Introduction : why Russia matters and how -- Russia's historical roots -- Russia's new political system and succession -- Economic revival and financial crisis -- Policy on oil and gas -- International economic integration : trade and investment policies -- Challenges of demography and health --...

"Compared to other regions of the world, the Middle East was once unique in its combination of authoritarianism and stultifying stability: No longer. Beginning in Tunisia, a wave of political upheaval has rolled across the region, reaching Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, and other countries caught...

"Asian financial systems, which serve the most economically dynamic region of the world, survived the global economic crisis of the last several years. In this book scholars argue in separate essays that Asian systems must strengthen their quality, diversity, and resilience to future shocks in...