Full Description
CQ Researcher's Global Issues offers an in-depth and nuanced look at a wide range of today's most pressing issues. The 2015 edition of this annual reader looks at topics such as Russia's resurgence, global hunger, U.S. global engagement, transnational crime, and al Qaeda's continuing threat. And because it's CQ Researcher, the reports are expertly researched and written. Each chapter identifies the key players, explores what's at stake, and offers the background and analysis necessary to understand how past and current developments impact the future of each issue.
Contents
ANNOTATED CONTENTSPREFACECONTRIBUTORSCONFLICT, SECURITY, AND TERRORISM1. Chemical and Biological Weapons Are chemical weapons worse than other weapons of war? Are biological weapons a serious threat to the United States? Can the world rid itself of chemical and biological weapons? Background Current Situation Outlook: Complacency? Notes Bibliography2. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Is a two-state solution still possible? Is the United States indispensable to an agreement between Israel and Palestinian authorities? Are the settlements the biggest obstacle to an agreement? Background Early Clashes Partition Fails Short Wars Early Peace Process Uprisings Current Situation Outlook: Looming Questions Notes Bibliography3. Iraq War: 10 Years Later Did the mission succeed? Did the war boost Iran's regional and global power? Did the war weaken the U.S. economy? Background Current Situation Outlook: Sectarian Strife Notes Bibliography4. Improving Cybersecurity Are doomsday cyberwar scenarios exaggerated? Should the U.S. government impose cybersecurity standards on the private sector? Should the United States regulate the Internet? Background Current Situation Outlook: Managing Intrusions Notes Bibliography5. Assessing the Threat from al Qaeda Is al Qaeda weaker since Osama bin Laden was killed? Does al Qaeda remain a threat to the West? Can the United States do more to stem al Qaeda's spread? Background Current Situation Outlook: Improving Governance Notes Bibliography6. Unrest in the Arab World Has the Arab Spring stalled? Do Islamic groups pose a threat to political reform in the Arab world? Can a stable political solution be found in Syria? Background Current Situation Outlook: Unfinished Spring Notes Bibliography7. Transnational Crime Is the danger posed by transnational crime exaggerated? Does the failure to stop drug trafficking suggest that fighting other transnational crime also will fail? Should the illegal activities of banks and corporations be classified as transnational crimes? Background Current Situation Outlook: Grim Future Notes Bibliography8. Resurgent Russia Is Russia trying to recreate the Soviet bloc? Is Russia helping to bring peace to the Middle East? Should the United States take a tougher stance with Russia? Background Current Situation Outlook: Continuing Tensions Epilogue Notes BibliographyINTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY9. U.S. Trade Policy Will expanding free trade create jobs for Americans? Can U.S. firms compete with state-owned companies? Does expanding free trade help promote human rights and democracy? Background Regional Pacts Current Situation Outlook: Change in China Notes Bibliography10. Millennium Development Goals Will the goals be successful? Were the goals unfair to some countries? Is the progress achieved under the goals sustainable? Background Current Situation Outlook: Future Planning Notes Bibliography Voices From Abroad11. Booming Africa Can African economies diversify away from natural resource production? Can Africa provide enough jobs for its fast-growing population? Is Africa about to undergo an East Asia-style boom? Background Current Situation Outlook: Chinese Challenges Notes Bibliography Voices From Abroad12. U.S. Global Engagement Should the U.S. military intervene in Ukraine? If the U.S. reduces its global involvement, will China and Russia step in? Is the post-Cold War vision of the U.S. as the "indispensable nation" still valid? Background Current Situation Outlook: Catious Posture Notes BibliographyRELIGIOUS AND HUMAN RIGHTS13. Free Speech at Risk Has technology made speech freer? Should religious sensibility be allowed to limit free expression? Should the United States promote free speech abroad? Background Current Situation Outlook: Shame, Not Laws? Notes Bibliography14. Islamic Sectarianism Is the Sunni-Shiite split primarily about theology? Are concerns about sectarian conflict overblown? Is Sunni-Shiite reconciliation possible in the near future? Background Current Situation Outlook: Historical Process Notes Bibliography Voices From AbroadENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES15. Climate Change Are catastrophic climate change impacts inevitable? Is climate engineering a good idea? Should the United States adopt a carbon tax? Background Current Situation Outlook: Adapting and Leading Notes Bibliography16. Global Hunger Are developed countries' aid policies making hunger worse? Is climate change making hunger worse? Are genetically modified crops needed to end hunger? Background Current Situation Outlook: Solvable Problem Notes Bibliography
