The FPA’s Must Reads (August 23-30)

The Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. [Photo Credit: Peter23]The Shatners of American Foreign Policy
By Daniel W. Drezner
Foreign Policy

Daniel W. Drezner’s top 10 American foreign policy disasters in response to the previously tipped “Greatest Hits,” ranging from the Bay of Pigs to the invasion of Iraq.

A Proud Nation Ponders How to Halt Its Slow Decline
By Steven Erlanger
The New York Times

After years of focusing on the role of Germany, Europeans are now turning to face “the French question.” Previously a global power considered as European leader, this social democracy faces the challenge of having to make significant structural changes to its expensive social model.

Imminent U.S. Strike on Syria Could Draw Nation into Civil War
By Ernesto Londoño and Ed O’Keefe
Washington Post

As the world waits to see whether the Western world will take military action against the Syrian government following their possible use of chemical weapons, several experienced military officials and diplomats offer their thoughts on the potential conflict.

A Point of View: Democracy and Islamic Law
By Dr. Emile Unjom
BBC News

Should a nation be defined by language and territory, by ruling party or by faith? By examining the trail of the current Middle Eastern crisis to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, we can see how the collapse of the empire lead to the division of previous colonies into small territorial states that still struggle for national unity.

The Next Economic Bubble
By William H. Janeway
Foreign Affairs

What can we learn from the history of economic bubbles, cyclically expanding then bursting, that could help us anticipate where and how the next may emerge? A combination of state investment and speculative mania inflates the bubble, and it seems the low-carbon economy of tomorrow could be next on the horizon.

Blogs:

Only Egyptians Should Fix Egypt by Alireza Ahmadian
European Defense: Efficiency, Wealth and Will by Michael Crowley
A Candid Discussion with Reza Aslan by Reza Akhlaghi
Attracting FDI: Openness Helps, But Opportunity Rules by Tom Garry
Yes, I Speak Intervention by Jason Anderson