Peter Orszag urges policymakers to take measures that both create jobs now and reduce the deficit later.

The International Monetary Fund, both criticized and lauded for its efforts to promote financial stability, finds itself again in the forefront of global economic crisis management. This Backgrounder examines the Fund's history and role.

New IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde has to move quickly to establish independence from the European authorities who got her the job, enhance the IMF's legitimacy, and display her ability to manage the fund, says CFR's Steven Dunaway.

Many economists argue that global financial imbalances fueled the recent recession. To prevent future crises, world leaders are trying to even out the balance sheet.

Michael Spence surveys the rocky road to recovery that lies ahead of both advanced and emerging economies.

Nicky Oppenheimer, chairman of De Beers, discusses how business can contribute to sustainable growth and development on the continent, as well as the importance of diversifying Africa's economic base.

This meeting is sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations Corporate Program.

Sebastian Mallaby wants regulators to show more courage by demanding higher capital requirements for large banks.

Michael Spence emphasizes the importance of a fair and open selection process in choosing the IMF's next leader.

Sebastian Mallaby contends Christine Lagarde's bid to run the International Monetary Fund will endanger the legitimacy and independence of the institution.

Michael Schuman expands the current state of the US debt crisis and suggests what it could mean for the rest of the world.

Economist A. Michael Spence says emerging market growth is going to produce a boom in investment, which in turn may lead to higher interest rates globally, and a tendency to intervene in international capital flows. Spence spoke to Robert Rubin, Former Treasury Secretary and Co-Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, at CFR's 2011 Corporate Conference.

Sebastian Mallaby criticizes the IMF for endorsing capital controls.

Masaaki Shirakawa, governor of the Bank of Japan, discusses the effects the March earthquake, tsunami, and events surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant had on the Japanese economy, as well as the resilience and adaptability of the Japanese people.

Masaaki Shirakawa, governor of the Bank of Japan, discusses the effects the March earthquake, tsunami, and events surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant had on the Japanese economy, as well as the resilience and adaptability of the Japanese people.

Masaaki Shirakawa, governor of the Bank of Japan, discusses the effects the March earthquake, tsunami, and events surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant had on the Japanese economy, as well as the resilience and adaptability of the Japanese people.

This meeting was part of the C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics.

China's policy of holding down the value of its currency and monetary easing in the United States have led to large capital inflows into emerging economies. Although consensus in emerging markets has formed around capital controls, Francis E. Warnock challenges their underlying assumptions.

Lael Brainard, undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury, outlines the discussion between President Obama and President Hu Jintao, as well as the effect of the financial regulatory reform on the international agenda at the treasury for the upcoming year.

This meeting was part of the C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics.

Lael Brainard, undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury, outlines the discussion between President Obama and President Hu Jintao, as well as the effect of the financial regulatory reform on the international agenda at the treasury for the upcoming year.

This meeting was part of the C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics.

Lael Brainard, the undersecretary for international affairs, U.S. Department of the Treasury, discusses the economic agenda for Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit and the future role of the G-20 in the international economic arena.

Listen to CFR experts Elizabeth C. Economy, Steven Dunaway, and John Pomfret discuss President Barack Obama and Chinese president Hu Jintao's meeting in Washington on January 18.