All of the GCC countries - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates - are undergoing historic socio-economic transitions. They are facing enormous strains on public finances and challenging economic outlooks, due to fluctuating oil prices, demographic pressures,...

Examines effects of the 2008-09 financial downturn on all workers with particular attention to low-income older workers who stand to suffer the most, often retiring early because of lack of work; discusses the real effects of the stock market decline, falling house prices, and stagnant job...

Examines Asia's emerging markets, which survived the financial debacle of 2008-09 with only modest declines in growth; discusses activities that could dampen continuing development in these markets including inflation, surging capital inflows, asset and credit bubbles, and rapid currency...