Foreign Policy Blogs

Dear Ali: Advice for the everyday despot, PM, Congressman, etc.

Insurrection in Syria or Lybia.

Scandals involving Weinergate, Turkish political sex tapes, and Berlusconi.

Increased availability of children’s vaccines in the economic south.

Rising caviar prices.

Efforts to hinder North Korean and Iranian trade.

Palestine is attempting to gain recognition of its statehood.

– Nothing seems to be going well these days, but the responsibility doesn’t lie in the usual menaces: US intelligence, freedom, intellectuals, or Latvia.

I know I don’t need to point out how hectic our lives can be. Teaching our kids how to be ruthless; beating the presidential cook after s/he prepared a lackluster  chocolate soufflé for our dinner party with the President of FIFA; or getting our son into an overrated, elitist Western university and (cross our fingers) getting him to graduate – these are all things that can take up an inordinate amount of time in our schedules, which of course lead us to take shortcuts (who hasn’t mistakenly sent an email meant for a mistress to the Director of the MoI!?). These shortcuts often backfire on us, which is why I wanted to provide some guidance on a few situations we face throughout our day:

1) Staging deceptive media events

2) Jailing/torturing a political dissident

3) Promulgating nude photos/video of yourself

4) Undermining a non-violent revolution (I find the last the most annoying).

There are many more issues that you of course need to tackle, so feel free to drop me a line for any other advice!

Dear Ali: Advice for the everyday despot, PM, Congressman, etc.

 

Author

Ali A. Riazi

Ali is an independent advisor on conflict and foreign affairs and an advocate for civilian protection. He has advised the Office of the Secretary of Defense, US military, NGOs, and intelligence oversight staff on topics, such as Afghanistan, civilian protection, irregular warfare, and civil-military affairs. His 13+ years of career experience have spanned humanitarian and national security circles and involved extensive experience throughout the Near East and Central Asia.

Ali earned a BA in Government & Politics (summa cum laude) and a Minor in International Development & Conflict Management from the University of Maryland, College Park. Additionally, he served as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant in International Political Economy. He is currently pursuing an MLitt in Terrorism Studies through the University of St. Andrews.

Ali's other blog interests can be followed at http://www.abeingforitself.com, and he can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/ali_riazi.