As partisan wrangling over the U.S. debt ceiling continues in Washington, fears are mounting that a default could trigger another global economic crisis. This guide offers timely analysis on the global implications of the U.S. debt crisis.

Whatever the outcome of the debt ceiling debate, many analysts expect a downgrade in the U.S. debt rating because of doubts about deficit-reduction plans. The fallout could include higher borrowing costs, a weaker dollar, and market turbulence.

Despite the Greek parliament's approval of an austerity package, the country's enormous debt and EU countries' tortured debate over solutions raise concerns among some experts that default is unavoidable.

With the U.S. Treasury approaching its legal borrowing limit, political infighting over the United States' fiscal strategy threatens to thwart international investors and drive up U.S. borrowing costs.

Portugal could be the next victim of the eurozone debt crisis, but an EU-IMF led bailout is unlikely to solve the eurozone's larger problems, experts say.

Dismal U.S. housing data and uncertainty over the Obama administration's housing plans are adding to fears of another recession--and raising new concerns over the global recovery.

Despite some positive economic data, analysts say China's undervalued currency, rising U.S. imports, and risky Fed policies continue to threaten the global economic recovery.

The U.S. Senate's approval of financial overhaul legislation could lead to sweeping reforms for the financial industry, but it also leaves lobbyists and regulators tasked with fleshing out the details.

The glum economic picture in Europe and the United States has led to a debate on whether or not fiscal spending can stave off recession.

Eurozone debt concerns have led to soaring lending rates, which in turn helped roil markets concerned about the EU's ability to overcome its crisis.

The nearly $1 trillion EU bailout plan appears to have achieved immediate aims of restoring confidence in markets, but concerns persist about deeper reforms needed to tackle the region's sovereign debt crisis.

Congressional wrangling over financial reform and the SEC's fraud case against Goldman Sachs could impact SEC powers and encourage stronger derivatives regulation.

Migrants suffer as countries around the world adopt protectionist measures to respond to the global downturn. This could trigger economic and social instability in poorer countries, while adversely affecting rich economies in the long-term.

The debate over whether two giant U.S. banks should be "nationalized" has stoked new debate over when, and how, the government should intervene in financial markets.

Barack Obama's address to Congress outlined plans to revive the American economy, restore U.S. leadership abroad, and tackle long-term problems. Economists say Obama will walk a fine line balancing the need for swift action with the risk of expanding U.S. budgetary obligations.

A bailout of Detroit's automakers would likely bring moves against the United States in the World Trade Organization and has reignited an old debate about the viability of government-directed industrial policy.

This weekend's summit of leading world economies won't match the scope of the Bretton Woods conference, to which it has been compared. But it could send important signals at a time of global economic distress.

Following the financial mayhem of 2008, world policymakers are planning an ambitious program of economic stimulus spending for 2009. Economists say the success of these measures will rely on timely, targeted implementation, and temporary mandates.

Micah Zenko argues, "The tolerance for threat inflation in the absence of plausible threats should be questioned and challenged by anyone interested in, or holding a stake in, the future of U.S. foreign policy."

Contrary to those who see a future of "globalization on steroids," Joshua Kurlantzick says the reality of today's economic slowdown is that it will leave as its legacy the worst degloblization in modern history.