Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave these remarks on January 17, 2012, regarding plans for an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, in consultation with the National Economic Council, released this January 2012 report on competitiveness and innovation. The foreward states,

"On January 4, 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (COMPETES). Section 604 of COMPETES mandates that the Secretary of Commerce complete a study that addresses the economic competitiveness and innovative capacity of the United States (see Supplemental Materials). Congress directed that this report address a diverse array of topics and policy options, including: tax policy; the general business climate in the U.S.; regional issues such as the role of state and local governments in higher education; barriers to setting up new firms; trade policy, including export promotion; the effectiveness of Federal research and development policy; intellectual property regimes in the U.S. and abroad; the health of the manufacturing sector; and science and technology education."

Laurie Garrett discusses the mistakes and misjudgments made by government officials in response to the anthrax attacks of 2001 and provides recommendations for what should be done now.

Louise Lucas describes the culture of open innovation and its benefits.

Smart grids might revolutionize energy use and delivery, but there are associated security risks, particularly regarding communications technology.

After the inaugural Freedom Online conference in the Hague, December 8-9, 2011, at which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke, several countries committed to protect human rights related to freedom of expression online.

Secretary of State Clinton gave these remarks on internet freedom on December 8, 2011, in The Hague, Netherlands.

David Barboza and John Markoff explain why China's booming economy and growing technological infrastructure may thrust it to the forefront of the next generation of computing.

The Treaty on Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects (PPWT) was first proposed by China and Russia in February 2008 as an international legally binding treaty that would outlaw the weaponization of space.

The draft Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities was published by the EU in 2008 with a revised draft released in September 2010. Among its concerns, the draft takes "into account that space debris constitutes a threat to outer space activities and potentially limits the effective deployment and exploitation of associated space capabilities" and strives for "the formation of a set of best practices aimed at ensuring security in outer space could become a useful complement to international space law".

Richard A. Falkenrath discusses how the modern American police department must balance its information technology needs--including cloud computing services--against the unique legal framework within which it operates.

As countries around the world increasingly rely on space, orbital space debris poses a rapidly growing threat to civil, military, and commercial satellites. Micah Zenko argues for an international code to define interstate behavior and promote sustainable conduct in outer space.

Edward L. Glaeser discusses the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in New York's economy.

Eric Lipton and Clifford Krauss examine the debate about Washington's subsidies for clean-energy projects.

As South Korea marks the third anniversary of its green growth policy, the country has gained international diplomatic benefits from efforts to promote the policy while domestic implementation of green growth policies has been mixed.

James Manyika and Charles Roxburgh discuss the Internet's potential to fuel economic growth, even as governments work to address the security and privacy risks it brings.

As the United States manages its relationship with China on science and technology, Adam Segal argues that the United States will have to maintain its scientific strength at home, while pressuring China on its mercantilist technology policies.

This report promotes a set of recommendations to help the U.S. administration accelerate the development and deployment of low-carbon energy technologies.

Jerome A. Cohen states, "The Chinese government's current suppression of rising internet protests against its barbaric abuse of the blind 'barefoot lawyer' Chen Guangcheng raises fundamental questions about the impact of legal reforms on real life in China."