Foreign Policy Blogs

Media

You Cannot Silence Al Jazeera

You Cannot Silence Al Jazeera

It has been a full year since a quartet of Arab countries – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt – tried to silence Al Jazeera as part of their subsequent 13 arbitrary demands: demands that specifically included shutting down our news network, Al Jazeera. This particular demand is absurd, given that Al Jazeera has […]

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The Balkanization of American Society

The Balkanization of American Society

Societies that pull themselves to the extremes often have to ignore large swaths of reality to make the mental leap to self-abuse.

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May 3rd: World Press Freedom Day

May 3rd: World Press Freedom Day

According to the UNESCO, 827 journalists lost their lives while on duty over the last decade, and 8% of these cases remain unresolved.

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Forecasting Unconventional Elections: What Can Be Done?

Forecasting Unconventional Elections: What Can Be Done?

The polling industry must be strengthened, not discredited. It remains crucial in an era in which markets are hypersensitive to political outcomes.

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Anti-Semitism in the Trump Campaign

Anti-Semitism in the Trump Campaign

A Trump advisor argues that there is no anti-Semitism in its candidate’s campaign, but that it is rampant in the Clinton camp. Classic Trump gaslighting.

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Social Media Now on Conflicts’ Front Lines

Social Media Now on Conflicts’ Front Lines

Social media is now on the front lines of many international conflicts with clicks and ‘follows’ being the new version of voting with your feet.

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On Shifting Ground: A New Documentary on Nepal Earthquake Relief

On  Shifting Ground: A New Documentary on Nepal Earthquake Relief

On Shifting Ground tells the story of collaboration among six Hilton Prize-winning international NGOs and a range of local organizations after the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

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FPA’s Must Reads (June 21-28)

FPA’s Must Reads (June 21-28)

The Inside Story of Russia’s Fight to Keep the U.N. Corrupt By Colum Lynch Foreign Policy For the past decade, Russia has attempted to stall the push to root out corruption in U.N. spending. Whether out of commercial or political interests, Russia has pushed out reformers, blocked budgetary reform and butted out watchdogs. Lynch reports […]

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We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks (2013)

We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks (2013)

While Julian Assange is the person with the rock star persona, Bradley Manning is the true center of this documentary. It was Manning who leaked information to WikiLeaks and who now faces trial for doing so. Army Pfc. Manning is portrayed in the film as a confused and somewhat naïve officer, a person who has […]

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When reporters keep silent instead of scoops

When reporters keep silent instead of scoops

During the Bosnia conflict, reporters in Sarajevo kept quiet about at least two great stories. We did so with an unwritten rule of realizing that sometimes silence is more important than scoops. The first was most of U.S. knew ABOUT the existence of a tunnel from Sarajevo to beyond the lines that had the city […]

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A Candid Discussion with Eric Deggans, Author of “Race-Baiter”

A Candid Discussion with Eric Deggans, Author of “Race-Baiter”

Did America enter a post-racial era with the election of a black president? The answer still appears to be a resounding “no.” Race relations in the American media continue to be a contentious topic with many Americans still not ready to see each other as simply Americans. Economic policies have also played a role in […]

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Year in Review: Twitter and Foreign Policy

Year in Review: Twitter and Foreign Policy

When I think back to 2012, I will inevitably think back to Twitter as the lens through which I saw elections, natural disasters, and major political events unfold. When it comes to foreign policy and cross-border issues, Twitter is playing more of a role than ever.  Highlights from the past year in the international Twitterverse […]

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In defense of people who often find themselves “sitting around talking about Libya.”

In defense of people who often find themselves “sitting around talking about Libya.”

  During Monday night’s town hall style debate between President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, the domestic issues once again seem poised to take the spotlight until one Mr. Kerry Ladka took to the microphone.  Asking President Obama about the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Ladka said: This question actually comes from a […]

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U.N. Adopts Position on Protection of Journalists

U.N. Adopts Position on Protection of Journalists

  Among an avalanche of 33 resolutions adopted last month by the U.N. was one calling for the protection of journalists around the globe. The Council’s 21st session was suspended, but not before they made a clear defense of the press. The council condemned attacks and violence against the press, particularly at the hands of […]

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YouTube’s Free Channels Taking TV by Storm

YouTube’s Free Channels Taking TV by Storm

  When traditional television was looking the other way, YouTube launched a truckload of what they call “original channels.” The channels cover everything from food and travel to autos and topics for moms. According to an article in the Guardian on Oct. 8: The Google-owned video website has linked up with media companies including Hat […]

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