The U.S. and Europe Are Blocking Global Cooperation Leaders of the world’s largest economies are off for a G-20 get-together June 18 in Los Cabos, Mexico. No doubt, their closing communiqué will declare that the governance of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank should “more adequately reflect changing economic weights in the world economy in order to increase their legitimacy and effectiveness.” We know that because the statement has been repeated in pretty much every G-20 declaration since the first one in 2008. But thanks to the shortsighted foot-dragging of the U.S. and Europe, this important ambition is proving difficult to realize. As the economic crisis rumbles on, hitting the old, very rich of Europe and North America far more than the new, somewhat rich of Asia and Latin America, the traditional order of global financial governance is looking increasingly frayed. And rather than additional financing or less clout, the price of reduced effectiveness appears to be exactly the cost that the U.S. has decided to pay.
Mexican immigration to U.S. at a standstill By msnbc.com staff and news services WASHINGTON -- Faced with a persistently weak economy, the number of immigrants flowing into the United States from Mexico has declined for the first time in decades, according to a study released on Monday. An analysis of census data from the U.S. and Mexican governments details the movement to and from Mexico, a nation accounting for nearly 60 percent of the illegal immigrants in the U.S. Roughly 6.1 million unauthorized Mexican immigrants were living in the U.S. last year, down from a peak of nearly 7 million in 2007, according to the Pew Hispanic Center study. “The standstill appears to result from the weakened U.S. job market, heightened border enforcement, a rise in deportations, the growing dangers associated with illegal border crossings, and changing economic and demographic conditions in Mexico,” the Pew Center said in a statement. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments about Arizona's immigration law this week. Former President George W.
The Future of North American Integration North American Regional MeetingToronto, Ontario - Nov. 1-2, 2002Opening Session Three papers (download here) have been prepared by authors from Canada (Wendy Dobson), Mexico (Luis Rubio) and the United States (Robert Pastor) to provide a framework for discussion at the opening session of our November 1-2 meeting. None of the papers purports to represent the positions of the three governments or even a sense of the debate on the issue of integration within each of the countries. Starting Points During the past two decades, the three North American economies have become increasingly integrated. This asymmetric interdependence makes access to the US market a significant issue in the smaller economies. Within this context, interpretations of NAFTA's significance vary. Deeper Integration - How to proceed? Their differing starting points, however, lead to differential emphasis on how to proceed. She proposes a shared goal of a secure North American economic space. Questions for Commissioners
Integrated electric grid for United States, Canada November 27, 2012 Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on Energy Velocity. Electric transmission lines crossing the U.S. In 2011, electricity imports from Canada accounted for only 1.4% of total U.S. electric consumption, while electricity exports to Canada accounted for only 0.4% of total U.S. electrical production. Three of the eight North American Electric Reliability Corporation(NERC) reliability regions span both the United States and Canada, effectively integrating the Canadian grid with the United States. Even fairly small volumes of trade enhance efficiency. Sources: U.S. Trade is highest in regions with large amounts of hydropower. There are connections between grid operators on both sides of the border.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) On January 1, 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico (NAFTA) entered into force. All remaining duties and quantitative restrictions were eliminated, as scheduled, on January 1, 2008. NAFTA created the world's largest free trade area, which now links 450 million people producing $17 trillion worth of goods and services. Trade between the United States and its NAFTA partners has soared since the agreement entered into force. U.S. goods and services trade with NAFTA totaled $1.6 trillion in 2009 (latest data available for goods and services trade combined). The United States has $918 billion in total (two ways) goods trade with NAFTA countries (Canada and Mexico) during 2010. Trade in services with NAFTA (exports and imports) totaled $99 billion in 2009 (latest data available for services trade). Exports The NAFTA countries (Canada and Mexico), were the top two purchasers of U.S. exports in 2010. Imports Trade Balances Investment
Canada New Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiating Partner Washington, D.C. – President Obama announced today that the United States and the eight other countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement have extended an invitation to Canada to join the TPP negotiations, pending successful conclusion of domestic procedures. In addition to the United States, the current TPP countries are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. “Inviting Canada to join the TPP negotiations presents a unique opportunity for the United States to build upon this already dynamic trading relationship. Through TPP, we are bringing the relationship with our largest trading partner into the 21st century,” said Ambassador Kirk. Next steps will parallel those for Mexico, which was also invited to join the TPP negotiations yesterday. The TPP countries have completed 12 rounds of negotiations and the nine countries have made solid progress.
U.S.-Financed Groups Had Supporting Role in Arab Uprisings The money spent on these programs was minute compared with efforts led by the Pentagon. But as American officials and others look back at the uprisings of the Arab Spring, they are seeing that the United States’ democracy-building campaigns played a bigger role in fomenting protests than was previously known, with key leaders of the movements having been trained by the Americans in campaigning, organizing through new media tools and monitoring elections. The work of these groups often provoked tensions between the United States and many Middle Eastern leaders, who frequently complained that their leadership was being undermined, according to the cables. The Republican and Democratic institutes are loosely affiliated with the Republican and Democratic Parties. They were created by Congress and are financed through the National Endowment for Democracy, which was set up in 1983 to channel grants for promoting democracy in developing nations. Ms.
Internment / Resettlement Specialist Internment/Resettlement Specialist (31E) Enlisted Officer Overview Internment/resettlement specialists are primarily responsible for day-to-day operations in a military confinement/correctional facility or detention/internment facility. Job Duties Supervision of confinement and detention operationsExternal security to facilitiesCounseling/guidance to individual prisoners within a rehabilitative programRecords of prisoners/internees and their programs Requirements Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you. Training Job training for an internment/resettlement specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction. Some of the skills you’ll learn are: Helpful Skills Required ASVAB Score(s) Skilled Technical (ST) : 95 Compensation Education Benefits Future Civilian Careers