Field notes from Nippon
Medium
By Kayvon Tehranian
Through his trip to modern Japan, Kayvon Tehranian captures the ancient traditions of the island nation’s old country. Writing about customs and traditions, he captures the norms of what makes Japan’s society unique.
America Doesn’t Need to Lead the Free World
The Atlantic
By Scott Beauchamp
Scott Beauchamp, an Iraqi war veteran, and Barry Posen, a political-science professor at MIT, discuss the U.S.’s role to use force in the name of leading the new world. The two debate whether the U.S. should adhere to the philosophy of “primacy” or “restraint.”
Escape from Jonestown
Longreads
By Julia Scheeres
The story of Tommy Bogue’s escape from Jonestown, the site of a 1978 cult massacre, gives an in-depth look at a young boy’s impression of the Peoples Temple and its leader, Jim Jones.
The fighters of Iraq who answer to Iran
Reuters
By Babak Dehghanpisheh
This Reuters special report sheds light on the other side of the sectarian division tearing apart Iraq: Iran-backed Shia militias. The U.S. has placed emphasis on training the Iraqi army, but Iran has raised a competent fighting force loyal to Tehran.
The One-State Reality
The New Yorker
By David Remnick
Though he is a one-state advocate, Israel’s new president, Reuven Rivlin, is a staunch supporter for civil rights to Palestinians and ending sectarian violence. He recently paid a price for his egalitarian views from Israeli hardliners.
Blogs:
China’s New Economic Silk Road–Another White Elephant? by Gary Sands
Palestinian Authority Forbids Peace with Israel by Rachel Avraham
The Plight of Homosexuals in Egypt by Rachel Avraham
Netanyahu’s Reactions by Josh Klemons
The Republican Congress and Foreign Policy by Scott Monje
