Abe Shinzo has left an impressive legacy
WHEN HE WAS a boy, Abe Shinzo aspired to make films. His family history—he is the grandson of a prime minister and the son of a foreign minister—set him on a different path (see Books & arts section). Yet as a politician, he strived to change the stories that Japan tells about itself. “If the…
China’s war games raise fears for Taiwan’s security
The island cannot rely on American help, but armed conflict remains unlikelyAug 30th 2020CHINA HAS never renounced what it says is its right to “reunify” Taiwan by force if peaceful means are thwarted. So armies on both sides have to prepare for war, however remote it may seem. Of late the number of naval exercises…
The death of Kuwait’s emir robs the Gulf of an effective diplomat
With headstrong princes in charge elsewhere in the turbulent region, Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah’s calming influence will be missedHIS LAST role was as a monarch, but it was his longest, as a diplomat, which defined him. Before he ascended the throne in 2006, Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah spent four decades as Kuwait’s foreign minister. Rather than slip…
Did Abenomics work?
Sep 3rd 2020AS AN EXERCISE in political branding, Abenomics has been an unusual success. When Abe Shinzo returned to power as Japan’s prime minister in December 2012, he said he would revive the economy by loosing off three “arrows”. The first, expansive monetary policy, would banish deflation. The second, flexible fiscal policy, would restrain public…
The WTO’s outgoing boss leaves behind a hobbled body
Roberto Azevêdo departs in a worsening climate for international tradeAug 30th 2020WASHINGTON, DCWHEN ROBERTO AZEVÊDO, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), departs on August 31st, he will leave an institution in a wretched state. The WTO’s 164 members could not agree even on an interim successor (Mr Azevêdo is going a year early,…
India’s economy shrinks by a quarter as covid-19 gathers pace
THE STATISTICS landed like fists in a one-two punch. First came the news that India had counted 78,000 new cases of covid-19 on August 30th alone—more than any other country has tallied in a single day since the pandemic began. The next day came the bill for the two-month lockdown that the government imposed in…
A TV series about female vigilantes breaks taboos in Pakistan
“NOT ALL heroes wear capes,” declares the trailer for a new Pakistani television series. Some wear burkas. The stars of “Churails”—which means “Witches” in Urdu—are a gang of female avengers who wield fists and hockey sticks in anger. They dispense rough justice to abusive and philandering men.Sara is a lawyer who gives up her career…
‘The Lion King’ Sequel in the Works With Director Barry Jenkins
Disney is headed back to the Pride Lands for a sequel to “The Lion King,” channeled by Barry Jenkins, the director behind “Moonlight.” Jenkins remarked: “Helping my sister raise two young boys during the ’90s, I grew up with these characters. Having the opportunity to work with Disney on expanding this magnificent tale of friendship,…
Is Wall Street winning in China?
IF YOU WANT a sure-fire way to get rejected, try asking Western financial firms for interviews about how geopolitical tensions have affected their strategies in China. “This topic carries some sensitivities,” one bank demurs. “We don’t want to end up in a Trump tweet,” says another. The Economist sought interviews with 15 global banks, insurers…
Will the Fed’s policy shift start a trend?
Sep 3rd 2020WASHINGTON, DCIN 2018, WHEN America’s long recovery from the 2007-09 financial crisis pushed the unemployment rate below 4%, the Federal Reserve had a simple message for American workers: do not get used to it. The central bank’s economic projections revealed that its officials believed 4.5% to be the lowest sustainable jobless rate, to…