Cheap bread and used cars: As Russia's economic tailspin rips away one by one the flimsy protective myths of the ruling clique – national rebirth, orthodoxy, regional hegemony, patriotism, assertiveness abroad – we now see in stark relief the true, rather more prosaic, foundations of Putin's …
Just as Iraq's provinces express their newly given right to participate in an election, the Afghanistan people will have to wait a little bit longer for their turn. The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan has decided to postpone the country's presidential election until August …
Christopher Boucek at Carnegie discusses the rubrics by which we can measure the success of terrorist/jihadi rehabilitation programs, given the recent revelations on recidivism among graduates of the Saudi's efforts in this regard. (Mentioned on this blog in …
The military call it Gitmo, the journalists Guantanamo, the world – a human rights disaster where the individual ceased to exist. The Geneva Conventions were summarily tossed aside. This is a war where …
“Peace is in the waves at sea. Peace must begin with you and me!”
- Student, Gander Middle School, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada
“Why destroy when we could create, Keep the peace, erase the hate.”
- Normal Community West High School, Normal, IL, US
“As I look around the world I sigh, And …
Iraqi provincial elections will take place tomorrow, serving as a segue into the national elections to be held later this year. The mainstream media outlets are framing this event as a wonderful change from the last election day, which was riddled with violence. To a degree, I believe this is …
The real status of events in Zimbabwe continues to be shrouded in a fog of obfuscation, misinformation, and disinformation. Despite reports apparently emanating from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state, the leaders of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have denied …
A two-part prediction: The 2009 election might be the closest in South African history since the 1940s (which does not in and of itself mean that it will be very close — since 1948 South African national elections have been characterized by one party dominance, whether in the form of …
Public Diplomacy blogger Mark Dillen recently posted on Barack Obama's appearance on Al-Arabiya TV, highlighting some initial positive feedback to the new president's interview.
There's no question that Obama's gesture was a unique, and relatively genuine, effort to set the tone for the ‘new face’ of US Middle East …
Congressional Research Services – Congress’ think tank – has a significant report out discussing the legal issues associated with President Obama's executive order closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay (link available here). The report constitutes the most comprehensive publicly available treatment of the issues surrounding Gitmo closure …
A justice at the military court in Guantanamo Bay moved against an executive order issued by U.S. President Barack Obama to delay tribunals there for 120 days.
Judge James Pohl denied delay requests for a case involving Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri for his role in the October …
According to Mexican President Felipe Calderon, his participation at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum aims at placing Mexico as an attractive place to invest, re-designing the global financial system, meeting with international organizations and heads of state and government, discussing global issues, and attending three plenary sessions. …
Talking to our children about violence and war is difficult in its own right, as no parent wants to bring their child into the harsh reality that is our globalized world. And while yes, sheltering children from violence is ideal, it is not an option that holds feasibility for …
Things have been difficult for U.S. ally Turkey lately. The rebuff from the EU over accession has sent ripples of shock and consternation through the secular military and the increasingly Islamic political class. Tensions between them are high and there have been …
Is ANC Youth League President Julius Malema, whose antics and outspokenness have aroused controversy for many months now, finally doing demonstrable harm to the ANC cause? In the Western cape, at least, it appears so. Malema has served as a lightning rod virtually since his ascent …
