The Bush Administration used to say that the U.S. was bringing democracy to Iraq and hoping to inspire a democratic wave throughout the Middle East. Let’s agree to accept this uncritically and move forward to ask the following question: Has the recent national election in Iraq inspired the region and emboldened democracy movements? In this […]
Many exciting opportunities are popping up from the U.S. Foreign Policy Association. Readers may find it useful to see these in one place and so, voila: 1. The U.S. FPA wants more bloggers. Apply here! Take it from one who knows, blogging for the FPA is an immense opportunity, offering you a chance to […]
You may have heard that there is a little shindig going on in Hollywood today. Yes, I’m talking about the Academy Awards. I have to admit, I’m not all that big on award shows, so it’s not really been on my radar. After all, it doesn’t have anything to do with the U.S. role in […]
I don’t like it when it appears that the U.S. is letting down our allies. Two recent examples suggest that the U.S. can be less than loyal when it comes to how we treat allies. The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted this week to submit a resolution to the House recognizing the massacres of hundreds […]
1. On March 3rd, the Obama Administration announced its support to declare the bluefish tuna endangered and to ban international trade of the fish. Japan is not happy and Europe is divided. Sushi aficionados in Japan and elsewhere have consumed bluefin for decades, causing the fish’s population to plummet. This month, representatives from 175 countries […]
Relations between the U.S. and China have become strained of late. Currency values, climate change, computer hacking, Tibet, arms sales to Taiwan, and debt concerns are just a few of the many challenges burdening the relationship. According to this newswire report, the two countries are working on addressing these issues. Two high level U.S. emissaries […]
Secretary Clinton is in Chile and met with President Bachelet today to offer U.S. assistance in dealing with the quake aftermath. What is the U.S. doing to help Chile? We are offering satphones and so much more. Here is a great summary, in Secretary Clinton’s own words: I was planning to be in Chile today […]
When I was in Uganda last month I was fortunate to learn more about an interesting parliamentary internship program being carried out by the Center for International Development (CID) of the State University of New York (full disclosure: I used to work there). Supported by Higher Education for Development (which uses fairly small grants to […]
Another major earthquake has hit a hemispheric neighbor and the U.S. is standing by to offer assistance. President Obama released an official statement of support to the people of Chile and took to the White House lawn to offer the following remarks: From what I can tell, Chile will probably not ask for U.S. assistance […]
Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I’ve been doing some traveling. I’m trying to get back into my regular routine but posting may be infrequent for a few days as I settle in. I would like to note this video report from MSNBC that highlights the efforts and sacrifices made by one of our […]
A quick post to direct readers to the new climate change portal website, run by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration. Launched earlier this month, the site is intended to be a one-stop-shop for all U.S. climate related information. According to the NOAA, the site is designed to address […]
Veteran Canadian diplomat Daryl Copeland has been on the ramparts of diplomatic studies for several years now, advocating a kind of diplomacy he calls Guerrilla Diplomacy. Last week, at the International Studies Association convention in New Orleans, a panel of expert academics reviewed Copeland’s thesis and generally applauded his ideas. I also had a chance […]
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