Author
Barry Wood
Broadcaster and Economics Journalist
Based in Washington, D.C., Barry D. Wood is an analyst and commentator, mainly on economic issues. He is currently a weekly financial markets commentator on RTHK radio in Hong Kong.
During two decades as chief economics correspondent at Voice of America, he reported on finance, trade and development from over 50 countries. For three years in the 1990s he was based in Prague, reporting on the economic transformation in post-communist Europe.
Earlier he was a correspondent for the Financial Mail and NBC News in Johannesburg, covering the Soweto uprising and independence in Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Prior to entering journalism, Mr. Wood taught economics at Northern Michigan University and social science at Western Michigan University.
He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Western Michigan University, with additional study at Oxford and in Yugoslavia.
His new book Exploring New Europe, a Bicycle Journey is about the people he met in 15 countries during a 2,500-mile bicycle trip from Estonia to Albania.
Articles by Barry Wood
1971: Big Shifts in China and in the U.S.
The year when China was brought out of its shell -- and the U.S. started learning about unsuccessful interventions.
December 28, 2021
F.W. de Klerk: Rising to a Shakespearean Challenge
Reflections on the life of the late South African President.
November 16, 2021
An Evolving American Language
The American language becomes inclusive, gender neutral and racialized, as well as ugly and inaccurate.
July 10, 2021
San Francisco and Prague: A Double Portrait
Remembering historic times of magic -- in two magical cities.
January 3, 2021
Kent State at 50: An America Even More Divided
Is it possible that U.S. society is more divided today than it used to be at the height of the anti-Vietnam war protests in the late 1960s?
May 4, 2020
50 Years After Kent State
50 years ago, on May 4, 1970, the U.S. National Guard opened fire on protesters at Kent State University. Barry Wood traveled to the campus and found somber reminders of that tragic day.
May 4, 2020
Assessing “Phase One” of the US-China Trade Deal
Will China really halt technology transfers that it has required under many joint venture deals with U.S. companies?
January 15, 2020
Central Europe: Democracy Intact, But Under Pressure
Polarized and despondent, the Czech Republic is not a happy place. Despite rising living standards, Czechs are stuck in a national malaise.
November 19, 2019
Thirty Years After the Wall Fell: Part 3 — The Balkans
How the market economy changed lives: East Europeans assess 30 years of freedom.
November 10, 2019
Freedom Reborn: Witnessing German Reunification
The fall of the Berlin Wall signaled a rebirth of freedom, liberating millions who had been trapped for two generations on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain.
November 9, 2019
Thirty Years After the Wall Fell: Part 2 — Central Europe
How the market economy changed lives: East Europeans assess 30 years of freedom.
November 9, 2019
Thirty Years After the Wall Fell: Part 1 — The Baltics and Kaliningrad
How the market economy changed lives: East Europeans assess 30 years of freedom.
November 8, 2019
Two Chinas: Hong Kong and Shanghai
The people of Hong Kong are fighting a very courageous battle against very long odds. Meanwhile, people in Shanghai live well under a Faustian bargain with the CCP.
October 3, 2019
UK: Amidst Chaos, Keeping Calm
Another Edward R. Murrow moment? Letter from a relaxed England as October Brexit approaches.
September 7, 2019
Nevada Gigafactory Critical to Tesla’s Future
The Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada, soon to be the world’s biggest building, is a huge roll of the dice for Elon Musk.
June 18, 2019
Tomas Masaryk and Czechoslovakian Independence, 100 Years Ago
Few people are aware that Czechoslovak independence was declared in the United States, in Philadelphia on October 26, 1918.
October 28, 2018
Tomas Masaryk: The Background
The story of the man who worked tirelessly for Czech and Slovak autonomy.
October 27, 2018
Czar Vladimir (Putin)
Putin rules like a Czar, deeply conservative, fearful of unrest, placing stability above all else.
March 17, 2018
Hungary’s Viktor Orban: Europe’s Flame Thrower
How Viktor Orban rides the populist wave against Muslim “invaders.”
January 14, 2018
Wolfgang Schäuble: Unwavering European
To manage Europe’s future, the outgoing German finance minister argues “First comes risk reduction -- and only then risk sharing.”
October 24, 2017
Warren Buffett’s Reflections on Delivering Papers
Wartime Washington, DC, taught Buffet hard work and reliability
May 2, 2015
Thessaloniki: Heart of Macedonia
Why a silly naming dispute in the Balkans should not be allowed to fester.
November 3, 2013
1971: Big Shifts in China and in the U.S.
December 28, 2021
F.W. de Klerk: Rising to a Shakespearean Challenge
November 16, 2021
An Evolving American Language
July 10, 2021
San Francisco and Prague: A Double Portrait
January 3, 2021
Kent State at 50: An America Even More Divided
May 4, 2020
50 Years After Kent State
May 4, 2020
Assessing “Phase One” of the US-China Trade Deal
January 15, 2020
Central Europe: Democracy Intact, But Under Pressure
November 19, 2019
Thirty Years After the Wall Fell: Part 3 — The Balkans
November 10, 2019
Freedom Reborn: Witnessing German Reunification
November 9, 2019
Thirty Years After the Wall Fell: Part 2 — Central Europe
November 9, 2019
Thirty Years After the Wall Fell: Part 1 — The Baltics and Kaliningrad
November 8, 2019
Two Chinas: Hong Kong and Shanghai
October 3, 2019
UK: Amidst Chaos, Keeping Calm
September 7, 2019
Nevada Gigafactory Critical to Tesla’s Future
June 18, 2019
Tomas Masaryk and Czechoslovakian Independence, 100 Years Ago
October 28, 2018
Tomas Masaryk: The Background
October 27, 2018
Czar Vladimir (Putin)
March 17, 2018
Hungary’s Viktor Orban: Europe’s Flame Thrower
January 14, 2018
Wolfgang Schäuble: Unwavering European
October 24, 2017
Warren Buffett’s Reflections on Delivering Papers
May 2, 2015
Thessaloniki: Heart of Macedonia
November 3, 2013