beleaguered economy. The Financial Times reports that Egypt’s military rulers, after initially rejecting international help last summer, have asked the IMF for $3.2 billion in support for its failing economy.Since the “revolution” began, […]