This book provides a timely and in-depth analysis of how two major trade powers, the United States of America (US) and the European Union (EU), contribute to a socio-political dimension of globalization. Myriam Oehri documents US and EU labor standards promotion in Mexico, Morocco, and the Dominican Republic, drawing on an analysis of bilateral and regional trade agreements (NAALC, US-Morocco FTA, CAFTA-DR, EU-Mexico GA, EU-Morocco AA, and EU-CARIFORUM EPA) as well as extensive field research. The case studies reveal that for the advancement of labor norms, both punitive enforcement and cooperative engagement mechanisms are established in relevant agreements. In practice, the latter are more comprehensively used than the former, irrespective of diverse power relations between the US and the EU on the one hand and the three partner states on the other. The book will be of interest to advanced students and scholars in the fields of EU and US studies, foreign, trade, and social policy, regional integration, and international labor studies. It will also be of relevance to practitioners active in the international promotion of labor standards.

Description For more than 50 years the United States has attempted to destabilize and isolate the Castro regime in Cuba with the use of trade and financial sanctions, a policy that has fallen short of its objective. In this Policy Analysis, Gary Clyde Hufbauer and Barbara Kotschwar suggest that the sands of time may accomplish what economic pressure did not. Raúl Castro, president of Cuba since 2008, plans to step down at the end of 2018, implying a new regime in five years. Various forces are starting to emerge favoring economic normalization if Cuba appears ready to change its policies as well as its leadership. The authors caution, however, that a unilateral dismantling of US sanctions without insuring that proper institutions are in place in Cuba could squander a golden opportunity for US companies. They argue that a new US-Cuba relationship must entail a lifting of Cuba's barriers to trade and investment, liberalization of its economy, and the adoption of democratic institutions. They offer a roadmap for a future US-Cuba rapprochement.

Food Safety in Middle East provides the latest research data on food safety in the Arab countries of the Middle East and summarizes recent developments on food safety practices, policies, and legislations. Food safety is a hot issue in research over the last decade due to the surge in foodborne infections, particularly in this area. Data suggest the increase is due to the foods consumed by the increasing holidaymakers and tourists. This book sums up information published in scientific literature with additional reports, knowledge and expertise to help reduce foodborne illnesses in this growing area. Beginning with the introduction of Middle East’s food culture, the book addresses the food safety status in the Middle East. It dives deep in biological hazards (foodborne infections, intoxications and toxicoinfections) and in chemical hazards in foods of the Middle East. Additionally, the book reviews current measures that are being used to control foodborne pathogens in common foods widely consumed in the area. Interestingly, important data on food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices among food handlers in foodservice establishments in the Arab countries of the Middle East, are being thoroughly presented and analyzed. The book finally summarizes the current food safety legislations implemented at government level in certain Middle Eastern countries. It is a valuable reference for graduate students, researchers, librarians and professionals working in the food sector. Gives an overview of the traditional foods, food safety practices, and food culture in the Middle East Provides current research on pathogens in traditional foods consumed in the Arab countries of the Middle East Discusses foodborne infections, intoxications and toxicoinfections to gain an understanding of causes to promote best practices Summarizes data on chemical contaminants and residues in foods addressing potential food safety hazards in the Middle East Discusses control measures of pathogens in common foods in the Middle East Includes information on policies and strategies/measures to combat food safety infections, intoxications and toxicoinfections Presents perspectives on current and future legislations to limit foodborne intoxications to improve food safety in Middle East countries and the Gulf states

In mid-2009 Simeon Djankov, who had dealt with a variety of economic and financial crises as chief economist for finance and private sector development at the World Bank, was suddenly thrust into the job of finance minister of his native Bulgaria. For nearly four years in that post, he attended more than 40 meetings of European finance ministers and had a front row seat at the intense discussions and struggles to overcome the economic and financial crisis that threatened to unravel the historic undertaking of an economically integrated Europe. In this personal account, Djankov details his odyssey on the front lines, observing Europe's fitful efforts to contain crises in Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, and France. He tells the inside story of how the European Central Bank assumed responsibility for the crisis, pledging to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro area. This candid book recounts the disagreements over fiscal austerity, monetary policy, and banking supervision, while focusing on the personalities who promoted progress—and those who opposed it. He also tells the dramatic story of the events that led to his own resignation as finance minister in 2013 over the policies he was pursuing to spare Bulgaria from getting sucked into the crisis.