The FPA’s Must Reads (November 22-29, 2013)

The Nobel prize laureates for 1994 in Oslo. (From right to left): Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin Foreign minister Shimon Peres e PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. [SAAR YAACOV: GPO, 10/12/1994]Rumsfeld’s War and Its Consequences Now
By Mark Danner
The New York Review of Books

Danner’s article offers a review of Rumsfeld’s political career, from Nixon to a war in Iraq that promised “Mission Accomplished” in a period of a few months. This article offers stunning insight into the decisionmaking process surrounding the so-called “War on Terror” and the invasion of Iraq.

The Surge
By Matthieu Aikins
Wired

Although the number of diagnosed polio cases has dropped dramatically in the past 25 years, the disease is still making headway in some of the most troubled and underdeveloped parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. Aikins delves into the effort to eradicate the final traces of of the disease, and the complications therein.

John Kerry Has a Long Way to Go to Reshape the Middle East
By David Rohde
The Atlantic

While we’re closer to reaching a diplomatic solution on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Iran’s nuclear program and Syria’s civil war, talk of reshaping the Middle East is premature, says David Rohde, Great Decisions in Foreign Policy on PBS host and columnist for Reuters. Progress has undoubtably been made, but the “hard stuff” is yet to come.

Friends Like These
By Jonathan Allen
Reuters

In this investigative report, Allen delves into the transition of Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng’s awkward transition into academic in New York, the hodgepoge of supporters surrounding him, and how he’s gotten wrapped up in America’s culture wars.

Locked in the Cabinet
By Glenn Thrush
Politico

Thrush’s article explores what he calls the “worst job in Obama’s Washington” and the inner workings of the Obama administration’s cabinet.

Blogs

The U.N. Lacks Moral Authority to Dictate Morale in Haiti by Chris Celius
Climate Change Hijacks National Security by Oliver Barrett
Short film follow-up to “Gravity” connects the final and “last” frontiers by Mia Bennett
Even if Kony turns himself in, he still emerges as the victor by Daniel Donovan
Rough Sledding for the Yingluck by Tim LaRocco