Kenneth Cukier, the Economist's data editor, and Michael Flowers, director of New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg's Financial Crime Task Force discuss "big data" and its impact on public policy and the world.

The Internet's growing role in economies and societies also poses new threats. The time has come for states and private partners to set global norms for web conduct, says expert Andrea Renda.

The H7N9 virus, a new strain of the bird flu in China, has so far claimed twenty-two victims and officials are watching its spread closely.

Read full answer

Laurie Garrett offers a detailed account of how the H7N9 virus emerged and describes the two possible paths it may now follow, by pulling from her own experiences in the SARS epidemic ten years ago and reflecting on parallels between the two.

Everyone knows that the Internet has changed how businesses operate, governments function, and people live. But a new, less visible technological trend is proving just as transformative: big data.

Scott Pace and Robert Walker discuss U.S. space program budget cuts, the indefinite cancellation of U.S.-government-sponsored human space exploration, and the rise of private sector activity in the area.

Scott Pace and Robert Walker discuss U.S. space program budget cuts, the indefinite cancellation of U.S.-government-sponsored human space exploration, and the rise of private sector activity in the area.

Scott Pace and Robert Walker discuss U.S. space program budget cuts, the indefinite cancellation of U.S.-government-sponsored human space exploration, and the rise of private sector activity in the area.

Grounded in a realistic assessment of technology, Matthew C. Waxman and Kenneth Anderson outline a practical alternative with which to evaluate the use of autonomous weaponry that incorporates codes of conduct based on traditional legal and ethical principles governing weapons and warfare.

In 2012, China imported nearly 60 million tons of soybeans, most of which were genetically modified. In that sense, even if GM foods are found to have any long-term hazards, one probably should not worry too much about only China's GM foods, but about those from all countries, including the United States, the largest producer and consumer of GM foods.

Read full answer

Thomas Bollyky writes about how national patent laws are affecting pharmaceutical cost differentials around the world.

Laurie Garrett outlines inconsistencies in the Chinese government's reports about the ongoing H7N9 outbreak.

Read Yanzhong Huang's chapter titled "Global Health,Civil Society, and Regional Security," in the book A Growing Force for Good: Civil Society's Role in Asian Regional Security, edited by Rizal Sukma and James Gannon.

Peter Orszag writes that the link between life expectancy and college completion is not well understood, but they appear to be related to growing income inequality.

Yanzhong Huang responds to a China File conversation on the recent bird flu outbreak in China.

Laurie Garrett explores the possibility of a new pandemic in China.

Both China and India have been increasingly active participants in global health governance, but their contributions thus far fall short of international expectations and also fail to offer a viable, sustainable alternative to the existing governance paradigm.

Council on Foreign Relations President Richard N. Haass writes that John Kerry has only one chance to make a first impression on his first trip abroad as secretary of state, and what is said and not said on this visit will have repercussions for years to come.

Peter Orszag argues that reforming medical malpractice law to include "safe harbors" that protect doctors who follow evidence-based medical guidelines could bring down health-care costs without reducing the quality of care.

A comprehensive new study of the world's health status has the potential to dramatically improve how developing countries address surging problems like noncommunicable diseases, writes CFR's Thomas Bollyky.