The town of Amapala, spread across several islands in southern Honduras, is not a rich place. Many of its residents live in mud-walled shacks, with dirt floors. On the town's smaller islands, people lack regular access to fresh water and electricity. "We live poor," fisherman Rodolfo Núñez Pacheco, who lives on the island of Inglesera, told writer Maya Kroth, who paid a visit to Amapala and the surrounding area for her piece in the latest issue of Foreign Policy. "But we live happy." Kroth's article looks at Honduras's preparations for a radical experiment: the founding of quasi-sovereign municipalities known as "zones for economic development and employment" (ZEDEs), or "charter cities." Built with backing from foreign investors and granted wide-ranging legal and administrative autonomy, these cities, according to supporters, could bring new life to places like Amapala, which is being eyed as a potential site for the first zone. But many Amapala residents are worried that a charter city, once established, would just serve the interests of its corporate sponsors. "We're only fishermen and farmers," one resident said at a town-hall meeting in July. "We won't stand for the invasion of these model cities created for the benefit of the rich!" Above, a view of San Carlos Island, also known as Garrobo Island, which could be affected by a ZEDE.
The town of Amapala, spread across several islands in southern Honduras, is not a rich place. Many of its residents live in mud-walled shacks, with dirt floors. On the town's smaller islands, people lack regular access to fresh water and electricity. "We live poor," fisherman Rodolfo Núñez Pacheco, who lives on the island of Inglesera, told writer Maya Kroth, who paid a visit to Amapala and the surrounding area for her piece in the latest issue of Foreign Policy. "But we live happy." Kroth's article looks at Honduras's preparations for a radical experiment: the founding of quasi-sovereign municipalities known as "zones for economic development and employment" (ZEDEs), or "charter cities." Built with backing from foreign investors and granted wide-ranging legal and administrative autonomy, these cities, according to supporters, could bring new life to places like Amapala, which is being eyed as a potential site for the first zone. But many Amapala residents are worried that a charter city, once established, would just serve the interests of its corporate sponsors. "We're only fishermen and farmers," one resident said at a town-hall meeting in July. "We won't stand for the invasion of these model cities created for the benefit of the rich!" Above, a view of San Carlos Island, also known as Garrobo Island, which could be affected by a ZEDE.
The town of Amapala, spread across several islands in southern Honduras, is not a rich place. Many of its residents live in mud-walled shacks, with dirt floors. On the town's smaller islands, people lack regular access to fresh water and electricity. "We live poor," fisherman Rodolfo Núñez Pacheco, who lives on the island of Inglesera, told writer Maya Kroth, who paid a visit to Amapala and the surrounding area for her piece in the latest issue of Foreign Policy. "But we live happy."
Kroth's article looks at Honduras's preparations for a radical experiment: the founding of quasi-sovereign municipalities known as "zones for economic development and employment" (ZEDEs), or "charter cities." Built with backing from foreign investors and granted wide-ranging legal and administrative autonomy, these cities, according to supporters, could bring new life to places like Amapala, which is being eyed as a potential site for the first zone. But many Amapala residents are worried that a charter city, once established, would just serve the interests of its corporate sponsors. "We're only fishermen and farmers," one resident said at a town-hall meeting in July. "We won't stand for the invasion of these model cities created for the benefit of the rich!"
Above, a view of San Carlos Island, also known as Garrobo Island, which could be affected by a ZEDE.
A view from a ferry terminal on the island of El Tigre, which forms the bulk of Amapala, in the Gulf of Fonseca.
A view from a ferry terminal on the island of El Tigre, which forms the bulk of Amapala, in the Gulf of Fonseca.
A member of the Roda family scales fish on the island of Exposición, where they have lived for generations.
A member of the Roda family scales fish on the island of Exposición, where they have lived for generations.
A small-business owner sits in her Amapala food store, which sells grains, snacks, and other provisions.
A small-business owner sits in her Amapala food store, which sells grains, snacks, and other provisions.
Fisherman Rodolfo Núñez Pacheco (right) says people have attempted to evict his family from Inglesera before.
Fisherman Rodolfo Núñez Pacheco (right) says people have attempted to evict his family from Inglesera before.
Amapala residents at a local cafeteria.
Amapala residents at a local cafeteria.
Two brothers look at a well in Puerto Grande, Amapala.
Two brothers look at a well in Puerto Grande, Amapala.
Amapala's mayor, Alberto Cruz, addresses constituents gathered for a town-hall meeting about a possible charter city.
Amapala's mayor, Alberto Cruz, addresses constituents gathered for a town-hall meeting about a possible charter city.
Residents at the town-hall meeting.
Residents at the town-hall meeting.
People gathered for Amapala's town-hall meeting spill into an adjacent lot, where they listen to the debate through metal window screens.
People gathered for Amapala's town-hall meeting spill into an adjacent lot, where they listen to the debate through metal window screens.
Amapala's main port.
Amapala's main port.
Boys play soccer on El Burro beach, Amapala.
Boys play soccer on El Burro beach, Amapala.
The ferry terminal at El Burro beach, Amapala.
The ferry terminal at El Burro beach, Amapala.
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The town of Amapala, spread across several islands in southern Honduras, is not a rich place. Many of its residents live in mud-walled shacks, with dirt floors. On the town's smaller islands, people lack regular access to fresh water and electricity. "We live poor," fisherman Rodolfo Núñez Pacheco, who lives on the island of Inglesera, told writer Maya Kroth, who paid a visit to Amapala and the surrounding area for her piece in the latest issue of Foreign Policy. "But we live happy." Kroth's article looks at Honduras's preparations for a radical experiment: the founding of quasi-sovereign municipalities known as "zones for economic development and employment" (ZEDEs), or "charter cities." Built with backing from foreign investors and granted wide-ranging legal and administrative autonomy, these cities, according to supporters, could bring new life to places like Amapala, which is being eyed as a potential site for the first zone. But many Amapala residents are worried that a charter city, once established, would just serve the interests of its corporate sponsors. "We're only fishermen and farmers," one resident said at a town-hall meeting in July. "We won't stand for the invasion of these model cities created for the benefit of the rich!" Above, a view of San Carlos Island, also known as Garrobo Island, which could be affected by a ZEDE.
Is the White House prepared to deal with the remarkable growth of artificial intelligence? What are the current and potential risks to Americans? If governments should create rules around th...Show moree regulation of AI, what considerations should guide the creation of those rules?
Alondra Nelson is the architect of the White House’s “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.” Since it was published in October, AI has only become more central to our lives—and Nelson has stepped down from her role as the government’s head of science and technology.
How should policymakers think through the challenges presented by AI? Join Nelson for a wide-ranging discussion with FP’s Ravi Agrawal.
The town of Amapala, spread across several islands in southern Honduras, is not a rich place. Many of its residents live in mud-walled shacks, with dirt floors. On the town's smaller islands, people lack regular access to fresh water and electricity. "We live poor," fisherman Rodolfo Núñez Pacheco, who lives on the island of Inglesera, told writer Maya Kroth, who paid a visit to Amapala and the surrounding area for her piece in the latest issue of Foreign Policy. "But we live happy." Kroth's article looks at Honduras's preparations for a radical experiment: the founding of quasi-sovereign municipalities known as "zones for economic development and employment" (ZEDEs), or "charter cities." Built with backing from foreign investors and granted wide-ranging legal and administrative autonomy, these cities, according to supporters, could bring new life to places like Amapala, which is being eyed as a potential site for the first zone. But many Amapala residents are worried that a charter city, once established, would just serve the interests of its corporate sponsors. "We're only fishermen and farmers," one resident said at a town-hall meeting in July. "We won't stand for the invasion of these model cities created for the benefit of the rich!" Above, a view of San Carlos Island, also known as Garrobo Island, which could be affected by a ZEDE.
The war in Ukraine has propelled the United States and Europe closer on a variety of foreign-policy issues. But do Washington and Brussels agree on how to deal with Beijing’s growing clout...Show more?
The signs are mixed. The trans-Atlantic alliance NATO has formally declared China a strategic threat, but there are also emerging gaps in how various European capitals and Washington want to engage with Beijing. What exactly are these differences, and how will they impact the world’s relations with China?
Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a discussion with experts on both sides of the Atlantic: Cindy Yu, an assistant editor of the Spectator and host of its podcast Chinese Whispers; and James Palmer, author of FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter. FP subscribers can send in their questions in advance.
The town of Amapala, spread across several islands in southern Honduras, is not a rich place. Many of its residents live in mud-walled shacks, with dirt floors. On the town's smaller islands, people lack regular access to fresh water and electricity. "We live poor," fisherman Rodolfo Núñez Pacheco, who lives on the island of Inglesera, told writer Maya Kroth, who paid a visit to Amapala and the surrounding area for her piece in the latest issue of Foreign Policy. "But we live happy." Kroth's article looks at Honduras's preparations for a radical experiment: the founding of quasi-sovereign municipalities known as "zones for economic development and employment" (ZEDEs), or "charter cities." Built with backing from foreign investors and granted wide-ranging legal and administrative autonomy, these cities, according to supporters, could bring new life to places like Amapala, which is being eyed as a potential site for the first zone. But many Amapala residents are worried that a charter city, once established, would just serve the interests of its corporate sponsors. "We're only fishermen and farmers," one resident said at a town-hall meeting in July. "We won't stand for the invasion of these model cities created for the benefit of the rich!" Above, a view of San Carlos Island, also known as Garrobo Island, which could be affected by a ZEDE.
Over the last few years, the United States has moved to limit China’s technological rise. U.S.-led sanctions have imposed unprecedented limits on Beijing’s access to advanced computing c...Show morehips. In response, China has accelerated its own efforts to develop its technological industry and reduce its dependence on external imports.
According to Dan Wang, a technology expert and visiting scholar at Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, China’s tech competitiveness is grounded in manufacturing capabilities. And sometimes China’s strategy beats America’s.
Where is this new tech war headed? How are other countries being impacted as a result? In what ways are they reassessing their relationships with the world’s largest economic superpowers? Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal in conversation with Wang for a discussion about China’s technological rise and whether U.S. actions can really stop it.
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