CNN (June 21)
“If ever there were a country in need of modernization, Saudi Arabia is it.” The newly named Crown Prince “is deeply committed to carrying major reforms to fruition. He embodies dynamism, youthful boldness and a vision of possibility. But the far-ranging changes he is bringing to the conservative kingdom and to the region carry risk and no guarantee of success. In a region roiled with instability, they add another element of uncertainty.”
Tags: Boldness, Conservative, Crown Prince, Instability, Modernization, Reforms, Risk, Saudi Arabia, Success, Uncertainty, Youthful
The Economist (May 23)
“Saudi Arabia’s rulers have long wielded their influence discreetly.” No more. Amid current Middle East chaos, “the Saudis are acting with uncharacteristic boldness across the whole range of domestic, foreign and economic policies. Whether by design or default, they stand out as the leading force in the Arab world.”
Tags: Boldness, Chaos, Discreet, Influence, Middle East, Saudi Arabia
The Economist (July 20)
European leaders are beginning to address the youth unemployment crisis, but the measures they are introducing “suffer from the same flaws that have plagued the European Union’s response to the crisis over the past three years: a lack of boldness, an incomplete analysis of the problem and an excessive faith in copying German policies.” With nearly 8 million European youth not in work, education or training, the problem is massive and the proposed measures “not nearly enough.”
Tags: Analysis, Boldness, Crisis, Europe, German policies. Education, Leaders, Training, Youth unemployment
The Economist (April 13, 2013)
“Mr Abe must be absolutely clear that Mr Kuroda’s boldness has to be met with even greater boldness on the government’s part in freeing the economy. He should tackle head-on the corporate sector’s excessive savings, for instance, by taxing retained earnings that are not invested. He needs to do more to get more women into the workforce. He must (against all his nationalist instincts) promote immigration. He must open up protected sectors—electricity, health care, farming—to competition.”
