Orin Kerr has this strong analysis, explaining the importance of today's Second Circuit decision upholding the convictions of several individuals involved in bombing American embassies in Africa ten years ago. (The decision is available here, split into 4th and 5th Amendment issues and other claims, as well as here). Here is Andy McCarthy, one of […]
James Bond is not the only man seemingly oblivious to the charms of Olga Kurylenko. The Ukrainian-born, Paris-based model and actress plays Camille, a Bolivian secret agent on a mission to avenge the murder of her Russian mother, in Quantum of Solace. Although Russia is pretty much irrelevant in the new Bond film, the communists […]
The rays of sun hits the blue roof terraces of Chaufchaouen in Morocco at 8:15, stretch across the valley and then climb the face of the mountain ahead. The smell of kif is thick. Now back on the road through the mountains of the Middle Atlas, through the intensity of Fes, and now Marrakesh, a […]
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Gandhi Open the door for children, by working to see the change in the world that will enable them to have a future of hope and prosperity. Giving children hope along with the tools for the future will not only open the door […]
The trials began 63 years ago yesterday. The groundbreaking trials were a revolution in international criminal law, setting forth the principle that legalizing vicious abuses such as crimes against humanity under domestic law could not provide impunity. Rather, such abuses always violated international law. When the Khmer leaders or the interhamwe or Charles Taylor or […]
Today, November 20th, marks the day on which the United Nations Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989. Universal Children's Day. In a press release UNICEF USA issed an appeal to the public to get involved with the Presidential Initiative target […]
For those of you interested in pirates outside of their rakish hilarity and annual holiday – that is, in the continuing and significant threat they pose to international security – there's been considerable additional discussion today of the Somali pirate affair. Here's Patrick Barry on the various international parties now attempting to police the Gulf […]
Here is Evan Kohlmann at CounterTerrorismBlog. Short version: Al-Zawahiri has put his foot in his mouth before, angering even other Islamic terrorists by acting as if groups like Hamas and other Iraqi insurgents are duty-bound to do as he tells them. Walid Phares assesses the whole tape. Kohlmann also helpfully links a full transcript of […]
The cursed children of Bhopal The effects of a 1984 accident at an insecticide factory in Bhopal, India, that pumped tons of toxic chemicals into the air still linger today, where children exhibit a range of side effects — from stunted development to severe diabetes to deafness. A court ruled that a claim seeking damages […]
As we bid 2008 goodbye, we want to get your thoughts on which woman was the most influential or inspirational in world politics this year. She could be someone whom you admire or despise. She doesn't have to be a professional politician. We're looking for women whose ideas, words, deeds and heels have left a […]
Ilan Goldenberg's analysis here. Goldenberg suggests the attack on Obama shows Al Qaeda's recruitment efforts are threatened by Obama's ability to rebrand America's image, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. Our own Josh Hammer has a similar analysis here. As always, when we discuss Al Qaeda, whether it's an attack on AQ-affiliated targets in […]
Many of the world have been suddenly been drawn together regardless of what side of the abortion issue they stand on. What has united activists from all sides? The sudden brake of the story of Arzigul Tursun, a Uyghur woman living near Ghulja in East Turkestan (also known as Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the […]
What turns the "I will be's" of childhood into, the "I could be's"? Poverty, gender inequality, war, and disease all take the "will be" out of many children's future, but the true dark shadow that continues to plague millions of children every year is lack of access to adequate education. Education is the key to […]
The problem of international naval piracy has received renewed attention in recent days, prompted by attacks on several ships, including a Saudi tanker off the coast of Somalia. Voice of America reports almost 100 ships have been attacked off of Somalia this year. Piracy, of course, is the original crime under international law, and so […]
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama invited Hillary Clinton to Chicago last week for a talk. Inevitably, it was leaked that she was being considered for the post of Secretary of State. Most pundits have emphasized the positives of this possible appointment for the Obama administration. It would finally seal the deal with the small but persistent […]