Part 6 of 6 in our Inside the Hermit Kingdom series on the people and culture of North Korea. Worldfocus multimedia producer Ben Piven writes about the stark contrast between the stagnant North Korean economy and the booming economies of China and South Korea to the north and south.
Business
Web Original
November 20, 2009
North Korean economy sandwiched by the dragon and tiger
Perspectives
November 18, 2009
Africa remains the final frontier for economic growth
Ayo Johnson, a Worldfocus contributing blogger, writes about extraction of natural resources in Africa. The piece, excerpted from his blog, Africa Speak International, argues that Chinese investment in Africa has benefited that continent and speaks to Africa's natural strategic importance.
Interview
November 17, 2009
Debating the impact of a new world financial order
Worldfocus regulars Marcus Mabry of The New York Times and Roben Farzad of BusinessWeek join Daljit Dhaliwal to discuss the implications for the Obama administration of the U.S role as a debtor nation to China. They talk about whether the Chinese may influence U.S. policy on issues ranging from Afghanistan to health care because of this new reality.
Signature Video
November 17, 2009
Israel thrives as the Silicon Valley of the Middle East
The high-tech industry has become the backbone of Israel's economy with 46 percent of exports coming from the industrial high tech sector. Worldfocus correspondent Martin Himel takes a look at the businesses and entrepreneurial players of the Middle East's Silicon Valley.
Video
November 17, 2009
U.S. lagging behind in harnessing green energy
In talks between President Obama and the Chinese president, climate change was high on the agenda. A recent report found that China is the world's leading renewable energy producer. Is the United States lagging too far behind other countries in developing renewable energy sources and businesses?
Interview
November 16, 2009
U.S. leader faces profound diplomatic challenges in China
President Obama's visit to China comes amid that country's growing influence as a key player on the global stage. Daljit Dhaliwal talks about China's new role with Jamie Metzl, executive vice president of the Asia Society. He says that China may emerge as a strategic partner.
Video
November 16, 2009
On East Asian tour, Obama engages ascendant China
U.S. President Barack Obama visited Shanghai to meet with Chinese leaders and hold a town hall meeting with university students. The American leader stressed the interdependence between the U.S. and the Asian giant. Melissa Chan and Steve Chao of Al Jazeera English report.
Video
November 13, 2009
Iraq lures tourists back to Babylon amid rubble of war
Iraq is home to one of the seven wonders of the world and other ruins and temples. But after years of violence and unrest, tourists are wary of traveling to the war-ravaged country. Al Jazeera English's Hamish MacDonald reports on how Iraq is positioning itself as a tourist destination again.
Signature Video
November 5, 2009
Taxes curb Danish oil use, promote energy independence
Producer John Larson reports from Copenhagen, Denmark, on how changing lifestyles, taxing energy and subsidizing alternative technologies have reduced the country's dependency on oil and created thousands of new jobs.
Blogwatch
November 4, 2009
Debating the shape of a neighborhood in Tokyo
Tokyo's neighborhoods straddle the edge between the need for modern development and the desire to maintain its historical buildings and structures. Chis Salzberg, a writer/translator living in Tokyo, Japan discusses the reaction to the recent development plan for the neighborhood of Shimokitazawa for Global Voices Online.
