It now appears China's leaders are acting upon their frequently expressed concerns about the continuing viability of the U.S. dollar. On 23 November 2009, the Economic Observer News, an independent weekly newspaper distributed in major cities throughout China, published a story suggesting Beijing's sovereign wealth fund is preparing to almost...

China is signaling an intention to scale back the financial stimulus package Beijing employed in a successful effort to mitigate the effects of the current global recession. On 23 November 2009, the China Banking Regulatory Commission issued a warning that domestic banks must strictly comply with capital adequacy requirements or...

I find few things more galling than former members of Congress who continue to receive retirement benefits after being convicted of committing a crime during their time in office. As a military officer who has served this country for more than 18 years, I am aghast to discover former congressman...

We would all be better served if more journalists and politicians chose to avoid discussing currency exchange rates. This is particularly true when it comes to the current value of the Chinese yuan -- Beijing's domestic currency that is presently pegged to the dollar at an exchange rate of 6.83...

Analysis of a potential adversary's intentions is hard -- particularly when that adversary chooses to behave like a belligerent hermit. Such is the case with North Korea. Having decided to eschew modernity by cleaving to a feudal version of socialism, Pyongyang has rendered assessment of North Korea's political intentions an...

Good business people know that tough economic times demand greater emphasis on customer service and satisfaction. There are clearly no good business people in United Airlines' top-level management. The airline that MSNBC declared the "worst of the worst" in June 2008 is striving mightily to maintain that status in 2009....

The new favorite attire for revolutionaries now appears to be pin-striped suits, wing-tipped shoes, and green eyeshades. Yes, green eyeshades -- the headgear once favored by accountants, auditors, bank managers and economists. A case in point, Robert Zoellick -- the current World Bank President -- told an audience last week,...

Congressional outrage over not being told the Central Intelligence Agency had a secret program to kill a select list of al-Qaeda leaders is a needless tempest in a teapot. Anyone with access to the Internet and a penchant for archival reading could have told you the CIA was tasked with...

Racism, alas, is not a uniquely American or European phenomenon. I can personally attest to the fact that racism abounds in Asia. The Japanese have long discriminated against immigrants, the Koreans like to contend they are most homogeneous population on the planet, and Han Chinese have a thinly disguised disdain...

Pragmatists can also be progressive. Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou is a case-in-point. Over the last three weeks Ma has set the stage for meeting with his counterpart in Beijing, and now appears to have a found a means of addressing Taiwan's economic woes. Neither of these developments comes without controversy,...

As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. In early June, Chinese authorities announced the commencement of Beijing's own version of the "Buy American" clause. Yes, it now seems Washington's pandering to populist sentiments in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is going to actually result in...

You know we have a problem when Moscow begins searching for an alternative to investing in U.S. Treasury notes. On 10 June 2009, the Russian central bank warned it plans to reduce Moscow's $140 billion investment in our national debt. Rather than continue to fund our profligate spending, the former...

Washington is engaged in a seemingly hopeless mission -- convincing our creditors that Treasury notes are still a good investment. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner found himself in the unenviable position of executing this mission during his recent trip to China. Unfortunately, Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke's June 3 congressional testimony has...

North Korea is not a Chinese province. Unfortunately, there are a large number of people in Washington who seem to believe otherwise. The repeated assertions that Beijing could put Pyongyang back in the box at a moment's notice spring from this assumption. Quite frankly, this line of reasoning is of...

We need to engage in a serious conversation about the United States' long-term economic health. My periodic reading of the financial tea leaves is causing a significant loss of sleep. Over the last week, a variety of sources have begun to openly suggest Washington is headed for runaway inflation --...

The real significance of Pyongyang's decision to proceed with a second nuclear test is not the explosion itself, but rather the transparency of North Korean intentions. While I agree the move signals an effort to further enhance North Korea's pitiable nuclear capabilities, and may serve to bolster domestic support for...

Washington has finally learned the value of pragmatism... at least when it comes to dealing with China. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to avoid needlessly insulting Beijing by harping on human rights reflects a real maturation in our China policy. Instead of aggravating our largest creditor, American politicians have come...

Rule of law. For many Americans that simple statement unleashes a host of images and preconceived notions. Thinking about blind justice holding her scales? See, the myth prevails. From an early age Americans are taught the law is a neutral arbiter. That we can expect a fair trial, impartial enforcement...

While Washington has been preoccupied wrestling with a potential financial disaster, Beijing and Taipei are seizing opportunity from adversity. The saber rattling and bluster that characterized China's dealings with the island during the 1990s has been replaced with diplomacy and a tangible reconciliation campaign--that is now paying dividends at a...

The cost of borrowing money in the United States is going to increase. Not tomorrow, and likely not in the next six months, but in the foreseeable future it is going to become increasingly expensive to finance your car, home, and college education. I come to that conclusion in the...