WILL G-20 COUNTER POWER OF UNCERTAINTY?

In 2009, G-20 leaders met in Pittsburgh and emerged with a mandate ‘to be the premier forum for international economic cooperation,' endowing the G-20 with a leading economic role on the global stage. It appeared at the time that the leaders of the G-20 had successfully defeated pessimism. However, the rising tide of global economic turmoil and problems ranging from sovereign indebtedness to consumption and saving imbalances have created a ‘perfect storm' that is far from abating. The question before the G-20 summit in Cannes this year is whether to just distribute life jackets or endeavor to overcome political differences and set forth a concrete, viable roadmap that genuinely addresses the range of outstanding global economic security risks. Such a roadmap could go a long way towards countering the uncertainty that has gripped the global economy.

The G-20: From unreal to surreal

Before we go more deeply into the Syrian swamp, a few comments on the recent G-20 summit.

Australia’s Swan Says G-20 Sees Global Recovery as ‘Fragile’

Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan said most of his Group of 20 counterparts see the global recovery as “fragile” and urged Europe to press on with closer financial integration and the U.S. to cut its budget deficit.

Requiem to a Reset: Why Putin’s Russia Distrusts America

SOFIA — The meeting of U.S. President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the G-20 summit in Mexico only underscored the chill in relations between Moscow and Washington.

At G-20 summit in Mexico, Europe crises dominate talks

LOS CABOS, Mexico — Relief over the pro-euro currency vote in the Greek elections quickly faded Monday amid signs of persistent troubles for the Eurozone, as world leaders grappled with the grim reality that Europe's debt and political crises are far from over.