In this March 24, 2013 photo, distributed by RIA Novosti Agency on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin poses for the camera as he plays with his dogs Yume, an Akito-Inu, front, and Buffy, a Bulgarian Shepherd in an undisclosed location of Moscow region.(AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Presidential Press Service)
The Modern King in the Arab Spring
By Jeffrey Goldberg
The Atlantic
Can King Abdullah II of Jordan, the areas most pro-American Arab leader, save his desperately broke country through liberalization, modernization and regime change?
How a Single Spy Helped Turn Pakistan Against the United States
By Mark Mazzetti
The New York Times Sunday Magazine
Raymond Davis, a contractor hired by the CIA, sent off a flurry of bullets on Jan. 27, 2011 in response to an attack by two men on motorbikes in Lahore, Pakistan, only months before bin Laden’s death. Despite overwhelming news of the raid on Abbottabad and killing of Osama bin Laden, Davis’ shootout is consistently referenced by Pakistani officials as being the event that lead to the real unraveling of the U.S.-Pakistani relationship. But why?
Social Diplomacy
By Alexis Wichowski
Foreign Affairs
Even with the firestorms caused by various diplomat’s tweets throughout the years — most recently in Cairo — the diplomatic community is inching more and more towards strategically using social media. And despite some faux paus, it’s really proving to be worth it.
The Importance of Being Prickly
By Geoffrey Wheatcroft
The New Republic
Famously considerate to secretaries and cleaners at Downing Street but brutal to her Cabinate ministers, Thatcher was far from a “likable” politician. Perhaps, Wheatcroft argues, this was her greatest strength: Her tendency to move away from the “popularity contest” aspect of politics and instead seeking respect. Prickly, yes, but with purpose.
The Cuba Lobby
By William M. Leogrande
Foreign Policy
The most powerful lobby in American politics isn’t the NRA — it’s the Cuba Lobby. Although the U.S.’ Cuba policy is stuck in the cold war, America has, for the most part, stuck to her guns. Leogrande analyzes the historical role of the Cuba Lobby and it’s place today while pushing for what U.S.-Latin America relations needs: a reconciliation with Havana.
Obama Visit to Israel Key Link in Redesign of U.S. Foreign Policy by Sarwar Kashmeri
NO: The Rest of the Story by Scott Monje
Brave New Bailout by Gus Constantinou
A Candid Discussion with Hooman Majd by Reza Akhlaghi
Iran’s Presidential Election: An Equation with too Many Variables by Azadeh Pourzand
