This series spans the globe presenting leading research in economics. It is perhaps a sign of the times that economic weapons such as sanctions seem to be as powerful as or more so than tanks. International applications and examples of economic progress are invaluable in a troubled world with economic booms bursting like so many penny balloons. Globalization, outstanding and jobless recoveries present economic issues of concern to millions. Topics discussed herein include the economic integration of China’s Hong Kong and Macao, incomes and spending of the Polish population in 2006, foreign investment in U.S. securities, foreign holdings of federal debt, the banking crisis and its risks and others.