NICOSIA INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER
NEWSLETTER
Issue 20 - May/June 2007
- AVIAN FLU PANDEMIC: POTENTIAL IMPACT OF TRADE DISRUPTIONS
Danielle Langton. Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress. Updated February 14, 2007.
“The possibility of an avian flu pandemic with consequences for global trade is a concern that has received more attention recently, although some experts believe there is little cause for alarm. Experts disagree on the likelihood of an avian flu pandemic developing at all. This report considers possible trade disruptions, including possible impacts on trade between the United States and countries and regions that have reported avian influenza infections.”
Full Text [pdf format, 6 pages]
- PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE GUIDANCE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. May 2007.
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak, and a flu pandemic occurs when a new virus emerges where there is no immunity and no vaccine. A severe flu pandemic could cause a number of illnesses, deaths, social disruptions, and economic losses. In order to mitigate the effects of a flu pandemic, collaboration between state and federal healthcare professionals is vital. “The goal of this document is to help healthcare workers and employers prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic.”
Full Text [pdf format 104 pages]
- VACCINATING TO PROTECT A VULNERABLE SUBPOPULATION
Jonathan Dushoff, Joshua B. Plotkin, Cecile Viboud, Lone Simonsen, Mark Miller, Mark Loeb, and David J.D. Earn. Research Article, PLoS Medicine. Web posted May 22, 2007.
Epidemic influenza causes serious mortality in temperate countries each winter. Schoolchildren are critical in the spread of influenza virus, and the elderly and very young are most vulnerable. Consequently, it is unclear how best to focus prevention efforts. This study investigated the question of how to protect a population when one group is effective at spreading disease and another group is more vulnerable. The authors recommend changing the vaccination strategy, but this change should be approached with caution. Their concern is that “while switching vaccines to more active groups may protect vulnerable groups in many cases; switching too much vaccine, or switching vaccine under slightly different conditions, may lead to large increases in disease in vulnerable groups.”
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [pdf format, 7 pages]
- GEO: GLOBAL ENVIRONOMENT OUTLOOK: OVERVIEW
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations. Web posted May 24, 2007.
This is the fourth annual GEO Year Book on the changing environment. It is produced by the UNEP and environmental experts. This year’s volume includes a global and regional overview, and “linkages among ecosystem health, human well-being, and economic development.” It also examines new thinking on ecosystems and the threat of their degradation. The report includes recent research findings and policy decisions that affect responses to global change.
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Overview [pdf format, 42 pages]
Individual Chapters [pdf format, various pagings]
- ACHIEVEMENTS IN STRATOSPHERIC OZONE PROTECTION: PROGRESS REPORT
Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. April 26, 2007.
“Countries around the world are phasing out the production and use of chemicals that destroy ozone in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.” With many partners, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed and implemented effective approaches to ensure stratospheric ozone protection. This report covers the “substantial achievements of people, programs, and organizations that are working to protect the Earth’s ozone layer.”
Full Text [pdf format, 40 pages]
- CLIMATE CHANGE: DESIGN APPROACHES FOR A GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION PROGRAM
Larry Parker. Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress. January 16, 2007.
The 2005 Sense of the Senate climate resolution enacted “a mandatory, market-based program to slow, stop, and reverse the growth of greenhouse gases. . .” The resolution also stated that the program is “not significantly harming the economy.” Market-based mechanisms of greenhouse gas emission reductions focus “on specifying either the acceptable emissions level (quantity) or compliance costs (price), and allowing the marketplace to determine the economically efficient solution for the other variable.” This paper discusses the options on the price side of the equation of greenhouse gas emission reduction.
Full Text [pdf format, 30 pages]
- POLLS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND GLOBAL WARMING
AEI Studies in Public Opinion, American Enterprise Institute. April 20, 2007.
This American Enterprise Institute (AEI) study examines polls about the environment from 1982 to March 2007. The study looks at responses to environmental questions spanning this 25-year period, and it shows developmental trends over this time period. One of the conclusions drawn is that a majority of Americans are sympathetic to the environmental movement, but they are not actively involved in it.
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [pdf format, 50 pages]
- BIDDING FOR EXTINCTION: INTERNATIONAL SURVEY
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). May 2007.
This study is a follow-up to the 2005 IFAW UK’S international survey that revealed over 9,000 wild animals or animal products were available on eBay™ during a seven-week period. Following that report, IFAW met with eBay™ representatives in Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific to improve awareness of wildlife trade and to encourage them to crack down on illegal trading. This study focuses on ivory traded on eBay™. As a result of this new study, it appears that most of the eBay™ sites paid only lip service to IFAW’s previous recommendations. This report provides the result of the survey plus follow-up recommendations.
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [pdf format, 16 pages]
- THE CHALLENGE OF ECONOMIC REFORM IN THE ARAB WORLD: TOWARD MORE PRODUCTIVE ECONOMIES
Sufyan Alissa. Carnegie Middle East Center, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Web posted May 7, 2007.
This paper identifies broad trends and explores basic concepts and categories for each of the individual countries in the Middle East. The author explains that there are different motivations and factors that determine economic reforms in the Middle East; therefore, the paper outlines a number of questions and concerns that need to be identified for each country. The paper also establishes a framework that “is intended to pave the way for a set of country case studies that will examine these issues in depth in each country and answer some of the questions raised.”
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [pdf format, 20 pages]
- ISRAELI-ARAB NEGOTIATIONS: BACKGROUND, CONFLICTS, AND U.S. POLICY
Carol Migdalovitz. Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress. Updated April 10, 2007.
Congress is concerned about the Middle East peace process because of its oversight role in foreign policy matters, its support to Israel, and concerns from its constituents. Congress is especially apprehensive about financial and other commitments to the parties in the Middle East. This report provides background information and an overview of the conflicts in the Middle East since 1991. This report will be updated as warranted.
Full Text [pdf format, 37 pages]
- INTERNATIONAL REACTION TO THE PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT
Paul Morro. Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress. May 9, 2007.
The new Hamas-led Palestinian government complicates U.S. policy toward the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the peace process. When Hamas took power, the Administration and some of its partners cut off contact and assistance, and supported moderates in Fatah. The international sanctions did not drive Hamas from power, and some assert that it provided an opening for Iran. Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, are pressing for recognition of the new government. However, in 2006, Congress tightened existing restrictions; and in 2007, a bill was introduced to further restrict contact and assistance.
This report will be updated as needed.
Full Text [pdf format, 6 pages]
- THE UNCERTAIN “METRICS” OF AFGHANISTAN (AND IRAQ)
Anthony H. Cordesman. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). May 18, 2007.
Afghanistan is scarcely a “forgotten war,” but it has never received the same level of attention as Iraq. Canada, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. are on the offensive, and so far there is little evidence of a corresponding offensive by the Taliban. Mullah Dadullah Lang, the Taliban's best-known military commander, was killed in fighting in Southern Afghanistan in May. He was the third key Taliban leader to be killed in the last six months. However, there is growing evidence that Afghans resent the U.S. and NATO military activity. The central government in Afghanistan “is ineffective (and often simply not present), it is corrupt and making little progress in providing services and effective governance.” The author argues that the U.S., NATO, and the Afghan government still have opportunities for victory, but the campaign in Afghanistan must become “a major exercise in armed nation building;” not just a counterinsurgency campaign.
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [pdf format, 9 pages]
- THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR MIGRATION: RECENT ESTIMATES AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Howard F. Chang. Scholarship at Penn Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School. May 2007.
In this survey, the author reviewed the economic theory and empirical evidence of the economic impact of international labor migration. His research shows that the “magnitude of the gains that the world could enjoy by liberalizing international migration indicate that even partial liberalization would not only produce substantial increases in the world’s real income but also improve its distribution.” These gains have a positive effect on natives in the countries of immigration, on the migrants, and those left behind in the countries of emigration. The author argues that economic efficiency and distributive justice favor liberalized immigration policies.
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [pdf format, 21 pages]
- REFORM OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Peter B. Kenen. Council Special Report, Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, Council on Foreign Relations. Web posted May 10, 2007.
The original purpose and scope of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was to maintain monetary and exchange-rate stability among its mostly industrialized membership. Today, however, most of its members are from developing countries. The expansion of IMF’s macroeconomic issues has led some to call for reform. The authors urge the U.S. to support reform, but they argue that “the United States should not try to achieve unilaterally what the Fund can and should achieve multilaterally.”
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [pdf format, 56 pages]
- INFRASTRUCTURE 2007: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Jonathan D. Miller. Urban Land Institute and Ernst & Young. May 2007.
By 2008, one half of the world’s population will live in cities. With the increase in population and the decrease in public funds, urban infrastructure has emerged as a major concern; but it is also seen as a new investment venue for urban income and capital returns. This report is based on wide research and four forums of experts in the field of development, design, finance, engineering, and the public sector. The forums highlighted the current state of infrastructure repair and maintenance. New financing vehicles were also examined.
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [pdf format, 69 pages]
- U.S.-EUROPEAN UNION RELATIONS AND THE 2007 SUMMIT
Raymond Ahearn, Kristin Archick, and Paul Belkin. Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress. April 13, 2007.
Over the years, the U.S. Congresses and administrations have supported the European Union (EU) and European integration. However, recently a number of trade and foreign policy conflicts have strained this relationship. Since the dispute over Iraq in 2003, the United States and the EU “have sought to improve cooperation and demonstrate a renewed commitment to partnership in tackling global challenges.” This report evaluates the U.S.-EU relationship and the current issues.
Full Text [pdf format, 18 pages]
- CHINA-EUROPE RELATIONS GET COMPLICATED
David Shambaugh. Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution. Web posted May 7, 2007.
Since 1995 China-Europe relations have been steadily improving; however, recently the relationship has changed. In October 2006, the European Commission (EU) issued a Communication along with a policy paper that raised concerns about China’s trade and investment. The EU ratified this Communication in December. These documents surprised the Chinese government, but the People’s Republic of China (PRC) “understood” the EU’s concerns. The two parties plan to move ahead with negotiations on a new EU-PRC Partnership & Cooperation Agreement.
[Note: Contains copyrighted material.]
Full Text [html format, various pagings]
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