Ayesha Khanna

Strategy + Business | December 2009
By Ayesha Khanna and Parag Khanna

The best books on globalization this year offer insights into three directional trends that are changing the topology of global trade and influence: the deepening of regional ties across emerging markets; the continuing rise of powerful new global players; and, finally, the intractability of risk factors inherent in emerging markets and regional networks, and how best to analyze them.

Arabian Business | Nov 8, 2009
By Ayesha Khanna and Jaime Fitzgerald

The global recession has negatively impacted transshipping, tourism and real estate in Dubai, three of its primary economic sectors. To counter skepticism about its future, Dubai has been touting the Dubai Health Care City (DHCC) whose Phase I is going to be completed in 2010 as the world’s new center of medical tourism and an emerging pillar of the Emirates’ economy. Indeed, given that medical tourism is a multi-billion dollar booming industry with 2-3 million patients seeking treatment in foreign countries annually, Dubai seems to be in the right place at the right time. But medical tourism is now an increasingly competitive marketplace, with Singapore, Thailand and India leading the way among a group of over 35 countries that cater to international patients. Several of these competitors are in the Middle East region itself with both Jordan and Lebanon being top contenders, and Abu Dhabi close behind Dubai in developing its healthcare offerings.

Foreign Policy | May 5, 2009
By Ayesha Khanna and Parag Khanna

Pakistan’s hubristic and shortsighted leadership has been caught off guard by both the strength of the Taliban and virulent autonomy of militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba. The current “wake-up” operations to retake Swat and Buner are crucial, but not decisive. Halting Predator drone strikes against senior al Qaeda and Taliban commanders would be no panacea either because American popularity and public acceptance of the Pakistani Army are already near zero in the tribal areas. Resentments will outlast such tactical switches. A much deeper strategy is needed that simultaneously tackles the political, military, economic, and social dimensions of Pakistan’s failure.

Forbes | February 17, 2009
By Ayesha Khanna

Switch on the TV, open a magazine, eavesdrop on a cocktail party conversation, and sooner or later you’ll hear a self-professed expert tout either networking or résumé buffing as the key to success in the economic slump. But tweeting on Twitter or taking a tutorial on how to connect with people by talking sports will only get you so far. If we’re serious about preparing for tomorrow, the financial crisis reminds us of the importance of acquiring adaptive skills today in order to thrive in the industries that will come.

BusinessWeek | January 13, 2009
By Ayesha Khanna and Parag Khanna

President-elect Barack Obama has promised to appoint the world’s first governmental Chief Technology Officer (CTO). On its transition Web site, www.change.gov, the incoming Administration has published a list of goals for the soon-to-be anointed CTO: broadband expansion, boosting science/tech education, health-care computerization, patent reform, and e-government.