China

China and the United States: Trading Places (communism, capitalism, policy)

Economics, Public Policy

Globalization.  It’s still the reason for much animosity towards the world’s eight ‘major industrialized democracies,’ also known as the G-8.  And while the U.S. has historically been one of the most criticized nations it is increasingly finding itself on the receiving end, as a great place to make fast and easy money.

The rules are changing as the US begins to Nationalize failing businesses and China Privatizes state-owned organizations.

China’s Newest Import to the US: Landlords
US Citizens face a slew of regulations and restrictions when it comes to purchasing property in China – good real estate in China is expensive and the value of the US dollar is relatively low.  On the contrary, it is substantially easier for foreigners to purchase property in the United States.  In fact, New York City and Washington D.C. topped the list of the best cities for real estate investment published in 2008 by the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE).

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Iran-Pakistan-India: Laying the ‘Peace Pipeline’

International Affairs, Public Policy
Update: October 2, 2008
Iran and Pakistan have decided to go through with the Pipeline without India (Link 1, Link 2)

A Natural Gas Pipeline that will connect these three critical nations.
Iran, Pakistan, and India, collectively known as the IPI, are very close to finalizing the ‘Peace Pipeline’ plan that would drop a critical natural gas supply line that would run through the three neighboring countries. As always, there is a catch (or several) – and India is weary of signing on because of the Price Revision Clause being imposed by Iran that would base the price of the natural gas on a formula that utilizes Japan’s gas market as a benchmark. Nevertheless, India’s participation in the ‘Peace Pipeline’ doesn’t seem to matter as much to Iran and Pakistan as they continue bilateral talks that suggest India’s role as merely an added bonus that would sweeten the deal. Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Shafkat Saeed, insists that if India rejects the terms of the deal, the oil will be routed through China instead.

�We have informed Iran that we are prepared to transfer Iran�s gas to China through this pipeline should India decide not to join the gas project.� [ Associated Press of Pakistan, Oct 2007 ]

Though India has assured that it will take part in the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline – it is clear that the TAPI pipeline is not a replacement for the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline, and their lack of an absolute decision in light of U.S. pressure is proof that the IPI pipeline stands to bring benefit to the Indian economy. Continue reading …